Teaching Dance

Classes & Workshops

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In over 4 decades of teaching and performing dance inspired by the Middle East, Lynette has developed a unique and effective teaching style. Her lively, joyful teaching goes beyond technique to share a deep understanding of music, movement, and culture with students and dancers.

“Nanaimo dance friends, if you are interested in learning the beautiful art form of belly dance and other middle eastern dance styles, this is an incredible opportunity. Lynette Harper is an absolute gem in our community. She is a long time dancer with roots from the culture. She is a wealth of knowledge and is also an excellent teacher. She is very fun and playful and her workshops are always worthwhile” – Sarah Allen, Saltspring Island

Spring Workshop in Kelowna 2025

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Notes on Lynette’s dance interests:

Lynette has studied Ghawazee dance since the 1980s with luminaries Aisha Ali, Jalilah, Khyriyya, and others, and through archival research. Her troupe Ghawazee choreographies have been staged in Vancouver theatres, Toronto (International Belly Dance Conference of Canada), Seattle (Mediterranean Fantasy Festival), Courtenay, Nanaimo, and many other BC venues. 
Lynette became entranced by Turkish Roman dance in the 1990s, and has developed a distinctive personal style for teaching and performing both Turkish Oryantal and Roman dance based on studies with Reyhan Tuzsuz, Gigi Dilsah, Artemis Mourat, Ferda Bayazit, Sema Yildiz, Ozgen, and others. 
In recent decades Lynette has led weekend dance intensives and 5 day retreats in spectacular locations eg. Dance Vallarta (Puerto Vallarta), DanceAway Mexico (La Manzanilla), Hollyhock Retreat Centre (Cortes Island), Oasis de la Dance – Studio Denise Enan (Quebec), Denman Island Dance Retreats, Smithers Dance Camp, and other BC locations (eg.Victoria, Tofino, Thetis Island, Quadra Island, Gabriola Island, Cumberland). She regularly presents classes and workshops on and around Vancouver Island.