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About Belly Motions... Belly Motions, Inc. was founded in January 2005 by aspiring Belly Dance Performer Portia and Musician Sergio Sanchez. These two artists took their passion for dance and music aiming high to establish what is quickly becoming a premier studio of Middle Eastern Dance in the Miami area. Belly Motions is a school that aims to provide a comfortable, professional, and non-competitive environment where individuals learn how to Belly Dance with a structured step-by-step program. Belly Motions welcomes individuals of all ages, sizes, shapes and backgrounds. Anyone can learn how to Belly Dance! Experience exceptional dance instruction wrapped in a warm, earthy studio setting. Make new friends, laugh, and sweat while excercising your mind, body and spirit here at Belly Motions. Belly Dance...for fun, for fitness, for femininity. Is your belly in motion? About Portia... Born in the United States of Maltese and French descent, Portia saw her first belly dance performance at the age of seven in a New York City Lebanese restaurant called Beruit. Inspired by this amazing performer covered in gold, coins and beads, she developed an interest in Middle Eastern culture and dance at an early age. In 2002, at the age of 23, Portia began taking belly dance lessons with Rona Bennett and Angela Caudle of the Farhannah Dancers in Gainesville, Florida. After only several months of study, she began teaching a beginner belly dance fitness class at the University of Florida’s Fitness Center where she was studying. The class quickly grew as did Portia's interest and joy in teaching. While in Gainesville, she had her first opportunity to perform in a local belly dance production. From that moment on she was determined to become a professional belly dance performer. Upon graduation from the University of Florida in 2003, Portia moved to Miami to pursue her dream of becoming a professional performer. Since that time she has studied with Tamalyn Dallal, Founder of the Mid-Eastern Dance Exchange, Aireen (Miami), Hanan (Miami), Ansuya (Miami), Nathalie (Miami), Jihan Jamal (Miami), Samay (Miami), Bozenka (Miami), Sevdiah (Tampa) and many other respected dancers in the area. She has also extended her study and has taken workshops with Yousry Sharif (New York), Mahmoud Reda(Egypt), Dina (Egypt), Alexandra King (California) and Aziza (Canada), Sonia (Los Angeles), Nagwa Foued (Egypt), Raqia Hassan (Egypt), Amir Taleb (Argentina), Mona Saed (Egypt), Suhaila Salimpour (California), Morocco (New York), Sahara Saeeda (Egypt), and Sorroya (Brazil) all Master international choreographers and performers. Since her move to the Miami area she has performed in numerous professional productions including The Joharah International Show (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), the Mid-Eastern Dance Exchange’s Orientalia (2004, 2007), and Dreams Bellydance (2005, 2006). Portia has also taught and performed at the IV International Samkya Congress in Bogota, Colombia and has performed in Ontario, Canada, Malta, Europe and Cairo, Egypt. Portia has appeared on several television programs including Telemundo (June 2005) and LaMega T.V. (February 2006, March 2006, February 2007). She has also appeared in OceanDrive Magazine (Summer 2006), and in the Miami Herald (February 2006). Portia has performed for Gloria and Emilio Estephan, Shaquil O'neill, and Giuseppe Zanotti and has shared the stage with the Gypsy Kings. Portia was also honored to be chosen as a finalist at the February 2006 Bellydance Superstars auditions. She was a finalist chosen to perform for Jillina (Director of BDSS), Miles Copeland (CEO of BDSS) and Bozenka (BDSS Performer). Lastly, Portia is the Founder, Director, and Chief Instructor of Belly Motions, Inc. a belly dance academy in Coral Gables, Florida. Belly Motions has served over 2000 students since it's doors have opened and is rapidly becoming a premiere belly dance studio in the South Florida area. Portia’s dream of becoming an international performer traveling the world teaching seminars and performing is approaching. Portia looks forward to producing belly dance festivals, shows, instructional videos, and the continuation of her school, Belly Motions in the future. "Shimmy your way to the top!" -Portia |