Our Team
Marija Rakic Dotti Co Founder & Movement Director
Marija began ballet at the age of eight and went on to graduate from the prestigious Serbian National Ballet School Lujo Davico, followed by advanced training at the Perm State Ballet Academy in Russia. Her professional career has taken her across Europe, Russia and beyond — performing in Petrozavodsk and Moscow, touring with Russian ballet companies in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland, and bringing ballet workshops to India in New Delhi and Mumbai. She also spent a year with the Sibiu Ballet Company in Romania before moving to the Gulf.
For the past decade, Marija has dedicated herself to teaching — first in Qatar, and now in Bahrain, where she has inspired dancers for the last five years. At Layali Arts Center, she shares her passion for the renowned Vaganova ballet method, widely regarded as the finest ballet technique in the world.
For Marija, Layali is more than a studio — it is a creative home. A place where children, artists, and dreamers come together to move, to grow, and to belong with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Farrah Francis Co Founder & Creative Studio Director
Farrah has always believed that words have the power to connect people and to change lives. With more than 15 years of experience as a writer and editor, she has worked across arts, culture, entertainment, and tourism — bringing stories to life for audiences in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Over the years, she has pivoted her career to meet new challenges, using her writing skills in journalism, PR, social media, and corporate storytelling, while always keeping creativity at the center of her work.
She has consulted on books, developed scripts and campaigns for digital platforms, and was recognized with the Editor of the Year Award for her innovation in shaping content that resonates. She also spent time as the editor of a leading parenting website in South Africa, offering advice and support to mothers navigating the everyday challenges of family life.
A mother herself, Farrah understands the importance of safe, inspiring spaces where children can explore who they are — and where mothers can feel supported too. For her, Layali Arts Center is exactly that: a welcoming community built on creativity, connection, and the joy of growing together.