Alegria Team

Maria is the owner, artistic director and teaches Raqs Sharqi and Flamenco at Alegria.  Maria is a certified instructor in both Datura Style and American Tribal Style® (ATS®) bellydance, having earned her ATS® certification in 2011 and her Datura Style certification in 2023. Her teaching also draws from the Salimpour Format, the foundational system behind many modern fusion styles. She has studied the Suhaila Salimpour format for over a decade, deepening her understanding of both technique and cultural context.

With over 20 years of experience in these dance styles and their histories, Maria offers students a comprehensive approach—grounding each movement in strong technique, musicality, and cultural awareness. Her classes provide not just choreography, but a full appreciation of the art form’s roots and evolution.

Valerie “Walelia Kapuakaimi” Hostos found her love of dance at a young age and grew up with music and movement playing a big part of her life. She performed the folkloric dances of Puerto Rico as a member of Grupo Taíno for 10 years. She begain studying and performing Bellydance at Alegría Studio over a decade ago. Also known by her students as “Aunty Walelia”, she has been studying  Hula (traditional Hawaiian dance) under the tutelage of Kumu Mapuana Kaleoaloha, Halau Hula Alohalani, and has become the ranking Alakaʻi (team leader) for the Awapuhi Keʻokeʻo performing team under the purview of the Halau. Aunty Walelia has advanced to the position of Traditional Hula Instructor, with the goal of sharing her love and knowledge of the Hawaiian culture in the Carolinas and surrounding southern states.

Karla Hernandez was born and raised in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico.  She grew up surrounded by the rhythms and traditions of various Latin styles. While she had the opportunity to explore many styles, she became particularly hooked on Bachata, and she's passionate about sharing its beauty with you. In her classes, we'll dive into the history and techniques of Bachata, exploring body movement, musicality, self-expression and much more. Her goal is to share the rich cultural heritage that makes dances like Bachata so special. She believes music and arts bring people together, and she's  thrilled to be part of your dance journey!

Luz Alvarado is a Latin dance instructor rooted in her Latina heritage, rhythm, culture, and community. With 18 years of Latin dance experience, her movement-with-purpose approach values strong technique while helping students discover their inner dancer, move with joy and smoothness, and connect with the rhythm and energy of the music. Her welcoming classes invite students to build confidence, celebrate culture, and form meaningful social connections.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and shaped by New York’s hip-hop scene, Briam Ali has been teaching dancers of all ages since 2017. After performing and touring in cities across the U.S. and hitting the dance floors of Atlanta, he’s now bringing that experience to Columbia. Briam’s classes break down authentic street foundations, musically, freestyle tools and performance skills that help you find and build your own style. Expect high energy, real culture, and the confidence to battle your own limits whether it’s your first class or you’ve been dancing for years. He’s excited to join Alegria Dance Studio and ready to turn up with Columbia’s next generation of dancers. Come for the moves, Stay for the vibes

Lebanese American Near Dance Artist, and founder of Tarifa Salem Eastern Dance Arts, Tarifa “Donna” Salem was born into a traditional Lebanese family where she was exposed to Arabic dance and music which was the center of all joyous occasions. She studied ballet, gymnastics, piano and voice in her youth nurturing her desire to perform. Her participation in high school musicals and productions in regional theater developed her performance skills. In college, she enrolled in the Dance Production Workshop classes where she developed her gift for choreography and stagecraft. She made her professional debut as a Near East Dancer in the summer after her freshman year when she performed in “Jesus Christ Super Star” at the Apple Hill Playhouse in Greensburg, Pa. After graduating from West Chester University with a BS in Health/PE with a Dance Emphasis in 1978, she accepted a job in NYC as Dance and PE instructor at the elite Nightingale Bamford School. She began studying with her uncle, Ibrahim Farrah, who became her sole mentor and inspiration in developing her art and pursuing graduate studies. Phaedra, also a mentor and principal dancer with the Ibrahim Farrah Near East Dance Group, helped Tarifa refine her skills in preparation for more intensive classes with Ibrahim Farrah.  She became a performing member of the Ibrahim Farrah Near East Dance Group in 1979. Her most memorable performance with the group was the June 1981 Town Hall Concert, featuring Nadia Gamal. Tarifa participated in Nadia’s intensive workshops that summer, which had a major impact on her dancing. She danced at many popular Arabic nightclubs with incredible musicians and was booked for many club dates by Eddie “The Sheik” Kochak in and around NYC at that time. She was also a performing member of NYU based Modern Dance Company, Kaleidoscope under the direction of Dr. Judith Schwartz. She was fortunate to study Bharata Natyam with Classical Indian Dance Guru, Indrani, Afro-Caribbean Dance with Dunham Protégé, Lavinia Williams and Flamenco Artist, Carlota Santana during her graduate matriculation. She earned her MA Degree in Dance from NYU in 1982. Tarifa has been teaching and performing professionally since 1978 and though technically retired, avails herself to teaching workshops, private and small group classes. Her passion for maintaining a standard in the art of her heritage has become a priority to honor the legacy of her uncle/mentor Ibrahim Farrah (1939 – 1998). For more information, go to www.tarifasalem.com.

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