Badriyah is a professional oriental dancer based in Belgium, dedicated to Egyptian classical and folkloric styles, modern fusion, and the Golden Age of belly dance. With over a decade of teaching experience, she offers regular classes at Shoonya Dance Centre in Ghent and travels across Europe to teach and lecture. A former lead and troupe member of Jillina’s world-touring company Bellydance Evolution, Badriyah has performed more than 60 shows across 13 countries, from Hollywood to Morocco. Passionate about preserving dance heritage, she is also the founder of the Raqs Sharqi Museum project and a devoted collector of vintage belly dance artifacts dating from the 18th to the 20th century, bridging the past and present of this art form through both performance and research.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Performing more with live orchestras and how to establish connection with musicians.

• High-heels training: a different movement system, lyrics-led listening, and amplified emotions.

• Learning to remove mental blocks around sensuality in dance.

• Seeing dance styles as different roles or characters to embody.

• The effect of gym training on the belly dance technique.

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Melissa Gamal is an award-winning dancer, instructor, and event producer based in Toronto, Canada. As the director of the Ya Amar School of Dance, Melissa is dedicated to providing comprehensive training in Egyptian dance, blending refined technique with a strong awareness of history and cultural context. Her work has taken her across North America and to Egypt, where she continues her studies to bring the most authentic and up-to-date knowledge to her students. In recent years, she’s gained recognition for her elegant Golden Era style and her mastery of sagat—culminating in a remarkable performance at the Cairo Opera House in 2021.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The turning point that made her quit a stable 9-to-5 job to follow dance full time.

• The moment she decided to open her own studio instead of staying “comfortable” with already established organization.

• The story behind her performing as a zill player at the Cairo Opera House.

• The advice she’d give her younger self about self-doubt and body image.

• Why dancers must go beyond aesthetics and stand in solidarity with cultures of origin.

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Virginia Danielson (PhD, Ethnomusicology, University of Illinois, 1991) is an associate of the Harvard Music Department and a visiting scholar at New York University Abu Dhabi. She is the author of The Voice of Egypt: Umm Kulthum, Arabic Song and Egyptian Society in the 20th Century (University of Chicago Press, 1997), the first English-language biography of the Arab world’s most celebrated singer. Through rich ethnographic insight and historical analysis, Danielson traces how Umm Kulthum—known as “the voice of Egypt”—rose from rural beginnings to become a unifying cultural icon whose songs shaped modern Egyptian identity and Arab popular culture. Danielson’s work illuminates the complex interplay between gender, media, and nation-building in 20th-century Egypt, showing how one woman’s artistry transcended social boundaries to define an era.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How a village Imam’s daughter became Egypt’s most celebrated voice through talent, strategy, and relentless discipline.

• The clever business deals and radio contracts that secured Umm Kulthum’s financial and artistic independence.

• The myth-making and media control behind her carefully protected public image.

• The musical evolution of Umm Kulthum’s ensemble, blending classical Arabic poetry with modern Western instruments.

• Why audience described her concerts as a national ritual where “life stopped” every Thursday night.

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Elen Oriental (Elen Chikhladze) is a Georgian choreographer and dance instructor from Tbilisi, specializing in oriental dance since 2002. Beginning her artistic journey at the School for Athletic Fine Arts and later the Department of World National Dances, she graduated with honors from the College of Choreography and the N. Pridonishvili School of Popular Dance in 2001. As President of the International Association of Oriental Dance in Georgia and founder of her own belly dance school, Elen emphasizes the historical depth, elegance, and physical artistry of the dance. Her teaching method combines elements of gymnastics, yoga, and dance to strengthen muscles and joints while fostering psychological readiness, enabling students to master the demanding yet captivating techniques of oriental dance.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The danger, stigma, and literal risks of working as a belly dancer in Georgia during the chaotic post-Soviet years.

• How Elen fought back against prejudice by going on national TV, writing in magazines, and reframing Oriental dance as an art form.

• The story behind her iconic Arabic–Spanish fusion pieces, why they made audiences cry, and why she later chose to move beyond them.

• The critical difference between “advanced” and truly “professional” dancers.

• Why she insists on studying with Egyptian teachers rather than chasing festival choreographies.

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Laman Hendricks is an acrobatic gymnast, Azerbaijani and Caucasus folk dancer, teacher, and choreographer, as well as the Artistic Director and Founder of Dances of Caucasus. Born and raised in Azerbaijan and Turkey, she trained in classical ballet and folk dance at the Baku Choreography Academy while also competing as a member of Azerbaijan’s national gymnastics team and founding the country’s first post-Soviet women’s cycling team. A silver medalist in both cycling and mountain climbing, Laman has combined her athleticism with artistry, earning recognition at the 2015 Rakkas Istanbul International Dance Festival for her innovative performance as a male Caucasus dance part. She has since performed and taught at festivals and events across the United States and internationally, sharing the rich traditions of Azerbaijani dance while continuing to explore the intersections of ballet, gymnastics, Middle Eastern dance, and folk heritage.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How a 1001 Nights ballet production sparked her lifelong curiosity about belly dance.

• The transition from professional ballet training to belly dance, and tips for loosing up your shimmies.

• The challenges of cultural stigma around belly dance and the tension of being recognized only as a folkloric dancer.

• Folklore versus belly dance, and how folk dances enrich belly dance but are undervalued at festivals.

• How Azerbaijani and Caucasus dances remain a parallel passion alongside Laman’s belly dance career even today.

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Keti Sharif is an Australian dance teacher, performer, and choreographer who lived in Egypt for two decades, directing the Sphinx Festivals and collaborating with legends Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy. Creator of the A-Z Bellydance methodology—taught to over 6,000 students in 40 countries—Keti combines live Egyptian music, cultural dance traditions, and somatic movement to deepen musicality, artistry, and wellbeing. Her vision of belly dance as both a healing path and a communal art has shaped her global teaching, performances with international artists, and her role in preserving Farida Fahmy’s legacy through publications and archives. Today, she continues to teach, write, and inspire dancers worldwide through her studio, online academy, and cultural projects.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Connections between Chinese medicine and Zar rituals.

• The concept of “movement connectivity” and how body halves, upper-lower, and spinal movements influence creativity and decision-making.

• The contrast between authentic Egyptian embodiment and Westernized, fast-paced choreographies.

• Keti’s unique experience training with Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy, and their complementary teaching styles.

• Farida Fahmy’s writing legacy, the preservation of Reda troupe history, and the emotional journey of documenting her life.

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Payal Gupta is one of India’s most sought-after master teachers of belly dance, celebrated for her structured classes, private lessons, workshops, performances, and intensives. Since 2008, she has trained over 10,000 students from all walks of life, earning recognition as a leading figure in the field. Coming from a culturally rich background where the performing arts hold deep value, Payal has been passionate about dance since the age of seven, exploring a wide range of styles before finding her true calling in belly dance. An Electrical Engineering graduate and lifelong dance enthusiast, she eventually chose to leave her corporate path to pursue dance as a career, sharing her love for belly dance with students across India and beyond.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Overcoming shyness and stage fright, and later guiding her own students through performance anxiety.

• The role geography played in Payal’s early success as one of the leading local teachers in her area.

• The difficulty of leaving behind her 15-year dance “empire” in Bangalore and starting over in Mumbai.

• Lessons that motherhood taught Payal, and the concept of nurturing students instead of just teaching them.

• Comparing dance life and opportunities in Mumbai and Bangalore.

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Rachel Brice is an internationally renowned dancer, teacher, and choreographer recognized as one of the key figures in the evolution of tribal fusion belly dance. A former member of the Bellydance Superstars and artistic director of The Indigo Belly Dance Company, she blends decades of experience in American cabaret, FatChanceBellyDance Style, and world dance traditions with her own distinctive artistry. Based in Portland, Oregon, she founded Studio Datura, created the 8 Elements of Belly Dance training, and continues to share her work worldwide through Datura Online and international tours.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Rachel’s first spark for belly dance and the role of goth culture and live music in eventually shaping her unique dance style.

• The downside of early success: why it can make you afraid to risk and try new ideas.

• Behind-the-scenes lessons from her Bellydance Superstars experience on leadership, rehearsal discipline, and handling pressure on tour.

• Why she believes “do what you love and you’ll never work a day” is a myth — and what actually happens instead.

• Rachel’s plan to partially retire in 2029 so she can return to more play, creativity, and collaboration.

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Murat Tekbilek is a Turkish percussionist celebrated for his dynamic artistry and deep roots in Middle Eastern music. Growing up in a family of renowned musicians, he has performed since childhood and spent over a decade as the lead percussionist in his father Omar Faruk Tekbilek’s ensembles. Specializing in darbuka, def, and bendir, Murat has appeared on stages worldwide, from intimate belly dance shows and weddings to international concerts and festivals. His career bridges Arabic and Turkish musical traditions, blending classical rhythms, Sufi influences, and contemporary collaborations, while carrying forward the vibrant legacy of his family’s music into a new generation.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Early inspiration from Murat’s father and uncle, who played in the legendary band The Sultans.

• How being a Middle Eastern musician in the U.S. meant playing for diverse cultural communities.

• Why eye contact and nonverbal communication are the secret to magical dancer–musician connection.

• Differences between Arabic and Turkish music cultures in how percussion is treated.

• Learning complex odd-meter rhythms in Turkish classical music and how they reshaped Murat’s playing.

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Alex Delora is an internationally acclaimed belly dance performer, teacher, and choreographer who has been sharing her art worldwide since 2012. Invited to more than 50 countries to teach, perform, and judge competitions, she is especially recognized for her unique technique and charisma in drum solo style. In 2020 she launched her first online program, Drum-Matic BellyDance, followed by the creation of her fashion brand, Alex Delora Design, which has since expanded into handmade and ready-to-wear collections. Today, Alex focuses on teaching at international festivals, offering private coaching, and developing new online courses, while continuing to inspire over a million followers through her vibrant social media presence.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Performing more with live orchestras and how to establish connection with musicians.

• High-heels training: a different movement system, lyrics-led listening, and amplified emotions.

• Learning to remove mental blocks around sensuality in dance.

• Seeing dance styles as different roles or characters to embody.

• The effect of gym training on the belly dance technique.

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Sonia Ochoa is a versatile dancer, choreographer, and teacher with over 25 years of experience on international stages. Rising to prominence as a principal dancer with the Bellydance Superstars (2002–2010), she toured the world performing in renowned theaters and television shows under the direction of Miles Copeland. A lifelong student of movement, Sonia has traveled extensively through India, Egypt, and Spain to study Odissi, Egyptian folk dances, flamenco, and classical Spanish dance, weaving these traditions into her own signature style. Based in Los Angeles, she directs the Sonia Ochoa Dance Co., leads workshops, judges competitions, and collaborates with artists locally and abroad. With her deep passion for music and dance, Sonia continues to bridge cultures and inspire global audiences through the beauty and diversity of artistic expression.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The importance of understanding goals when studying multiple dance forms.

• Similarities and differences between Polynesian, ballet, flamenco, and belly dance.

• How joining the Bellydance Superstars shifted Sonia’s career path.

• Sonia’s perspective on fusion—valuing both creativity and cultural respect.

• How flamenco and belly dance share both strong/masculine and soft/feminine qualities.

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Amera Eid is one of the leading figures who brought belly dance to Sydney and helped it grow across Australia. For more than 40 years, she has performed and taught around the world, sharing her love for the dance with students and audiences everywhere. She is also a talented fashion designer who created the first belly dance boutique in the Southern Hemisphere in 1987, creating stunning costumes for performers, fashion shows, and films — from Moulin Rouge to Kylie Minogue’s Sydney 2000 Olympic outfit. Beyond dance, Amera is deeply committed to foster care. As a foster carer and adoptive mum, she works to recruit, train, and support others in giving safe and loving homes to children in need.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The challenge of pursuing belly dance with no family support and almost no local training opportunities in the 1980s.

• Founding one of Sydney’s first belly dance schools and a boutique that became a hub for dance community.

• Working as a professional dancer across the Middle East, preferring Lebanon over Egypt for contracts.

• Returning to Australia due to industry age bias and shifting focus to teaching.

• How Australia’s belly dance scene differs from Europe in competitions and festivals.

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Shahdana is an international belly dancer from Argentina whose artistic journey began not with dance, but with music—studying piano and musical composition for nearly two decades, including performing in a tango orchestra. Her deep connection to music later found a new expression in belly dance, where Arabic rhythms became her primary focus. But it was a moment of emotional clarity—dancing to Piazzolla’s tango and breaking into tears—that reminded her to honor her roots. That decision to merge tango with belly dance not only defined her unique style but opened international doors, beginning with her first overseas performance in Korea. Today, Shahdana is celebrated for her emotional depth, musicality, and distinctive fusion of tango and belly dance, teaching and performing around the world.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Late start is not a barrier to build a dance career

• How setting a 7-year goal helped Shahdana stay focused through years of rejection.

• The role of intuition and networking in building a dance career.

• Why she emphasizes interpreting tango with authenticity rather than mimicking tango dancers.

• How to develop a unique style through consistent improvisation and personal storytelling.

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Jill Collins is a dynamic dancer, choreographer, and educator whose versatile career spans contemporary, theatrical, and Middle Eastern dance. She began performing professionally as a teenager and later earned her BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. After relocating to Los Angeles in 2007, she joined Jillina’s Sahlala Dancers, eventually becoming Artistic Director and owner in 2021. Jill has toured internationally for over a decade with Bellydance Evolution, serving as both featured dancer and rehearsal director, as well as co-director of the company’s training branch, BDEx. In 2015, she founded Cathartic Art, a collective dedicated to advocating for mental health through creative performance. In addition to her work with Sahlala, she performs with LA Choreographers & Dancers and holds teaching credentials from Dance Masters of America and SharQuí: The Bellydance Workout.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How a Craigslist audition unexpectedly launched Jill’s journey into belly dance with Jillina’s Sahlala Dancers.

• The challenges of transitioning from ballet to belly dance—especially shifting posture and grounding.

• How the gig and performance landscape changed after the pandemic, including shifts in audience attention and show structure.

• The ups and downs of taking over Sahlala Dancers during the pandemic and rebuilding it from near scratch.

• Her current focus on work-life balance, adding Zoom rehearsals, and developing educational outreach performances.

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Shreeprada (Shree) is a captivating Indian Tribal Fusion dance teacher known for her layered style, artistic depth, and commitment to creativity. With a background in Bharatanatyam and a Master’s degree in Textile Design from the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, she brings a unique fusion of movement and visual artistry to her work. Trained in printing, embroidery, weaving, dyeing, and knotting, Shree has an exceptional ability to conceptualize and design textured surfaces—skills that mirror her intricate dance style as well. Passionate about sharing the magic of Tribal Fusion, she inspires dancers worldwide through her recorded courses and online classes.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The impact of colonization and media on Indian clothing norms and perceptions of dance.

• How Shree discovered belly dance through television and dealing with cultural taboos in India.

• The strong visual and cultural parallels between Tribal Fusion and Indian folk aesthetics.

• The creation of "Tribal Fusion India" to showcase diverse Indian voices in the style.

• How she uses social media strategically to attract aligned students rather than just followers.

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Melli Sarina is a pioneer in the Tribal Fusion and Fusion Belly Dance scene with over 26 years of dance experience. Based in Augsburg, Germany, she discovered her passion for Tribal Fusion at sixteen after a transformative workshop with Sharon Kihara. Her signature style—known as “Liquid Fusion”—blends Zoe Jakes' DanceCraft-inspired technique with the fluid artistry of urban waving, creating a powerful fusion of isolations, body control, and expressive flow. With intensive training from masters like Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Mira Betz, and Jill Parker, including 49 hours at The Tribal Massive in Las Vegas, Melli has become known for her precision, biomechanics focus, and deep muscle awareness. She teaches online classes and leads her own Liquid Fusion intensives designed around body awareness, mobility, and personal movement needs. A celebrated performer and educator, she has graced stages across Europe and the U.S., earned titles like 2011 Tribal Star Award winner and 2010 Vice Tribal Bellydancer of the World, and continues to shape the next generation of fusion dancers with her technique-driven, heart-centered approach.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The influence of urban dance styles—especially waving—on Melli’s movement vocabulary.

• The creation and meaning behind the term “Liquid Fusion Belly Dance.”

• How discovering pelvic floor awareness transformed her understanding of belly rolls.

• The value of working with a somatic therapist rather than just dance teachers for deeper growth.

• Her thoughtful approach to teaching levels in Liquid Fusion Belly Dance.

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Lidiane is a Brazilian belly dancer currently based in Egypt, known for her expressive style, stage presence, and deep dedication to the art of Oriental dance. She began her journey as a teenager in Brazil and eventually left behind a stable career to pursue her dream of dancing professionally in Egypt. Since arriving originally in Sharm el-Sheikh, and eventually moving to Cairo, Lidiane has performed nightly shows, reshaped her technique, and immersed herself in the cultural nuances of the Egyptian dance scene. Through discipline, emotional resilience, and a commitment to authenticity, she has built a name for herself not only as a dancer but as a performer who embodies the spirit of the stage both on and off it.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Why competitions never brought her medals—but did lead to her most important lesson about confidence on stage

• Leaving a secure job in Brazil to pursue dance in Egypt

• Reshaping her technique and musicality to survive the demands of Egyptian stages

• Learning about branding and applying those skills to her belly dance career

• Why gym workout is an important part of her lifestyle

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Estelle Zaghloul Ramia is a Lebanese-born, Costa Rica-based belly dancer, choreographer, and cultural ambassador who rose to fame after winning the first season of Hezzi Ya Nawaeem on Lebanese TV and later became the first belly dancer to perform on the national stages of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. In recognition of her artistic and community impact, she was honored in 2017 as one of Costa Rica’s Women’s Empowerment Icons. Her most recent project, Modern Organic Dance and Sacred Arts, is a creative and spiritual collective she co-founded, combining dance, music, videography, ritual, and energy work to create immersive, transformative experiences rooted in sisterhood and sacred expression. She shares her work through performances, teachings, and online platforms.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Oriental dance as a vessel for ancestral memory and feminine empowerment

• What it means to dance with the elements and how fire, water, air, and earth can shape your movement practice

• The role of ritual in Estelle’s classes, from altars and candles to setting intentions before movement

• What blocked shimmies can reveal about your deeper energetic or emotional patterns

• How Egyptian mythology holds simple truths about energy, healing, and feminine power

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Pinky Selim is a banker by profession, a dancer by passion, and the founder of the AUC Alumni Folklore Group, a troupe dedicated to reviving Egyptian folkloric dance. While studying at the American University in Cairo, she was deeply involved in the university’s folklore club, and after graduation, she couldn’t imagine letting go of this art form. In 2013, with the support of AUC’s Alumni Office, she launched AUC Alum Folk to preserve and celebrate Egyptian heritage through performance and education. Inspired by legends like Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy, Pinky has choreographed and staged numerous shows that bring folklore to life for new generations. As a proud mother and twin sister, she leads a growing troupe of dancers of all ages, teaching workshops and organizing performances that honor the richness and diversity of Egyptian folk traditions.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How a simple alumni club became a full dance company

• The deep influence of her father on Pinki’s view of music and culture

• The growing disconnection between young Egyptians and their own cultural heritage

• Why teaching folklore felt urgent in a culture where kids mock their own language

• What it takes to lead amateurs who dance like pros

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Rae Chrysalis is a classically trained dancer, embodiment coach, and leading voice in the silk fan community with over 30 years of experience in movement and performance. She is the founder of Chrysalis Silk Studies, an online school that has trained students in more than 60 countries in the art of silk fan dance. Rae’s work is at the forefront of Silk Fan Fusion, helping shape the future of this emerging art form through her signature blend of technical dance foundations, flow arts, and soul-driven expression. She has toured with artists like Seven Lions and Ayla Nereo and performed at premier festivals including Shambhala, Lightning in a Bottle, and Envision. As both performer and educator, Rae is celebrated for her ability to make advanced movement accessible while creating transformative spaces for deep embodiment and artistic discovery.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How Rae discovered fan veils and made them her signature tool

• Common mistakes dancers make during their learning process, how Rae built her teaching system over years of exploration

• Why belly dancers are drawn to her work to deepen their connection with fan veils

• How to choose fan veils that match your style and purpose

• What is the essence of ritual art, and Rae’s personal journey into it

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