Sanya Ismail - Aerialist
- San Antonio, TX
- Aerialist
- 92 Verified Bookings
Bill H. said “I have worked with different acts, entertainers etc for 40 years and I have to say that Sanya is one of the most professional acts I have ever dealt with.…”
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*Dance Performance (solo and/or ensemble)
- contemporary Indigenous dance performance
- sensual dance performance
Dance performance of my original choreography for theaters, festivals, special events and/or occasions. Performances can be adapted to the stage, outdoors, unusual indoor spaces and/or house concerts.
*Choreography Commission (solo and/or ensemble)
- site-specific choreography
- choreography for music videos
- choreography for live music performances
- choreography for particular themes and/or special occasions
Special commissioning of my choreography to fit your needs. Solo and ensemble options available.
Workshops
Public Speaking
Modeling
Be the first to review Maura the Dancer
Price Range: $200 - $10,000
Gig Length: 10 - 240 minutes
Languages: Spanish, Low-level Cherokee
Choreography
- sensual choreography
- site-specific choreography
- choreography for music videos
- choreography for live music performances
- choreography for film, TV and commercials
- choreography for special events and spaces
Dancer For Hire
Maura is available as a dancer-for-hire to perform other’s choreography in dance & theatre productions, music videos, multimedia shows, commercials and arts projects. She specializes in helping people fully realize their artistic visions by sharing her talents, energy and expertise as a professional dancer and life-long student of movement.
Dance Performance
Dance performance of Maura's original choreography (solo or ensemble) for theaters, music videos, festivals, live music, fashion shows, film, commercials, conferences, special events and/or occasions. Performances can be adapted to the stage, outdoors, unusual indoor spaces and/or house concerts.
Erotic Art & Dance (18+ only, NSFW)
Maura performs as a stripper and offers erotic dance shows for individuals, theaters and/or special events. She also provides virtual services. Her specialty is the Exclusive Erotic Experience: private live-cam sessions & custom-made erotic art.
Public Speaking (available in English or Spanish)
Talking points include Maura's personal journey, the artistic process, choreography creation, how culture can inform dance and the intersections of dance, art, culture, s*xwork and decolonization.
Workshops, Master Classes & Residencies (available in English or Spanish)
- community dance workshops
- choreography master classes and residencies for universities
- dance workshops exclusively for womxn and femmes
SHORT BIO:
Maura is a virtuoso dancer who uplifts the vibe of the entire space with her powerful and enchanting presence. She is skilled in multiple dance styles, performing choreography and improvisation. Maura loves working for and with clients and other creatives to help bring their visions to life.
LONG BIO:
Maura García (non-enrolled Cherokee/Mattamuskeet) is a dancer, dancemaker, director, entertainer, facilitator and thought leader. She inspires people to liberate themselves through vibrant performances that channel the sensual rhythms of the natural world. From theater stages, to nightclubs, to museums, to conferences, to universities, to private events, to site-specific outdoor performances, Maura’s powerful work transforms time and space. At the root of all of her endeavors is the desire to heal and create more space for joy in the world.
Her earliest dance/movement training was in Mandinka social dances, ballet, modern, tae-kwon-do and pow-wow dance. As an adult she continues to seek out professional development opportunities and has studied with Dance Exchange, STREB, celebrated Maori choreographer Charles Koroneho, Tahitian dance artist Kanani Lokelani and the Indigenous Choreographers Creation Lab at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
As a performer, she works with clients and other creatives to help bring their visions to life. She has shared her talents with numerous companies, productions, artists and venues in a variety of multi-faceted ways:
THEATER
As a company dancer, Maura performed regularly with Ashe Moyubba Dance Ensemble (DC), Barbea Williams Performing Company (AZ) and Kuumba Dancers and Drummers (FL). Additionally she has performed as a guest artist with Raven Spirit Dance Company (BC, Canada), Calpulli Iskalli (MO) and for choreographer Thomas E.S. Kelly (Minjungbal-Yugambeh/Wiradjuri/Nivanuatu, QLD, Australia)
Maura has been a core member of the artistic development team and performing ensemble for several devised theater projects including: “We Are The Landscape” directed by Karen Lisondra and Amado Espinoza (KS); “Spirit Coalescent” directed by Native jazz fusion band D’DAT (NM); Indigenous Roadshow (AK) directed by Peter Rockford Espiritu. For a series of special performances at the Lawrence Arts Center (KS), she joined the cast of “RETHINK: I Am A Veteran” as a guest choreographer and dancer. She has also set her own choreography on University of Oklahoma dancers for the Oklahoma International Dance Festival and Anjali’s School of Dance (Bharatanatyam) for the Tangled Roots Exhibition (KS).
MUSIC
Maura has worked as a backup dancer for multiple live music shows including performances by internationally renowned Ethiopian singer Chachi Tadesse and acclaimed Bolivian musician Amado Espinoza. Maura also performed with Luis Garay Percussion World Ensemble (VA) for a special presentation at the Wolf Trap (VA) and danced with Tobey Foyeh & Orchestra Africa at Clemson University (SC). She has also accompanied the Malcolm X Drummers during performances throughout the DC metro area.
During the Covid pandemic, Maura began dancing in music videos. Her dancing has been featured in “Horizons” by Native hiphop artist James Pakootas aka Just Jamez (Colville Confederated Tribes), the music video for “Circle Song” by singer-songwriter Elexa Dawson (Citizen Band Potawatomi) and “Lorena” by BEVERLEE.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
In addition to working on theater stages, Maura is a stellar entertainer who enjoys tantalizing adult audiences. To date she has worked in four gentleman’s clubs in three different states, including the well-loved Knockouts Gentleman’s Club (NM). As a gogo dancer she has energized crowds in nightclubs throughout the country, namely the Gay 90’s nightclub (MN) and The Globe (WA). She has also appeared in two burlesque performances, including a roving, audience-hyping interactive performance at The Copper Lounge (NM).
Virtually she has performed live for the Native-owned CYBER SINFERNO Virtual Strip Club (CA) and via private zoom sessions for individual audiences. By request, Maura creates pre-recorded performance videos. Additionally she designed the online erotic art show “DESIRE” - short films featuring her own intimate performances.
Maura currently resides on A-ma-ye-(t)li, also known as turtle island. She believes that every interaction with a living being is an opportunity to positively affect the world. As she travels the world, she continues to seek out opportunities that will allow her to dance, connect and create with others.
Maura is an international touring artist available for in-person and virtual engagements. Among the extensive list of venues she has performed at are:
Ackland Art Museum (NC, USA)
Atlas Performing Arts Center (DC, USA)
Baltimore Theatre Project (MD, USA)
Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity (AB, Canada)
Bebe Theatre (NC, USA)
Bunnell Street Arts (AK, USA)
Carriage House (NY, USA)
Connecticut College (CN, USA)
Conservation Lands Foundation Friends Summit (NM, USA)
Copper Lounge (NM, USA)
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (AR, USA)
Dance Place (DC, USA)
Deja Vu Showgirls (WA, USA)
Denison University (OH, USA)
Disney World (FL, USA)
Embassy of Senegal (DC, USA)
Gay 90’s Nightclub (MN, USA)
Indian Cultural Pueblo Center (NM, USA)
Farmington Civic Center (NM, USA)
Haskell Indian Nations University (KS, USA)
Kansas City Repertory Theater (MO, USA)
Knockouts Gentleman's Club (NM, USA)
La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club (NY, USA)
Lawrence Arts Center (KS, USA)
Links Hall (IL, USA)
Matriarch’s Uprising Festival (BC, Canada)
Movement Research at the Judson Church (NY, USA)
Nanwalek Village (“AK, USA”)
New York Theater Workshop (NY, USA)
Onkwehón:we Original People’s Festival (ON, Canada)
Open Spaces Arts Biennial (MO, USA)
Prelude Festival NYC (NY, USA)
Rhythmically Speaking Festival (MN, USA)
SACNAS Annual Conference (FL, USA)
Spotlight Theater (OK, USA)
Stateline Showgirls (ID, USA)
Talking Stick Festival (BC, Canada)
TD’s North Showclub (NM, USA)
The Dance Centre (BC, Canada)
The Globe Nightclub (WA, USA)
Unedited Series at the Charleston Library Society (SC, USA)
University of Arizona (AZ, USA)
University of South Carolina (SC, USA)
Vines Arts Festival (BC, Canada)
West Village Theater (AB, Canada)
Walker Arts Center (MN, USA)
Warm Springs Reservation (“OR, USA”)
Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival (ON, Canada)
West Village Theatre (AB, Canada)
Western Arts Alliance annual conferences (CA, USA; AB, Canada)
Woodland Cultural Centre (BC, Canada)
Technical requirements vary depending upon the program requested. Low-tech options are always available.
Equipment required depends upon the scope and complexity of the program being requested.
Bill H. said “I have worked with different acts, entertainers etc for 40 years and I have to say that Sanya is one of the most professional acts I have ever dealt with.…”
Lakisha V. said “Tori did an amazing job! She was punctual, professional, and fun to work with. Guests were surprised when she entered the room and enjoyed dancing as…”
Angela S. said “The girls from Kinetic Vogue greeted my guests at the door, interacted with guests, & posed with me guest for pictures. Their costumes were beautiful…”
Stmus U. P. C. said “Dianna Feliciano and the dance instructor Lee Rios were great to work with. They were responsive and very capable of adapting and understanding our event…”