bio
Short Bio
Maria Hamer is a long time bellydancer/ Middle Eastern performer of Pittsburgh, Pa, training tirelessly & passionately for over 3 decades with some of the most sought after teachers in this dance form including Jill Parker, Suhaila Salimpour, Zoe Jakes, Helena Vlahos & Aisha Ali. Maria continues to delve deeper into the physical techniques and modern compositions as well as exploring 'vintage American" style bellydances. She has co- directed & helped in pioneering East Coast companies such as 'Folkloric inspired' Ghawazee Middle Eastern Music & Dance Ensemble in the mid 90's to the more theatrical & contemporary elements of award winning Zafira Dance Company, active for over 11 years.
She's traveled the globe studying, teaching, performing & has collaborated with some of the most notable dancers in her genre such as: Jill Parker, Zoe Jakes, & many others. In April 2023 she had the great opportunity to perform in the 70+ year old dance company Bal Anat as a double sword dancer in Albuquerque, NM. Currently as a solo artist, she collaborates with her sisters Christine Andrews & Jennifer Imashev as 'The Hamer Sisters' as well as with local dance artist, Joanna Abel as Starry Moon Dance Co. As a local Pittsburgh teacher and Bellydance community supporter she contributes with her exciting student troupe Vetiver. She holds certifications in the Suhaila (L2) & Jamila (L2) as well as a Salimpour School Fundamentals Licensed Instructor , Key of Diamonds in Zoe Jakes's format, & Alchemy in Jill Parker format.
Long Bio
Born & raised in Pittsburgh, Pa, Maria Hamer began training in dance & art at a young age. She was fortunate enough to be raised in a large family who spent the majority of their daily activities learning & studying many forms of dance & art.
In 1992, Maria began her studies in Middle Eastern Dance or bellydance, under her sister Christine Andrews. After 3 years of study, Christine allowed Maria teach small portions of class under her supervision to help develop her training. In September 1995, Christine Andrews, Jennifer Imashev (Ever After), & Neefa Bint Durr (Khafif) discussed starting a troupe focused on the more folkloric elements of Middle Eastern Dance or BellyDance. They invited Maria, Shakti & Audrey Sica to form Ghawazee Middle Eastern Music & Dance. Later adding dancers: Olivia Kissel & Tamara Juel & musicians: Jas (Khafif), Denys Proteu (Turku, Khafif), Staycie Webber, Jaime Pennisi, Mark Howard & Eric Webber.
"Ghawazee was conceived as a forum for Middle Eastern dance that would display and educate, as well as entertain the public." Ghawazee archived website
Ghawazee continued to perform at various events such as country clubs, SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) events, Arts Festivals, weddings, Renaissance festivals, & appeared on Turku's LIVE video in 1999. Maria developed a passion for classical & ethnic forms of dance as she grew and explored this amazing form.
Maria Hamer is a long time bellydancer/ Middle Eastern performer of Pittsburgh, Pa, training tirelessly & passionately for over 3 decades with some of the most sought after teachers in this dance form including Jill Parker, Suhaila Salimpour, Zoe Jakes, Helena Vlahos & Aisha Ali. Maria continues to delve deeper into the physical techniques and modern compositions as well as exploring 'vintage American" style bellydances. She has co- directed & helped in pioneering East Coast companies such as 'Folkloric inspired' Ghawazee Middle Eastern Music & Dance Ensemble in the mid 90's to the more theatrical & contemporary elements of award winning Zafira Dance Company, active for over 11 years.
She's traveled the globe studying, teaching, performing & has collaborated with some of the most notable dancers in her genre such as: Jill Parker, Zoe Jakes, & many others. In April 2023 she had the great opportunity to perform in the 70+ year old dance company Bal Anat as a double sword dancer in Albuquerque, NM. Currently as a solo artist, she collaborates with her sisters Christine Andrews & Jennifer Imashev as 'The Hamer Sisters' as well as with local dance artist, Joanna Abel as Starry Moon Dance Co. As a local Pittsburgh teacher and Bellydance community supporter she contributes with her exciting student troupe Vetiver. She holds certifications in the Suhaila (L2) & Jamila (L2) as well as a Salimpour School Fundamentals Licensed Instructor , Key of Diamonds in Zoe Jakes's format, & Alchemy in Jill Parker format.
Long Bio
Born & raised in Pittsburgh, Pa, Maria Hamer began training in dance & art at a young age. She was fortunate enough to be raised in a large family who spent the majority of their daily activities learning & studying many forms of dance & art.
In 1992, Maria began her studies in Middle Eastern Dance or bellydance, under her sister Christine Andrews. After 3 years of study, Christine allowed Maria teach small portions of class under her supervision to help develop her training. In September 1995, Christine Andrews, Jennifer Imashev (Ever After), & Neefa Bint Durr (Khafif) discussed starting a troupe focused on the more folkloric elements of Middle Eastern Dance or BellyDance. They invited Maria, Shakti & Audrey Sica to form Ghawazee Middle Eastern Music & Dance. Later adding dancers: Olivia Kissel & Tamara Juel & musicians: Jas (Khafif), Denys Proteu (Turku, Khafif), Staycie Webber, Jaime Pennisi, Mark Howard & Eric Webber.
"Ghawazee was conceived as a forum for Middle Eastern dance that would display and educate, as well as entertain the public." Ghawazee archived website
Ghawazee continued to perform at various events such as country clubs, SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) events, Arts Festivals, weddings, Renaissance festivals, & appeared on Turku's LIVE video in 1999. Maria developed a passion for classical & ethnic forms of dance as she grew and explored this amazing form.
In 1999, Maria got her first teaching job, outside of local classes, at a workshop in Hollywood, Florida called Maja's Magical Bellydance Festival, later becoming Spirit of the Tribes. In early 2000 Ghawazee split up & late 2000, Zafira Dance Company was formed initially by Christine Andrews, Olivia Kissel & Maria Hamer & very shortly after adding Tamara Juel & then Jennifer Imashev.
Zafira Dance Company quickly gained attention at the first Tribal Fest in Sebastopol, Ca as being one of the few troupes to get a standing ovation that year.
In 2007 Zafira won "Troupe of the Year" from Zaghareet magazine readers poll. Maria has been involved with and has spearheaded putting on events, shows & other projects under Zafira and has had the fortune to travel to many festivals and events. In 2008 Zafira traveled to teach for the first time overseas and Maria was able to teach & perform in Barcelona- Spain, hosted by Maria Rosa & Eva Tallada-Boisin. Barcelona enjoyed Zafira so much, they had them back in 2009. Since then Maria has taught & performed with Zafira in Kiev- Ukraine, Croatia, Prague & Brno- Czech Republic, & The Netherlands. As a solo artist Maria taught & performed in Australia at the Wild Honey Festival in Byron Bay in the fall of 2009.
Throughout her dance training, Maria has always focused on health and well being. For 10 years+ she has studied and trained on and off with Pilates & Yoga disciplines. The summer of 2010, Maria to got her Pilates Mat 1 certification through PHI Pilates in Pittsburgh. She continues to study the form to build her knowledge.
In the fall of 2010, Maria had one of her dance dreams come true when she collaborated with her top inspiration since she began dancing, Jill Parker. Through Zafira (Maria, Christine & Olivia) & Jill Parker's Foxglove Sweethearts, they collaborated & performed in Tempe- Arizona at Plaza De Anya & again in Pittsburgh when they hosted Jill & Tamara at a sold out show in November 2010. In February of 2012, Maria attended Ziah Ali's Tribal Con in Atlanta, Ga & collaborated & performed with the amazing & inspiring Zoe Jakes of Beats Antique.
Since then, Maria has performed, taught & collaborated with Jill Parker & will continue as events allow. She also has studied tirelessly for over a decade with Suhaila Salimpour only just recently acquiring her level 2 certificate in her format.
Currently she lives with her husband (Erik "Angus" Douglass) & son (Kai) & new baby daughter (Pepper Joan), near the Pittsburgh area & teaches regularlyout of Pittsburgh. She looks forward to her dance future & continued training as well as nurturing her fine arts studies fully integrating them wholly into her family & life.
TESTIMONIALS
'Maria Hamer is a Badass performer and fabulous teacher. If I was a Pittsburgh native, I would make her dance with me every day!!! Don't miss out on an opportunity to learn from one of the tribal fusion greats!'
-Zoe Jakes, Tribal Fusion master, Beats Antique
Two phrases that always pop into my head while drilling and dancing with Maria Hamer. 1) OMG the human body can actually do that? 2) Wow, I'm kinda of proud of myself for doing (living) through that! Thank you, momma!"- Jennifer Senn of Khafif Music & Dance (Pa)
Maria Hamer, you are such a great ziller, dancer & you have belly moves that are Extra-Terrestrial!" - Helena Vlahos, guinness book holder for flipping quarters on her belly & bellydance legend!
People, have you heard Maria Hamer zill?!! Have you ever taken a mystifyingly complex class with her working out sick rhythms over sick combos that shift and slide over top of one another making your brain explode? You should!! All the while she'll have you laughing too... so fun!
- Jill Parker, momma of Tribal Fusion Bellydance