Belly Dance Life

Irina Akulenko is a New York City-based performer, teacher and choreographer, with a burning passion for arts of all genres. Since 2001, Irina explored both Egyptian Cabaret and American Tribal style belly dance, Odissi and Flamenco. She now enjoys fusing these art forms as well as everything in between. Irina completed successful tours around the world, teaching and performing in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea, Taiwan, Colombia, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, France, Iceland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She released three successful instructional DVDs with World Dance New York ("Tribal Fusion Workout", "Diamond Cut" and "Sculpted Blossom") and two instructional series of videos with the popular website “Howcast.com”. Additionally, her performances were featured in the “Fantasy Bellydance: Cult of Myth” DVD, “Fantasy Bellydance: Tarot” DVD and she could also be seen on Bellyqueen’s “Bellydance NYC: The Ultimate Fusion Experience” DVD. Irina is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers with Bellyqueen Dance Theater. She is the choreographer and performer for the project "Bella Gaia" and an alumni member of Alchemy Dance Theater. While at home, she also directs her student troupe "Kiaroscuro Dance", focusing mainly on Classical Indian fusion and Tribal style dance.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How Irina got introduced to belly dance

- Why she didn’t settle with practicing only traditional belly dance style

- Tips on how to combine your explorations in different dance genres

- What is tribal fusion and how it evolved within the last few decades

- Irina’s interest in political science and women’s studies

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Irina Akulenko on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and website.

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Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Anna Schkade-Siytangco teaches women how to use the transforming power of movement to help them gain better health and build more self-confidence, while providing them with a way to express themselves in a profoundly beautiful way. She has over 15 years of diligent practice and study of Middle Eastern / North African / Near East dances with many world-renown performers and teachers. Anna has more than 14 years of performance experience from informal belly dance shows to professional theater productions… and everything in between. She was featured in 2 DVDs produced by Keti Sharif. With over 13 years of teaching dance and fitness at gyms, yoga and dance studios, Anna is a co-owner of her own studio – Oriental Phoenix Arts – together with her husband, Blue. She is a Certified Personal Trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) , a Certified Nutrition Specialist (ENW), and a Certified MMA Conditioning Coach.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How belly dance helped her overcome a speech impediment

- Dealing with stage fright

- Tips for anxiety management

- Insights into how Anna deals with the current pandemic situation as a dance teacher

- Running a studio in partnership with her husband

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Khadijah on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and website.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Khadijah is one of the most sought after instructors, performers and choreographers of Middle Eastern Dance and Folklore! Her upbringing in an artistic family prompted her to pursue studies in music and movement in various Arabic dance styles and beyond. She has been featured in BellyDance Magazine (California), BellyDance TV (California), Al Seha TV (Cairo), Univision (Colorado), The Denver Post (Colorado), TV appearances with HBO and more! Her unique and energetic style in combination with great athleticism and grace is deeply rooted in tradition, and it has made her amazing signature style popular worldwide. Khadijah currently resides in Denver, Colorado. She is a popular performer locally in many 5 star establishments such as Mataam Fez Moroccan restaurant, Phoenician Kabob Lebanese restaurant, Sahara’s, Lannie’s ClockTower , Palais Casablanca and more.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Dance styles of the Gulf region (beyond Khaleeji!!!!)

- Nuances and misconceptions around Khaleeji dance

- The meaning of the traditional outfit

- People’s attitude to belly dance in Saudi Arabia

- Islamophobia around the world and inside the belly dance community

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Khadijah on Facebook, and website.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Since a young age, Rahel has been involved in artistic exploration through various forms of dance, rhythm and music. She found her calling in Raks Sharqi (Oriental/Egyptian Style) and Fusion Bellydance at the age of fifteen and has been passionate about it ever since, fully immersing herself in it.

Rahel is the choreographer and artistic director of bellydance troupe The Helwa Dancers, and she herself has danced with former bellydance troupe Banat Dallah directed by Narmaya, and Ninawa Eastern Magic Folkloric Dance Company run by internationally renowned dancers Moh Abu Ras and Moh Al Ratta. Her film credits include the star role in the award winning short film “Imago” by Drea Morin, as well a featured performance in an episode of the popular TV series “Hellcats”. Rahel was a featured performer in the high profile event Illuminate Yaletown in 2011, and had the privilege of having her choreography selected for the 2012 “Shimmy Mob”, the world’s largest bellydance flash mob featuring thousands of dancers all over the globe. She has choreographed solo performances for the talent portion of Miss Canada, Miss Hong Kong and Miss China International competitions, as well as Salome’s “Dance of the 7 Veils” in a 2013 production of the play by Oscar Wilde.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Finding femininity through belly dance

- Self-love vs self-acceptance

- Important entrepreneurial skills and tips for dancers (teachers & performers)

- Consulting for movies and choreographing for beauty pageants

- Freedom for being yourself

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Rahel on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and website.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Some of the best moments from our previous episodes! Every medal has two sides. Get inspiration from our incredible guests and their experience of dealing with physical and emotional load of a professional belly dance career. Today you will hear from Amar Lammar, Mercedes Nieto, Julia Farid and Idil.

Show Notes to this episode:

Ep 18. Amar Lammar: Twelve Years of Performing Every Night in the Arab Emirates!

Ep 46. Mercedes Nieto: What Does It Take To Be a Touring Artist?

Ep 52. Julia Farid: About Artistic Fulfillment, Individual Style and Teacher-Student Relationships

Ep 57. Idil: Misconceptions About Turkish Style & The Concept of Dance Movement Therapy

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Aubre Hill has been a professional dance artist for over twenty years including touring and assistant-directing large ensembles across the United States, Europe, China, Taiwan, and Japan. She has been on faculty at California State University, Los Angeles teaching credited courses in pilates, fitness, and dance for over 10 years. She owned and directed Movement Art Space, a dance and fitness studio in Los Angeles offering education for all ages and levels for three successful years. She can be seen as a featured artist in numerous films and videos as well as was on the bellydance hit sensation of FitTV with her “All Stars Workouts”.

Aubre has choreographed full dance theatrical productions including “The Nutcracker: a bellydance tale,” “Sketches of Arabia,” “Nights of Arabe,” and more. She is the artistic director and choreographer for the Lumina Dance Company (now in its 13th year), the Qabila Folkdance Company (a company focused solely on Arabic folk dance and celebrating its 7th year), and the Beyajja Dance Theatre (a Raqs Sharqi dance company with a focus on developing individual artistic expression).

In this episode you will learn about:

-Natural evolution and expansion of interests throughout your dance journey

- The importance of learning folklore, even if you are not planing to perform it anywhere

- Responsibility of artists, maturity of the audience, and attention to the content of performances and social media videos

- Challenges of exploring and teaching very different dance styles

- Transnational dance fusion

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Aubre Hill on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and website.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Aziza is one of the brightest, most in demand stars of bellydance in the world today. She is recognized across the globe for her unparalleled ability to express the unique synergy of movement and sound that is the hallmark of this ancient art form. An intuitive, concise and generous instructor, Aziza excels at inspiring dancers to reach the next level. A lifelong bellydance student herself, she continually seeks inspiration as she travels the world, discovering new and revisiting familiar movement forms, always presenting material that is fresh and exciting. In 2010 Aziza started Dreamcamp, a week-long intensive located in a beautiful renovated convent in the gorgeous Laurentians, north of Montreal. The success of Dreamcamp is measured by this high rate of returning dancers year after year! Also, Aziza has now opened her home studio to the world. Bellydance students around the globe can now continue their studies with her online.

In this episode you will learn about:

-Aziza’s fifteen-year experience of performing at private parties and restaurants

- Her first festival invitation from abroad, and how the initial ‘disaster’ got transformed into a huge success

- Her approach to teaching

- How to analyze your videos, and be your own coach

- Up and downsides of teaching classes online

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Aziza on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and website.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Fadima Jones began dancing as a child in a Turkish folk dance troupe. At the age of 9 she added jazz dance, hip hop, and Bollywood to her repertoire, although bellydance was always a part of her life since the childhood. After performing at countless stage shows at cultural events until she was 14, she started making choreographies. Her career took her on big international stages with big artists as a background dancer, including performing on German TV. As a belly dancer, she performed on Turkish TV programs on a regular basis, which led her to work as a choreographer and performer for several Turkish, Persian, and Afghan music videos. Fadima Jones is not only an internationally acclaimed artist, she is also an event organizer. Her journey brought her all around Europe, Turkey, India, and now all the way to USA. Throughout all these engagements she never stopped educating herself, as she believes in continuous growth.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How her mother didn’t approve any belly dance activities, but later became Fadima’s greatest supporter in this profession

- Why Fadima never teaches zills

- What elements are missing in our festival world, and dangerous traps we put ourselves in as a community

- Tips for successful local gigs, and how to protect yourself as a solo performer

- Cutting her hair short while maintaining an active gigs life

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Fadima Jones on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Soraia Zaied is an established star of Cairo's current belly dance scene. Her style is very Egyptian with a little Latin influence. Soraia is popular with Egyptians and loved by the international belly dance community. She has been active as a dancers at the upscale InterContinental Citystars hotel in Heliopolis, had the contract for years as the primary dancer at the Sheraton Hotel in Dokki and also made regular appearances at the Marriott Hotel in Zamalek, among many other prestigious venues in Cairo. Despite her very busy performing schedule, she is now making more time to teach her unique style through online workshops and masterclasses. She is an amazing dancer with a very strong technique, so don't miss the opportunity to hear her story of success!

In this episode you will learn about:

- The very beginning of Soraia’s career in Egypt

- Classical Egyptian style, fusion and tabla solo

- Typical structure of her show: choreo or improvisation?

- Getting ready for the show, and how often Soraia works on her own dance practice

- What is Mahraganat and its next stage of evolution

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Soraia Zaied on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Check her ONLINE MARTERCLASSES!

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a mini-episode with Esmeralda Colabone!

If you ever hit a professional dance depression, or stopped feeling emotions from your dance, there is a solution. In this mini-episode Esmeralda shares her own experience of going through such a common stage in the career, and hopefully her story will help you to overcome it too!

Show Notes to this episode:

Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.

Find Valerick on Instagram, FB, website and Youtube. Full interview is available here: Ep 13. Esmeralda Colabone: Music as Your Guide & Mentor

Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast