PODCAST

Belly Dance Life

Iana Komarnytska

All insights into belly dance lifestyle

arts performing arts

All Episodes

01:56:45

Ep 328. Dawn Devine (Davina): The Story Behind...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/06/10

Dawn Devine, also known as Davina, is a costume designer, author, and lifelong dancer with a passion for belly dance and all things that sparkle. Best known for her popular books on how to design and construct belly dance costumes, she has built a unique career at the intersection of dance, fashion, and education. With a background in tap, jazz, modern, and ballet, Davina discovered belly dance as a teenager and has since taken the stage as a performer, teacher, and creative mentor. She is dedicated

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01:15:11

Ep 327. Portia Lange: Starting Before You Are Ready &...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/06/03

Portia Lange is a renowned belly dance educator, performer, and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Belly Motions, a Miami-based studio turned global platform blending Middle Eastern dance with fitness and empowerment. With over 20 years of experience, she has developed a unique, inclusive teaching method that welcomes all ages and abilities. A champion of Cairo’s Nile Group Competition, a Miami Herald Top 20 Under 40 leader, and a two-time ELLE Oriental cover star, Portia has also trained

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01:10:47

Ep 326. Núria Rovira Salat: Searching For Your Own...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/05/27

Núria Rovira Salat, trained in anthropology and born in Spain, transformed her passion for Oriental and Romani cultures into dance, songs, and choreographies. She studied with masters like Lamia Saffiedine and Pétia Iourtchenko, teaching Arab-Berber and Maghrebi dances and performing widely in France. Núria teaches and performs widely across France and at major festivals, continually evolving her dance practice by blending traditional forms with contemporary expression. Since 2010, Núria has built a

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01:34:49

Ep 325. Sara Al-Hadithi: Why Iraqi Dance Isn’t Like...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/05/20

Sara Al-Hadithi is a Baghdad-born, London-raised dance artist, cultural consultant, and autism advocate currently based in the USA. Deeply connected to her Iraqi heritage, Sara brings a unique perspective to Middle Eastern dance, particularly Iraqi styles, informed by both her personal background and the legacy of her father—a renowned Iraqi vocalist and folkloric authority. She has become a respected voice in the global dance community, offering students not only technical training but also a rich

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01:24:11

Ep 324. Ayla Joncheere: Rethinking Fantasies About...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/05/14

Ayla Joncheere is a scholar and cultural entrepreneur with over 18 years of experience in India and a deep expertise in the performing arts of Rajasthan. Following a long academic career in higher education, she founded Kalbeliya World, an initiative supporting digital literacy among Kalbeliya dancers in India through virtual dance classes. She also serves as the creative director of Maghenta, a platform for Indian-inspired arts. Drawing on her extensive on-the-ground experience, Ayla regularly

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01:07:03

Ep 323. Mahdy Emara: Bringing His Passion for...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/05/07

World-renowned dance teacher and choreographer Mahdy Emara is one of the most sought-after artists in the international oriental dance scene. Born in Cairo, Egypt, he trained at one of the country’s top dance institutes. He began teaching at a young age and soon moved on to choreograph major stage productions. Now based in Amsterdam, Mahdy founded his dance school and group “Baladi,” performing across Europe. He also organizes festivals that have featured renowned stars such as Dina from Egypt and

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01:04:26

Ep 322. Rachel Kay Brookmire: How Performing on Stage...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/04/30

Rachel Kay Brookmire is the founder and creative director of Sahara Dance, one of the largest and most well-established belly dance schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, Sahara Dance has been a thriving center for Middle Eastern dance for over two decades, offering 30+ weekly classes, nine performance groups, and a hybrid model for both in-person and virtual students. Rachel is also the creator of Sahara Dance Foundations, an intensive teacher training program, and directs the

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01:02:37

Ep 321. Maya Youssef: Decoding the Mystery of Maqam,...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/04/24

Maya Youssef is a multi-award-winning composer and qanun virtuoso, acclaimed by the BBC as the "Queen of the Qanun." Recognized as the world’s leading mentor in Maqam and Taqsim, she has spent over a decade guiding hundreds of Arabic music enthusiasts and dancers in deeply understanding and embodying Arabic music — without relying on dry theory or vague clichés. Maya offers practical, dancer-friendly insights into recognizing Maqam by ear, understanding the true structure of Taqsim, and interpreting

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01:18:51

Ep 320. Ojasvi Verma: How Slow-Pace Practice Led to...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/04/18

Ojasvi Verma is an accomplished Indian dancer, content creator, and entrepreneur whose journey began on YouTube in 2016, growing to an audience of over 800K subscribers and nearly 1 million Instagram followers. Trained in a variety of dance forms including Bharatnatyam, Waacking, Jazz, Salsa, and Belly Dance, Ojasvi has developed a unique fusion style blending Oriental Belly Dancewith other genres. She has taught over 3,500 students worldwide through her online and offline classes. Alongside her

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01:09:02

Ep 319. Raïssa Leï: Repairing the Colonial Impact on...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/04/09

Raïssa Leï is a multifaceted individual celebrated for her creative and cultural contributions. She is an advocate for the warrior spirit of Amazigh women, reflecting her dedication to preserving and promoting Amazigh heritage and values. Her work often highlights themes of freedom, resilience, and cultural pride. Raïssa is featured in interviews and podcasts that explore her journey and the impact of her advocacy on empowering women and communities. Raïssa is renowned for blending traditional North

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01:31:48

Ep 318. Mar: Creating Healthier Environment For...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/04/02

Mar is an Egyptian American woman and source dancer based in Los Angeles who founded Move And Radiate Inc. (M.A.R.). She created M.A.R. to provide a safe and non-judgmental space that steers away from competition & perfectionism. Mar’s classes are a home away from home to many MENA women & a new home to women who are excited to embrace the Egyptian culture. Her work includes empowering & uplifting women from her community and abroad to step into their power, connect with their bodies

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02:23:37

Ep 317. Ansuya: Exploring Sensuality, Sexuality, and...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/03/15

Ansuya is an award-winning belly dancer, instructor, and pioneer in online belly dance education. Raised in the artistic world of American Cabaret Bellydance by her mother, Jenaeni Rathor, Ansuya began performing at the age of four and went on to become a three-time Golden Belly Award winner, a Bellydance Superstars member, and a sought-after performer in Hollywood and international theaters. Her career spans television appearances, music videos, choreography for film, and collaborations with

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00:57:44

Ep 316. Aliah: Shaping Your Career for Success

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/03/04

Aliah is a renowned professional belly dance artist, international teacher, and judge. With a career spanning over a decade, Aliah has performed and taught in numerous countries including China, Switzerland, Norway, France, and many more. She is the founder of the Aliah Bellydance fashion brand and choreographer of the Aliah Oriental Dance Studio in Warsaw. Aliah has a rich background in competitions, having won several awards, and her students have achieved notable success in Belarus, Poland and

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01:21:19

Ep 315. Marlene Tafle: Trust Yourself & Take the Leap

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/02/20

Marlene Tafle is an Argentine dancer specializing in Raqs Sharqi, with a profound passion for Egyptian culture. She began her dance journey at the age of 13 and earned her teaching degree from the Maiada Arabic Dance Academy in 2011. In 2014, Marlene opened her dance studio, Helwa, in Buenos Aires, which became Helwa Online in 2020. Over six years, she taught hundreds of students and organized numerous events. With over a decade of teaching experience, she employs a student-centered methodology that

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01:42:21

Ep 314. Vanessa of Cairo: Stop Limiting Yourself And...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/01/24

Vanessa of Cairo is an international performer, award-winning choreographer, and instructor specializing in Egyptian dance and folklore. A native Texan with a BFA in ballet, she honed her craft in New York City, studying with Broadway legends before moving to Egypt in 2008. As the first American woman to own a production company there, she performed and produced shows in Sharm El Sheikh and held a 30-month residency at Cairo's Sofitel El Gezirah. Vanessa has taught, performed, and judged

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01:08:23

Ep 313. Veronika Shulkevich: Dance Life in Ukraine,...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/01/16

Veronika Shulkevich is a renowned Ukrainian belly dancer, choreographer, and educator from Odessa, celebrated for her contributions to oriental dance. Beginning her dance journey at a young age, she gained international recognition by winning numerous competitions and teaching at prestigious festivals like Ahlan Wa Sahlan in Egypt. As the founder of VEROSHDANCE, she trains aspiring dancers and conducts workshops all over the world, blending traditional and contemporary styles in her performances.In

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01:10:12

Ep 312. Acia Legras: Growing Up in an Artistic Family

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/01/09

Acia Legras comes from a family deeply rooted in the arts, having started her artistic career at a young age with the Folkloric Troupe of Réunion, which was directed by her family. This involvement allowed her to learn traditional dances like Séga and Maloya, as well as gain experience in various musical instruments native to her island. Her family's influence played a crucial role in shaping her passion for dance, particularly when she was introduced to authentic Egyptian folklore at just seven

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01:39:09

Ep 311. Cassandra Fox: Learning to Look Forward, Not...

Belly Dance Life ·

2025/01/04

Cassandra Fox is a prominent Canadian belly dancer based in Ontario, Canada. She has garnered attention for her unique blend of belly dancing and Caribbean dance styles, reflecting her Jamaican heritage. Cassandra's early interest in dance led her to pursue a career that combines performance and education. She shares her passion through various platforms, including YouTube, Instagram and Patreon, where she posts videos showcasing her dance routines and offers tutorials on dance techniques and

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01:16:22

Ep 310. Zahra Zuhair: Seeing Trends Change & Repeat

Belly Dance Life ·

2024/12/04

Zahra Zuhair is an internationally acclaimed performer, instructor, and choreographer celebrated for her authenticity, musicality, and dedication to Middle Eastern dance. With a foundation in raqs sharqi from a young age, she has studied extensively across North Africa and the Middle East, specializing in Egyptian dance with prominent teachers like Mahmoud Reda, Raqia Hassan, and Dina. Founder of the Ghazella Dance Company and PoNaNa Dance Theatre, Zahra has choreographed productions blending Middle

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01:09:32

Ep 309. Igor Kischka: Influence of Trauma on Dance...

Belly Dance Life ·

2024/11/27

Igor Kischka is a notable Brazilian belly dancer and choreographer, recognized for his vibrant performances and contributions to the art of belly dance. He has gained a reputation not only in Brazil but also internationally, showcasing his talent through various performances and workshops. In addition to performing, Igor Kischka is dedicated to teaching and sharing his knowledge of belly dance. He conducts workshops and classes that emphasize the importance of authenticity and personal expression in

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Belly Dance Life

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