Soraya

Soraya continues to enjoy numerous, very notable pinnacles in her luminous career. She began belly dancing at family gatherings, restaurants, and weddings around Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York City in children's cultural events and television shows as early as 3 years old. As a small child, she grew up with Middle eastern dance, music and culture constantly surrounding her. Thanks to her Syrian heritage and a very talented family, belly dancing flows thru her veins. It was inevitable. Since then, this art takes her all over the world. Soraya feels like she is on a lifelong " magic carpet ride" she gushes with a smile. She enjoys being selective with what shows she takes and carefully picks and chooses her events. Soraya says: "this is a dance for everyone and is a celebration of the human experience as an aggregate". Soraya has garnered global acclaim for an ancient craft that she loves dearly and is as "natural as breathing". Soraya has performed all over the United States, Mediterranean, Mid-East, Asia and Europe. This dancer's accolades are many, and have "exceeded her wildest expectations" yet she remains remarkably down-to-earth. She said: "I love what I do, and I am glad people enjoy my work as it comes from my heart".

Here is a sampling of some of Soraya's many achievements as an International cultural entertainer:

Soraya accepted a generous invitation to perform in Casablanca, Morocco where she had the unique opportunity to belly dance in a rare gala at the Palace for his Majesty King Hassan of Morocco, and the Royal Family. Just when she thought things could not get any better she was asked to work with the biggest singing, crossover mega-star in the world who hails from Port Said, Egypt, AMR DIAB.. Soraya said: "I almost fell off my chair when I got the call". Amr Diab personally selected Soraya to open his milestone, once-in-a-lifetime US concert at the Trump Taj Mahal Arena in front of 6,000 fans. "I thought I was dreaming. Amr Diab has always been my favorite singer. What a creative blast", she exclaimed. "This experience will remain with me forever and Amr also happens to be great guy too". This show propelled Soraya into the 'artistic stratosphere' beyond anything she could have imagined. "Press from all of the world where shooting photos. People were swarming. I never seen such tight security".

Soraya belly dances at all of the Atlantic City Casinos not only in their ballrooms, but in the showrooms to audiences of thousands. She enjoys performing, opening, and touring with such Middle Eastern superstars as: Amr Diab, Warda, Assi El-Hellani, Nawahl al-Zoubgy, George Wassouf, Diana Haddad, Melham Barakat, Hany Shaker, Wadi el-Safi, Sabah, Kazem Al-Sahir, Ragheb Alama, Wael K Foury, Walid, Nadia Addoul, Hassan Hakmoun, Nawahl Al Zoughby, Tony Hanna, Najwa Karam, Maestro Hany Mehanna, Samira Saeed and many others. Soraya also performed for Saudi Royal Family, and has made various appearances on MTV, and VH1.

Soraya caught the eye of Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie who wanted to film a season of their reality television show in her southern NJ shore home. Also, she received numerous calls from Simon Cowell and his producers of American Idol and America's Got talent to perform her belly dancing, but she graciously declined the offers.

Some of the Ivy league Universities and colleges that hire Soraya to instruct, lecture and perform include: Princeton, University, The Richard Stockton College of NJ, Rutgers University, NYU, The Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, The University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Raritan Valley College, Middlesex County College.

When KING TUTANKHAMAN AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE PHAROAHS EXHIBIT came to The Franklin Institute Museum in Philadelphia, PA, Soraya and her entertainment agency were tapped to provide the Egyptian talent for the official black-tie Gala opening. The event was widely covered in the media throughout the tri-state area and in the Middle East. Since Soraya holds a B.A. degree in cultural Anthropology/Sociology with an emphasis in Middle Eastern studies, this event was even sweeter.

She enjoys sharing her good fortune by giving a lot of work to other belly dancers, not only in the tri-state area of: NJ, PA, DE, but also in other states like NYC, IL, CA, DC, FL and beyond . Many performers and protege's coined the nickname: "THE GIG GENIE" because she never takes commissions and wants the artists to keep ALL of what they earn. She said: "I love to give back".

Soraya enjoys having developed a worldwide following and is frequently tapped to perform for California's elite A-list celebrities in their private homes up in the Hollywood Hills, as well as other venues in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmbly Hills, and San Diego areas. The celebrities who personally hire Soraya and her agency enjoy her "Arabian Nights" theme parties which brings Soraya out to CA a few times a year.

Products & Services

Soraya's Mid-East Dance and Music Productions is a full-scale, professional entertainment agency providing sophisticated and family-oriented Middle Eastern entertainment for carefully selected, high-caliber, cultural events. This company specializes in all styles and genres of Mediterranean, Egyptian, Lebanese, Arabian style Belly Dancing, International DJ's, excellent Middle Eastern and Sephardic Bands, Orchestras, beloved singers and specialty/variety acts for upscale events, fancy weddings, large casino concerts, hotel banquets, black tie soirees, Arabian Nights theme parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, etc.

Brands

Soraya profits from her worldwide professional belly dancing DVD and video sales however, she donates her earnings to charity. This one-stop entertainment agency produces, and directs numerous upscale event productions all over the Unites States, Europe, the Middle East and East India. Soraya completed a successful tour of India's most opulent five star hotels and in Dubai, U.A.E. This agency provides a full range of professional party planning, destination management, and often is asked to choreograph for casino revues and collaborated on a Broadway show called "The Lion King" in NYC. Some mainstream artists Soraya worked with  include: Yes, Psychedelic Furs, Kansas, The Pretender's, Joni Mitchell, The Counting Crows, Live, Creed, Kid Rock, The B-52's, The Psychedelic Furs, Neil Young, Mary J. Blige, Bob Dylan and The Go-Go's.  A partial list of the many national television shows that she has appeared on include: Hard Copy, Entertainment Tonight, E! Entertainment Television, Talk Soup, CNN's "Showbiz Today," A Current Affair, The UPN Television Network, Access Hollywood. Soraya starred in a nationally aired commercial for: Donald J. Trumps' TAJ MAHAL CASINO AND RESORT. She appeared as the magical belly dancing Genie throughout the commercial.

Newspaper Articles and Magazines

Soraya and her talent agency has been the subject in numerous magazines, and newspaper articles throughout the US, Middle East, Asia and in Europe. Some of these publications include: Dance Magazine, New Jersey Monthly, L.A. Times, Vogue, The Robb Report, Luxury Lifesstyle, New York Times,  NY Post, Princeton Packet, Times of India, Newark Star Ledger, Health and Fitness Magazine, Times of Tel-Aviv, The Courier News, Asbury Park Press, Courier Post of Cherry Hill, NJ, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia City Paper, Philadelphia Weekly, AC Weekly, The Atlantic City Press, Trenton Times, Beirut Times, AL-Manassah of Egypt and New York City, Al-Ahram of Egypt, and Cairo Today.

Soraya is married to a wonderfully supportive man who is a prominent physician with prior history of experience as an Emergency Room Physician and Intensive Care Unit Director in a busy inner city Philadelphia hospital and now is semi-retired as a pharmaceutical executive for a world class Biotechnology Company. He encourages her to continue her art for as long as she enjoys performing. They now reside in a large oceanfront property along the beautiful shores of Southern New Jersey. 

KING TUTANKHAMEN AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE PHAROAHS EXHIBIT

(The Franklin Institute Museum, Philadelphia, PA)

The official, black tie Gala opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c-QJoGU_4s&feature=related

Description: The Franklin Institute Museum in Philadelphia, PA proudly welcomed the world renown exhibit entitled: "King Tutankhamen and The Golden Age of The Pharaohs". This video slide-show captures this memorable evening of cultural artifacts, Egyptian heritage and Belly Dancing by Soraya. This event was televised live on Channel 6 Action News throughout NJ, PA, and DE. Some of the newscasters who covered the event included veteran talent Jim Gardner, Rick Williams, Erin O'Hearn and others. The National Geographic Channel (NATGEO) was there filming this milestone event as it unfolded and made a TV special about it in which included Soraya's belly dancing performances. Many global and national dignitaries, celebrities and notables were present at this official, black tie opening Gala. Soraya is also a cultural Anthropologist with an emphasis in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean studies. She was asked to tour with the King Tut Exhibit, although very flattered, she had to decline due to previously booked events and travel obligations. This was an unforgettable NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM in every way.

Direct Video link 2:

The milestone AMR DIAB and SORAYA CONCERT, Trump Taj Mahal Arena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDbc3TCve3A&feature=related

Description: "THE KING OF ARABIC POP" Amr Diab, the biggest Middle Eastern singing star in the universe, International belly dancer Soraya, and the wonderful Lebanese singing group The Four Cats performed in front of 6,000 people at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

Direct Video Link 3:

Belly Dance concert Showboat Casino. Soraya "el Mashaal" music by Mokhtar al Said/Hany Mehanna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an1xT5a2pNU

رقص مصري
The Showboat Casino in Atlantic City, NJ proudly presents: Belly Dancer Soraya performing a modern choreography to a timeless piece with a live Egyptian orchestra. This musical composition is the beloved "El Mashaal" by Maestro/Composers MOKHTAR AL SAID, and HANI MEHANNA. This "Arabian Nights" Middle Eastern concert took place in the main theater for The Showboat casino venue. This video features traditional Egyptian belly dancing with a contemporary edge and beautiful live Arabic musical  accompaniment.

Direct Video Link 4

DVD Night at the Casbah with Soraya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_-X8k40M8

This award recognizes and celebrates unique world dance artists and their accomplishments in helping to close the gap between eastern and western cultures. Amara al-Amir (Tapestry of Dance) in New York City and North Carolina awarded the coveted "MEDLS" award to Soraya of New Jersey. Amara personally chose Soraya to receive this wonderful award because of her professionalism, dedication, influence, numerous accomplishments, global inspiration, academia, entrepreneurial leadership, continued successes and for acting as a creative conduit for others as a guide in the craft of authentic belly dancing". 

http://www.amaraalamir.com/amara/MEDLS/Featured%20MEDLS%20Members/Soraya.htm

http://www.amaraalamir.com/amara/MEDLS/Newsletter%2012-20-09.htm

Soraya's story from October, 2009: "BELLY DANCING IS THE EMBODIMENT OF HER HERITAGE" (Cultural Anthropologist practices the art of her Syrian Ancestors).

http://www.shorenewstoday.com/news.php?id=4543