Belly Dance Life

This is one of the most honest and straightforward conversations of the podcast! Please welcome the absolutely amazing Mexican beauty based in the UAE, Tatiana Avila. After burning up Dubai's most prestigious nightclubs with her energy, charisma and super dance techniques, she is currently focusing on developing dance classes and workshops in Dubai. In this interview, Tatiana talks about her path from being a student to becoming a professional in-demand dancer, as well as differences between what we learn in dance schools, and what we see in real life of the belly dance entertainment industry.

In this episode you will learn about:

- Tatiana’s path as a student, her teachers, struggles and inspirations

- Our beloved “BellyPolice” :)

- The differences between dance in academic and entertainment worlds

- How folklore dabke is transformed in cabaret settings

- The structure of a typical belly dance show in Dubai

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Tatiana Avila on FB, Instagram and YouTube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Bundle and information about the Instagram challenge: thebellydancebundle.com & @thebellydancebundle .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

It’s a solo mini-episode!

Do you know how to dance just for yourself, or are you constantly in a marathon of preparing for some events and performances? In this mini-episode I’m sharing my recent breakthrough and realization of where I’d like my artistic path to go in the future.

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

This is the most surprising belly dance story you’ve ever heard. Discover how Malema (Maria Aya) got introduced to belly dance at the age of 30, then started receiving requests for private classes from well-established professional dancers, and how one simple YouTube video recorded for pure fun brought her first international teaching gig. And this was just the first chapter of her dance story.

Today, after a harsh year of being diagnosed with lupus (an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's organs), surviving 14 heart attacks, 5 brain strokes, and fully recovering from these diseases, Malema is ready to start a new chapter. She is back to teaching classes, but she is also passionate about developing a dance therapy practice based on oriental movements, and using the vocabulary of belly dance to help women recover after sexual abuses and war traumas.

Malema (Maria Aya) is founder and co-organizer of MOSAIC Oriental Festival in Athens, founder & artistic director of “Hamsa”, International Center for Culture & Arts of East Med Countries, and creator of the "Hamsa International Oriental Knowledge Certificate". She is a leader and main choreographer of “Malema’s Banat” oriental inspired theatrical dance group, international multi-awarded choreographer, and a renowned teacher of oriental and folkloric dances.

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Malema on FB. Her FB dance page, and Hamsa - Oriental Art House page. YouTube video that she mentioned in the interview is available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY6hBS5YNRo

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Bundle and information about the Instagram challenge: thebellydancebundle.com & @thebellydancebundle .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Some of the best moments from our previous episodes! Today we are talking about such complex topic as musicality in belly dance. Learn from Esmeralda Colabone, Alida Lin, Sandra Kahloun and Kamilia. Aim for more!

Show Notes to this episode:

Ep 13. Esmeralda Colabone: Music as Your Guide & Mentor

Ep 37. Alida Lin: How to Control Your Music As a Dancer

Ep 47. Sandra: Rules Of Improvisation

Ep 62. Kamilia: Dreaming of a Big Supportive Community

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

I literally had goosebumps several times during this conversation: from months at an ICU and wheelchair recovery, to an active dance career, marathon running, and becoming a crossfit athlete! Are you ready for an incredible story from a phenomenal woman? Please welcome Katerina Shereen, who performed at the most glamorous events with such guests as Elton John, Sharon Stone and royal families who came to London every summer. Katerina became the special dancer for the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of Brunei. The biggest benefit though was to work with amazing Arabic musicians who worked with Oum Kalthoum and Abdal Halim Hafez or played for legends such as Fifi Abdo and Nagua Fouad.

In this interview you will hear about:

- The scene of belly dance education: festivals vs intensives, and what goals each type of event serves,

- Tips on how to choose wisely which dance event to invest your money in

- Katerina’s story of a leg injury due to a doctor’s mistake, and her recovery path

- The importance and power of the mindset to never give up

- What skills you are missing to get a successful, joyful and long-term dance career

Show Notes to this episode:

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Katerina Shereen on Instagram, FB, Youtube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Carmen Fragoso is a Mexican choreographer & dance coach specialized in Belly dance, Khaleeji and Iraqi dancing, with a thriving career as a contract dancer based in Dubai. Listen to her incredible story on how she brought her main dance dream to life, and achieved the lifestyle that she wanted.

In this interview you will hear about:

- How facing dance frustrations and seeking more from life led to a complete change of lifestyle

- How Carmen got involved in Iraqi dancing

- How her 2-month vacation got transformed into a full-time job in Dubai

- What was the most surprising thing she discovered during the first year of working in the Middle East

- The importance of a dancer’s image on stage, and off stage

- How her dance videos became viral on social media, and what it brought to her life.

Show Notes to this episode:

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Carmen Fragoso on Instagram, FB, Youtube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

It’s a solo episode!

Sharing my experience of being a judge at the Dance Weekend in Warsaw competition: from what goes in the judge’s head during evaluations, to most common mistakes that caught my attention from performance to performance.

Show Notes to this episode:

Download free tips for your 20-min belly dance program here: www.ianadance.com/podcast/tips

Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Anjelica Scannura is a highly accomplished dancer, choreographer, actress, and comedian. She has performed and taught flamenco and belly dance all over the world, including the USA, Europe, Caribbean and Middle East.

Anjelica has been the recipient of many dance awards, including The Marty Award for Oustanding dance artist in 2018, Bellydancer of the Universe Winner 2013, Bellydancer of the Universe Hall of Fame Inductee 2014, Paula Citron Fresh Blood Award, Finalist at the Certamen de Coreografia de Danza Espanol y Flamenco in 2013, Eastern Canadian Irish Dance Champion 2006, among others. Anjelica is also the face of ZoomerMedia’s health and fitness channel, ONE Get Fit TV, where she has her own critically acclaimed dance-fitness show “Anjelica’s Dance Workout.”

In this interview you will hear about:

- Historical connection between flamenco and belly dance

- Tips for your fusion choreographies

- Insights into a gigs life and theatre shows of a solo dancer

- What’s similar and different between stand-up comedy and belly dance show

- Transitioning from one chapter of creative career to another

Show Notes to this episode:

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Anjelica Scannura on Instagram, FB, Youtube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

I’m happy to feature Darya Ryzhkova, the winner of Cairo! Fest Budapest 2019!

Dariya is a professional dancer and teacher. Her awards include dance competitions in Russia, Spain, Kazahistan, France, Israel, Hungary and Greece. She is certified judge by the Russian Liga of Professional Belly Dancers, as well as teacher at Eshta studio, and director of her own dance school Baheya.

Show Notes to this episode:

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Darya Ryzhkova via Instagram, FB, Youtube.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Drum rolls please! We have the fantastic Marta Korzun back on the Belly Dance Life Podcast!

Marta Korzun is internationally recognized as one of Europe’s leading performers and teachers of Oriental dance. She started her career in 2006 by taking part in many competitions in the Ukraine and abroad, including Cairo. She has been titled the Bellydance Champion of the World (2011), European Bellydancer (2011), and 2nd winner at “Nile Group Cairo" (2010), just to name a few. Marta is the artistic director of one the largest Schools of Oriental dance in Eastern Europe, “Tiara” and the ensemble “Tiara Stars”. She is recognized for her unique teaching method and clear and concise explanations, and regularly holds training workshops worldwide.

In this interview you will learn about:

- When are you ready to start teaching,

- How to help your students develop teaching skills, and how not to be afraid of their transition to the teaching world,

- What to do if your teacher doesn’t support your teaching dreams,

- How to get ready for your first class,

- The importance of business education for dancers, and tips on promoting your classes.

Show Notes to this episode:

Thank you for supporting the Belly Dance Life Podcast via our Patreon page!

Follow Marta Korzun via Instagram, FB, Youtube. Marta’s educational video for bellydance teachers and dancers is available HERE. Also, check a previous interview with Marta at Ep 01. Marta Korzun: About Competitions and Individual Style

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .

Bellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast