Shireen Malik, of Sephardic descent, pursues a vibrant career as a multicultural dancer, fitness instructor, and independent scholar. She is a member of the International Dance Council - CID UNESCO www.cid-unesco.org.

Her academic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, culminating in a B.A. honors degree in a combination major of anthropology, psychology, and sociology, enhanced an already-keen interest in diverse cultures, leading to extensive world travel and life abroad. Much of Shireen's dance study takes place at the source of the various traditions, providing valuable insight into cultural influences and the collective spirit of the local people. She has, for many years, been researching the historical background and social climate of the dance forms she is involved with, including oriental dance (bellydance), flamenco, salsa, and hula.

An active performer, instructor, choreographer, and producer, Shireen has received grant support for her work from the Colorado Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and the Boulder Arts Commissison. She has numerous dance concerts to her credit, and choreographed the 2007 Colorado Light Opera production of Man of La Mancha.

Shireen is a contributor to The Veil: Women Writers on its History, Lore, and Politics (University of California Press, 2008). Based on research for that book, she developed a fascinating lecture/slide/video presentation, Salome and Her Dance of the Seven Veils - The Evolution of a Myth, which she presents at venues nationwide.

In tandem with her passion for dance and travel is her zeal for photography. Several of her photos were included in the book Uncontained: Writers and Photographers in the Garden and the Margins (Baksun Press, 2007), and displayed at Norlin Library, University of Colorado, Boulder.