2025 Dance Classes & Island Teacher List

2025 Dance Classes & Island Teacher List

Nanaimo 

Lynette 

www.lynetteharper.ca      dancetarab@gmail.com  250-797-7953   

Multilevel/Intermediate & Advanced weekly class 

6 Mondays March 3 – April 7   7:30-9 pm.   Vibrant Dance Studio

Drop-ins welcome.

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Sunday  March afternoon workshops with Lynette

  March 9    Turkish Style, Turkish Soul

  March 23  Traditions and Fusions – Finding dance joy and inspiration

Delve into traditional and contemporary dances originating in the Middle East. Each workshop explores music, moves, stylings, and choreography that can stand alone, or be integrated with your own dance. Info/register dancetarab@gmail.com

At Vibrant Dance Studios, Nanaimo    1:30 – 3:30 pm

More info/register with Lynette dancetarab@gmail.com

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Sunday Feb 23 Discover “Belly Dance” with Lynette

Learn the basics of diverse dances inspired by the Middle East – an introduction to the music, movements, traditions, and innovations that have made these dance forms popular around the world. 1:30-3:30 Vibrant Dance Studio #2. Advance registration $20, on the day $25

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Pynksy Shell aka Tania Amaral  

https://www.facebook.com/tania.amaral.1253/    pynksyshell@gmail.com 

Afro Fusion Sharqi Danceᵀᴹ  www.afro-fusionsharqidance.ca/services 

Rhythms and Movements from Africa Friday classes starting Feb.7, Level 1 6:30 pm, Level 2 at 7:30 pm  Vibrant Dance Studio #4. 

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Ramona  

ramona.passarello@gmail.com  250-616-3824  Available for private individual and private group lessons.

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Taissia  

778-269-0922  Dance and Wellness classes

Wednesdays 6:30-7:30  Thursdays 7-8        Hungarian Cultural Centre. 

We will explore the dancing styles of the Middle East, Turkey, India, Hawaii and more. Phone or text to register 778-269-0922

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Deborah Bromley 

deborahba@shaw.ca  For experienced FCBD dancers – Monday nights 7:45-8:45pm at Vibe Studios

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Other Island communities, listed alphabetically:

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Cortes Island

Meinsje      250-895-1052  

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Courtenay/Comox/Cumberland/Denman Island/Union Bay

Bridget Salas  bridgetsalasdance.com 

Beginner Indian Fusion Tuesdays from 6-7 pm; Intermediate Indian fusion Tuesdays 7:15 – 8:45; Tala, dancing to Hindustani rhythms Monday 7:30 – 8:45; at The Abbey, Cumberland

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Emily Johnston – Forbidden Dance Company  

https://forbiddendancecompany.com  778-246-3639 

Belly dance levels 1-4 Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm Cloud 9 studio, Courtenay

“So you think you can belly dance?” Levels 5+  7:30-8:30pm

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Cathy Stoyko   Call or message (250)218-0704

Available for private classes on Denman Island or in Cumberland 

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Heather Hilberry 250-898-3123 (call or text) will be teaching on Hornby,  Denman and in Union Bay  

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Linda Doerksen  halima.dancer@gmail.com    250-703-0494   Contact regarding future classes in Courtenay. 

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Duncan/Cowichan Area

Karensa Camplair   saidisistersstudio.godaddysites.com   karensabellydance@gmail.com      250.715.7541   

Facebook.com/SaidiSisters      

Classes available in studio and online: Belly Dance Basics, FCBDStyle® (Improvised Style), Sword, Fusion, and F.U.N. Belly Dance.  At Sol Centre, 5380 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC 

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Lara   https://www.facebook.com/lara.brunschot, or drop by her store Spinning Ninny at 310 Duncan St, Duncan

Classes for adults and children. 

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Parksville

Kim Hammett  raven_55@icloud.com   778-679-3082

Mix of Americanized and Fusion style bellydance at Bradley Community Centre, resuming in Spring/Summer 2025.

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Qualicum Beach

Belly Laughs Navel Academy/Elaine De Rooy 

https://www.facebook.com/BellyLaughsNavelAcademy   bellylaughsnavelacademy@shaw.ca  250-752-3750 

Contemporary fusion in-studio classes Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students.

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Saltspring Island

Sarah Allen  ssisarahlouise@gmail.com 

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Victoria 

Bashirah Middle Eastern Dance Studio, Victoria    

 https://www.raksbobbie.com/classes/winter-2025-class-list.html raksbobbie@shaw.ca   

Extensive range of online and studio belly dance classes at Bashirah Middle Eastern Dance Studio, 137 Skinner St.Victoria

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Candace Aldridge   

https://harmonybellydance.com

A full fall schedule of live and online classes, featuring Bellydance for multiple levels, Yin Yoga, and more. 

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Caro Aisha Carof   carisfranco@hotmail.com  250 884 0653

Private classes and group classes from beginners to advanced levels.

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Mira –  Asmira Dance  

mirabellydancer@gmail.com

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Negma  

negmadance@gmail.com   https://www.negmadance.com 

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Taiya Curle 

Chakra Awakening Bellydance Fusion with Taiya

January 27th- March 24th 2025

At the Victoria Truth Centre 2815 Cedar Hill Road. Victoria BC

For details taiyacurle@gmail.com   250-361-5122 

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2024 Fall Events and classes on the Island

2024 Fall Events and classes on the Island

*** See also the Vancouver Island Belly Dancers Fb page for current notices of classes and events. https://www.facebook.com/groups/16858407337  * Saturday September 28  Discover “Belly Dance” with Lynette Learn basics of the diverse dances inspired by the Middle East. Explore the music, body movements, traditions, and innovations that have made these dance forms popular around the world.… Read more…

Winter/Spring 2024 Vancouver Island events, dancers & teachers

Winter/Spring 2024 Vancouver Island events, dancers & teachers

(A nostalgic photo – Duncan Garage 2007) *** See also the Vancouver Island Belly Dancers Fb page for other notices of classes and events. https://www.facebook.com/groups/16858407337  Saturday February 17   Nada El Masriya is coming to Nanaimo! Saturday, Feb 17th, 2024, from 9:30 AM – 5:10 PM German Cultural Centre, 71 Caledonia Ave., Nanaimo 4 workshops for $120… Read more…

1001 Likes – August 2016

Lynette Harper watches a powerful Egyptian documentary. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, August 2016. Dancers is a mesmerizing film set in Cairo. But don’t expect to see the gorgeous costumes or inspiring performances that grace most films made about Egyptian belly dance. Director Celame Barge takes us deep into the lives and struggles… Read more…

1001 Likes – June 2016

Lynette Harper finds belly dance plays a role in two powerful films. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, June 2016. This term, I’m teaching an anthropology course about Arab women in the Middle East and the diaspora. Two of the most influential films that we watch are “Four Women of Egypt,” a 1997… Read more…

1001 Likes – December 2015

Lynette Harper updates her list of Christmas gifts available online. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, December 2015. Gift-giving season again, and I’ve been reviewing my annual column of online gift ideas. My absolute favourite is still Shira’s “Gifts for the Belly Dancer in Your Life” http://shira.net/advice/lifestyle/gift-ideas.htm   This is a brilliant list, practical and… Read more…

1001 Likes – November 2015

Lynette Harper admires the good hearts of BC belly dancers. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, November 2015. The generosity of our dance community is remarkable. Throughout the year, individual dancers and troupes donate their time and performance skills for a wide range of worthy causes. Others have initiated and organized events to raise… Read more…

1001 Likes – April 2015

Lynette Harper visits an outstanding Facebook group for belly dancers.  Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, April 2015. Read more…

1001 Likes – December 2014

Lynette Harper updates her shopping list for Christmas gifts and ideas online. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda December 2014. Read more…

1001 Likes – November 2014

Lynette Harper considers the letters “F” and “G” in an alphabet of likes. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, November 2014. Read more…

1001 Likes – August 2014

Lynette Harper begins a belly dancers’ Alphabet.  Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, August 2014.   Read more…

1001 Likes – July 2014

Lynette Harper rediscovers a DVD treasure. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, July 2014. Read more…

1001 Likes – May 2014

Lynette Harper watches a reel interesting documentary. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, May 2014.     Read more…

1001 Likes – March 2014

Lynette Harper appreciates the values embedded in hula. Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, March 2014.   Read more…

1001 Likes – January 2014

Lynette Harper subscribes to a glossy magazine – for free.  Reprinted with permission from the Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter, Sahda, January 2014. Read more…

Belly Dance Fact & Fiction: References

Belly Dance Fact & Fiction: References

OPA Showcase Lecture/seminar, Victoria BC – presented by Lynette Harper Ph.D. November 2013 References – Books (*specific articles cited) Belly dance around the world: New communities, performance and identity. 2013. Caitlin E. McDonald & Barbara Sellers-Young, editors. Jefferson NC: McFarland & Company. * What is Baladi about al-Raqs al-Baladi? On the survival of belly dance in… Read more…

More books for dancers

More books for dancers

Four essentials for a dancer’s bookshelf, published in the last two years:  Belly dance around the world: New communities, performance and identity – The belly dance reader – Global moves – and You asked Aunt Rocky: Answers & advice about Raqs Sharqi & Raqs Shaabi.  Each book offers powerful ideas, analysis, and inspirations – and they’re… Read more…

Turkish Roman music/video

Music from my past workshops All cd’s listed here are available on Amazon.com, some through Chapters Indigo, and one from iTunes.  All of them are terrific! Performed by Turkish Roman (gypsy) musicians: Selim Sesler  – Road to Kesan: Turkish ROM & Regional Music Thrace       track: Tulum 5:01 Selim Sesler and Brenda MacCrimmon – Karsılama… Read more…

BC Mainland dancers

BC Mainland dancers

Vancouver http://rahmahaddad.com/Rahma Haddad, Vancouver BC “A powerful dancer of grace, charm and soul” And my favourite cousin! – LH http://www.ammara.ca/ Ammara Studio BC “Home to one of the finest groups of Middle Eastern, Brazilian and African dance and drum professionals in the Lower Mainland.” Lava Studio Lava, Vancouver BC A dynamic performer, choreographer, instructor, musician, and director/choreographer of “Sisters… Read more…

Global dance connections

Canada www.hadia.com  Hadia, Canada  A performer, master instructor and choreographer, Hadia has achieved recognition and renown among her peers around the world. Om Laila  Roula Said, Toronto ON   Roula is an amazing multi-faceted artist who has dedicated her talents to Middle Eastern music and dance. One of Canada’s leading lights in the world of bellydance, Roula… Read more…

Turkish music for dancers

Turkish music for dancers

Gypsies of Turkey with Ahmet Kusgoz Ve Arkadaslari Karsilema until you drop! This album is chock full of 9/8 rhythms played at different tempos (mostly fast), alternating with ciftitelli and other regional instrumentals. I regularly recommend this energetic and passionate album for dancers who want “real Turkish Rom” music, as it is readily available from… Read more…

Arab music understanding

Arab music understanding

Egyptian music appreciation and practice for bellydancers by George Dimitri Sawa A must-have for dancers, teachers, and students who wish to develop their understanding of Egyptian music!   The quality of the package is awesome – exceeding my already high expectations of  creator George Sawa, an Egyptian born historian, musicologist, qanun virtuoso, a true master… Read more…

Ethnographies worth reading

Ethnographies worth reading

Guests of the Sheik: Ethnography of an Iraqi village Elizabeth Warnock Fernea, Random House, re-issue 1995 Though Elizabeth Warnock Fernea’s book was first published in 1969,  her writing provides useful insights into daily life, for Arab women in  a particular place (rural Iraq) and time period. “A delightful, well-written, and vastly informative ethnographic study, this… Read more…

Books for dancers

Books for dancers

READ THIS BOOK!!!! Belly dance: Orientalism Transnationalism and Harem Fantasy edited by Anthony Shay and Barbara Sellers-Young   For over a century, solo improvised dance, especially belly dance, has had enormous popularity, and by the 1970s and 1980s in the wake of the feminist movement, over a million women in the United States, and many… Read more…