Qabila Foundation

Aubre Hill

Aubre Hill is an international dance artist, choreographer, educator, and event producer. Aubre has been a professional dance artist for over twenty five years including touring with the Bellydance Super Stars, headlining numerous international festivals, featured in her own FitTV show, highlighted in many films and videos, and a mover & shaker of the dance community. She has directed numerous dance companies in full theater productions as well as cultural events. She has trained and taught a generation of dancers, some of whom have moved into full professional dance careers. She was on faculty at California State University, Los Angeles teaching accredited courses in pilates, fitness, and dance for over 10 years. She owned and directed Movement Art Space, a dance and fitness studio in Los Angeles offering education for all ages and levels for three successful years.

Aubre has choreographed full dance theatrical productions including “The Nutcracker,” “Sketches of Arabia,” “Nights of Arabe,” and more as well as is the artistic director and choreographer for the Qabila Foundation, Lumina Dance Co, and the Beyajja Dance Theater.

Over her career Aubre have been a part of various collaboratives to bring creativity, culture, and community together in new ways. Additionally, she has produced a wide range of events and performances bringing the community together in celebration of Middle Eastern Dance including monthly haflas, dance festivals, long running showcases, workshops, intensives, lectures, and more.

Aubre earned her Master's in Arts Management at Claremont Graduate University in 2022. She teaches a full online education program on Patreon including somatic practice and dance education as well as select in person classes in the Los Angeles area. Her teaching is known for her deep understanding of anatomy & kinesiology while embedding cultural context, history, and artistic expression for a rich educational and inclusive experience.

When not teaching, she can be found enjoying time with her partner, playing with her two cats, hiking with her puppy, sipping coffee, researching and writing, and creating new dance work in her home of Long Beach.

www.aubrehill.com

Deborah Albin (Dancer)

Deborah Albin, a perpetual scholar and a California native, began dancing while working on her doctoral studies in education.  While in the throws of research she learned the power of the arts in building intercultural understanding. During that time, she also recognized that through the expression of creativity, human bonds are built.  Through the convergence of these two ideas, Deborah sought to bring more creativity and the arts into her own life. She began with an introduction to Middle Eastern dance through American Tribal Style (ATS). She then, through the tutelage of Heather Shoopman and Susan Frankovitch, trained in tribal fusion styles.  Although tribal remains close to her heart, she has since then, focused on both transnational and folkloric styles dance under the directorship of Aubre Hill.  

In 2018 she became a member of the Qabila Foundation.  With Qabila, she performed in a number of Southern California events and recently in the northern California Bay Area.  Deborah’s interest in folkloric dance extends beyond performance and into audience education. Her goal is to support the preservation of rich Middle Eastern cultural traditions through study and dance with the Qabila Foundation.  She is excited to support opportunities that expand Qabila’s educational outreach. 

Eemah (Dancer)

Eemah grew up in Los Angeles, but her Caribbean background set her on a dance journey filled with a complexity of influences. She was introduced to belly dance in her early 20’s after attending a Middle Eastern wedding and watching a dancer perform for the guests. Since then she has studied various Middle Eastern dance styles extensively with Rachel Brice, Aubre Hill, Jen McDonald, Sooz Tribal, Helena Vlahos, and Sherri Wheatley. Eemah found new dance families with The Qabila Folkdance Company and at the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire's Seraphim Arabesque Ensemble, with a passion to continue reveling in all things Middle Eastern dance.

Imari Rose (Dancer)

Imari Rose grew up on the island of Taiwan and immigrated to the United States as a young child. She developed a love and passion for dance in high school with a background primarily in jazz. She later joined a hip-hop troupe in college and continued to perform with a professional group for 8 years. She enjoys the ability to express her emotions through dance and the opportunity to share that passion with others.

Imari began her journey into Middle Eastern Dance in 2013 studying American Cabaret with Tonya Chianis and later fusion forms with Kami Liddle and Aubre Hill. Through multiple workshops with Aubre Hill and the Qabila Foundation, she found an inspiration to learn more. As an educator herself, Imari was drawn by Aubre’s emphasis on education, history and the culture of Arabic folk dance. Since becoming a member of Qabila in 2019, she has had the opportunity to perform and share Arabic folk dance with the community. Imari truly believes that dance and music transcend cultural boundaries and invite all people to enjoy the happiness these forms bring.