Natalie Nayun is an international teacher and performer specializing in contemporary and folkloric dance traditions from Central Asia and the Middle East. With over 20 years of dance experience and 15 years of teaching, she has studied extensively in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Oman, conducting research and training through grants including the HAAS Scholar Award, CLS, and FLAS for Persian language study. She is a well-known soloist and Assistant Director of Ballet Afsaneh, choreographer for the UC Berkeley Central Asian and Middle Eastern Dance Company, Sorayya, and former director of Adara Dance Company. Natalie has completed residencies with state dance ensembles in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and continues to travel regularly to the region for research and collaboration.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The powerful difference between social dance and theatrical folk versions shaped by government agendas

- What Natalie discovered studying in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: 5 a.m. training, government ensembles, village libraries — and people drumming on tables to show her their dance

- How weddings, birth rituals, and even mourning ceremonies keep dance alive as a lived, communal practice

- The creation of a global online platform dedicated to the Central Asian dances, which supported 40+ teachers worldwide during the pandemic time and afterward

- Why art is often the first thing silenced by governments— and what that reveals about its power

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Natalie Nayun on Instagram, FB, YouTube and website. Check online classes at her Pomegranate Garden Dance platform.

Book recommendations from Natalie Nayun:

- Gender and Dance in Modern Iran by Ida Meftahi

- Gesture, Dance Nation; Dance and Social Change in Uzbekistan by Mary Masayo Doi

- Chorephobia by Anthony Shay

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

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

Summer Deng is one of the most sought-after Chinese professionals in the world of Oriental dance, celebrated for his exceptional technical precision, artistic expression, and groundbreaking contributions as a male dancer. He has performed, taught, and judged across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, conducting hundreds of workshops and intensives in over 80 cities in China alone. Known for his versatile style—blending high-energy, dramatic movements with fluid, intricate technique—he has inspired countless dancers through his masterclasses, helping them grow, transform, and deepen their connection to Oriental dance.

In this episode you will learn about:

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Summer Den on Instagram.

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

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

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

In this episode you will learn about:

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

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

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

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

- The difference between staged folklore and lived embodied practice

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Belyssa on Facebook, and her Academy Page.

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

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

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

In this episode you will learn about:

- The hidden mental health challenges of working belly dancers

- Body image pressure, harassment, and unspoken industry norms

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

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

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

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Fernanda on Instagram, Facebook, and website.

Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.com

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

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

In this episode you will learn about:

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

- The ongoing dilemma between following artistic calling and choosing stability

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

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

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

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Sadie Marquardt on Instagram, FB, website and Youtube, as well as her online classes at Raqs Online.

Previous interview with Sadie:

Ep 157. Sadie Marquardt: Respect Your Need to Recharge

Ep 39. Sadie Marquardt: Reclaiming Feminine Power

Ep 14. Sadie Marquardt: Before & After Social Media Hit

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

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

In this episode you will learn about:

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Mohamed Reda on Instagram, and FB.

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

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

In this episode you will learn about:

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Yaël Zarca on Instagram, FB, YouTube and website.

Previous interview with Yael Zarca:

Ep 162. Yaël Zarca: Spreading Light and Positivity

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

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

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

In this episode you will learn about:

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

- How progressing too fast can cost you foundational technique

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

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

- How pregnancy reshaped priorities, body awareness, and pace

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Martina Tellini on Instagram, Youtube and Facebook.

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

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

Roxxanne Shelaby is a Southern California–based performer, teacher, and producer whose work is rooted in her Lebanese/Brazilian heritage and a lifelong immersion in Egyptian Style Oriental Dance. Raised in her family’s legendary nightclubs, Fez and Cascades, she grew up surrounded by live Middle Eastern music and dance, learning directly from iconic artists such as Feiruz Aram, Marie Silva, Sahra C. Kent, and members of Egypt’s Komeya Troupe. Roxxanne began performing at age five and professionally at sixteen at the request of Farida Fahmy, later studying with masters including Mahmoud Reda, Fifi Abdo, Aida Nour, and Ahmed Hussein. She spent 11 years performing with and serving as Assistant Director of Sahra C. Kent’s Ya Amar! Middle Eastern Dance Company, appearing in major U.S. festivals and international performances. Beyond performing, Roxxanne produces the showcases with live Arabic music, teaches internationally, and is the producer/director of the acclaimed Fez Documentary, preserving the history of belly dance on the U.S. West Coast while honoring its pioneering artists.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The story of The Fez club in Hollywood and why it changed belly dance history forever

- The surprising origin story of the Maya movement term and the dancer it was named after

- The journey from “this should be a book” to creating a 90-minute documentary against all odds

- The loss of long-form performance and what modern dancers are missing because of it

- Why watching other dancers perform is as important as performing yourself

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Roxxanne Shelaby on Instagram, Youtube and website. For more information and purchase options, please visit The Fez Documentary website: www.TheFezDoc.com

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

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

Fascinated by the arts since childhood, Nivetha Shree discovered Belly Dance at the age of 21 and has since trained with renowned teachers around the world. She holds certifications in DanceCraft – Key of Diamonds by Zoe Jakes and Krysalis – Invocation by Kami Liddle, and is an FCBD® Teacher, proudly leading the first officially recognized FCBD® Sister Studio in India. A Level 2 Yoga practitioner certified by the Government of India, she integrates a holistic body–mind awareness into her dance practice and teaching. As a solo artist and director of Saara – The Tribe, Nivetha has performed on leading dance platforms and, through Saara – The Bellydance Space in Bangalore, cultivates a supportive environment where dancers grow with confidence and self-expression. Her performances and workshops across India, Germany, the UK, and Australia reflect her mission to share the depth, artistry, and joy of Belly Dance worldwide.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How growing up with a dancer father shaped Nivetha’s creative foundation and artistic discipline.

- Why costuming became an extension of her storytelling rather than just decoration.

- Her deep connection to music as the core inspiration for choreography and improvisation.

- The philosophy behind her fully improvised performances and how she accesses “flow state.”

- Co-creating energy with the photographer instead of just posing.

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Nivetha Shree on Instagram, Youtube and website.

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

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