I am the owner of Lotus Arts Studio in Belleville, where I teach yoga and bellydance classes.

I perform at Aya Sofia Turkish restaurant on Chippewa (across from Ted Drewes) the first Friday of each month.

I've worked with everyone from the River Bluffs Girl Scout Council to Catholic mothers' groups to dance majors at SIU-Edwardsville!

Past Venues:

• Edison Theater
• Loop in Motion Festival
• Union Station (National Dance Week)
• SIU-Carbondale
• Washington University
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• Red Sea Restaurant on Delmar
• Private parties and weddings all over the Bi-State area

My specialty is Egyptian style beledi and raks sharki ("Belly Dance"). I also teach and perform Egyptian Saidi/Raks Assaya, Melaya Leff, and Shamadan, Turkish Romani, and American bellydance specialties like sword and veil. I'm known for my precision hipwork and cultural authenticity.

I started my studies in January, 2000 with Wardah of Sahara Sand Productions and joined the troupe in 2001. After Sahara Sand Productions dissolved, I continued my studies with Diana Wolf (Danse Orientale) and independently. I have traveled as far as Cairo to deepen my understanding of the dance, and take as many workshops as I can manage, including multiple workshops with Yousry and Nourhan Sharif, Shahna, and Shareen El Safy.

I trained as a yoga teacher at Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja, Mexico and hold a 200 hour RYT certification with Yoga Alliance. I am also an ACE certified group fitness instructor.

My rates are on the book a show page of this website. To book a performance, call 618/530-5416 or send an

Hips Afire is the student performance group from Lotus Arts Studio.

Students study for at least 18 months before they're eligible to join the group. These are dedicated students and experienced performers who put on an exciting show.

Hips Afire performs:

• Bellydance (Egyptian and American styles)
• Raks Al Assaya (Egyptian Saidi cane dance)
• Turkish Romani (Gypsy) dance
• Balancing dance (sword, basket, etc)
• Veil dances (American style bellydance)
• Wings of Isis
• Melaya Leff (Raks Eskanderiya)

The group can provide folkloric and educational programs as well as bellydance shows. We are always interested in performance opportunities at festivals, nursing homes, etc.

Recent Performances:

Hips Afire rates are on the book a show page of this website. For more information on setting up a student group performance, call 618/530-5416 or send an