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North Carolina Belly Dancers and Musicians
By City

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These dancers and musicians will enliven your special events and family functions! Performers are listed by their home city, but most are willing to travel.

Performer bios with pink backgrounds are official Sponsors of NCBellydance.org!


Asheville

SamiTe' - SamiTe' has over 15 years of performance experience in several disciplines. A bellydancer by trade, SamiTe' also works as a fire performer and aerial acrobat with the Libravado Sisters Aerial Dance Ensemble. She has studied the art of Bellydance with some of America's legends and took 1st runner up in the Tribal Fusion category at the 2008 Bellydancer of the Universe Competition as well as Miss Congeniality. Her diverse background in dance and theatre have helped her to create unforgettable stage performances that leave students and audiences wanting more. Visit her website.

Chapel Hill

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Charlotte and Surrounding Cities

Nuria Jihan - Oriental dancer Nuria Jihan performs regularly at local resturants, and international and renaissance festivals in and around the Charlotte area as both a soloist and a troupe performer. She is a member of the Hadadah Dancers. Performance specialities include zills, cane, sword, and veil, and she is available for parties, fundraisers, benefits, and other special events.

Perizada - Perizada has danced all her life. Classical ballet formed her early training and performing experience, along with a study of flamenco. She has been a professional Middle Eastern dancer since 1992. Perizada is experienced in a wide range of belly dance styles, and specializes in the styles of the Turkish and Spanish Roma (Gypsies). Swirling skirts, fans, shawls, and intriguing gestures are part of this exciting dance. She also features snake dances with her serpent partner, a Colombian boa named Taj. Perizada is available for private parties, corporate events, festivals, and special women's parties that include a show and mini-lesson. She also offers group and private classes. Visit her website for more information.


The Crystal Coast (Emerald Isle, Morehead City, New Bern, Jacksonville, Onslow County)


Durham

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Fayetteville


Granite Falls

Lost Jewels of the Ghawazee is an ethnic fusion belly dance troupe. Our mission is to encourage the study and appreciation of ethnic fusion dance and music through learning, teaching, research and performance. Our troupe takes inspiration from the traditional and modern dances of a variety of cultures. We flavor our belly dance style with the spices of movements and costumes from India, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Latin America and the Middle East. Our talented musicians, the LJ Boys, provide live music for the Lost Jewels of the Ghawazee during most of our public performances and all of our drum circles. Our home studio is Art in Motion in Granite Falls, and we perform regularly throughout the Western Piedmont area of North Carolina at community festivals. Our troupe of belly dancers and musicians can enhance your event with live music, a belly dance performance, fire dancing, a history of belly dance presentation, belly dance lessons, henna temporary tattooing, or souvenir photos for your guests. We also host workshops for belly dancers. To hire the Lost Jewels of the Ghawazee for your event or to inquire about upcoming workshops, visit www.lostjewelsbellydance.com, or email bellydancer@charter.net.



Greensboro

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Greenville


High Point

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Mooresville/Newton



Raleigh

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Rutherford

Suhayla - I am in Rutherfordton, N.C. (foothills WNC). My name is Suhayla and I have been studying for 7 yrs. My troupe is El Binet. My primary mentors where Ruby Jazayre and Leila Gamal of Ind. I have since danced and studied in South Bend,columbus, charlotte, ashville, chicago, minneapolis.experience includes restaurants, theatre, street, faires, bellygrams, etc. Contact Suhayla at suhayla37@yahoo.com for more information.



Salisbury

Nadirah has studied various forms of dance since childhood, with an emphasis on ballet and jazz. She discovered bellydance several years ago under the tutelage of Sidnoir. Her love of the art form inspired her to further professional training under Ansuya and Jillina, world renowned bellydancers and teachers. Nadirah now resides and teaches in Salisbury, NC. Her troupe is an eclectic ensemble of varied interests, embracing old and new art forms. African, American Tribal, Egyptian, Turkish and Middle Eastern influences combine to form a unique blend of World Fusion Bellydance. As both a soloist and with her ensemble group, Nadirah Dance Company provides unique and exciting entertainment suitable for all audiences. Nadirah has performed in a wide variety of venues and is available for performances, private or group lessons and workshops. You may contact her or her troupe at dtcasper@bellsouth.net, or visit her website at NadirahDanceCompany.com.


Triad Area (Greensboro, High Point, and surrounding area)

Faun (Greensboro) -- Faun has an extensive backgroung in dance and live performance that began with jazz, hip hop and folk dance. Captivated by the beauty and music of belly dance in Northern California, she began studying with renown teachers such as Katarina Burda, Nanna Candelaria, Jill Parker, and Suhalia Salimpour. She credits them as influences in her choreography - along with her primary jazz teacher, Maureen Kennedy from Los Angeles. Faun brings passion and freshness to all her performances. Her dance is always evolving, but her dedication to delighting audience never wavers. As an instructor and choreographer, Faun seamlessly fuses teaching and audience participation into any event. Her local performance credits include: A&T University International Day, Blind Tiger w/Barefoot Manner, Castle Carnivale, Center City Park Opening, Elements Show, Fireflies Festival, Goddess Mark, Lager Haus, Mystic Karnival, Solstice Festival, Tate Street Festival, Tribal Carnival, UNCG Alumni Festival and RibFest. She also played 'Luna' in 'Awake the White and Win'try Queen' at the Carolina Theatre. Faun is artistic director for the performance group, LunaSea Dance Theatre. To hire Faun for performing, teaching and/or choreographing, please email her at faun@soulflowerdance.com or call 336.255.8989.

Karma (Greensboro/High Point) -- Karma is a soulful dancer who loves to express emotion. Her eclectic style changes with each venue. She has performed at local events with live music and at Castle McCullouch and the Carolina Theatre. She teaches in High Point and Greensboro.

Kisaiya (Greensboro) -- Kisaiya is an instructor and performer of American style belly dance located in Greensboro, NC. She has studied belly dance since 1990 and enjoys continuing her studies whenever possible. She has studied with Kaharaman, Zarifa and Yasmine. Additionally she has attended seminars by Eva Cernik, Suhaila Salimpour, Mahmoud Rehda and Morocco. She is a member of ACCMED. She is an avid student of Turkish culture and history. You can contact Kisaiya at baronesskisaiya@yahoo.com. Her website is coming soon.

Magic Carpet Dancers(Greensboro) - led by Kaharaman (Linda Bryan), this versatile troupe of dancers performs cabaret style as well as many regional ethnic dances in authentic costuming. Some of the many regional specialties in their repertoire include North African/Moroccan, Georgian, Uzbek, Armenian, Samoan, Polynesian, Hawaiian, Eastern Islands, Brazilian, Persian from different periods, Mexican, Caribbean, Bedouin, Turkish, and Gypsy (Rom). Other specialties include cane, shamadan, and tamborine. They perform at schools, colleges, street festivals, and various venues around the Greensboro area, and they often include other dancers from the surrounding area in these performances.


Triangle Area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding area)

Belly Dance Lebanon - The First Native Lebanese Belly Dance Group from Raleigh, NC. Born to Belly Dance, these dancers feel the exotic rhythms of Arabic music and interpret the romance in each song. Lebanon... known for its mysterious and exotic women. For Events call Bearta 919-606-0647, or write to bellydancelebanon@gmail.com.

Colorful Waves (Durham) - Colorful Waves Bellydance troupe is unique in that, the members are selected each year by Shahzaadee based on talent, eagerness to perform well, availability and a spirit of co-operation and true love of bellydance. After intensive fall/winter training, the troupe presents dance performance that both challenges the dancers and delights their audiences. Colorful Waves was established in 1996 in Asheville NC and is now located in Durham, NC. For more information on Colorful Waves, contact Troupe Director Shahzaadee at (919)806-1281, email her at shahzaadee@yahoo.com, or visit www.colorfulwaves.com.

Photo credit: Keith Evans

Deirdre - Deirdre is an award winning artist devoted to Raqs Sharqi, or what is more commonly called Belly Dance! Her style is American Cabaret: based in classic Egyptian, and taking a little from the best of Turkish, Folkloric and Tribal Fusion, her elegant style alternates with a playfulness that's appealing to every audience. She's performed solo up and down the east coast, as well as with Gozde Hilal, with the Colorful Waves troupe, and with Zouhour Al Sultan all over the Triangle cities. Deirdre is available for family-friendly performances, and also teaches beginning, intermediate and advanced classes in several area locations. For more information, please visit her website: www.veilandcoin.com.

Photo credit: Audra Evans

Nahla Furat - A Middle Eastern Dancer and Instructor located in North Raleigh. She has studied dance since 1997, and has been teaching beginners since 2000.

Gozde - professional dancer and instructor. For more information, email her at gozde@bellsouth.net.

Happy Hips - Happy Hips Children's Bellydance Troupe is comprised of dancers from 4-12 years old. It is directed by Lisa Allred Draper. They are available for community and educational performances. They have been invited to dance at Marbles Childrens' Museum, SparkCon, Live it up on Hillsborough, and other events. They are also featured every summer with Moorish Gypsy at The Festival for the Eno. Please contact Lisa Allred Draper to inquire about scheduling a performance or participating in the Troupe. For more information, visit www.hhbellydance.com or email lisaallreddraper@yahoo.com.

Leigh Johnson - Leigh Johnson began her bellydance exploration studying with Morocco in New York City, where she learned Shikhat, Guedra, Shamadan and Egyptian Cabaret. She has performed professionally for the past 20 years. She is a dynamic performer who loves to play with the crowd, and enjoys creating a festive mood for weddings, birthdays and other special events. Group lessons available. To contact Leigh and check her current teaching schedule please visit www.metaformmovement.com.

Anush Pele - Anush Pele is an Holistic Belly Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor and Entertainment Producer. Anush Pele is known for her exquisite technique, dramatic stage presence and high-concept theatrical flair. She has performed at countless social events, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, folk festivals, and at cultural centers, restaurants, and fairs, sharing her culture, her magic and enchantment with her audiences. In addition to her study of Belly Dance, Anush Pele studied theater and direction and performed in plays and television. Anush Pele is Artistic Director, Choreographer and Workshop Teacher. She established the Pele Belly Dance School in North Carolina, U.S.A., as well as its exclusive dancing group made up of members from diverse countries like Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Brazil and the United States. Anush Pele strives always to inspire her audience and her students with the beauty of belly dance itself, and they in turn nourish themselves of the deep wisdom, beauty and connection with Life that she brings to her performances. She can be reached by email at anushbellydance@yahoo.com.

Shaiya (Raleigh/Cary) - Shaiya is the director of Happy Hips Children's Bellydance Troupe and is available for children's birthday parties in the Triangle area. Delight that special little girl with a complete Bellydance party. Her friends (as many as she wants to invite) will be greeted by Shaiya with temporary tatoos, personalized bellydance word searches and coloring sheets. Once all the girls are adorned with Bindis and hip scarves (borrowed from Shaiya), the dance lesson begins. A 30-45 minute lesson is followed by an optional performance for the adults in attendance. For more information or to schedule a party, please contact Shaiya (Lisa Allred Draper) at lisallreddraper@yahoo.com.

Yonja (Raleigh) - Yonja has been belly dancing since 1998, and teaching since 2002. She began taking classes while earning her BFA at the Savannah College of Art & Design and hasn't stopped dancing since. She has performed in many venues, including nightclubs, haflas, restaurants, international festivals, birthday parties, and weddings. Her preferred styles are Egyptian, Orientale and American Cabaret. She has extensive experience in solo performance but also has been a member of the troupe Colorful Waves since 2009. She has studied with many talented dancers and is available for all types of performances and instruction. Yonja performs veil, finger cymbals, and sword dance.Email her at dolunay_kadini@hotmail.com


Wilmington/Cape Fear Area

Samra - Samra's cabaret-style dance is joyful, tasteful and suitable for family entertainment. Her veil dance is exquisite! She loves to present belly grams! Samra is the protege of Andrea Deagon, the premier performer in Wilmington over the last decade. Invite your female friends to a truly wonderful group experience in your own home for "Samra's Night at the Harem: A Women's Party with Lesson." During the last three years, Samra's fans hired her to perform at bridal showers, weddings, anniversary parties, birthday parties, office parties and retirement homes in and around Wilmington. She performed at large festivals such as Riverfest, Sundown Shindig, Earth Day Festival, the International Festival at UNCW, Spring Fling at Topsail Beach, First Night in Charleston and fundraisers at WHQR and the Cape Fear Museum. She entertained patrons at local restaurants including Hollywood East Cinema Grill, Water Street Cafe, Michael's Seafood, Cedars and the Ice House. She performed regularly with William Strickland, a flamenco guitarist. Samra teaches belly dance classes at the Community Arts Center in Wilmington. To schedule Samra for your event, please visit her website, phone 910-794-5487 or e-mail sandyfrances@juno.com.

Wilson

Desert Wishes - 2 performers: Ariel and Mahirimah, dancing for over 4 years.

Raq Mundi - Raq Mundi draws on a variety of cultures for our inspiration. The influences of Middle Eastern, North African, East Indian and Central Asian costumes and dance forms can be seen. Our style draws strongly a mix of traditional belly dance, but includes elements of modern dance along with our own artistic vision. This combination of traditional movement and music and modern innovation gives Raq Mundi's performances an exotic and ancient feeling and a powerful, mesmerizing presence.

Twysted Gypsy - Several of the members of Raq Mundi & Raq Taliba have joined forces to form Twysted Gypsy. To learn more about Twysted Gypsy and their performances visit: http://www.DanceStudioB.com/TwystedGypsy.htm, http://twitter.com/TwystedGypsy, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000071645065&ref=profile, or http://www.myspace.com/twystedgypsy.



Winston-Salem


Alexandria DeMay - Alexandria is a strong classical dancer whose background in dance, which includes ballet, ballroom, traditional turkish folk, and indian, has helped shape her unique and captivating style of dance. Her knowledge of middle eastern music and culture has helped her to become a confident instructor and performer. Alexandria is available for private lessons and performances. For inquiries, she can be contacted at adwadell@yahoo.com or (336) 671-5745.

Gigi - Make your next event or celebration a memorable one with a performance by GiGi! Audiences of all ages have enjoyed her performances, where she has appeared at corporate events, art gallery openings, family-oriented private parties, weddings, festivals, schools, benefit events. Book GiGi for a 'Giggle and Wiggle' party, exclusively designed for girls and women of all ages. Invite your friends and family to learn how to execute snake arms, hip drops and shimmies. GiGi will provide hip scarves, veils, music and FUN! A co-founder of Ruby Scarab, the Triad's premier professional belly dance troupe, GiGi teaches the fine art of belly dance at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. For more information, contact her at 336.727.4806 or pmelton@cmc-nc.com.

Kristie Staton - Delivering crowd-pleasing performances, Kristie Staton provides family entertainment with an Oriental flavor. Kristie fuses Middle-Eastern dance with modern American culture. Performances are ornamented with silk veils, silver scimitars, canes and candle fire. Crowds have enjoyed Kristie's performances at art galleries, private and corporate receptions, Middle-Eastern theme parties, festivals, weddings, milestone celebrations and other occasions. Kristie is co-founder of the professional dance troupe, Ruby Scarab. For more information, go to http://www.shimmies-r-us.com, call 336-407-5275 or send email to kristie@kristieland.com.

Navani - Navani specializes in a range of belly dance styles including traditional folk dances from various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. As a dancer, she is known for her great energy and passion, fluid movements and sensual style and is a popular performer at a range of venues from parties to weddings and at larger events in North Carolina as well as places like Atlanta, Maryland, New York City and California. Her love and devotion to Arabic music and dance and her desire to contribute to the evolving belly dance culture has made her an ambassador for this beautiful art form. He dedication has made her a student not only of Middle Eastern dance styles, but also of the language, music and culture of the Middle East. For more information visit www.navani.org.

If you or your troupe would like to be listed here, or would like to update your information, please contact us

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