Mission Statement: 

The primary focus of the Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT is to create a safe space where people can utilize the art of Raks Sharki to heal from all the social pressures, or feelings of inadequacy. We have created a place where people from all walks of life can embrace their bodies, and enhance their creativity. The MDA’s main training objective is to “LEVEL UP”, the overall oriental dance training experience in CT. We have committed to hosting the highest caliber master trainers globally, to deliver the most authentic cultural exploration of this art form. We continue to provide a balance between recreational training while delivering real professional opportunities for artists to develop into their full potential.

Welcome to the Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT

At the MDA we offer 3 ways to learn!

  1. In Person Studio Classes : See the Schedule tab for details.
  2. LIVE online Classes: Attend a LIVE broadcast of our class from home.
  3. Self Study Pre Recorded dance training: Train at your own pace.

 

LIVE online Sessions: 

  • Our LIVE online sessions is where we bring the MDA classroom to YOU! You will participate in the Class of your choice via ZOOM , and participate LIVE with the rest of the class. For “LIVE ONLINE” sessions, please just add yourself to the attendance roster for the day in which you are attending class, and contact the office via email, text or call to obtain the classroom link.
  • We also provide pre-recorded content for students who cannot attend an in person classes, nor log in during our LIVE online sessions. These resources also serve as an additional tool for our students overall to better structure their at home practice.  
The Self Study program is divided in a 3-month online enrollments access.
Pre-Recorded Offers:
Our 3 Month Self Study online program is designed for those who are looking to take their at-home practice to the next level. If you cant attend our interactive LIVE online class, attend in person to the academy, or maybe you are an In-person student looking to take your dancing to the next level, then these are GREAT resources for your to use.
Students that are enrolled and attend in-person sessions, get access to these resources at 50% off. Access to these resources is for a 3 month period. The video passwords will be changed periodically to keep the roster of participants updated.
* **We ask dancers to NOT share their access with anyone else since that would compromise the financial resources that allow for us to be able to continue creating content.***
ALL participants will be given access to a group chat, where you can ask questions and submit online practice assignments if you wish to participate.
Once per month, you will have the ability to attend a LIVE Q& A meeting via ZOOM with Kelvia (the owner and founder of MDA) to address any syllabus, cultural, or industry-related questions.
Contact the academy directly with any questions
Office: 203-691-8121
Text: 203-313-8282
Email: MiddleEasternDanceCT@gmail.com

What is Viva vs MDA?

Top International Dance Training

About our Leadership

Kelvia Mitri- MEDA

Founder & Artistic Director of MDA-CT

KELVIA MITRI- MEDA is a multi- award winning professional oriental dance artist. Her other specialties include dance performance coaching, and event coordinating. She is the owner of the Viva Dance & Fitness Center for the Arts, and founder of the Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT.

Kelvia’s international level recognitions as a coach or performer have been:

  • 2017 First Runner up of the Queen Category in the Houston International Oriental & Folklore Dance festival by Simon Sarkis.
  • 2018 First Runner up International Kids Dance Coach at the NY Cairo Festival. Performance by Angelina Meda
  • 2018 First Runner up International Kids Dance Coach at the Miami Belly Dance Convention. Performance by Angelina Meda
  • 2019 First Runner up in the International Miami Belly Dance Convention Adult Dance Team where she was a performer.
  • 2019 First Runner up & 3rd Place International Kids Dance Coach at the Miami Belly Dance Convention. Performance by Madison Meda, and Alison Meda

Her most recent PERSONAL WIN was being crowned Queen of the Heart of American 2019 international dance festival by the biggest name in oriental dance, Superstar DINA! 

Kelvia has trained intensively in all 16 different dance styles, but it was belly dancing that captured her heart. Kelvia decided to take her first belly dance lesson with Adina from Milford, CT in 2008, out of simple curiosity for this dance style. In 2012, she began training intensively with Nourhan Sharif, and in 2016 was introduced by Nourhan to Pierre Haddad. As a student of the Egyptian Academy of Oriental Dance in New York City, Kelvia continues to have the honor of taking countless hours of dance training from International Raqs Sharqi superstars. As part of her dedication to this art form, Kelvia attends workshops with many famous U.S.A based dancers as well.

Kelvia’s passion and drive has led her to dancing on the stage of many prestigious venues and events. Kelvia has danced at venues such as Madison Square Garden (NYC), CopaCabana (NYC), Shrine at MGM Foxwoods, The New Haven CT Presidential Inaugural Ball for Barack Obama, The New Haven CT Mayor Ball for the honorable Toni Harp, Sharifwear Production in DROM (NYC), and Al Khaima Arabesque Academy, (Toronto,CA). Her proudest stage performance invitations were to be the headliner in the opening acts for the Lebanese singer known as the “Voice of Lebanon”, Ragheb Alama, concert on June 2019. Soon after she had the honors of being the opening act for Iraqi super star, Saif Nabeel on March 2020.

 

In 2014, Kelvia was approached for a performance collaboration by musician Elio Mitri. That began Kelvia’s specialized stylization training in Lebanese oriental dance. The Mitri Family took Kelvia into their home for Lebanese cultural and entertainment education. Kelvia essentially was able to experience learning the intricacies of middle eastern dance in “Momma Mitri’s living room”. They spent countless hours educating Kelvia on the emotional and cultural significance of movement.  They adopted Kelvia professionally and soon Kelvia’s stage name changed from “Kelvia Belly Dancer CT” to “Kelvia Mitri-Meda”. 

In August 2015, she had the honor of flying with Katia of Cairo to Egypt, where she trained with Madam Raqia Hassan. Quickly following her short stay in Egypt, she took a flight to Lebanon under the host Pierre Haddad- a protege to the first famous belly dancer of the country “Nadia Gamal”. Kelvia immersed herself in learning the Lebanese styling and culture of the Lebanese oriental arts. While in Lebanon, Kelvia had the honor of performing at a charity event to raise money for cancer research in the country.

She was also able to teach small local dance classes for the community. Kelvia’s visit caught the attention local news station “Future TV”, and she was interviewed about her love for Lebanese Oriental dance. She continued her travels to Lebanon every few years to train in Lebanese style classic oriental dance. In May 2019, Kelvia moved to Lebanon for 1 month for an in-depth cultural and dance training experience with Pierre Haddad.

In 2020 Kelvia moved for a year to Jordan for further cultural education. With Kelvia you dont only get a trained dancer, but you get an artist who has experienced daily life in the Middle East, which allows her to connect deeper with the arts to bring you a deeper cultural experience.

Currently, Kelvia is the most sought-after Oriental Dancer in the CT Lebanese American community.  Expect to see a show full of passion and power!!

See and learn more about Kelvia by visiting:

www.kelvia.com

MDA-CT Instructors & Dance Team

MDA-CT Instructors & Dance Team

(From left to right) Cassandra, Jessica, Kelvia, Emiliah, Rose Mary, Joseline

Dance Teams

STUDENT & PROFESSIONAL DANCE TEAMS

(Next tiered level training for students looking to get more out of their dancing.)

We currently have 3 dance teams at the MDA. We have the Professional Dance Team called the MDA Girls who are preceeded by the MDA Classics alumni group. We have a student dance team for those seeking to have more performance opportunities in and outside of the studio, known as the MDA Stars. Lastly, we have a our longest standing KIDS dance team (ages 5-13)  known as the MDA Kids.

These dance teams were created with the goal of providing our dancers with an opportunity to use their talents to serve the community. These dance teams are comprised of dancers who have been training with Kelvia for over 1yrs, or have auditioned to join the group.

MDA: AWARDS & RECOGNITION