Christina Byram
Instructor: Bollywood basics
Bill Koch
Instructor: Couples Dancing
Sharing the joy of dance in Wichita for decades
Angie Ward
Instructor: Egyptian Folkloric, Gameel Danse
Beverly Yowell-Marks
Instructor: FatChanceBellyDance® Style basics for teens
(FCBD® Style certified)
Patricia Baab
Instructor: Amira's L'Orient Dance Groupe
Founded in 1974, Amira Dance Productions is Wichita's longest-running, community dance studio offering instruction and performances in various cultural dance styles from across the globe.
Our dance studio was founded by Alice Castilow, who also co-founded the Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita. Castilow, who took the stage name Amira, was among the first dance instructors in Wichita to offer belly dance. She studied Middle Eastern dance in New York City, with the famed choreographer and dance troupe founder, Ibrahim "Bobby" Farrah, who taught many of America's early belly dancers in the 1970s.
She also embraced other forms of dance, including flamenco, folkloric and Polynesian, teaching them to her students as well.
Since her death in 2004, the studio ownership has transitioned to former students who have grown the number of staff, students and class offerings.
The studio is known for its annual dance show that educates and entertains Wichita audiences with cultural dances, as well as performances at community and private events.
Top photo: Amira, founder of Amira Dance Productions
Bottom photo l to r: Elisa Montoya, current co-director, Patricia Baab, former co-director 2004-2020) and Di Flower, current co-director
Twyla Smith
Assistant instructor: FatChanceBellyDance® Style basics and Mayari Dance Collective
(FCBD® Style certified)
Elisa Montoya
Studio co-owner
Instructor: Cabaret basics, Aloha Dancers, Raqsat Jamila
Kevin Flower
Instructor: Rhythms/drumming
ADP's mission: Dedicated to enriching lives through teaching, educating and performing of cultural dances
ADP's vision: To create a welcoming community of dancers who share the joy of dance
Di Flower
Studio co-owner
Instructor: Improv Transnational Style basics, Datura™ basics and Datura™ technique (Datura Style™ certified)
Amy Geiszler-Jones
Staff: PR coordinator
AMIRA DANCE PRODUCTIONS STAFF
Holly Woo
Instructor: Zumba, Strength & Stretch
(Zumba® certified)
contact Amira Dance Productions
Robin Koch
Instructor: Raqs Bahdi'a, hoop basics, Hoop Honeys
Alexandra Wolfe
Instructor: FatChanceBellyDance® Style basics and Mayari Dance Collective
(FCBD® Style certified)
Amira Dance Productions, LLC
1702 W Douglas, Wichita, KS 67203
316-221-0648
IN THE NEWS
Belly dancing, Polynesian, tribal dance styles part of Amira Dance's virtual show, The Wichita Eagle, March 12, 2021
Derby couple find shared passion in dance, The Derby Informer, March 1, 2021
From bellydancing to K-pop, Amira Dance studio to stage its 45th show,The Wichita Eagle, March 6, 2020
Shake, shimmy and reap the benefits, dancers say, The Active Age, March 2020
Dancy Odyssey celebration of 45th show, KAKE-TV (ABC affiliate), Feb. 22, 2020
Amira Dance Magic!, KAKE-TV (ABC affiliate), Feb. 26, 2018
Bellydancing the star of Dance Magic show, The Wichita Eagle, March 5, 2015
Wichita dance studio celebrates ruby anniversary with dance show, KMUW (NPR affiliate), March 5, 2015