Summer Deng is one of the most sought-after Chinese professionals in the world of Oriental dance, celebrated for his exceptional technical precision, artistic expression, and groundbreaking contributions as a male dancer. He has performed, taught, and judged across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, conducting hundreds of workshops and intensives in over 80 cities in China alone. Known for his versatile style—blending high-energy, dramatic movements with fluid, intricate technique—he has inspired countless dancers through his masterclasses, helping them grow, transform, and deepen their connection to Oriental dance. Winner of the Gold Award at the Nagwa Fouad Cup in South Korea and top honors at Raks Shakki in France, Summer continues to break traditional gender barriers and mentor a new generation of dancers worldwide.

In this episode you will learn about:

• What it meant to be one of the first male belly dancers in China—and face 10 years of silence from his family

• Why Summer walked away from Chinese classical dance to fully devote himself to Raqs Sharqi

• How copy-paste choreography culture is weakening artistic identity in China

• His mission to build a transparent, fair festival system in China starting in 2015

• The rise of China and Korea as serious forces in the Asian belly dance competition scene

Read More

Belyssa is a pioneering figure in Australian belly dance who founded the Belyssa Academy of Danse Orientale and the Flames of Araby troupe, establishing a legacy of dramatic, classical artistry. Over the past 30 years, Belyssa has dedicated herself to documenting the raw, earthbound rhythms and movements of isolated Bedouin tribes in the Sinai and Western Desert, far removed from the theatrical polish of Cairo stages. This deep anthropological work defines her current teaching philosophy, "Just Dance," which focuses on transmitting authentic micro-mannerisms and a profound, respectful connection to community traditions rather than mere choreography. Today, she holds a massive, sensitive archive of cultural documentation and continues to mentor dancers globally, advocating for the ethical preservation of dance as a living memory of its people.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How dance lives in social contexts that most performers never witness

• What she discovered about Bedouin celebrations, gender dynamics, and who actually dances — and when

• The ethical dilemma of carrying stories that are not fully yours when sharing her research publicly

• Her firsthand experience of Ramadan and how it shifted her perception of cultural moments

• The difference between staged folklore and lived embodied practice

Read More

Fernanda Reschke is a Brazilian-born Oriental dance artist, educator, and trauma-informed psychotherapist whose work bridges movement, culture, and healing. She began her career as a dancer and choreographer at a young age and later trained in counseling and naturopathy, holding a bachelor’s degree in holistic health and wellbeing. Fernanda spent many years living and performing professionally in the Middle East, specializing in Egyptian Raqs Sharqi and folkloric traditions of the SWANA region. Now based in Australia, she is internationally recognized for her warm, inclusive, and culturally respectful teaching approach. As a PACFA-accredited psychotherapist and advanced Somatic Experiencing practitioner, Fernanda supports dancers in reconnecting with their bodies, emotions, and sense of belonging while honoring Raqs Sharqi as a living cultural art form.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The hidden mental health challenges of working belly dancers

• Body image pressure, harassment, and unspoken industry norms

• How validation, visibility, and social media affect dancers’ nervous systems

• Why not every hardship is trauma — and why that distinction matters

• What “taking care of mental health” actually looks like in daily life

Read More

Sadie is an internationally recognized Oriental dance artist, educator, and innovator dedicated to empowering people through the art of belly dance. She has produced dozens of bestselling instructional videos, amassed millions of views through viral online content, and represented Oriental dance before a global audience on America’s Got Talent. Sadie is the founder and director of Raqs Online and the Raqs Flow training program, which offers a strong technical foundation while maintaining deep connection to cultural roots, musicality, and embodied expression. In addition to teaching and performing worldwide, she curates destination dance retreats that blend movement, self-exploration, nature, and conscious living. Based in Denver, Colorado, Sadie is passionate about holistic, sustainable living and weaves together dance, music, nature, and human connection in both her teaching and retreats, inspiring dancers around the world to grow artistically and personally.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How Sadie’s relationship with dance has evolved over her career

• The ongoing dilemma between following artistic calling and choosing stability

• Navigating aging, visibility, and self-worth in a youth-centered dance culture

• Why the “maiden–mother–crone” archetype matters in belly dance today

• Why Sadie chose to return to university and study psychology at this stage of life

Read More

Mohamed Reda Saad is a prominent Egyptian musician and the leader of the Cairo Band, one of Cairo’s most sought-after ensembles for major dance festivals and cultural events. Continuing the artistic legacy of his father, the renowned musician Reda Saad, Mohamed has both preserved and expanded this heritage, specializing in traditional and contemporary Egyptian music created specifically for professional Oriental dance performance. Known for its refined arrangements and exceptional musicianship, the Cairo Band performs regularly at prestigious events in Cairo and on international stages. In parallel with his work as a performing musician and band leader, Mohamed is also an experienced music engineer who has recorded and produced numerous albums for Oriental dance and collaborates with dancers worldwide to create custom-made music tailored to their performance needs.

In this episode you will learn about:

• The difference between musicians who play for singers and those who play for dancers, and why Egyptian drummers follow the dancer, not the other way around

• The most common mistakes dancers make with live bands—entrances, endings, and accents

• How dancers can communicate with musicians using simple, universal stage signals

• How dancers should prepare for rehearsals to truly benefit from limited time

• The behind-the-scenes reality of creating custom music for dancers and why recording dance music takes weeks—not hours

Read More

Yaël Zarca is an internationally recognized Oriental dance artist and one of the leading figures of Egyptian dance in France. She discovered Oriental dance in 1999 and has since built a remarkable career spanning Parisian studios, major international stages, television appearances, instructional DVDs, and creative projects within the dance world. Known for her expressive, elegant style, Yaël blends deep Egyptian tradition with modern sensibility, placing strong emphasis on musicality, emotional interpretation, and impeccable technique. An outstanding pedagogue, she teaches Sharqi, Baladi, and Egyptian folklores in Paris, across France, and worldwide, sharing a dance rooted in feeling, culture, and transmission. Her professionalism, artistic integrity, and commitment to teaching have made her a respected and influential voice in the global Oriental dance community.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How motherhood reshaped her priorities, dance practice, and definition of success

• Why improvisation is essential—and how to teach it without terrifying students

• How feeling good as a woman is essential to becoming a better mother - and its relationship with dance

• Why Egyptian style is now labeled “old school” in global dance scenes

• Yael’s decision to charge her students only on an annual basis—and how such commitment changes everything

Read More

Martina Tellini is an Italian professional belly dancer, teacher, and choreographer known for her dynamic, powerful, and natural style. Born in Florence, she began her artistic path with music, singing, and acting before dedicating herself to dance. Martina trained extensively with leading figures of Oriental Dance, including Randa Kamel, Tito Seif, Yousry Sharif, and Wael Mansour, and went on to win numerous international competitions across Europe and Asia, as well as becoming a finalist at the prestigious Raqs of Course Festival in Cairo. She has performed, taught, and judged worldwide. Deeply committed to artistic individuality, Martina’s teaching focuses on strong technique, unconventional choreography, and helping dancers discover their own unique voice. Alongside her belly dance career, she is also the president of the Renaissance dance association Il Lauro, performing historical dance across Italy and Europe.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Starting belly dance directly in festivals and masterclasses, not beginner classes

• How progressing too fast can cost you foundational technique

• When audience love can mask what you need to work on — but competition feedback exposes it

• The role of choreography vs. improvisation at different career stages

• How pregnancy reshaped priorities, body awareness, and pace

Read More