Belly Dance Life

Sahira began belly dancing full-time in 2001. At one point she was dancing 5 nights a week, sometimes up to 7 shows in one evening! In 2005, Sahira released her first instructional DVD and shortly after she got invited to teach and perform all around the world. In 2006 she even had the honor of being the first tribal instructor ever invited to teach at the largest belly dance festival in the world: Ahlan We Sahlan, in Cairo, Egypt. She is also the proud co-owner of Bella Donna Dance, voted Houston’s Best Belly Dancers by the Houston Press. She is also the founder and director of Houston’s premiere Tribal Style troupe, Urban Hipsy.In this episode you will learn about:- Being fired from a job, and diving into a belly dance career- The importance of networking and connections- Learning process for finger cymbals- Teaching zills online- Where to purchase good finger cymbals, and where to perform with themShow Notes to this episode:Follow Sahira via Instagram, FB, YouTube and website. FREE mini-course from Sahira: www.sahirabellydances.com/zillstar Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

For all our guests and listeners dance is a very integral part of daily life. But sometimes we start taking it for granted, and forget that for many people opportunity to dance and perform is a luxury. Let’s listen to some stories from our previous guests.NEW episode with a selection of the best parts dedicated to the barriers and hardships of the decision to pursue a dance path. You’ll hear from Lebanese Simon, Sara Al-Hadithi, Mohanned Hawaz and Sabriye Tekbilek.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 29. Lebanese Simon: Rising Above ObstaclesEp 108. Sara Al-Hadithi: About Popularization of Iraqi DanceEp 115. Mohanned Hawaz: Things You Didn’t Know about Iraqi DanceEp 150. Sabriye Tekbilek: Be The Type Of Artist You Want To BeCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Performer, Master Instructor, Choreographer, Director and Producer, Jillina Carlano has devoted her life to dance. From 2003-09 she served as Artistic Director and Main Choreographer for the Bellydance Superstars and performed with them for over 700 shows in over a dozen countries. In 2009 Jillina created Bellydance Evolution to take Middle Eastern dance to a higher level worldwide.  Bellydance Evolution has already appeared in over 20 countries and was a featured performer at the Mawazine festival in Morocco, performing for the Queen of Morocco. Jillina has won numerous awards from International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance and the Giza Academy, including Best Modern Egyptian Dancer, Best Instructional Video, Best Dance Company and Dancer of the Year. In this episode you will learn about:- Delegating responsibilities and projects to others- Tips for hiring people- Post-pandemic performances by Belly Dance Evolution- The importance of generosity- Dealing with self-criticism and personal insecuritiesShow Notes to this episode:Follow Jillina Carlano via Instagram, FB, and website.Previous interviews with Jillina:Ep 31. Jillina Carlano: How Food Can Influence Your DanceEp 22. Jillina Carlano: Building Community Around the GlobeCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

International master teacher and dancer artist, Kaouther Ben Amor is known for the theatrical dimension she gives to her expressive interpretations and original choreographies. After various shows in France where her name totally settled down as teacher and performer, she naturally moved on to performing abroad in prestigious theatres : Tokyo, New York, Dallas, Geneva, Brussels, Cairo, Torino, Amsterdam, Tunis, Venice, Rimini, Berlin, Amsterdam... Rachid Bouchared trusted her to create the choreography of the oriental ballet in his latest film “Outside the Law”  (Cannes Film Festival 2010) and also for the Tunisian Director Elyes Baccar in the movie Tunis By Night.In this episode you will learn about:- Feeling both French and Tunisian- Taking three years to become a professional full-time dancer- How belly dance embraces all types of body shapes- The artistic fire that burns inside- Kauther’s experience in the cinema industryShow Notes to this episode:Follow Kaouther Ben Amor via Instagram, FB, YouTube, and website.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Alisa Gurova is a professional fusion dancer with a Master degree in contemporary dance from the College of Arts in Kyiv. Her performances combine fusion, belly dance, and contemporary dance with ballet. This has led her to winning “The Challenge” in the Ukrainian International Competition for Contemporary Jazz in 2015 and 2016, and winning Miss Belly Dance Ukraine in 2010. Her expertise is well known as she has been asked to judge the Let’s Dance Festival in Prague 2016, the Bellydance Festival in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine in 2016, and the Bellydance Festival in Kiev in 2015.In this episode you will learn about:- Fleeing the war in Ukraine, and being robed on the first day in Spain- Processing the hardship of the current situation through dance- Alisa’s competition experience in the contemporary jazz style- The necessity of professional higher education for belly dancers- The evolution of terminology in the dance worldShow Notes to this episode:Follow Kira Lebedeva via Instagram, FB, and YouTube. Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a new solo episode with Iana! Let’s talk about the frustrations of the learning process, and specifically the moment when you don’t see much improvements in your dance.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Check out the amazing collection at My Inner Dancer online store at www.myinnerdancer.com Use a promo code PODCAST for a 10% discount during the checkout.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Originally from the Netherlands, Loretta is a modern international belly dance star and in-demand teacher of workshops worldwide. She is a winner of multiple international competitions, and known for her smooth graceful movements with intricate technique skills. Now Loretta lives and teaches belly dance classes in Kuwait, as well as continues to travel worldwide.In this episode you will learn about:- Mastering belly dance on your own from 0 to professional level- The importance of flexibility for dancer’s body- Teaching belly dance classes in Kuwait- Adjusting to a different lifestyle in a new country- Managing 7-8 classes on a daily basis Show Notes to this episode:Follow Loretta via Instagram, FB, and YouTube. Check out the amazing collection at My Inner Dancer online store at www.myinnerdancer.com Use a promo code PODCAST for a 10% discount during the checkout.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Shahrzad is an internationally known teacher and performer of Egyptian dance styles. She moved to Egypt in 2015 and enjoyed a 5 year performance career appearing in top night clubs, films, and music videos. Post-covid she opened her business ‘Shahrzad Studios’ which focuses on providing high quality education on Egyptian dance, music, and language both online and in person featuring her own instruction as well as promoting artists of origin.In this episode you will learn about:- Not-so-obvious reasons of why Cairo dance & music scene has changed so much after the lockdowns- Shifts in Shahrzad’s personal dance focus- Experience of teaching live classes in Cairo for local women- Expanding activities to teaching online and organizing tours in Egypt- The importance of conditioning and body awareness for belly dancersShow Notes to this episode:Follow Shahrzad via Instagram, FB, and YouTube. Also, check out info about here online classes, music CDs, and tours in Egypt.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the amazing collection at My Inner Dancer online store at www.myinnerdancer.com Use a promo code PODCAST for a 10% discount during the checkout.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Kira Lebedeva has been a professional Tribal Fusion dancer and teacher for almost 12 years, also teaching yoga for around 10 years. In March 2022 Kira has transformed her studio in Lviv into a shelter to host people from all over Ukraine who had to leave their own cities in search of a safer place.In this episode you will learn about:- The impact of the war on Kira’s dance life, and the experience of hosting a shelter at her dance studio- Expressing politics through dance- The beginning of Kira’s dance journey- How easy it is to transition from belly dance to tribal fusion- The struggle of speaking in EnglishShow Notes to this episode:Follow Kira Lebedeva via Instagram, FB, and YouTube. Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

What do you feel when you are watching your own performance videos? Let’s hear the experience of our star guests.NEW episode with a selection of the best parts dedicated to the self criticism and your videos. You’ll hear from Julia Farid, Aida Bogomolova, Yael Zarca and Diana Gnatchenko.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 52. Julia Farid: About Artistic Fulfillment, Individual Style and Teacher-Student RelationshipsEp 144. Aida Bogomolova: Paying Attention to Each DetailEp 162. Yaël Zarca: Spreading Light and PositivityEp 200. Diana Gnatchenko: Life Before & AfterDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Jasirah is an international professional dancer, teacher and judge, and organizer of the Raks Glam Festival in Poland. For over 12 years she has been teaching regular classes of oriental dance in Poland and master classes around the world. You could meet her teaching and performing in over 20 countries on 4 different continents. In 2016 she played the main role of Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland" during a 3-month tour with BDE in China, and in 2017 she played the main role of Mermaid and Florist in “Sheherezade 1001 Night” show, during United States East Coast Tour. She is a multi-award winner of competitions, including Etna Bellydance Festival 2014 in Sicily, Polish Championships 2010 and semifinalist of Poland Got Talent Show in 2011.In this episode you will learn about:- How writing down things can improve your dance- Where to find motivation for your practice sessions- The production process of physical goods- Teaching classes online- The benefits of doing local gigs.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Jasirah via Instagram, FB, and YouTube. Information about her training wear is available HERE, belly dance journal HERE, and her Patreon account with online classes HERE.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

From a family of artists, Nesma started to perform in TV shows and theatre when she was a teenager. She lived in Cairo from 1993–1998, where she obtained her extensive knowledge of Oriental dance, Egyptian folklore, Arabic music, culture and traditions. Nesma performed as a soloist with her own orchestra in over 3,500 shows on the most prestigious stages of Cairo. She broadened her artistic career in the National Egyptian Folkloric Ballet, The Reda Troupe. Since 1998 she has danced and taught around the world. In Spain she founded her own school and a prestigious dance company, Al-Andalus Danza. Creator of the neoandalusí style, she is a pioneer in investigating and choreographing dance performances inspired by the legacy of al-Andalus.In this episode you will learn about:- Dance life in Cairo in the 90s- Transitioning from a solo dance career to being a part of a folklore group- What’s the difference between real folklore and Reda style - How Reda technique is deeply embedded in modern Oriental dance - Main confusions around Andalusian dance and music culture.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Nesma via Instagram, FB, YouTube, and website. Information about her academy is available HERE.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Tatiana Tarasova is a professional dancer and choreographer, with a 7-year experience of teaching oriental dance in her own school in Melitopol (Ukraine). She is a festival organizer, and the winner of many dance competitions. Her most recent festival was planned for March 5th of 2022 but it was cancelled due to the war in Ukraine. Currently Tatiana resides in the Czech Republic, and is open for classes and event collaborations.In this episode you will learn about:- How the war in Ukraine made Tatiana move to a different place for the second time in her life- The spirit of competitiveness in the belly dance classroom - Finding your perfect balance in dance- What does it take for a plus-size dancer to be acknowledged as a professional- Creating choreographies for competitions vs gala shows.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Tatiana Tarasova via Instagram, FB, and YouTube.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Dancing to Tarab songs is extremely responsible task. Such songs have a deep cultural meaning, and should be addressed thoughtfully and with respect.⁣⁣ Let’s discuss this subject more in-depth.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube , or contact via email [email protected] . Intensives at the Iana Dance Club mentioned in the episode: Belly Rolls and Flutters & Tab Wana Maly (Tarab).Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFind information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Tetiana Tesliuk is a professional bellydancer from Kyiv, winner of competitions in Ukraine and Europe, “Orientalisimo World Cup Champion” 2021. She also won over a dozen of ONLINE competitions in JUST 2021. Tetiana absolutely adores drum solo style, and creates unique drum solo choreographies! Because of the war she currently stays in Germany, but she is open for online classes, individual choreographies, and festival collaborations.In this episode you will learn about:- How the war in Ukraine impacted Tetiana’s life - Her decision to perform on stage despite the current situation- The necessity of keep learning with different teachers - Main nuances of online format of competitions - Tetiana’s love to drum solo styleShow Notes to this episode:Follow Tetiana Tesliuk via Instagram, FB, and YouTube.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Munique Neith is a Brazilian dancer of Arabic descent and one of the most prestigious master teachers in the world. Currently, she lives in Barcelona, Spain, and she is the first master owner of two Oriental Dance Schools in the country with more than 800 students and the biggest school in Europe exclusively for bellydancing. She participated as a dancer in the Netflix series The Crown in one of its 5th season episodes, taught Oriental Dance classes for Cirque du Soleil artists during their tour in Barcelona with the Saltimbanco Show, performed at the Palau de la Música Catalana, hired by TVE for the opening of the cinema awards. Munique Neith is also the organizer of the prestigious International Oriental Dance Festival “Egypt in Barcelona”, that join together every year the best teachers and dancers from five continents.In this episode you will learn about:- Marketing mindset for belly dancers  - Nuances of festival organization - Experience of shooting for a TV series - Collaboration with Cirque du Soleil - Navigating work-life balanceShow Notes to this episode:Follow Munique Neith via Instagram, FB, website, and YouTube.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning October 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Angella Kim is an internationally renowned and award-winning belly dancer from South Korea. She graduated from Dongguk University of Arts with a degree in theatre and first began her journey in Oriental dance in 2005. In 2008 Angella established her AFOD company in Beijing, China and began developing her teaching system, which is now used in over 24 provinces in China and more than 180 cities. From 2009-2012 Angella toured in Jillina's Bellydance Evolution company. She has also taught at the "Ahlan wa Sahlan" festival in Cairo, Egypt as well as Japan, Singapore, Argentina and many other countries.In this episode you will learn about:- What influenced the popularization of belly dance in Korea- Why Angella moved to China- Her teaching system - Difference in students mentality in China, Korea and Japan- Navigating dance work in China through the pandemic timesShow Notes to this episode:Follow Angella Kim via Instagram, FB, and YouTube.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

NEW episode with a selection of the best parts dedicated to the healing power of belly dance. You’ll hear from Anna Schkade-Siytangco, Aszmara, Amel Tafsout and Cassandra Shore.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 135. Anna Schkade-Siytangco: Gaining Confidence & Overcoming FearsEp 159. Aszmara: Dance Gives Us Inner StrengthEp 103. Amel Tafsout: The Healing Power of North African CultureEp 168. Cassandra Shore: Progressing Through Years of DancingFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Mahaila El Helwa is a renowned Brazilian instructor, performer and choreographer of Oriental dance.  She is known for her unique style and precise technique. In addition to her work in Brazil, Mahaila has taught workshops and performed in many countries throughout the world. She improves her dance with great masters of oriental dance and travels constantly to Egypt to improve her dance.  In 2017, she opened the "Mahaila El Helwa Studio - Arab Oriental Dance" in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Today, she is a beloved master teacher of many students who are intrigued and inspired by her personality and dance individuality.In this episode you will learn about:- Belly dancing through different ages of your life- The importance of conditioning your body aside from the dance activities- Difficult career choices, and how Mahaila almost became a lawyer instead of belly dancer - Mahaila’s teaching approach- Running online classesShow Notes to this episode:Follow Mahaila El Helwa via Instagram, FB, YouTube, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Dr. Audrey Cottet is an academic researcher in the Physics department of the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris. She has over twenty years of expertise in theoretical physics, with a focus on condensed matter physics and quantum physics. Outside the lab, Audrey is a Middle Eastern dance and percussion student.She has learned how to player finger cymbals with Hassan Abdel Khalek and Nicolas Derolin in Paris. This practice motivated her secondary research activity on the history of cymbal playing. She has recently written one article on finger cymbal played in the Roman Empire, in the journal “Early Music” published by the Oxford University Press. She also has a second article published in the Review CLARA (Classical Art and Archaeology) hosted by the University of Oslo.In this episode you will learn about:- Proper terminology: zills, sagats or cymbals- The very first mentions of cymbals and finger cymbals in ancient history- The process of writing a peer reviewed article- The tradition of finger cymbals playing in the Roman Empire- First known mentions of finger cymbals in Egyptian cultureShow Notes to this episode:Follow Dr. Audrey Cottet via Instagram. Two of her articles available here: Playing finger cymbals in the Roman Empire: an iconographic study, and Cymbals playing in a Roman mosaic from Mariamin in SyriaAlso, check her performance at the upcoming show "Hommages" choregraphed by Ciya with her amateur dance troupe the “Ballet Egypt'Ciya”, with invited professional dancers (Yael Zarca, Gennaro Festa, Myrto Kaukias) and with a small finger cymbal solo by Audrey (July 3rd, in Montrouge near Paris).Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Prianca where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Belly Dance TransformationsBefore: I’m so used to being in the studio, and having a teacher whom I can see, so starting to dance at home as my studio was very challenging. It was hard to stay focus. I had very limited space at home. Also, not having a full-length mirror kinda discouraged me since I didn’t have an immediate feedback. Now: It took me 4-5 months of online learning to get the groove, but it got so much easier. I had to constantly remind myself that video recording was not about perfection, but just a tool instead of a mirror to see where I can improve. Benefits of video recording is that camera evokes a performance mood in you.Before: The hardest part of training by yourself is coming up with a curriculum.Now: That’s why I’m heavily relying on the Iana Dance Club for that. I’m using it to challenge myself, and to make sure that I’m getting a well-rounded training on a weekly basis.'I feel that I will dance when I’m 100 years old, and I still will be able to learn something new, and still be excited about it.'"Belly dance “took me” as I was, and gave me the tools to be more confident and brave, and to learn that I can move my body and dance without having to have started when I was one or two years old. You can start whenever you want because it feel like a form of self-expression." _PriancaShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Prianca’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Diana Gnatchenko is a professional oriental dancer from Ukraine recognized around the world. She is the winner of multiple international competitions, guest teacher and judge at the most prestigious events worldwide. Her dance tours took place in countries such as Ukraine, United States, Italy, China, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Korea, Chile, France, Malaysia, Sweden, Poland, Serbia, Brazil, Colombia and many other countries in the world.In this episode you will learn about:- How the war in Ukraine affected Diana’s life and dance activities- Why choosing students who fit you as a teacher is as much important as for students to choose a teacher who fits them- Diana’s process of creating choreographies- Her teaching approach and what she aims for in her work with students- What are the benefits of learning other dance styles for professional dance teachersShow Notes to this episode:Follow Diana Gnatchenko via FB, YouTube and Instagram. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Shani Brown where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Belly Dance Transformations:"A lot of the time it’s difficult to prioritize for ourselves, and to prioritize our dance because there are so many things that we have to do… But if we have assignments and goals to reach for the week/month, that really helps to prioritize our training.""I think it’s so nice to record yourself right from the beginning of your dance journey, so that 1 month/ 2 months or even a year later you can look back and realize: “Omg, I have improved!”. Video recording is a wonderful tool.""I think I’m mature enough to know that progress isn’t instant, but I know it will come. There is always room for growth, so we just keep going.""Belly dance brings me that need to continue to challenge myself, to learn, to grow. Something I can’t find anywhere else."_ShaniShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Shani’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Victoria Teel is an award winning belly dance performer and instructor. In 2010, she was chosen along with 24 other dancers to participate in the world’s first ever belly dance reality show, Project Belly Dance. She placed among the top six contestants, earning her spot in the Final 6 instructional DVD released in March 2011. Soon after Project Belly Dance, Victoria joined Miles Copeland's Bellydance Superstars in Japan for the tour of Bombay Bellywood. Victoria is also the creator of the Teel Fan Method, a dance technique using fans and fan veils incorporating influences from Asian dances. Today, Victoria is based in the USA and offers online classes. She currently tours the world teaching workshops and performing.In this episode you will learn about:- Participation at the reality TV show Project Belly Dance- Experience of joining Belly Dance Superstars- The story of falling in love with fan-veils- Victoria’s approach to her own training- The importance of learning with different teachersShow Notes to this episode:Follow Victoria Teel via website, FB, YouTube and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Sandra Van Baaren where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Belly Dance Transformations:"What helped a lot in my training was video taping myself. Often I’d look in a mirror and think that I’ve gotten a move, but after seeing a video I would realize that I needed to do a lot more of work.""Sometimes you will stop trying again just because learning process lost the fun quality of it. You need to overcome a frustration of not getting a movement right away.""My current focus is getting more creative with my own dance.""Also, I’ve added ballet classes along with belly dance training, and I like the difference it made in my body.""Dance helps me to balance the type of work I do on a daily basis.""Belly dance is so beautiful! It brings a lot of joy, creativity and magic into my world." _SandraShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Sandra’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Born in Berlin, Germany, Beata Cifuentes started dancing at the age of six. Already as a child she attended her weekly ballet lessons with great persistence. Her decision to interrupt medical studies, as well as an intensive three-year course at Berlin’s Academy for Performing Arts, led her to discover oriental dance. She was fascinated by Arabic music when she heard the legendary singer Um Kalthoum – this was the start of a life-long passion for oriental dancing. After serious research, studies and travels to the Middle East, Beata founded the first-of-its-kind school for oriental dance in Berlin. She currently co-directs the Dance Academy Cifuentes in Beelitz, performs and teaches internationally, and is an inspiration to dancers world-wide.In this episode you will learn about:- Teaching mistakes Beata did in the beginning of her career- Transition from ballet to the belly dance world- Incorporating ballet class structure into oriental dance- The love story of Beata and Horacio- Crazy situations of collaborating with various composers on music CDsShow Notes to this episode:Follow Beata Cifuentes via website, FB, YouTube and Instagram. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Wendy where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Belly Dance Transformations:"I needed to exercise, but I couldn’t make myself going to gym on a regular basis. Dance on contrary is just something that is fun. Every time there is music on, I feel that I have to move.""I’m naturally a very clumsy person, I’m usually covered in bruises because I keep bumping into things, so me being able to coordinate all these different movements together is a victory.""I never thought I would be able to learn a choreography over just one month, because I have terrible memory. I’m so proud of myself now.""When you learn a choreography, it’s nice to share it with the audience, but I’ve determined that it’s not something that I NEED in order to be happy.""I’m enjoying just how I improve my movements, exploring the ability to learn things that I thought were too hard for me." _WendyShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Wendy’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Warda is a professional national and international award-winning bellydancer. She has traveled to Egypt over thirty times to research and train and has won awards by top Egyptian professionals for her dancing. Warda is the director of the Shahrazad Dance Company , and has written ‘The Origins and History of Bellydance’, along with Egyptian Professor Dr. Hassan Khalil. She is a mentor and teacher of a number of prize winning dancers.In this episode you will learn about:-  Traveling lifestyle as a part of military community- Bringing innovation to dance- The origins of the belly dance art form- What is the proper name of our dance style- The importance of critical thinkingShow Notes to this episode:Follow Warda via website, FB, YouTube and Instagram. Her book ‘The Origins and History of Bellydance’ is available HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Lilia where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:"I’m battling perfectionism constantly.""In my mind ‘professional’ means ‘perfect’ which is not true.""I have several performances and competitions that I skipped because I though I wasn’t ready, that they would not be perfect. It’s a constant battle.""Sometimes when you want it to be perfect, you do nothing, because you are afraid it won’t be perfect.""I don’t even know what is ‘perfect’. That’s the irony of it.""Now I’m trying to practice smarter rather than harder.""Belly dance gives the freedom to express my feelings. It gives me storytelling techniques with the body." _LiliaShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Lilia’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

We often make grand plans but fail on showing up and performing them. Or sometimes we do show up but don't put 100% of our energy into the task. This relates to dance training too, especially if we are talking about practicing on your own. How to be more accountable and stop finding excuses of being too busy, or too tired, or simply postponing for later? Show Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Tita where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:‘’I feel that I’m growing, and it’s wonderful to be 59 and still experience the growth in your body.""I started doing belly dance to help with my cognition, to feel more feminine on my body. I’m learning to be not just to be a worker, but to have individuality and to express myself.""My training is changing with my body. Some days I just sit and watch videos, or listen to the music and mark moves in my head.""I’m happy if dance just belongs to me [without showing it to anyone else]. But I like sharing and bringing joy to people too.""What keeps people away from even trying to attend the class is that fear of feeling lost."_ Lina MarieShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Lina’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Amar Lammar was born in Mexico City. Since a young age she showed interest in art, especially dance. At the age of six years old she began her studies of Polynesian dances followed by a short period of ballet together with Mexican folklore. At the age of 11 she got into Afro-Caribbean rhythms but finally discovered and pursued her studies of oriental dance at the age of 13. Her international career began in 2003 with her first contracts in India for the Sheraton hotel group. After this first successful contract, she expanded her career and performed in several countries including Bahrein, Syria, Lebanon, Tunis and the Netherlands. For 12 years she has resided in the UAE performing full time at some of the most prestigious hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai including Marriot, Millenium, Rotana, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Palm and Emirates Palace. Now based in South Africa, Amar continues dancing and improving. Her main goal is to teach Oriental Dance based on her experiences in the Middle East and the knowledge she acquired during all these years.In this episode you will learn about:-  Reasons why she quit daily shows in Dubai and moved to South Africa- Connecting with dancers, client and students in a new country - Preparing classes for beginning students- Teaching livestream classes vs prerecorded videos- Motivation to practice without any performance goalsShow Notes to this episode:Join me on livestream class this Thursday, May 12 at 3 pm Kyiv time to work on Turkish Romani dance technique. This workshop is part of the project Dance With Stars. You can contact Nataliya Goncharova to find out how you can participate. Find even more information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Follow Amar Lammar via website, FB, and Instagram.Check out our previous episode with Amar Lammar here: Ep 18. Amar Lammar: Twelve Years of Performing Every Night in the Arab Emirates!Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Tita where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Before:- My body was stuck doing nothing my whole life. I had to learn to move every muscle, especially my hips.- It’s difficult to follow the choreo with ‘rights’ and ‘lefts’.- Finding my flow was very difficult. I’m good with capturing all accents in my mind, but my body isn’t, lol.Now:- Belly dance helped me to exercise consistently.- It also inspired me to take care and move my body even more diving into other disciplines.- My self-confidence improved. I found that I am beautiful.‘These days I found a new way of enjoying dance. I’m not dancing for someone, but I’m dancing for myself.’"Two girls started dancing because they saw my very first performance. That was so inspiring. Since then I think: Ok, I’m not perfect, but I CAN do it!"_ TitaShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Tita’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Semsemah has created a unique, innovative and modern belly dance style and became one of the most famous dancers of her generation. She knew how to develop a modern style while preserving the Egyptian soul. Artistic director of the Sesame Association, she regularly organizes events related to oriental dance (tours to Cairo, shows, training, festivals). She hosts the annual show "Bent El Balad" bringing together her students and renowned artists such as Aladin El Kholy, Gamal Seif, Hind, Salma, Hakim, Taly, Kareem Gad, Zomzom. Semsemah also co-organized the Eshtah ya Eshta oriental dance festival with the renowned oriental dancer Taly, bringing together artists from France and Egypt (Wael Mansour and Mohamed Kazafy). Today, SEMSEMAH is regularly invited to dance and teach internationally (Italy, Venezuela, Ukraine, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Russia, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia and France).In this episode you will learn about:- Algerian culture and belly dance- How Semsemah defines the term ‘professional dancer’- Her learning process with Yousri Sharif- Tips on how to develop individual style- Teaching classes online vs in-personShow Notes to this episode:Check out Pedro’s photo book Ventre at www.pedrobonatto.com/ventre. Find even more information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Follow Semsemah via website, FB, YouTube and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Aleesa where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:‘’I used to think that belly dance was silly, but 20 years later belly dance is a huge part of my life.’’‘’Dance provides a nice contrast [to my profession] where I can express my femininity, creativity. It also allows me to move, to connect with people all around the world.’’During her 22 years of belly dance exploration, Aleesa has made a couple of breaks from dancing to question the authenticity of her love to dance, but every time she came back to it."For me belly dance is as much about community, as about dance and music itself.”_AleesaShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Aleesa’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Nataša Kočar is a certified oriental dance teacher and choreographer, and the co-founder and head of the KUOD Bayani dance company,  She has a degree in geography and sociology from Ljubljana’s Faculty of Arts. Her dance education started at the age of 12 at one of Slovenia’s top dance schools, including 2 years of overall dance training and 4 years of jazz ballet).At the beginning of the new millennium, Nataša discovered her love for oriental music. She has attended more than 200 workshops with different teachers from Egypt, Europe, and America. From 2004 onwards, Nataša has been teaching 7-9 classes per week and she has around 70 regular students each year. She organizes workshops and events and have passionately produced and co-produced 10 theatre dance shows (in Slovenia and abroad).In this episode you will learn about:- Developing a teaching career in dance - Nataša’s passion for folklore styles - Differences between teaching adults and children - How Nataša came up with the idea to write a book - The process of publishing the book.Show Notes to this episode:Join online event ‘Spring Will Come’ organized by Julia Farid in order to support Ukrainian dance teachers: https://tips4hips.com/andspingwillcome . Find even more information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Follow Nataša Kočar via website, FB, YouTube and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Dimitra where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Before: - Resisted to attend a class because of the fear of embarrassment in a group of unknown people.- Didn’t know how to practice on her own. Had unrealistic expectations regarding how her dance should look like.- ‘When we were learning new movement and I couldn’t do it right away, it was blocking me. I was not able to move at all.’Now: 'With time I realized that it’s ok if I don’t get something right away. I must do those mistakes, and that’s how I will learn. Seeing the progress in my dance was the moment of feeling almost unstoppable.'’"Belly dance makes me feel free and connected to the feminine flow. It became a big and integral part of my routine. I see it as a self-love ritual."_DimitraShow Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Check Dimitra’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Leila was one of the most popular working dancers in Cairo for 13 years.  While in Egypt she performed for parties, dignitaries, and weddings in Egypt and throughout Europe and the Arabian Gulf. She also danced continuously for Nile cruises, in the best hotels and concerts on television.  Leila is also a well-known actress and model and is a recognizable personality throughout the Middle East being involved in hundreds of TV shows, music videos, TV commercials and films.  Leila has produced some of the best-loved dance CDs today (the only dancer to utilize a "live sound" in her productions). She was the founder of Camp Negum, a yearly live music dance festival in Egypt for 8 years.  She has taught workshops around the world and after moving to the states in 2015, she continues to teach online and in person focusing on the connection between the music, culture and self expression behind the dance. Her writings about dance and culture are utilized by scholars and dancers around the world. In this episode you will learn about:- Taking classes with Raqia Hassan- Beginning of Leila’s career in Egypt- Tough lessons she learnt in Egypt- Dance career during pregnancy- Leila’s approach to teaching, and her thoughts about competitions.Show Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Follow Leila via FB, and Instagram.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Gitza is a Mexican dancer, internationally renowned teacher, choreographer and artistic director, who started practicing Middle-Eastern dances in 2006. She is currently the director of the Gitza dance school, and the Raqs Sahira dance company. Her vision for belly dance is influenced by psychology and dance therapy. With these disciplines, she has developed tools for teaching dance in a creative and experimental way, always investigating personal experience as the main engine for creation and interpretation.In this episode you will learn about:- The concept of the dance movement therapy- How the classes on dance movement therapy work- Incorporating dance movement therapy into belly dance classes- Common phycological patterns among belly dance students - Pregnancy experience as a belly dancer.Show Notes to this episode:Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Follow Gitza via FB, Instagram, Youtube and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Jacinda (aka Aliya Dalal) where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:‘’Dance helped me to overcome my body image and eating disorders. It taught me to love my body not for how it looks like, but for what it can do. It felt very liberating.’’‘’I realized that I can’t compartmentalize. If I want to have emotions in dance, I have to have emotions in life.’’‘’Many of us are afraid to express emotions because we are afraid that it will overtake us. But dance helped me to get in touch with my emotions.’’‘’I became fascinated with the potential for this dance to heal for women with trauma.’’"This dance saved my life in so many ways. It saved my health. It helped me to overcome my eating disorders. I helped me to see value in myself, not just as a dancer and artists, but also as a human being. It helped me to connect with the world. It helped me to become a more open person. It helped me to be in touch with my emotions, which allowed me to be supportive of others in their emotions."_JacindaShow Notes to this episode:Check Jacinda’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Also, check her website and Instagram pages.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Pratima Nagaraj where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Before: I used to have lots of judgements about my body, and I used to be very insecure person.I thought I could never dance because I had two left feet.Now: I didn’t realize first that belly dance would boost my confidence.Being ok with all my imperfections became easier.It took away judgements and brought confidence in my body.Gave me confidence that I CAN dance!It made me feel sensual.I see the difference in my mood when I don’t dance for week or two.‘It’s my choice! Nobody tells me that I have to dance. But I’m feeling joy when I dance.’ _Sinda SandraShow Notes to this episode:Check Pratima Nagaraj’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website. Also, check her website and Instagram about health and life coaching.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Raquy Danziger is a world-famous American musician, teacher and composer based in Istanbul. She has released thirteen albums, five darbuka method books, and two volumes of her original compositions. Her educational offerings are available through her online darbuka school: Darbukaschool.com. More than a thousand students are currently enrolled in her courses.  Raquy specializes in the split hand technique, which is a fast and elaborate Turkish drumming style. She also plays the mystical twelve- string King Kemenche Tarhu, a rare and exotic bowed instrument.⁣⁣ She has also performed in Egypt as a soloist with The Egyptian "King of Tabla" - Said El Artist, and his drumming orchestra in the great concert halls of Egypt. She has performed at the Lincoln Center, CRR concert hall in Istanbul, and in many festivals. In 2005, she was the recipient of the Meet the Composer grant. Raquy has appeared on Good Morning Egypt, Leila Kebira, O TV, the Culture Channel, Turkish Television, Arabs Got Talent, and has been interviewed on Al Jazeera.In this episode you will learn about:- Drummer as a lead musician or as an accompanist - Raquy’s drumming experience in Egypt- Learning the Turkish style of drumming- Her special notation system for drummers- Tips for dance-music collaborations.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Raquy Danziger via FB, Instagram, Youtube and website. Check her Darbuka school HERE. Apply promo code DARBUKA15 for 15% off on any Raquy’s online courses.Take a look at our intensive Dancing to Turkish 9s created in collaboration with Raquy HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is a special weekend series ‘Student Voices’ where I share my conversations with the members of the Iana Dance Club about life, dance and training. Some of participants are belly dance beginners, some are professionals, but all of us have one thing in common: we all remain being students of dance. :)Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Sinda Sandra where she shares her belly dance transformations with us:Before: thought that belly dance was not for someone like her, felt very shy.Now: dreaming to come back to Egypt, and this time to dance on stage!Before: was afraid that she didn’t have time for such activity.Now: successfully finds time pockets to practice on a daily basis, believes that when you have hobby that you like very much, you always find time to work on it.‘It’s my choice! Nobody tells me that I have to dance. But I’m feeling joy when I dance.’ _Sinda SandraShow Notes to this episode:Check Sinda Sandra’s community page at the Iana Dance Club website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Since 2002, Miami based artist Tiffany Madera (Hanan) has become a figurehead in the dance world by re-coding traditional Egyptian Raks Sharki dance as a tool for empowerment and social justice.  As a performer, professor, activist, museum professional, filmmaker, and non-profit leader, Tiffany combines a highly aesthetic approach and academic scholarship to tackle the questions of our day. She holds a Master’s Degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University and a Master’s Degree in Performance Studies from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, both with a focus on intercultural dance and film. Tiffany’s cultural background, professional and academic experience make her an impact driven and effective non profit leader positioned to bring complex work into fruition through strategic partnerships and collaborations. Her projects have garnered support and awards across the world including a $100,000 Knight Arts Challenge award with a full matching grant from the Ware Foundation among numerous state, county, municipal and national foundation awards. In this episode you will learn about:- Dancing My Mother’s Body initiative- Havana Habibi festival and documentary film- The healing power of belly dance- Running the non-profit organization Hanan Arts- Writing grants and raising money through fundraising and sponsorships.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Tiffany Madera and Hanan Arts via FB, Instagram, Youtube and website.Save your spot at Iana’s free webinar How to Start Performing Solo, and Get Paid: www.ianadanceclub.com/eventFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

There is some sort of shame around putting these two words together: dance & money (or art & sales).  And I strongly believe that this is one of the main blocks for many talented dancers on why their career is not as successful as they wish it to be. There is a misconception as if treating your art as a business will destroy the nature and essence of the art itself, as if suddenly you will stop being an artist. I honestly think that such belief is a very comforting excuse for many artists on not taking responsibility for ALL aspects of their work. It feels much safer to stay in the comfort zone of a dance studio, focusing only on the training element of your profession, and ignoring everything else. But you don’t have to choose between art and business. There IS a way on how to stay true to yourself and your art, AND make a decent living as a professional dancer.Show Notes to this episode:Save your spot at Iana’s free webinar How to Start Performing Solo, and Get Paid: www.ianadanceclub.com/eventFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Cinzia is an international belly dancer, teacher and choreographer, based in Italy and appreciated all over the world for her power and charisma on stage. Cinzia studied classical dance, jazz and piano for 10 years and in 2004 she fell in love with oriental dance and folklore. Her style is refined and powerful, a mix of Arabic feeling and modernity. She teaches, judges and dances in many countries, such as Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, United States and Egypt and regularly performs in the most important Italian festivals. She has taught literature and foreign languages at her local high school for years and this has given her the opportunity to refine her teaching method and her empathy towards students all over the world. Cinzia has been the Italian champion twice, and she has been the winner of all the most important Italian competitions, winning also the IDO World Cup in the 2014 folklore section. Now she trains many famous Italian dancers, helping them with competitions and shows. Cinzia manages her academy, the Badia Operà Academy through which she organizes numerous events and performances of bellydance and oriental dance.In this episode you will learn about:- Teaching workshops vs regular ongoing classes- Discipline among students- Switching to online teaching - Introducing folklore to beginner students- Helping students with their competition preparations.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Cinzia via FB, Instagram, Youtube and website.Join our January DANCE CHALLENGE HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Originally from sunny Miami, Helen Blondel has performed at a myriad of venues in Central & South Florida, including Kababi Cafe, Cleopatra Lounge, Hookita Lounge, Taverna Opa, Cedar's Lebanese Cuisine, & Dar Tagine. She has also appeared on Televised programs such as "Despierta America" and "Sabado Gigante" on Univision as a dancer and is a recent member of the MBC 2018 award-winning Belly Motions RAKettes Dance Company. Helen Blondel is the former Belly Dance Instructor of Florida International University recreation in Miami, and now resides in Orlando.In this episode you will learn about:- Charging appropriate fees for your dance shows- Deciding if you are ready to enter the commercial dance industry- How to get booked and prepare for your first paid show- Social media, including TikTok, as a promo tool for getting local gigs- How to get involved in TV projects and music videos.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Helen Blondel via FB, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok and website.Join our January dance challenge HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

NEW episode with a selection of the best parts dedicated to facing and overcoming rejection, disapproval or judgement from teachers, relatives, or community. You’ll hear from Alex DeLora, Artemis Mourat, Esmeralda Colabone and Alla Kushnir.Show Notes to this episode:Full interviews with our guests:Ep 21. Alex DeLora: Every Drum Solo Has Its Own MoodEp 125. Artemis Mourat: Seek Out Your Dance Mentors & ‘Angel’ MothersEp 151. Esmeralda Colabone: Living The Truth: Motherhood and Dance CareerEp 40. Alla Kushnir: Not Only Luck Makes You Number 1Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Sabah has decades of experience in classical, modern, and folk styles of dance. She has worked with the Chicago’s Festival Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Alabama Ballet. She received her degree from Columbia College Chicago majoring in Cultural Studies and minoring in dance with a year abroad at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. There she joined the Egyptian Folkloric Company and received a contract to dance on the Nile Pharaoh cruise ship allowing her to hand-select a band and troupe of dancers. In 2006, she joined the international dance company Bellydance Superstars, directed by Jillina Carlano, and began touring the world performing and teaching workshops highlighting her specialty of combining ballet with belly dance while wearing toe shoes. In 2019 Sabah relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles to become the Artistic Programs Manager for Bellydance Evolution.  She has been a contributing choreographer for Bellydance Evolution since 2012.  When BDE was commissioned to produce “Le Voyage de Scheherazade” a multi-national, multi-discipline collaboration between Moroccan, European and American Oriental and ballet dancers with the Orchestra Philharmonique de Maroc, Sabah was the choreographer for all the ballet routines. In this episode you will learn about:- The joy of dancing as a part of a group vs solo performances- Experience of exploring belly dance at an university environment- Benefits of ballet training for belly dancers- The story of creating a fusion belly dance piece with pointe shoes, and joining Belly Dance Superstars- Sabah’s responsibilities as the Artistic Programs Manager for Bellydance Evolution.Show Notes to this episode:Follow Sabah via FB, Instagram and Bellydance Evolution website.Gift Cards are now available at the Iana Dance Club. Find more info HERE.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Joana Saahirah is a world-renowned dancer, teacher, choreographer and author specialized in Egyptian Oriental and Folkloric dances. She’s written and published 2 books - “The Secrets of Egypt – Dance, Life & Beyond” and "Behind the Curtain", created the pioneering online platforms "Joana Saahirah´s World" and "Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School" delivering authentic Egyptian dance, personal discovery & empowerment, and she is the creator of the upcoming "The Oriental Café" Podcast.Joana started her career in Egypt, where she performed and lived for 8 years, as well as worked with Mahmoud Reda, as his teaching and choreography assistant. Joana has been a constant presence – as an invited artist, choreographer & teacher – at major International Oriental dance festivals and she’s been an innovator in the field of Egyptian Dance, creating a bridge of connection between Egypt and the world.In this episode you will learn about:-   Differences between building your dance name and your brand- How Joana has started her online platform- The pillar content that helps grow her online community- Egyptian dance and self-confidence - Sensuality vs sexualityShow Notes to this episode:Follow Joana Saahirah via Instagram, YouTube, FB, and www.joanasaahirah.com.Previous episode with Pedro: Ep 76. Joana Saahirah: Egyptian Dance As The Tool For Self-Knowledge And Empowerment.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club. New YouTube show “Artist Date” is available HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast