Khadijah
Teacher, dancer, ethnologist of African in origin dances and choreographer for 22 years. I am very thankful to be considered one of the most influential names in Arabic dance and folklore. I am based in Denver, CO (USA), I am of Kenyan descent born in KSA. I am known for having unique didactics of Afro-Arabian Folklore, music and its cultural aspects. In fortunate addition to being highly sought after in the Denver community I can be seen performing live in Denver's top establishments. I am thankful to have been invited in the past and current to teach and perform in various US states and abroad. I continue to perfect my dance education by studying with great masters and composers of Afro-Arabian Dances worldwide. I constantly travel to improve my approach, stylization, technique and cultural aspects of the dances and the culture embedded deep within the foundations of the African diaspora. I am the Owner and creator of various online platforms that already have students, dancers and musicians from all over the world to enjoy.
Corina
Originally from Bali, Indonesia, Corina is an award winning Bellydancer based in Los Angeles, CA. Corina’s dedication to learning creates a teaching style that comes from a students’ point of view, having an intuitive understanding of her students’ needs while learning. Her teaching style is also very much informed not only by her years of Middle Eastern study, but also by her yoga teacher training. As a certified yoga instructor, Corina is very knowledgeable of physical anatomy and injury prevention. Teaching her students how to move safely within their bodies is an important aspect in her classes. While dance is her number one love, she is also passionate about the healing arts and living a positive, mindful life. She hopes to see you in class and share all her tips and techniques with you!
Nefabit
Nefabit is a multi-award winning dancer based in Spokane, Washington. She performs regionally and internationally, and teaches in-person classes at her home studio Northwest Bellydance Academy, as well as zoom classes and workshops to students worldwide. She has won many prestigious awards, including Bellydancer USA 2022 and Bellydancer of the Universe 2021.
She is the director and resident choreographer of Northwest Bellydance Company in Spokane, and a dancer and contributing choreographer with cabaret dance troupe Rouge La Rue. Nefabit's greatest joy is sharing her passion for dance through teaching, performing and producing!
She is the director and resident choreographer of Northwest Bellydance Company in Spokane, and a dancer and contributing choreographer with cabaret dance troupe Rouge La Rue. Nefabit's greatest joy is sharing her passion for dance through teaching, performing and producing!
Nilay
Nilay was born and raised in Turkey, yet began Middle-Eastern and Oriental Dance study in US. She studied with many accredited teachers worldwide. She is in love with the passionate and versatile Turkish style, but performs a variety of styles as art has no limits. She teaches and performs in California and competes across the States and internationally holding multiple awards in various belly dancing categories
Roxy
Roxy is the producer and owner of Oriental Bliss Productions, an organization that produces Oriental and Middle Eastern dance workshops and shows in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Roxy has brought to Seattle master teachers and world prestige artists from Egypt, Turkey, Hungary, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Canada, and the USA. Back in the 90s, Roxy studied Jazz, Ballet, and Modern Dance while in college for a B.S. degree in Computer Science. Ten years after college, to boost her physical and mental health, she took her first Middle Eastern dance lesson from Delilah Flynn. Roxy directed and later on became the owner of Zamani World Dance for 4+ years. Roxy won Miss Belly Dancer USA 2015 and the Champion titles at the Belly Dancer of the Universe 2015 Competition in both the Specialty Prop and Universal Categories. Roxy performs, studies, and teaches globally. For the latest workshops and shows, please visit OrientalBlissProductions.com & TheOrientalDancer.com.
Lorraine Hanson
Lorraine Hanson is an award-winning dance performer and instructor, hailing from California, now residing in Oregon.
As a principal dancer of the Urban Tribal Dance Company, Tribal Feat, Subee Djinn, and a member of Desert Sin theatrics, she was also the mystery performer under the many masks of Unmata’s Blood Moon Regales.
She has incorporated fire props and magic tricks into American belly dance. Lorraine’s current offerings include a variety of flash mob style dances, tribal improvisation and fusion belly dance, as well as Ancient Polynesian and Tahitian hula-inspired fitness. She leads the annual Portland Shimmymob dance for children & women's charity for the awareness of domestic abuse.
As a principal dancer of the Urban Tribal Dance Company, Tribal Feat, Subee Djinn, and a member of Desert Sin theatrics, she was also the mystery performer under the many masks of Unmata’s Blood Moon Regales.
She has incorporated fire props and magic tricks into American belly dance. Lorraine’s current offerings include a variety of flash mob style dances, tribal improvisation and fusion belly dance, as well as Ancient Polynesian and Tahitian hula-inspired fitness. She leads the annual Portland Shimmymob dance for children & women's charity for the awareness of domestic abuse.
Laura Ayllón
Laura Ayllón is an award winning dancer who has worked as a teacher, director and event producer. Originally a California girl she has spent most of her dance life oscillating between the SF Bay Area and Humboldt County, dancing to live music late at night in tightly packed city restaurants, to large dusty outdoor venues in the hot sun of the redwoods.
Now a resident of Willamette Valley in Oregon with her husband and daughter, Laura is excited to be teaching classes in Corvallis. She loves to build community through dance and is excited about all the opportunities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Now a resident of Willamette Valley in Oregon with her husband and daughter, Laura is excited to be teaching classes in Corvallis. She loves to build community through dance and is excited about all the opportunities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Rachel Noel
Rachel Noel is an award- winning fusion dance artist and has been performing and creating art for over 20 years. She has danced, performed and competed in troupes and as a soloist, online and in- person, in Oregon, Nevada, Canada and all over California. Rachel finds daily joy living in Humboldt County working with kids & youth, serving with a few local non- profits, organizing events and collaborating with other artists. Some of Rachel’s local projects include Zeta Fusion, a professional bellydance trio, The Vagabond Dancers, a nightclub go- go team and Hayal, a Middle Eastern music ensemble, for which she sings and plays percussion. She also curates Only Skin Deep, a multi- form art exhibition for local creators who identify with historically marginalized cultures. Rachel’s brand of movement comes from an explorative blend of dance styles from the African diaspora, including Egyptian raqs sharqi, American jazz & hip hop, as well as West African and modern dance styles.
Rachel believes fusion dance is a powerful way to share her experience as a multicultural person and hopes to use her expression as a way of blurring the boundaries that society has created to make sense of us as unique and unfathomable beings.
Rachel believes fusion dance is a powerful way to share her experience as a multicultural person and hopes to use her expression as a way of blurring the boundaries that society has created to make sense of us as unique and unfathomable beings.
Gabriella
Gabriella is a professional belly dance artist located in Salem, Oregon. She is the Co-choreographer and Co-director at Rose Empire Dance as of 2021. Her love and enthusiasm for this art form has opened up many doors over the years from competitions, teaching, performing, creating choreography, to opening up this dance as her professional career. Gabriella was crowned the International Ambassador of Belly Dance in 2019. Her passion to learn raqs sharqi was deepened by her connection to middle eastern music as a musician herself. She started studying music at the age of six, learning to play piano, violin, guitar, various percussion instruments, as well as singing. Gabriella’s love for music strengthened her interest to study middle eastern percussion more in depth as well as specializing in finger cymbals. Gabriella spreads joy to the hearts of her students and audiences everywhere with her spunky personality and sassy dance moves.
Nemra Khan
Portland Award winning icon, Nemra Khan, has been a performer, teacher, coach, choreographer and competition judge for over 40 years. She began her studies with the mysterious and inspirational Badawia, specializing in the style later to become known as American Cabaret. Nemra went on to study with many of the great masters and still takes workshops whenever she can. She still embraces the AmCab style and passes it on to her students, many of whom have brought home trophies and/or went on to become professional performers and teachers themselves.
Aurora
Aurora is an award-winning belly dancer from Salem, Oregon who is known for her mesmerizing veil, radiant smile and high-energy performances. She took first-place in the Seven Veil category at BDUSA in 2022. She is a soloist and former member of the troupe Eternal Sands. Aurora fell in love with belly dance and Middle Eastern music about 10 years ago. She finds joy in performance and loves to share that joy with others. Her mentors include Cassandra Rose, Claudia Shimmies, Henna and Amanda Rose.
Roxana
Roxana is an international award winning dancer and choreographer from Los Angeles CA.
Her dance background includes Middle eastern dance, Latin American folk styles , and latin dances just to name a few.
She holds multiple titles including the 2015 BDUC Hall of fame Award.
Roxana is the director and founder of International award winning Latin Mirage Dance Studio. A school of world dance dedicated to teach children and teens different art forms and cultures. She is also the director of Latin Mirage Dance Company the adult division of Latin Mirage. Latin Mirage are the 2022 Belly Dancer USA Troupe champions.
Her dance background includes Middle eastern dance, Latin American folk styles , and latin dances just to name a few.
She holds multiple titles including the 2015 BDUC Hall of fame Award.
Roxana is the director and founder of International award winning Latin Mirage Dance Studio. A school of world dance dedicated to teach children and teens different art forms and cultures. She is also the director of Latin Mirage Dance Company the adult division of Latin Mirage. Latin Mirage are the 2022 Belly Dancer USA Troupe champions.
Vivienne
Vivienne has been dancing for 21 years, starting at a young age with ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, lyrical, flamenco, and hula. She found belly dancing in 2014 through Rose Empire Dance Company, and soon after became a professional, award winning dancer as the 2016 Ambassador of Bellydance. As well as performed with the award winning troupes Sirens, Belly Funk, Eternal Sands, and Mystic Roses.
fatima
Fatima is a prominent Middle Eastern dancer, vendor, instructor, coach, and sponsor. Born in West Africa Fatima has always carried dance in her heart.
After over 20 years in the medical field, Fatima "retired" to a life of dance. She loves to travel, teaching, vending her beautiful clothing and accessories. Sacramento, California, is home to Fatima's Dance Studio & Bazaar.
After over 20 years in the medical field, Fatima "retired" to a life of dance. She loves to travel, teaching, vending her beautiful clothing and accessories. Sacramento, California, is home to Fatima's Dance Studio & Bazaar.
jamilla
Jamilla Al Wahid began learning Belly Dancing at the age of 8. Traveling with her mother Fatima Al Wahid taking workhops and vending, Jamilla was Immersed in Classical Egyptian Dance and Culture so much that at 16 she professionally started teaching, traveling throughout the US and abroad with her unique style and gift. Currently, Jamilla is teaching and running her wellness business, Skin & Body Method in Carmel Ca. She is also preparing to graduate with a Culinary degree from Auguste Escoffier.
mezdulene
Mezdulene has belly danced for most of her life and her passion has taken her on many adventures including sharing the stage with George Abdo and dancing for the King of Zaire in Luxor, Egypt. She is the original producer of Belly Dancer USA and her annual belly dance retreat is in its 33rd year. She loves watching her students blossom as they gain confidence and self-esteem through the healing powers of belly dance. And, she's written and published four books on belly dance plus a cookbook of recipes from the Middle East and Mediterranean.
Shea Alexa
Shea Alexa has spent the last decade dedicating her time to learning middle eastern dance. Originally from Salem Oregon, where her love for bellydance started, Shea spent over 5 years dancing multiple shows a week in various Middle Eastern venues in the Portland metro area & Seattle. Shea has participated in multiple performance projects in the PNW, danced as an ensemble dancer in Bellydance Evolutions 10 Year Anniversary show, co-choreographed & co-directed nightclub shows and productions with arabic bands, and danced as a Caravan Stage Dancer at the Oregon Country Fair. In 2018, Shea started studying salsa dance at Vitalidad Movement Arts Center, and became a member of the VMAC Ladies Team. She performed ladies style salsa choreography fused with Brazilian samba and traditional Venezuelan dances in Latin dance venues around Portland and Seattle. Latin dance has influenced her bellydance greatly, with fast & precise footwork, fast turns, and a different perspective of using and giving energy on the stage. Shea recently moved back from Phoenix Arizona, where she danced with and co-directed Shaharzad dance company, and spent time gogo dancing in Latin nightclubs across the valley.