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Shaia began studying Middle Eastern dance in 2002, after studying ballet and jazz at the Milwaukee Ballet School and UW-Milwaukee, Latin dance with Keith and Suzie in Milwaukee, and in Chicago with Miguel Mendez, Nino DiGiulio, and at Latin Street Dance Company.   She has studied with nationally and internationally-celebrated belly dance instructors Ansuya, Shoshanna, Ava Fleming, Kimahri, Sonya, Jim Boz, Sabah, Maleeha, Tarik Sultan, Alexandra King, Valizan, Mark Balahadia, Aradia of Las Vegas, and Kami Liddle, Sonia, and Issam of the Bellydance Superstars.

Shaia has a diverse teaching background in jazz, ballet, Latin dance, belly dance during pregnancy, belly dance for men, creative movement for children, and stretching/toning.  She has been employed as a dance instructor for Milwaukee Public Schools since 2004, taught dance for Shorewood Recreation Department, UW-Milwaukee Extension, FootWorks Dance Studio, Balancing BodyWorks, My Yoga Studio,  Victory Lady Fitness, and her own studio.  She has been a dance instructor throughout Milwaukee, Hales Corners, and Elm Grove.

Shaia was the house belly dancer at Shiraz Persian Restaurant in Wauwatosa from 2005 to 2007, in the Mirabar on Milwaukee's east side, and at Fuzion Cafe & Lounge in Walker's Point.  She has also performed locally at Stir Night Club, Hot Water Wherehouse, MO'NA's, Ouzo Cafe, and Casablanca on Brady.

Shaia teaches classes, workshops, and private/semi-private classes in schools and fitness centers in the greater Milwaukee area as well as in her east side studio.  She conducts bi-annual stage events and workshops, and performs throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.  Shaia hosts a monthly hafla at the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center.  She performs in Middle Eastern dance stage shows, in restaurants and nightclubs, for fundraisers, in festivals, and at private and corporate events.  Shaia can also be hired for BellyGrams.

Shaia directs three troupes: Serpentine Dream, Extreme Taqisim (one of the world's only male belly dance troupes) and the Habibi Dolls.

Recent performances by Shaia and her troupes include the Milwaukee Art Museum, Jim Boz's show in Milwaukee, Chellcy's Chicago show featuring Shoshanna, Donna Diva's Elmhurt, Illinois show featuring Ava Fleming, and performances at UW-Milwaukee, Stritch College,  Milwaukee's PrideFest 2006 through 2009, "Here's Looking at You" hafla in Elmhurst, Illinois, and Rakhshanda's "Rak'n Belly Show", Alverno College's Mug Coffeehouse, and Hot Water Wherehouse. Shaia and her troupes also perform in her own productions featuring acclaimed guest artists.