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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ReOrient present Ghawazee dance at the Duncan Showroom, 2019

The dance in these videos is an interpretation of an historical style of dance and costume common in Egypt in the late 1800’s and into the 20th Century. Our choreography is based on historic photos and travellers’ writings about the Ghawazee, and our studies with Aisha Ali, Banat Mazin troupe members, and others.  The Ghawazee… Read more…

Fall 2017 Workshops with Lynette

Fall 2017 Workshops with Lynette

Arab, Turkish and fusion belly dance in three workshops Sundays Sept.17, October 1 and 22 1:30-3:30 pm (3 sessions for the price of 2 – see below) Contemporary and traditional dance from the Middle East * Develop skills with body-friendly warm-ups, movement technique and vocabulary * Enhance your understanding of Middle Eastern music, dance and… 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 – 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…

5th Annual Nanaimo Belly Dance Bazaar 2015

  Hope to see you there on June 20 – I can hardly wait! Many thanks to Genya Bonfield and her team of volunteers for producing the event this year. Get the latest news from the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/118888411465134/   Read more…

Funkadelic Turkish Lounge 2014

Another amazing Turkish Lounge at The Abbey in  Cumberland!  Saturday Oct. 25, 7:30 pm  This time there will be just a few performances (including me, Edith Jacob and our host Cathy Stoyko), plus lots of music and dancing for everyone, with a funkadelic dance set by DJ StIzmir Smyrna and live music jamming to wrap… 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…

Exploring Tarab with Lynette

Exploring Tarab with Lynette

  Spring 2007  OPA! News, Victoria      by Sidona On February 18th members of Women of Widad piled into a van to take the trip up to Nanaimo to attend a workshop with Lynette Harper.   We were excited and all felt that we needed a burst of dance energy after the long winter and… Read more…

Miraj was a sensory treat

Miraj was a sensory treat

  16 April 2003  Daily News, Nanaimo  –  Review by Lynn Welburn  Miraj (an Arabic word meaning ascent, the journey upwards) was the perfect title for the April 11 performance by Earthfire dance at the Malaspina University College theatre.  But mirage, commonly used to describe something you think is real and which then vanishes, leaving… Read more…

Bellydancing makes another comeback

Bellydancing makes another comeback

  April 9  2003 The Harbour City Star, Nanaimo      By Sandra Steilo  This week I joined in on a trend that has been around for hundreds of years but now is suddenly new and hot again. I took a beginner belly dancing class with Lynette Harper at the Community Service Building.  She got… Read more…

Shaking things up

Shaking things up

  14 November 1998  Harbour City Star, Nanaimo   By Goody Niosi The Spice Girls may have Girl Power, but Nanaimo’s own Earthfire has Woman Power; a force that’s gathering enthusiastic fans wherever they perform. Earthfire is a troupe of women who dance together with joy, energy and exuberance. And although they perform folk dances from… Read more…

Northern Spirit: Lynette Harper Curator (and Belly Dancer)

Northern Spirit: Lynette Harper Curator (and Belly Dancer)

  May/June 1988  Up Here Magazine    by Juliet Pin Imagine the combo of belly dancing and museum work! Lynette Harper has found the link. Born in Vancouver of Lebanese parents, belly dancing just seemed to come naturally. Her list of dance performances is impressive. From the Vancouver Sea Festival and Robson Square  Plaza to… Read more…