Soraya Art Factory is a professional dancer, entrepreneur, and cultural mediator at Place des Arts in Montreal. She is celebrated for her vibrant energy, eclectic style, and professionalism. Soraya’s dance journey began in Morocco, where she took her first belly dance class in 2007. Inspired by Egyptian icons like Neima Akef, Tahia Carioca, Samia Gamal, Fifi Abdo, Dina, she pursued her passion for dance. In 2015, she left her law career to travel, share her love for dance, and train globally. Her unique style blends Afro, belly dance, salsa, and more, with a strong emphasis on musical interpretation. Today, she lives in Canada, continuing to share her passion for dance.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How Soraya started her dance journey back in Morocco

• Her experience of moving to a different country

• Learning different dance styles at the same time

• What is true body awareness during your dance

• Variety of Moroccan dances

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This is a best of episode! You will hear how various types of conditioning exercises are the integral part of their training.

You will hear from Hayal, Shahrzad, Jasirah, Dipika, Nabila and Heather (Henna) Louise.

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Check these full interviews with the podcast guests:

Ep 271. Hayal: Functional Training For Belly Dancers

Ep 214. Shahrzad: Changes in The Cairo Dance Life During The Last 4-5 Years

Ep 19. Jasirah: How to Practice on Your Own. Tips & Tricks

Ep 281. Dipika Vijay: Comparing Dance With Design And Geometry

Ep 105. Nabila: It's Never Too Late to Start and Succeed

Ep 291. Heather (Henna) Louise: Focus On The Experience You Wanna Have

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Christine “Shiraz” Şahin is a dance practitioner-scholar and ethnographer specializing in contemporary Egyptian raqs sharqi (“belly dance”) and other MENAT (Middle Eastern, North African, and Turkish) dance genres. She has a Ph.D. in Critical Dance Studies from the University of California, Riverside, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Delaware, and  is currently serving as Acting Assistant Professor of Dance in the Department of Dance at the University of Washington in Seattle. She also specializes in geriatric fitness and mind-body wellness. Her research has been published in Kohl: A Journal for Gender and Body Research.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Christine’s book “Core Connections. Cairo Belly Dance in the Revolution's Aftermath”

• Belly dance as a tool of empowerment

• The influence of 2011 revolution on the dance scene in Egypt

• Strong connections between art and politics

• How you can support Palestine

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Amina Goodyear began her performance career in the mid-60's at the Bagdad Cabaret dancing nightly in San Francisco's North Beach district during that city's golden era of Middle Eastern dance and until the Arabic clubs closed in that area. She founded her dance company, The Aswan Dancers, in 1975, and celebrates over 40 years of continuous performance and entertainment. She also founded the Cairo Cats, now a percussion ensemble led by her daughter Susu Pampanin, among many other music and percussion projects. Amina was inducted into the American Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (AAMED) Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement award in New York in 1994. She also received a Humanitarian Award in 2001 from MECDA, a Lifetime Achievement award in 2003 from BDUC in Long Beach and a Lifetime Achievement award  in 2015 from Isis and the Belly Dance Chronicles in Texas.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Belly dance realities of 1960s

• Learning to dance under the guidance of musicians

• Giza Club project

• Sexualization of belly dancers now and before

• Biggest changes in belly dance industry over the last 60 years

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Aleksandra Kilczewska, known by her stage name "Apsara Afsanera," is a dancer, choreographer, and alternative model based in Warsaw. She is a pioneer in her country, specializing in Persian dance as well as other Silk Road styles, including Uzbek, Tajik, Afghan, Azeri, and Uyghur dance. In addition to her expertise in these forms, she is also a skilled Tribal Belly dancer. Before delving deeply into Silk Road dances, Apsara trained extensively in various Indian dance styles and has a strong foundation in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance techniques. She continuously seeks to create her unique form of expression by blending these diverse techniques, drawing inspiration from music, poetry, literature, and film.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Historical connections between Persian and Georgian dances

• Types of Georgian dance

• Benefits of training in various dance style

• The psychology of teaching kids vs seniors

• University degree for dancers

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Saida, born to Syrian parents in Buenos Aires, Argentina, immersed herself in classical dance from 1983 to 1991, training with esteemed masters like Olga Ferri and Ricardo Rivas. In 1991, she embraced Arabic dance, studying under Amir Thaleb’s guidance and performing with the Arabian Dance Company, where she became the principal dancer for over a decade. In 1994, Saida established her own belly dance school. By 2004, she joined the Bellydance Superstars for a major U.S. tour, thanks to an invitation from producer Miles Copeland. Collaborating with Mario Kirlis, she released two acclaimed instructional DVDs in 2005 and 2007. In 2008, UNESCO's International Dance Council honored her as Argentina's best Arabic dance performer.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How she met Amir Thaleb

• Starting her teaching career by hosting classes at her mom’s house

• Incredible collaboration with Mario Kirlis

• Saida’s experience at Bellydance Superstars

• Dealing with criticism and negative feedback

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Warda is a choreographer, instructor, and performer of oriental dance and folklore styles with 13 years of experience. She has organized over 15 international events and excursions to the Middle East, making her a key figure in Bulgaria's belly dance events. With performance experience in both Bulgaria and Egypt, she is deeply connected to Oriental culture, speaks Arabic, and offers workshops across the world. In 2017, Warda launched the international festival HEZZ YA WEZZ in Sofia. She established her dance school in 2018 and has taught and judged at various international festivals. In 2021, she fulfilled her dream of teaching at Egyptian festivals, and in 2022, she performed in Egypt and appeared in a music video for Mahmoud El Esseily.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Studying the Arabic language, and different dialects of Arabic

• Does age make difference in belly dance career

• How folklore dances are different from oriental

• Most important qualities the event organizer must have

• Warda’s experience of living and working in Egypt

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Roula Said is a multifaceted artist of Palestinian heritage based in Toronto, Canada. She is a singer, dancer, musician, actor, and poet, renowned for her distinctive contributions to the world and fusion music scenes. As an Arabic musician, Roula sings and plays the qanun. One of her notable projects is "Om Laila: Bellydance for Body and Soul," a holistic system for bellydance instruction. After more than 30 years of teaching Middle Eastern dance, she has distilled her extensive experience into a suite of offerings rooted in tradition and focused on what she calls Embodied Soul Attunement.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Incredible story of the universe guided Roula to the world of belly dance

• Dealing with constant pain during dancing activities

• Healing trauma and blocks through belly dance

• The concept of movement embodiment and seven waves

• How to find joy during dark times

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Brenda, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, discovered her passion for dance at age 3, mastering Italian and Argentinian folklore, Salsa, Tango, Jazz, and later Raks Sharki. At 17, she starred at the prestigious "Al Shark" restaurant in Argentina for five years. After earning her Oriental Dance Professor Certification from Amir Thaleb’s School, Brenda's popularity soared, leading to TV appearances and international teaching engagements. In 2014, she was chosen for the Egyptian TV show "Al Rakesa." Her success in the Middle East prompted her move to Egypt, where she performed in top venues and appeared in movies and music videos. Since 2018, Brenda has released her own bellydance music. In 2022, she published "Belly Dance in Cairo," a guide for dancers and those wanting to live in Egypt. Currently, Brenda continues teaching and performing at major festivals, living between Italy and Egypt.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Brenda’s decision to change her lifestyle in Cairo

• Her move to Italy and how she continues her career in Egypt

• Health and nutrition tips

• The difference between teaching and performing activities

• Brenda’s current dreams and aspirations

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Sometimes it is beneficial to step aside, and dive into a different dance genre. Let’s discuss how exploring variety of dance forms can enrich and improve your belly dance.

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Join the Iana Dance Club to have access to the Apsara Dream intensive mentioned in the episode.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

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André Elbing, a renowned belly dance photographer from Germany, developed an interest in oriental dance in 1989 when he began organizing and producing shows with his long-time friend, Shahrazad. As he started photographing these events, his passion evolved into a thriving business with an impressive collection of approximately 4.5 million photos to this date. André has collaborated with the most prominent stars in the world of oriental dance, both past and present. His work has been featured in numerous dance magazines, including Halima, Orient Magazine, Tanz Oriental, Bazar Oriental, Bastet, and many more. His photographs are widely recognized, appearing on hundreds of belly dance websites, as well as on CD and DVD covers, books, and various other media.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How André became involved in belly dance photography

• The differences between photographing a live show and conducting a studio shoot

• Tips for the best stage lights setup

• How André prepares for his work at festivals

• Insights into his underwater photo shoots

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Pierre Khoury, a Syrian-Canadian male belly dancer from Montreal, is renowned for his expertise in Syrian/Lebanese Dabke, Raqs Sharqi, and Whirling. His talents have graced prestigious stages, including the Theatrical Bellydance Conference of New York and the International Bellydance Conference of Canada in Toronto. He recently was a guest master instructor in several venues including Hot Raqs and Cairo Shimmy Quake in California, and his workshops were acclaimed for the quality of their content. Beyond the realm of dance, Pierre brings his unique perspective as a psychology teacher at the University of Montreal to his coaching endeavors, seamlessly integrating his psychological insights into his dance instructions.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Pierre's journey into the world of belly dance

• The harmonious fusion of his  careers and how his psychology background enriches his coaching approach

• Main mindset blocks that prevent dancers from growth

• Variations of Dabke, and different Syrian dances

• Building dance career as a male belly dancer

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Nath Keo is the artistic director and choreographer of the Sacred Centre Dance Company based in Victoria, B.C., Canada. Nath is a belly dancer who has performed in over 51 cities with more than 1,000 performances during his career. Along with releasing a few music albums, a book and instructional dance DVDs, his resume includes serving as a featured instructor and performer at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, alongside the legendary Farida Fahmy, and as a judge at the World Bellydance Championship hosted in Seoul, South Korea.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Nath experience of growing up in a refugee camp, and how it influenced his interest in dance

• How Nath got involved in belly dance

• Difference between belly dance & Cambodian dance and music

• Fusion opportunities between two genres

• Having a successful belly dance career, experience of living as a monk, to becoming a mega music star in Cambodia

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This is a best of episode! You will hear a collection of tips and practices from the belly dance stars regarding their experience of creating fusion between belly dance and other dance genres.

You will hear from Meher Malik, Anjelica Scannura, Soraia Zaied and Diana Gnatchenko.

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Check these full interviews with the podcast guests:

Ep 27. Meher Malik: Fusion, Confusion and Female Objectification

Ep 79. Anjelica Scannura: From Flamenco to Belly Dance to Stand-Up Comedy

Ep 128. Soraia Zaied: Never Give Up On Your Dreams!

Ep 200. Diana Gnatchenko: Life Before & After

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Heather (Henna) Louise is a performer, teacher, and life long student of Middle Eastern music and dance based in Portland, Oregon. After studying belly dance for five years, life took Heather to Asia where she began her performing career in the restaurant gig scene of Tokyo, Japan. Along with her dance partners, she worked with the live band Alladeen and co-founded the Tokyo International Bellydance Competition. Since returning to Portland in 2008, Heather has taught and performed at Jamballah NW Festival, The Hawaii Bellydance Convention, competed and placed in Bellydance of the Year Competition, and won the Ms. La Danse Orientale title. She has been a featured instructor at the Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene (MEDGE), as well as at Emerald Sanctuary Belly Dance Retreat, and has been a panel judge for The Belly Dance Off.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Becoming a professional performer in Japan

• How to break down difficult movements to students

• Overcoming learning frustrations

• Tips for better improvisations

• Heather’s approach to personal practice, and injury prevention measures

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In order to find emotional connection with Baladi, you need to understand its cultural environment, and typical archetypes that are often associated with Baladi women. Let’s dive into this topic in this solo episode with Iana!

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Join the Iana Dance Club to have access to the Baladi intensive mentioned in the episode.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

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Randa Kamel is one of the most famous Egyptian dancers with her own unique style full of energy, as well as a teacher who has shared her knowledge with thousand of students all around the world. At the age of 15, she began studying folklore with the famous Reda group. After 7 years Randa transitioned into her solo career as a professional oriental dancer in Alexandria. Later moved on to Cairo, and quickly became a performer at the Meridien hotel, sharing the stage with legendary Fifi Abdou. Today Randa appears in weddings, parties and in the Nile Maxim cruise when she is in Egypt. Her own orchestra consists of 28 musicians. She also travels extensively around the world teaching at festivals, and organizes her own winter course and summer dance festival “Raqs Of Course” in Cairo.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How passionate Randa was about dance since her childhood years

• Her experience in Reda Troupe, and her decision to start a solo oriental career

• How Randa’s choice of dance career influenced her family relationships

• What her training looks like today, and if she reviews her own dance videos

• Randa’s message to other dancers about this art form

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Sylvia Yssei began her dance training in 2000 with Jazz, and throughout the years she included Flamenco, Spanish, Classical and Contemporary dances in her training. Later she discovered bellydance, and eventually Tribal Fusion dance and Ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance). Both became a powerful means of expression for her in a complementary, but at the same time very different ways. Along with her dance explorations, she studied Psychology at the University of Barcelona, which has definitely helped her to learn the basics of Pedagogy and the dynamics of learning, as well as to understand her students in an active and holistic way.

In this episode you will learn about:

• What is Kundalini energy and where it is stored in our body

• Why it is important to awaken Kundalini in us

• How belly dance is connected to Kundalini energy

• Ways how you can manifest Kundalini energy in you

• How Sylvia became a Kundalini Awakening facilitator, and how it aligns with her dance activities

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Izel Kirana started her dance journey almost 15 years ago. Originally from Barcelona, she fell in love with belly dance, tribal fusion style, and eventually Indian culture and art. 5 years ago she embarked on multiple journeys to India in search of its classical dances and folklore, training in Rajasthani folklore dance, Kalbelia dance, Kathak dance and Indian fusion.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How Izel discovered tribal fusion, and eventual Kalbelia dance styles

• Historical influences of Kalbelia dance

• Izel’s experience of visiting India, and taking classes with local teachers

• Fusion between different dance forms

• Supporting the Kalbelia community by running a clothing & jewelry store

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Amanda Rose is an internationally acclaimed instructor and performer based in Barcelona, Spain. In addition to over a decade of teaching experience, and almost 2 decades of experience with Raqs Sharqi, she also has a master's degree in Dance Movement Therapy from La Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Alongside her background in sociology and language studies, Amanda Rose’s academic experiences greatly shape her approach to dance, art, culture, and pedagogy. She has received wide recognition for Amanda Rose Online, one of the first online dance platforms in the Middle Eastern dance community, hosting a variety of online dance opportunities such as online prerecorded series, one on one coaching, competition training, and personal feedback.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Switching focus from technical excellence to emotional expression in dance

• How to find connections between movements and feelings

• Tips for dealing with performance anxiety

• What’s the difference between therapy and therapeutic experience

• Amanda’s research on therapeutic capabilities of belly dance

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