Teachers
Here is a listing of belly dance teachers in and around the Lehigh Valley,
Pennsylvania area.  This is not a completely comprehensive list, but it includes
any one that I know who teaches who was interested in being included.  
Teacher directory submissions are edited for space only and Surayyah cannot
be responsible for content or accuracy of information.  The teachers in this
list are within an hour and a half driving distance from the general Allentown
area.  If you or anyone you know would like to be included in this listing
please contact me.
Teachers are listed in alphabetical order
Amala Gameela
Where:  The Yoga Loft of Bethlehem, PA; Dynamix Dance Center in Bethlehem,
PA; & Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA
Levels Taught:  all levels are welcome - most classes are geared towards beginners
Class Info:  8 week sessions at The Yoga Loft on Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30pm,
contact The Yoga Loft at 610-867-9642 or click here.  6 week sessions at Dynamix
Dance Center on Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15pm, contact Dynamix at
610-814-6000 or click here.  8 week sessions at LCCC on Thursdays from
6:00-7:00pm, see www.lccc.edu non-credit courses.  She is also available for
private lessons & workshops.
Styles/Specialties:  Amala specializes in folkloric Middle Eastern dance from
traditional Saidi with cane to shamadan as well as Egyptian Cabaret.
Bio:  See amalagameela.com or embersandemeralds.com/bellydancing-amala.html
Contact Info:  570-236-2966 or amalagameela@verizon.net
Embers & Emeralds
Where:  Pennsylvania & New Jersey
Style/Specialties:  We are available to teach workshops on dancing with a troupe or
group.
Bio:  Since launching in the spring of 2005, Embers & Emeralds has wowed crowds
throughout PA, NJ & Virginia with a dazzling display of Middle Eastern dancing.  
Embers & Emeralds is known for its creative choreographies & innovative use of
props, including swords, veils, canes, drums & zils.  Each member is an outstanding
dancer in her own right, & a featured soloist in E & E performances.  Dances range
from folkloric to cabaret.  For more info see www.embersandemeralds.com.
Contact Info:  embersandemeralds@yahoo.com or call Zorya at 610-559-1497
Helena Zahra
Where:  Louise Lamar Dance Studio  128 Tulpehocken St.  Bernville, PA
Levels Taught:  Beginner, Intermediate &  Advanced
Class Info:  8 week sessions meet once a week on Saturday mornings.  Class limited
to 12 people.  No regular sessions during the summer.  Private lessons available
throughout the year.
Style/Specialties:  Egyptian, Greek/Turkish, Romani.  Also dances w/ various props.
Bio: She is a trained dancer, actress, & musician who has been belly dancing since
1999.  Also see www.bellydancebyhelena.com.
Contact Info:  helena@bellydancebyhelena.com or 484-769-5540 or
PO Box 13606, Reading, PA 19612.
Hipnosis
Where:  Philadelphia, but they do local workshops at Easton Yoga.
Style/Specialties;  Tribal (or ATS) group improv.
Contact Info:  See there website for more info www.tribalbellies.com.
Lisanna
Where:  Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA and Jewish
Community Center in Allentown, PA.
Levels Taught:  Scheduled classes are suited for beginners or anyone wanting a
refresher or different approach than they've had before.  Private lessons are tailored
to dancer's needs.
Class Info:  See non-credit courses at www.lccc.edu.
Style/Specialties:  Mainly Egyptian, props - double veil & zils.  Workshops offered.
Contact Info:  salomestent@yahoo.com or 610-439-7077, but e-mail is best.
Costume store: www.salomestent.com
Michelle De Vine
Where:  Milford, NJ
Style/Specialties:  tribal fusion / zils, sword, veil
Bio:  Michelle has been dancing since she was four years old.  She is an amazing
performer that will leave you speechless with the grace of her moves, the fury of
her zils, and the control used for her amazing sword dances.  She also runs the
professional troupe Mahalat, the new Spring Caravan Fusion Festival and helps to
run Rakkasah East.  For festival info see: www.rakkasah.com.
Contact Info:  See www.michelledevine.org for class info or email her at
michelledevine@att.net
Sahira
Levels Taught:  Sahira can get you started with a first level vocabulary of moves.
Class Info:  Currently private lessons only.
Contact Info:  e-mail sahira_moonspring@hotmail.com
Samadhia
Where:  Reading area.  For class info & event hiring please e-mail her.
Bio:  Samadhia is a dancer, teacher & performer of natural creativity.  Her style of
dance has no limits; she fuses & combines rhythms with 'no labels'.  She gives birth
to dance with the language of music, which is universal.  Her passion & fire keep
her heart warm, from which she dances.
Contact Info:  Samadhiasublimedanza@verizon.net
Suzanne
Where:  Olde Mill Yoga Studio.  336 Bushkill St.  Tatamy, PA
       (just 10 min North of Easton, PA)
Levels Taught:  Beginner - for anyone interested in belly dance
Class Info:  Wed nights from 7:45 - 9:15pm.  $75 for a week session.  Call to find
out when the next session begins.  See www.oldmillyoga.com or call 610-438-0288
for directions & general class info.
Bio:  see www.embersandemeralds.com/bellydancing-suzanne.html
Contact Info:  peppell@verizon.net or call 484-903-8117.
Tahya
Where:  Various venues throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Levels Taught:  Basic, Intermediate & Advanced Danse Oriental Technique
Class Info:  See www.tahya.com/currentclasses.html
Style/Specialties:  Egyptian, fusion, instructor training, zils, systrum & frame drum
Bio:  Tahya, a spellbinding performer, has been devoted to presenting & teaching
dances steeped in antiquity for over 20 years.  Dedicated study w/ masters of
Middle & Far Eastern dance have resulted in the creation of a cultural form
representing traditional dance as well as maintaining the dance spirit in new pieces
of choreography.  Tahya is an ACE certified Group Fitness instructor, who lives in
the Lehigh Valley, & has been continually teaching & performing Danse Orientale
since 1977.  Her classes awaken inner creativity while emphasizing music & dance.
 For more bio info go to www.tahya.com.
Contact Info:  info@tahya.com call 610-776-7045. Also see www.tahya.com
Isis
Where:
Bridgette
Where:  Easton Yoga
Levels Taught:  Beginners
Class Info:  Easton Yoga class is for young girls on Saturdays from 1-2pm.  Also,
available for private/semi private lessons and childrens parties.
Styles/Specialties:  Childrens classes
Bio:  Over the past 20 years Bridgette has studied many forms of dance &
performing arts.  Trained at Princeton Ballet School & NJ Ballet School, she has
over 10 yrs of ballet & jazz training as well as 2 years of modern & tap.  For the
past 3 yrs, Bridgette has been studying belly dance & has performed at Rakassah
East & Spring Caravan as well as other bellydance events.  She is a member of
Mahalat, Michelle De Vines professional belly dance troupe.  Belly dance is a
beautiful exploration of body & self & Bridgette looks forward to providing a
nuturing environment in which young girls & women can use this exploration to
build confidence, self-esteem & to have fun.
Contact Info:
Diana Mahat Shahein
Class Info:  Thursdays -East Stroudsburg University, and Pocono Dance Center,  
Mondays 912 Main St. Stroudsburg; also available for private coaching
[professional level], workshops and group choreography.
Styles:  Egyptian folkloric, cabaret and theatrical presentation and improvisation,
cane, shamadan, zills, fans, etc.
Bio:  Diana Shahein`s career spans three decades and three continents. Her expertise
lies in her ability to translate cultural traditions in to a  theatrical experience while
retaining their charm and simplicity, A master teacher, Diana has developed a very
distinct and accessible teaching method based on `the people of Egypt`.
Contact: www.belededancetheatre.org. dianashahein@aol.com  570 424 5050
Teachers  Page 2