Portia

Founder, Program Developer and Artistic Director
With an extensive background in health, fitness, and education, this award winning and internationally renowned performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance has developed the Belly Motions® Programs that teach authentic Belly Dance technique while delivering a safe, effective and exciting total body workout designed for all ages and fitness levels.

Qualifications & Certification

University of Florida – Bachelor of Arts; Sociology and Minor in General Education

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Middle Eastern Dance Exchange 2004

Nile Group, Cairo Egypt – International Oriental Competition: First Place 2008

International Saray of Oriental Culture (ISOC) Egypt; 2010 “Sister School”

20Under40 Emerging Business Leaders of South Florida 2011 – Miami Herald

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Luisa

Director of Children’s Programs

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Oriental Folkloric Dance Program – University of Miami Theater Arts Department, College of Arts and Sciences 2011

Qualifications & Certification

Florida International University – Bachelor of Design

Florida International University – Masters in Architecture

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Alexandra

Associate Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

Florida International University – Completing Bachelor of Fine Arts & Art History

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification – In process

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Caitlin

Associate Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Performer, instructor and choreographer of American Belly Dance (ATS and others)

Qualifications & Certification

University of Miami – Bachelor of Arts; Psychology

CPR Certification

AFAA Primary Certification – In process

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Elena

Associate Instructor and Choreographer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

University of Miami – Bachelors and Masters; Microbiology and Immunology

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification – In process

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Lorena

Associate Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

In her capacity as an Advanced Instructor, Lorena is positively inspirational! Lorena has also performed in many large-scale theater productions, further developing her skills as a seasoned performer and choreographer.

With an extensive background in Oriental dance, Ballet, Flamenco, Jazz, and Argentinean Native Folk dance, Lorena masterfully fuses the flavors to propel this amazing performer to the forefront of Belly Motions’ Entertainment Services Group.

Lorena is currently on maternity leave!

Maria Jammal

Associate Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

Maria Jammal, originally from Morocco, has 25+ years of experience in Middle Eastern Dance instruction. She has had an extraordinary career as a gifted and much sought after performer. A Master Instructor, Maria has taught in Europe, Canada, Morocco, and the United States. She is one of the most inspiring and dynamic instructors here in South Florida.

Maria’s classes are vibrant and powerful, and focus on perfecting the proper technique of authentic Middle Eastern Dance. Study with this living legend here at Belly Motions!

Paris Opera School of Ballet 1974 to 1986

Oriental Dance Academy, Casablanca, Morocco 1986

Michelle

Associate Instructor and Choreographer

Instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

Miami Dade College – Completing Bachelor of Applied Sciences; Film Production

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification – In process

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Roshana

Associate Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern, North African, and Persian Dance

Qualifications & Certification

Miami Dade College – Completing Bachelor of Arts; Anthropology

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Middle East Dance Exchange

Widely sought after for her elegant, charismatic, and authentic style of Middle Eastern Dance, Roshana Nofret shares her vast cultural knowledge and experience in each and every class! Her patient, approachable and insightful teaching style presents inspirational instruction focused on polishing and strengthening technique, improving posture and body language, enhancing the fluidity of dance movements, and building confidence and unique expression in a bright and engaging atmosphere

Yesenia

Associate Instructor and Choreographer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

Florida International University – Completing Bachelor of Mass Communication and Public Relations

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification – In process

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Andrus Ramir

Guest Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

A strong stage personality; Andrus is richly expressive and uniquely inspiring. An extremely talented dancer and choreographer, Andrus enriches the movement and music of both Folklore and Classical Oriental with his powerful and innovative flair, creating his own Oriental “Sharqi” style with the same great passion that has made him an audience favorite!

Ansuya

Guest Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Belly Dance Superstar Ansuya is one of the most talented and accomplished performers, choreographers and instructors in the world today.

Her style is unique, blending the best aspects of Belly Dance with Indian, Spanish and African moves. Energetic, sensual and innovative, Ansuya is a master of improvisation, musical interpretation, emotional expression, finger cymbals, original moves and costume design.

Ansuya moved to Miami, Florida. Not long after her relocation, she joined the Bellydance Superstars, founded by legendary music producer Miles Copeland. As a Superstar, Ansuya traveled the world, bringing Belly Dance to excited audiences and fans via live concerts, videos, and workshops. She also made several television appearances, including the always entertaining Regis & Kathy Lee show.

Ansuya’s goal is to continue to bring the inspiring and passionate art of Belly Dance into the view of women throughout the world.

Hanan

Guest Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

Tiffany Madera, M.A., known in the Arts community as “hanan” has been a leader in her field for over a decade. Specializing in contemporary folkloric styles of Egypt, Yousry Sharif wrote “[Hanan] can easily pass as a native dancer of Cairo….this is no easy task”. The Miami Herald describes hanan as “boundary crossing”, “bold” and “a dominant force in contemporary dance”.

Hanan is a world renowned protégé of Tamalyn Dallal and Yousry Sharif. Her teaching manifesto is based on community empowerment and service. Hanan spent several years teaching Belly Dance at battered women’s shelters, women’s prison and inner city community centers. She created the Dance Empowerment Project with The Arts at St. John, originally targeting adult survivors of sexual abuse. She then expanded the program focusing on creative unblocking and psycho-spiritual artistic empowerment through Belly Dance.

Hanan did her graduate studies focusing on Arabic Dance and Identity in Cuba focusing on a Political Science and Diaspora theory analysis. She is the founder of Cuba’s first Belly Dance Troupe and band; Aisha’ Al-Hanan. Hanan is a prolific and avant-garde dance theater artist and is a critically acclaimed director and producer of the Habibi Trilogy (Hip Hop Belly Dance Opera) and Hanan with Other Friendly Gods and Goddesses, which made the Miami Herald Top 10 Performances of the Year.

Kamila

Guest Instructor; Modern Fusion and Fire Performer. Stage Make-up Expert!

Performer, instructor and choreographer of Modern Fusion and Fire

Qualifications & Certification

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification – In process

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Masala Bhangra Workout Certified

Melissa

Guest Instructor, Choreographer

Instructor and choreographer of Middle Eastern and North African Dance

Qualifications & Certification

University of Florida – Bachelor of Arts; Sociology & Minor: Adapted Physical Activity

University of Florida – Masters of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology

AFAA Primary Certification and CPR Certification – In process

Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification: Belly Motions

Suhaila Salimpour

Guest Instructor, Choreographer and Performer

The Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance can be traced back to 1949. Pioneer Dancer and Instructor Jamila Salimpour began teaching her unique method which included detailed breakdowns and standard terminology for her movements. Every dancer knowingly or not has been exposed to the indelible mark Jamila Salimpour made in the world of Middle Eastern dance. Jamila’s original phrases and names for dance movements such as Turkish Drop, Maya, and Basic Egyptian were the beginning of a long process to add structure and definition to the art.

Jamila’s daughter, the incomparable Suhaila Salimpour, began her dance training at the young age of 2. In addition to training with her mother, Suhaila studied ballet, jazz, and tap from an early age, and soon added modern and hip-hop to her repertoire. She began teaching at the age of 14 and has worked as a professional performer and master instructor ever since.

Through years of performing and training, Suhaila realized the necessity to create an organized system for teaching and training. Rather than trying to integrate Middle Eastern Dance with Ballet or Jazz, she wanted to create the respect, knowledge, mentorship and training methodology she experienced in her studies to preserve the quality and longevity of the dance form.

Suhaila’s unique vision began to take shape when she embarked on rewriting her mothers book “Jamila Salimpour’s Dance Manual”, the first ever text which systematically categorizes Middle Eastern Dance movement. The result is an evolution which maintains the purity of her mother’s original work and adds the systematic and progressive teaching methods found in the classical dance forms.

Now, the Suhaila Salimpour Format and School of Belly Dance enjoy worldwide success. Dancers who train with The Salimpours quickly realize Suhaila’s method of teaching allows them to excel in their art beyond any other training they have received.