A woman in a white dress standing outdoors near a lake with mountains in the background, arms raised and aloft, backlit by the bright sun.

Persian Dance • Whirling • Contemporary Movement • Meditation in Motion

Doran Dance Academy

Where Art Meets Spirit

Founded in Los Angeles, Doran Dance Academy blends Persian dance, Rumi-inspired whirling, contemporary movement, and somatic healing. We offer professional dance training, artistic performances, and spiritual workshops for emotional healing and inner peace.

Our Mission

Discover two inspiring paths on your journey with us

Woman in black dress with gold patterns standing on sandy beach near water with her arms raised above her head

Designed for dancers committed to their evolution, our training blends technique, artistry, and performance practice

Dance Training & Performance
A woman is dancing outdoors at sunset, wearing a long white dress with flowing fabric. Her arms are raised, and her hair is curly. The background includes mountains, a body of water, and a partly cloudy sky.

A sacred space for those seeking inner peace, emotional release, and a deeper connection to the wisdom of the heart.

Spiritual Whirling & Healing
A woman with curly hair in a white dress is holding a sword on her shoulder, standing outdoors in a natural landscape at sunset.
A woman dressed in a white gown holding a mirror reflecting sunlight behind her, standing in a field with mountains in the background.
A woman with long curly hair, wearing a black and gold patterned poncho and long black skirt, is standing on a sandy beach with arms outstretched near a body of water, with trees and rocky cliffs in the background.
A young woman with long, curly red hair is standing outdoors near a body of water, wearing a black dress with white polka dots. She is posing gracefully with one arm raised above her head and the other holding the hem of her dress, with a background of trees and calm water.
A woman with long red hair standing near a body of water with arms raised and outstretched, wearing a black dress with a black and gold patterned shawl.
A woman with long, curly hair in a white dress holding a large circular mirror in a desert landscape during sunset.
A woman with long red hair, wearing a black dress with shiny silver polka dots, standing on a dirt surface near a body of water, reaching and looking upwards with her arms raised, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.
A woman with curly hair stands on a sandy beach by the water, wearing a black dress and a black shawl with gold patterns, raising her arms above her head with a serene expression.
A woman with red hair in a black and gold patterned dress posing on a beach near water, holding her dress with one hand and raising her other hand above her head.

At Doran Dance Academy, each performance is a poetic journey through the soul of the East, where rhythm, fire, and tradition intertwine under the vision of Elham Delavari. From the grace of cultural ceremonies to the pulse of live concerts and the mesmerizing glow of fire dance, every movement tells a story that is ancient, powerful, and alive. Here, dance becomes more than art; it is a timeless expression of spirit, passion, and heritage.

Performance

Contact us

Join Our Circle

Start your journey with a gift from the heart.

Sign up to receive a free guided whirling meditation audio and a “Whirling Basics” video

so you can experience Meditation in Motion wherever you are.

Receive Your Free Practice

Meet Elham Delavari

Elham Delavari is one of the country’s leading whirling dervish dancers, a choreographer, and the founder of Doran Dance Academy. Rooted in the Sufi tradition of Sama and inspired by Rumi’s poetry, she blends sacred whirling with Persian and contemporary dance, creating a unique practice she calls Meditation in Motion.

A woman with long curly hair standing on a sandy surface by a body of water, wearing a black dress and a black top with gold patterns, raising her arms above her head.
A woman with red hair dressed in a black gown with gold patterns poses on a beach near a body of water during sunset.

Upcoming events

  • Rumi Nights

  • Workshops

  • Performances

“Dancing here changed my life. I felt seen, supported, and transformed.”

— Student

“Elham’s whirling connected me to a silence I didn’t know I had.”

— Participant

A silhouette of a woman in a long dress with reflective spots, standing on a dirt path near the ocean at sunset, with her arms raised towards the sky.

Let’s work together

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!