Sonya of Cairo is a professional dancer and choreographer. Sonya has been immersed in oriental dance since early childhood. Her mother, Marianne DS, founded L'ADS in Paris 17 years ago; it was the largest dance association! Sonya began her training with Marianne DS and continues her studies with the renowned Egyptian professional, Randa Kamel! Sonya is distinguished by her purely Egyptian style! Sonya of Cairo is now based in Cairo and travels the world for festivals: China, Brazil, Europe, USA, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, South Korea, Argentina, Malaysia, and Thailand. She performs nightly in Cairo's finest hotels! Sonya of Cairo is also a teacher at the largest festival in Cairo, "Raks of Course."

Fascinated by the arts from an early age, Nivetha began her journey in Belly dance 13 years ago. Through her training in Belly dance and Yoga, she discovered a deep connection with Tribal Fusion Belly dance, which continues to shape her artistic voice.

She holds certifications in Dancecraft – Key of Diamonds and Krysalis – Invocation, and is a Level 2 Yoga practitioner certified by the Yoga Certification Board, Government of India. Mindfully blending nuances from the various dance forms she is trained in, Nivetha continues to evolve her style with Belly dance as its foundation.
A certified FCBD® Teacher, she is proud to be the first officially recognised FCBD® Sister Studio in India. As a solo artist and the director of Saara – The Tribe, she has presented her work on prominent dance platforms.

Based in Bangalore, Nivetha conducts regular certified classes and has taught workshops and performed at numerous belly dance festivals across India. In recent years, she has expanded her reach internationally, bringing her dance programs to Europe, the UK, and Australia, and sharing her artistry with the global Belly dance community.

Abeer Will is an Egyptian woman passionate about bellydance, its origins and the bellydance community. Born in Alexandria, she is now based in Germany. She teaches at European festivals and judges many competitions. Abeer specialises in Egyptian folklore. Abeer teaches a 4 day intensive every year at the International Bellydance Summer School near Reading. This is highly popular. Abeer is delighted to be sharing her knowledge at Dance Joy.

Amanda Rose is an internationally acclaimed instructor and performer based in Barcelona, Spain with a passion for helping students feel connected to their bodies, and explore Middle Eastern dance styles. While she holds regular classes in Barcelona, she also travels internationally, inspiring dancers worldwide with her dynamic teaching style and captivating performances. Known for her technical precision, emotionally captivating performances, and insightful instruction, Amanda Rose’s approach to dance, art and pedagogy is greatly shaped by a background in sociology, 2 decades of experience with Middle Eastern dance, and a master’s degree in Dance Movement Therapy. She has received wide recognition for her online platform Amanda Rose Online, where she has been offering high-quality online instruction for over 10 years. Instruction includes online pre-recorded and live classes, coaching for competitions, and creative and artistic development, intensive long-distance training projects, personalized feedback, and exploratory movement. Amanda Rose also works as a Dance Movement Therapist, facilitating groups and individual sessions online and in-person.

Alexis Southall is an internationally acclaimed fusion bellydance performer, choreographer, and educator. Known for her musicality, precision, and innovative artistry, she has taught and performed in 23 countries. As the founder of the Juniper Project and producer of Infusion Emporium, Alexis continues to inspire dancers worldwide through her performances, mentorship, and creative work

Sureya Hussein is a professional dancer, choreographer and instructor based in London, UK. Her passion for dance stems from her Turkish culture where she has trained, taught, competed and performed in a variety of styles including Turkish Oryantal, Egyptian Raqs Sharqi, Egyptian Folklore, Turkish Romany as well as Fusion.

Over the last 4 years, Sureya has won multiple awards including first place in the IDB dance championship, as well as medals in Turkiye, Spain and Ireland. She is also the first dancer born in England to win awards for both Turkish style and Egyptian Raqs Sharqi professional categories internationally, as well as Fusion.

Sureya is passionate about sharing her love of dance as well as information about Turkish and Middle Eastern culture. She is an enthusiastic teacher who is always happy to answer questions and encourage artistry to help bring out the best in her students.

Sureya regularly teaches private classes, group classes as well as workshops around the UK and holds a mixture of pedagogical, fitness and performing arts qualifications

Anne’s movement background began at the age of 4 and has followed a path of dance disciplines including tap, jazz, Body Groove, Middle Eastern and somatic dance. In the past 10 years her interest in holistic movement and wellbeing has expanded culminating in her graduating with a MA in Dance and Somatic Wellbeing in 2021. Anne is registered with the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association. She currently teaches somatic movement and wellbeing classes and Middle Eastern dance classes weekly in the North West, at dance festivals throughout the UK and on her bespoke relaxation trips to Morocco.

Anne’s classes are informative, nurturing and fun and suitable for anyone wanting to be more in touch with their bodies. Find out more about her work at www.annekingston.com, email [email protected] or phone 07843079574.

Maria D’Silva is an Egyptian Dance Artiste, Teacher, Judge and Events Organiser based in the UK.
Maria has received recognition as the second generation that brought Egyptian dance to the UK .She has contributed towards raising the profile of Egyptian dance Internationally.
She is the founder of Belly Dance Mania Festival, where she hosts National and International teachers and performers in Leicester.
Maria has also previously travelled and represented the UK abroad, both in teaching and performing. She was especially invited to represent the UK in 2024 to teach and perform at the Opening and Closing gala shows at Raqia Hassan Ahlan Wa Sahlan International Festival in Cairo. Flying the British flag , she has been invited this year ,2025 to teach and perform at the worlds biggest dance festival in Cairo again, Ahlan Wa Sahlan International Festival.
Maria has been featured on television for Al Jazeera TV for a documentary based on Arabic Dance, spotlighting Maria as a non-Arab artiste. She has also appeared on Sky, Midlands Today and the BBC. She has been featured in numerous dance magazines such as North African Magazine, MADN , Mosaic, Nada and many more.
She is trained in Latin, Modern ,Ballet and Drama and uses these as an added skill to perfect her craft and love of belly dance. Her love and passion

Eleanor has been belly dancing since the age of 10. Her belly dance career has taken her around the world. She is the director of Taste of Cairo (est by Tracey Gibbs) and shimmy school.
Eleanor teaches with the ethos that dance and movement is Healing (completing a PGcert from Derby University in the subject) and specialises in using belly dance as part of rehabilitation for people with brain injury, strokes and Parkinson’s.