Vanessa of Cairo

Vanessa of Cairo is an American performer with a formal BFA background in ballet who later dedicated her career to Egyptian dance. After additional professional study in New York, she moved to Egypt in 2008 and spent years working full-time within the Egyptian entertainment industry. She became the first American woman documented as owning her own dance-production company in Egypt and produced shows in Sharm El Sheikh. Vanessa also held a thirty-month residency at Cairo's Sofitel El Gezirah and worked extensively as a performer and choreographer. After returning to the United States, she became Artistic Director of Minnesota's long-established Jawaahir Dance Company. Her career combines formal Western dance training, substantial Egyptian professional experience and contemporary company leadership.