2026 Winter/Spring Island Teacher List

2026 Winter/Spring Island Teacher List

Vancouver Island Dance Teachers 

Nanaimo

Lynette

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

LET’S DANCE    With apologies – My weekly multilevel classes are postponed until spring.

All classes at VIBE Studios, Nanaimo 

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Pynksy Shell aka Tania Amaral

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

Afro Fusion Sharqi Danceᵀᴹ

Fridays 6:30 Level 1, VIBE dance studio 

www.afro-fusionsharqidance.ca 

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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   Available for privates and workshops.

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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 5:45-7:00

Datura-style bellydance Tuesdays 7:15-8:30

Datura-style Zills Tuesdays 7:15-8:30

Magnoliamovementarts.com

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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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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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Heather Hilberry 250-898-3123 (call or text) 

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

Darlene Gunkelmann gunkelmanndarlene@gmail.com

12 week Duncan series starting Feb.16

Beginners Foundations 5 -6:15 pm, Multi-Level 6:15-7:15 pm

Studio B (behind Spinning Ninny). 

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

Facebook.com/SaidiSisters      

FCBDStyle® (Improvised Style), Sword, Fusion, F.U.N. Belly Dance, and Musicality & Choreography

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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.

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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 

Alternating a 4 week series with Rasha Gad, Tuesdays 7 to 8:15pm Feb to Jun 2026 and Sept to Nov 2026 at the Ganges Yoga Studio  https://gangesyogastudio.com/

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Rasha Gad  rashargad@gmail.com

778 993 3406 https://www.artspired.ca/unveil-the-movement

Middle Eastern (belly) dance weekly classes. Egyptian style with cultural context, focus on the connection to the feminine and unique expression. Alternating a 4 week series with Sarah Allen, Tuesdays 7 to 8:15pm Feb to Jun 2026 and Sept to Nov 2026  at the Ganges Yoga Studio  https://gangesyogastudio.com/

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Victoria 

Bashirah Middle Eastern Dance Studio, Victoria    

https://raksbobbie.ca/classes/winter-2026-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://candacealdridge.com/dance-classes/

A fall schedule of live and online classes, featuring Belly dance for multiple levels, 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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Darlene Gunkelmann  gunkelmanndarlene@gmail.com

Victoria Classes: 12 Week Series  starting Feb.17

Beginners 5-6:15 pm, Intermediates Choreography 6:15-7:30 pm

Wild Roots Studio. 

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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 

Fusion Bellydance classes Monday evenings 6:00pm-7:45pm

At the Victoria Truth Centre

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

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…

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…

Fall Belly Dance Teachers Showcase & Bazaar 2014

Fall Belly Dance Teachers Showcase & Bazaar 2014

  MANY MANY THANKS to our wonderful dance community, for supporting the 2014 Teachers Showcase and Bazaar with such energy and enthusiasm! You raised almost $800 for Haven Society this year, and shared the joy of the dance with well over 100 participants, dancers, drummers, and Haven volunteers. Thank you all. ********************** FIVE half-hour dance workshops… Read more…

Fall 2013 workshops with Lynette

Fall 2013 workshops with Lynette

Belly dance! in downtown Nanaimo Basics   Thursdays  Sept. 26, Oct. 3 & 10   *  Moves, music & dances of Egypt, Lebanon & Turkey. For beginners & a refresher for more experienced dancers Art & artistry   Thursdays starting October 17    *   All experience levels welcome – contemporary dance from the Middle East and exciting fusions.… Read more…

Nanaimo’s Bellydance Bazaar another success!

Nanaimo’s Bellydance Bazaar another success!

THANK YOU to the bellydance community, donors, St. Paul’s Church and volunteers for all your work in 2013!!!  We raised more money than ever for Haven Society. If you have suggestions and ideas for next year, let us know at bellydancenanaimo@gmail.com   or on our Facebook site !   A fundraiser for Haven Society, hosted by Genya & Lynette… Read more…

Fall classes with Lynette – 2012 – downtown Nanaimo

Fall classes with Lynette – 2012 – downtown Nanaimo

 Art of Middle Eastern Dance – Tuesdays  starting October 16 –  Explore the joy and artistry of Middle Eastern dance in weekly multilevel classes with a masterful instructor/performer. This fall Lynette will strengthen your technique and movement vocabulary, while deepening your understanding of traditional styles and contemporary approaches to Turkish, Arab and fusion dance. Develop confidence in… Read more…

Belly for the Beast 2011

Belly for the Beast 2011

October 1, 2011 – Bellydancers take over the stage at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre!  See fine local bellydance in a proper theatrical venue – while supporting the SPCA. A dynamite show showcasing traditional, folkloric to modern fusions, with touches of flamenco, Romany, contemporary dance – and live music adds depth to several pieces. Applause to Pacifica for creating… Read more…

Traditions, Tribes and Fusions – Nanaimo workshops

Traditions, Tribes and Fusions –  Nanaimo workshops

May 15, 2011 Dance with Arab Rhythms – LIVE!!!! Guest drummer Robin Shackleton of Sylvan Temple joins Lynette for a dynamic and energizing multi-level workshop.  We’ve booked a large bright and NEW studio in downtown Nanaimo, to fill with drumming and dance!  Develop your dance vocabulary and music understanding, as we work creatively with beledi… 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…