Aiyana Opus

Professional Dance Artist from Michigan and Director, Aiyana (Brenda) has been dancing over 20 years and formed her own troupe in 2002. Available classes range from beginner to intermediate levels. Member of  global dance company, YRA Dream Company and Best Damn Variety Show.

Aiyana studied dance from a private studio starting in 1990, having placed well in many regional competitions. Her studies there included jazz, tap and ballet, with a specialty in the art of Egyptian-American (also known as Cabaret style) belly dancing. She also studied ballet, jazz, and modern dance in conjunction with beginning Arabic at the University of Michigan-Flint. In 2019, she took Modern dance at Flint School of Performing Arts.

Aiyana has attended many technique workshops as well as workshops for playing dumbek (hand drum) and has experience performing with zills (finger cymbals), swords, veils, and spinning fire poi. During her ongoing studies, Brenda’s instructors have included well known dancers such as Bozenka and Amar Gamal of the Bellydance Superstars, Sonya Blacker from Chicago, Azziza Salem from Detroit/New York, Oreet from New York, Ruby Jazayre from Illinois, Sharifa from Michigan, Yasmina Amal from Michigan, and Amara from Illinois, Amirah, Galatea, Nilaja Theesfield, Zahira, Susan Warner, Zahra, Magda Szymczyk, Jeanette, Ishra, Julianna, Tamra Henna, Laylia Dancer, Brian Shank, Mike Guymon, Diana the Dancer, Erzsebet, Celeste, Moria Chappell, Jussenya, Najida, Asima Sarantis, Carenza Bint Asya, Aida Al Adawi, Hiba Alkinani, Zhenna Smithson, Sabrina Merrill, Klouise, Mirah Ammal, Ziva, Donna Diva, Kimahri, Amaya, Shahna, John Compton, Beata and Horacio Cifuentes, Azziza Amar, Yasmina Ramzy from Canada, Kay Hardy Campbell, Kendra Ray, Athena Najat, Tamalyn Dahlal.

Certifications include: Master of Applied Communication, Master of Liberal Studies in American Culture, Bachelor of Social Sciences, Spencer™Pilates fitness (mat and ball calisthenics), and Associates in Arts and Science.

Group Designations / Awards include: 

I Love Dance Competition “Judges Choice” & I Love Dance Competition 1st place in 40+ age category

Mid-Michigan Belly Dance Competition:

-2019: Competition Sponsor

–2017: 2nd Place Amateur Solo, 2nd Place Professional Solo (The Assistant Director), 4th Place Ensemble/Group.

–2016: 1st Place Ensemble/Group, 1st Place Amateur Solo, 1st Place Professional Solo, and 3rd Place Amateur Solo

–2015: 2nd Place Group/Ensemble, 2nd Place Student Solo, 3rd Place Student Solo. 

–2014: 1st Place Ensemble/Group, 1st Place Student Solo, 2nd Place Professional Solo.