Sirrom offers beginner to advanced classes in belly dancing, including styles in Egyptian, Arabic, Ghawazee, Gypsy, and Greek cabaret. In addition to middle eastern dance, Sirrom offers the graceful and exciting art form of Polynesian dance (hula and Tahitian) and poi spinning.

How Sirrom Began…

Along with two of her close friends, Patricia Wright (Thalia) established Sirrom in 1980. A few years later, Patricia became the sole proprietor of Sirrom. In 1985, Debbie Scheel (Shakira Massood-Ali) joined Sirrom and became Sirrom’s Artistic Director in 1992.

Our Staff…

The dance experience of our staff ranges from 5 years to 30 years. The majority of our instructors have been dancing for more than 15 years and several staff members and students have studied overseas.

We encourage our instructors and students to enhance their knowledge and skills in middle eastern dance through attendance at classes and workshops, both at Sirrom and throughout the United States.

Workshops…

Several times a year, Sirrom offers major weekend workshops and technique classes that feature world-reknown artists from throughout the United States and Middle East. In the past, Sirrom has been pleased to sponsor the following artists:

Amaya, Aziz, Bert Balladine, Cassandra, Dahlena, Desdemona, the late Ibrahim “Bobby” Farrah, Raqia Hassan, Leila Gamal, the late Mirana (of Little Rock), Momo Kadous, Sahar, Samara, Shireem and Frank, Suhaila Salimpour, Yasmena & Ibrahim El Samahy, Vashti, Fatima & Jamila Al Wahid, Zahra Zuhair, Zaina Ali, Z’Helene and Rick Fink

In addition, our instructors offer mini-workshops on a variety of topics, such as in music intrepretation and rhythm, drum, zill (finger cymbals), make-up, costuming, and choregraphy.

Performing Troupes…

Sirrom has several dance troupes: the award-winning Solange and the Sirrom Caravan offers performances in middle eastern dance; the Aloha Polynesia Troupe offers performances in Polynesian dance.

Since its establishment, the Sirrom Caravan and have performed at the following festivals and events:

Mediterranean Festival (for 18 years)
the Multi-Ethnic Festival (for 16 years)
the Houston Tenneco/Methodist Marathon (for 17 years)
the International Festival
the Turkish Festival
Houston Grand Opera presentation of “The Abduction from Segeralio” at the Wortham Theatre
the annual gala for the Egyptian Society of Houston
the Channel 8 Auction
the Rice University Health Fair
the Egyptian exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in 1997
the annual fundraiser at the Houstonian
We have also performed at events presented by the following organizations:

the Arab American Society of Houston
the American Cancer Society
the American Heart Association
the Jewish Community Center
Sirrom has also appeared at the Four Seasons, the Double Tree (Galleria), the Marriott (Galleria and West Loop), the Wyndom, the Houstonian, and various other hotels in and around the Houston area for weddings, parties and special functions.

Dancers from Sirrom have appeared and/or are currently appearing at the Athens Bar & Grill, Sultan’s Palace, the Great Greek, Bibbas’, Cleopatra, El Mirage, the Marrakech, Faud’s, Al Basha’s, Sammy’s Lebanese Restaurant, Opa’s, Angie’s Grill (formerly Zorba’s), and various other restaurants and clubs in the Houston area.