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.

****************************************************

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

****************************************

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

*

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. 

*

Ramona  

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

*

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

*

Deborah Bromley 

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

*

*

Other Island communities, listed alphabetically:

*

Cortes Island

Meinsje      250-895-1052  

*

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

*

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

*

Cathy Stoyko   Call or message (250)218-0704

Available for private classes on Denman Island or in Cumberland 

*

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

*

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

*

*

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 

*

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

Classes for adults and children. 

*

*

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.

*

*

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.

*

*

Saltspring Island

Sarah Allen  ssisarahlouise@gmail.com 

*

*

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

*

Candace Aldridge   

https://harmonybellydance.com

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

*

Caro Aisha Carof   carisfranco@hotmail.com  250 884 0653

Private classes and group classes from beginners to advanced levels.

*

Mira –  Asmira Dance  

mirabellydancer@gmail.com

*

Negma  

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

*

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 

*

*

*

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…

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 – 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…

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…

2nd Annual North Island Bellydance Bazaar

2nd Annual North Island Bellydance Bazaar

New Horizons Belly Dance presents the  2nd Annual North Island Belly Dance Bazaar at Merville Hall, 1245 Fenwick Road, Merville, BC Saturday October 5 Due to such an amazing turnout and fabulous time last year they’re doing it again!!  Performances throughout the day, shopping, delicious food, 3 free mini workshops, door prizes & more!  This is… 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…

Nanaimo dancers & teachers

Lynette  250-753-1659  laahper@gmail.com Genya  250-739-0589  genyasdancing@gmail.com Ramona  250-616-3824  Ramona@bellydancer.ca Giselle Jacob – Drum & percussion classes available  – see her Facebook page   Crimson Coast Dance Society  Artistic Director Holly Bright, Nanaimo, BC – Develops and supports contemporary dance creations, productions, performances and educational opportunities at both grass roots and professional levels in Central Vancouver Island. Read more…

Ladysmith & Cowichan area dancers & teachers

Ladysmith Debra Shields (formerly Pinchbeck) – full weekly schedule at www.saidisisters.ca Cowichan Area Yesca “Elegant Power” Belly dance classes, Lake Cowichan 250 749 7759 Lynene Allen    250-746-1077 email miragedanse@shaw.ca  website Shakti Bellydance   shakti.bdance@gmail.com  Bellydance for fun and fitness, plus new classes for youngsters and teens. Register with Island Savings Centre, 250.748.7529 Read more…

April Point Retreats, Quadra Island BC

April Point Retreats, Quadra Island BC

2013 Dates TBA – Gypsy Spirit Dance Retreats with Lynette at April Point Resort & Spa on Quadra Island (3 hours north of Victoria) – Discover your “gypsy spirit” with Gypsy (Romani) style bellydance. You’ll quickly learn the basic moves to passionate music and lively rhythms.  Celebrate the informal spontaneity of traditional Romani dance styles from Turkey,… Read more…

Silk Road comes to Errington

I look forward to dancing with Silk Road and other Island bellydancers – SATURDAY APRIL 14 – with Cathy  StoyStoyko, Taissia, Taiya, Kalina, and Kirsten!  Silk Road and Friends at the Errington Hall Music and Dance from Spain, the Middle East, China and Beyond April 14, 2011     8pm Tickets $20      Under 12… Read more…

Anth 307 Culture and Education in Global Context

Anth 307 Culture and Education in Global Context

September 8 – December 1, 2010 Instructor:  Lynette Harper, Ph.D. Email: Lynette.Harper@viu.ca     A cross-cultural analysis of education addressing cultural, social, political, and economic dynamics in North America and abroad. Topics include ethnography in the classroom; critical analysis of multicultural, anti-racist, and indigenous forms of education; theories of cultural difference and production; and practical… Read more…