Widely recognized for her dance style, dramatic energy, and vibrant interpretation and technique, Lotus Niraja is a professional Middle Eastern dance artists specializing in Urban, Contemporary and Modern Egyptian and Lebanese belly dance styles. Known for her drum solos, shimmy technique, and warm and giving spirit, her dance style is dynamic, infused with glamour and style!
As one of the top performers and instructors on the East Coast, she is rapidly gaining national and international recognition. As a dancer, her audience loves her energetic, personal elegance and her technique which is expressed with subtle nuances, movements, and emotional interpretation.
Her love and passion for dancing bloomed at an early age, as she often accompanied her
mother (who was a dancer) to rehearsals and performances. "I remember, as a child, being in awe as I sat backstage and watched the dancers transform from ordinary people to beautiful characters of dance. I never thought I would be one of them some day."
In addition, Lotus is the Artistic Executive Director and a Principal Choreographer of the award winning, internationally known The NDC (The Niraja Dance Company). As one of America's premiere bellydance companies, they are most admired for their modern approach to Middle Eastern belly dance style that features classical and contemporary movement, well-rehearsed choreography, haute couture costumes, and a love for a performance well done! Along with innovative choreographies by Lotus, they have established a reputation of presenting Middle Eastern dance with excitement and elegance right along with a hip, modern statement.
Classes and Workshops
As a teacher, Lotus teaches technique in its pure form and then .gives the student the tools to create a solid, yet entertaining dance for their personal use.
Lotus Niraja teaches Belly Dance classes and offers private lessons in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as national workshops. In her classes and workshops, Lotus combines technique with stage dynamics in order to help the student give a polished performance. She helps the student focus on stage presence, refinement, audience participation, elegance, and, grace, and crisp movements. Her motto is: "Don't dance like me, dance what is inside your heart. Take your personality, soul, whether playful, mischievous, or serious and dance it and create yourself." A stickler for proper arms, hips, posture, and movement transitions, she encourages her students to also remember to have some fun. "This is a stunning, exciting dance..use it!!"
