Reyna, dancer, choreographer, teacher, was introduced to Middle Eastern dance (bellydance) while she was in high school by Jamila Salimpour, and performed in her dance troupe Bal Anat. She also studied and performed Flamenco with Spanish gypsy Rosa Montoya as well as with numerous Spanish dance teachers in Spain. Her ability to enhance one dance form with her knowledge of the other sets her apart in the Middle Eastern dance world. Reyna is proud to have been a member of the legendary Ibrahim Farrah Near East Dance Company with whom she performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Warren Theater and the Merkin Theater. She studied with Mr. Farrah for over a decade. In the original production of Franco Zeffirelli's Carmen, Reyna performed at the Metropolitan Opera House. Her command of both Middle Eastern and Flamenco/Spanish dance forms was evident in the revival of Man of La Mancha at The Paper Mill Playhouse. The beauty and expressiveness of Reyna's hand and arm movements have mesmerized all of her audiences.
Besides performing on the great stages, Reyna has danced in cabaret theater throughout her career, an experience which has tapped her finely-tuned capacity to respond with the full force of her physical power to the subtleties and nuances of Arabic music. It is finally important to note that Reyna's studies and performances extend beyond the borders of the United States to Mexico, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Egypt.
-Glyn Cassorla
"Reyna Alcala is a unique dancer in today's global dance world. She is a Middle Eastern dancer who is also technically proficient in Spanish/Flamenco dance. A perfect combination for those interested in the fusion of these two major cultures."
- Mariano Parra
Leading Exponent of Spanish/Flamenco Dance in America
