Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT

Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT The MDA is a dance school & event entertainment booking agency, that operates out of the Viva Dance

The Middle Eastern Dance Academy of Connecticut (MDA) is an Oriental Dance training program and event entertainment agency based in West Haven, CT. Operating from the Viva Dance & Fitness Center for the Arts, the MDA has dedicated the last decade of operation to preserving, teaching, and celebrating the art of Middle Eastern dance at both cultural and professional levels. Founded by Kelvia Mitri-M

eda, an award-winning dancer and educator, the MDA and Viva share a mission of empowerment through movement. Despite being told she could never become a dancer due to chronic joint issues, Kelvia’s determination and love for the arts led her to a successful career as a Ballroom, Latin, and Middle Eastern Dance artist. Her journey began in 2012 as a renter at Viva Z Fitness, where she launched a kids’ outreach program and the state’s first Kids and Teens Belly Dance Team. When Viva Z closed, Kelvia took a leap of faith—purchasing the business to preserve the community she had built. From that moment, Viva Dance & Fitness Center for the Arts was born, expanding its reach to people of all ages and genders. Today, Viva and the MDA work hand in hand as one thriving community hub, offering diverse dance classes for ages 5–70. The center emphasizes confidence, creativity, and self-expression, welcoming students from all walks of life. The Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT has transformed the regional dance scene—offering world-class training, international study opportunities, and hosting some of the most renowned names in Oriental dance. Guest instructors such as Soumaya MaRose, Serkan Tutar, Essam, Alla Kushnir, Sadie, Oscar Flores, Samantha Diaz, Vanessa of Cairo, Pierre Haddad, and the legendary Madam Raqia Hassan have all contributed to the Academy’s growing reputation for authenticity, excellence, and connection to cultural roots. Beyond the studio, Viva is deeply rooted in community outreach and philanthropy—organizing hurricane relief drives, sponsoring dancers, offering free community classes, and hosting youth empowerment programs. Even during the pandemic, the team maintained its commitment to accessibility by offering virtual classes to help families stay connected through dance. The Viva Dance & Fitness Center stands today as a home for healing, creativity, and cultural education—a place where movement builds confidence, community, and connection.

AUDITIONS ARE OPENING UP!! CT international touring professional dance troupe is opening its doors to new artists. Reser...
05/02/2026

AUDITIONS ARE OPENING UP!! CT international touring professional dance troupe is opening its doors to new artists.

Reserve your audition spot today! Slots are limited

Lets DABKE!! Next Saturday join us for a fun and educational dabke workshop with Zaki from NYC Dabke!! Advanced Registra...
05/02/2026

Lets DABKE!! Next Saturday join us for a fun and educational dabke workshop with Zaki from NYC Dabke!!

Advanced Registration recommended

NEW SERIES! NEW CLASSES! FRESH START! Join us this week as we kick off our pre-summer 6wk dance bash!! To enroll visit o...
05/02/2026

NEW SERIES! NEW CLASSES! FRESH START!
Join us this week as we kick off our pre-summer 6wk dance bash!!

To enroll visit our website: www.vivadancefitness.com
Or text: 203-691-8121

YOU ASKED FOR IT — WE CREATED IT. ✨A women-only space for authentic Egyptian belly dance, hosted by an Arab woman, exact...
01/26/2026

YOU ASKED FOR IT — WE CREATED IT. ✨
A women-only space for authentic Egyptian belly dance, hosted by an Arab woman, exactly as it should be.

🚫 No cameras
🚫 No social media

Just presence, culture, and connection. (Hence, the digitally anonymous flyer 😉)

Our Egyptian Queen Ms. Yara Youseff guides you through:

• Lyrics translation & cultural context

• Social dance movements as taught at home in Egypt, passed down generationally

• An empowering improv dance circle using the very song you’ve just learned

This is not a performance class — it’s lived culture.

✨ Limited to just 13 women to protect the intimacy of the space
🔥 This class has been Selling out every week

Reservations are encouraged due to limited spacing but not required — so make your reservations early! Don’t miss the next one 🤩 🇪🇬

✨ Introducing RAQS WA HIKAYAH ✨A 12-month cultural & artistic immersive training journey curated by Soumaya MaRose and K...
01/10/2026

✨ Introducing RAQS WA HIKAYAH ✨

A 12-month cultural & artistic immersive training journey curated by Soumaya MaRose and Kelvia Mitri-Meda.

This is more than dance training — it’s a deep dive into culture, music, storytelling, and professional artistry, thoughtfully developed over 7 months to answer our dancers’ call for depth, authenticity, and meaning.

Three phases. World-class mentorship. Cultural education. Performance opportunities at every level.

This is a commitment — and a transformation.

✨ Serious dancers only.

📩 DM us to learn more or join the journey.
Location: Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT
West Haven, CT

✨ HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT 📣 ✨The Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT is officially opening a satellite location in Waterbury, C...
01/10/2026

✨ HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT 📣 ✨

The Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT is officially opening a satellite location in Waterbury, CT!!

You spoke — and we listened 💛

We are SO excited to serve the Valley community and bring high-quality cultural dance education to this space.

📅 11-week session

👉 Come out and support — your participation helps determine whether we extend classes for the rest of the year!

✨ Classes for Kids, Adults & Seniors

CLASS SCHEDULE:

🟣 Mondays

• 5:30 PM – Kids

• 6:30 PM – Adults

🟣 Wednesdays

• 10:30 AM – AM Shimmy Lab (Adults & Seniors)

This is just the beginning… let’s grow together, Waterbury 💃🏽💫

📍 Harmony Dance Center

50 Store Ave Waterbury, CT

Contact: 203-6918121 | [email protected]

01/02/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐑𝐚𝐪𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 — 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒆𝒏𝒅! ✨

New England’s annual weekend intensive brought together passion, artistry, and community in the most powerful way. From focused skills-building sessions to immersive choreography workshops, every moment was filled with growth, inspiration, and connection. 💃✨

Sharing the space with incredible artists 𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑣𝑎 𝑅𝑎𝑞𝑠, 𝐾𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑀𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑖-𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑎, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑏𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 made this experience truly special — each class offering depth, intention, and a reminder of why we dance.

To everyone who showed up, trained hard, supported one another, and poured their hearts into the movement — thank you. ConnRaqs continues to be the kind of collaborative, community-centered event dancers dream of.

SAVE THE DATE FOR CONNRAQS 2026 November 14 & 15!!

Until then… keep moving, keep growing, and keep raq-ing. 💙✨

Send a message to learn more

𝑊𝑒’𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 11 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 - 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐘𝐎𝐔’𝐑𝐄 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑! 🎉✨Join us at 𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 for our 1...
01/01/2026

𝑊𝑒’𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 11 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 - 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐘𝐎𝐔’𝐑𝐄 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑! 🎉✨

Join us at 𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 for our 11th Anniversary Open House on January 12 & 13, 2026! 💃🕺
This is the perfect chance to experience our vibrant dance community, explore our classes, and celebrate with us.

🌟 Enjoy these Open House perks:
✔️ FREE class demos
✔️ Same-day tuition discounts
✔️ On-site enrollment
✔️ Light refreshments

From kids to adults, beginners to seasoned dancers, there’s something for everyone! Come meet our instructors, try different styles, and feel the energy that makes Viva home.

🎟️ 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓
📍 243 Captain Thomas Blvd., West Haven, CT
📲 RSVP via text: 203-691-8121

Bring your friends, bring your family, and come celebrate, dance, and save with us. We can’t wait to welcome you! ❤️✨

SURPRISE!!! 🤩You have ONE last opportunity to catch Igor Kischka in Connecticut!!! We added a POP UP master class next W...
09/24/2025

SURPRISE!!! 🤩
You have ONE last opportunity to catch Igor Kischka in Connecticut!!! We added a POP UP master class next Wednesday. He will be going over upper body technique and arm work!!

Dont miss this chance to experience his comprehensive and dynamic training style!!

Be part of Igor’s FIRST USA TOUR 2025!!

Hosted in collaboration with
Middle Eastern Dance Academy of CT
Samantha Diaz
Kelvia (Belly Dancer in CT)
Saffire of Chicago

SIGN UP NOW! Spaces are limited!

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=207885&stype=-8&sTG=37&sView=day&sLoc=0&date=10/01/25

09/23/2024

Check the mechanics and win 5 FREE CLASS PASS! 😉💃

Address

243 Captain Thomas Boulevard
West Haven, CT
06516

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 9pm
Tuesday 5pm - 9pm
Wednesday 5pm - 9pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 1pm

Telephone

(203) 691-8121

Website

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