Jawaahir is the premier professional Middle Eastern dance 
company in the Midwest. Since its founding in 1989 by Artistic 
Director Cassandra Shore, Jawaahir has grown to 18 members and 
has performed throughout the Midwest (including Minnesota, 
Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Michigan) as well 
as 
in California, Texas,  and New York. The Company has 
established a seasonal concert series in Minneapolis, 
presented 
hundreds of formal and community concerts, including free 
performances at area schools and universities, libraries, city 
parks, and cultural festivals. Jawaahir has hosted more than 
85 
guest artists, including distinguished dancers, 
choreographers, 
composers, and musicians from the Middle East, and has 
collaborated and/or performed with over 30 regional performing 
arts groups.
 
The Cassandra School, the teaching arm of Jawaahir, offers 
year-
round classes in Middle Eastern dance for levels ranging from 
beginning to professional. These classes (over 20 per week) 
incorporate all relevant aspects of the dance, music, and 
culture. The regular classes serve the seven-county metro area 
and are sought by students from across the United States who 
have relocated expressly to study with Cassandra and the 
school. In response to student demand, The Cassandra School 
added classes in Bloomington and St. Paul.