Meet Our NDA Instructors
Niosha Nafei-Jamali
| Founder & Lead Instructor
Born in Tehran, Niosha began dancing at 5. Her love of dance was natural and innate. In 1992, she founded Niosha Dance Academy and began to teach children and adults the styles of Persian dance that she loved so much.
Under her leadership, Niosha Dance Academy has received commendations from the Mayor of Los Gatos and The American Cancer Society for her support and fundraising efforts towards cancer research.
Niosha has been recognized by The World Affairs Council, The Society of Iranian Professionals, The Persian Center, and numerous organizations for her contributions towards preserving Iranian culture and heritage- not just in the US, but beyond.
Niosha is happily married and a mother to three sons Fardeen, Afsheen, and Rameen. With the support of her wonderful husband Fardad Jay Jamali, she’s brought traditional and contemporary Persian dance and culture to the forefront of communities locally and abroad.
Classes taught by Niosha:
- Intro to Dance (Online)
- Intermediate/Advanved Dance (Online)
- Kids Dance (In-Studio)
- Adults Dance (In-Studio)
- Zumance (Online)
“Sherry” Shaghayegh Shariat | Zumba Instructor
Shaghayegh Shariat, better known as instructor Sherry, is a Zumba and Dance Fitness Instructor and personal trainer based in Canada. As Niosha Dance Academy’s Zumba and Sculpt instructor, Sherry has been doing Zumba since 2013 and has been certified since 2018. She is a Certified Personal Training Specialist (PTS) and has a robust background in health and fitness, as well as Total Body Resistance Exercise with over six years of certification and experience in the health and fitness industry.
Sherry finds her greatest joy in instructing group fitness classes for people of all ages, especially Zumba and Latin & Hip-Hop dance styles.
Classes taught by Sherry:
- Zumance (Online)
Vida Alikani |
Yoga Instructor
Vida is a yoga instructor with a background in the arts and humanities. She has a degree in English Literature from CSUN, and is a former dancer and ballet teacher. In 2004 she received her yoga teaching certification from Center for Yoga, where she studied with Diana Beardsley, Fred Miller and Paul Cabanis, among other master teachers. Her combined teaching experience spans New York, Berkeley and Los Angeles. Since 2005 she has been on faculty at OperaWorks, a multi-faceted training program for opera singers. Vida is passionate about presenting yoga as a tool for supporting personal development and self-expression. Her classes are designed to inspire mindfulness, self-acceptance and a sense of appreciation for one’s unique gifts and talents.
Classes taught by Vida:
- Focus & Flow (Online)