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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.

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.

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

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: www.samadhia.com Samadhiasublimedanza@verizon.net

Isis
Class Info: Please contact for current class info.
Style/Specialties: Isis blends traditional Middle Eastern Dance with modern style of
dance to form a unique combination of Goddess Dance.
Bio: Isis is a Danse Orientale Artist who has been performing for 7 years. She has
performed at such places as the Columcille Megalith Park, Unitarian Church
(Bethlehem,PA) Kindred Spirits Fair (NJ), First Saturdays (Stroudsburg), Relay for
Life and other events. Her past teachers have been the well-known Lehigh Valley
Middle Eastern Dance teacher, Tahya along with Diana Shahein, Jameela and more.
She continues to expand her knowledge and technique with workshops with other
performers. She currently teaches at various studios and gyms throughout the area.
Contact Info: catwoman@enter.net

Bridgette
Where: Easton Yoga in Easton & Robin's Cardio & Weights in Stewartsville, NJ
Levels Taught: Beginners & children
Class Info: Easton Yoga class is for young girls on Saturdays from 11-12pm, &
Robin's Cardio Mondays from 615-715pm. Also, available for private lessons.
Styles/Specialties: Children's 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 5 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: bridgetteb@excite.com

Diana Mahat Shahein
Class Info: Teaching workshops, private & group classes in the Scranton/Wilkes
Barre area
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.beled i dancetheatre.org. dianashahein@aol.com 570 343 2033

Naomi
Levels Taught: All levels - with special care to beginners
Style/Specialties: American bellydance/flamenco fusion
Bio: Naomi received formal dance training in New York City at the Alvin Ailey
School, American Ballet Center and Ballet Hispanico of New York. Her quest to
learn dance has been influenced by Hipnosis, Pasion Y Arte, Tahya, La Meria,
Alejandro Granandos and La China. Her love of all dance forms influence an eclectic
mix of Middle Eastern Styles, from folkloric middle-eastern to gypsy fusion.
Contact Info: nbetancourt54@msn.com or 570-325-8377

Deebah
Where: Golden Light Wellness Center, 350 Lincoln Street, Oxford, Pa
Levels Taught: Beginners Level I & II , Troupe Dancing for local venues, Girl's
Youth Summer Programs
Class Info: Monday 7-8pm Beginner Level I ; Tuesday 7-8pm Level II. Check my
blog http://deebahdancefitness.blogspot.com for details.
Styles/Specialties: Egyptian/American Cabaret/Folk Adult & Youth classes, Troupe
Choreography, Zills, Veil, Scarf
Bio: Deebah has been actively involved in belly dance for the past five years,
primarily in the PA/Delaware area. She has traveled throughout the US to further
research this beautiful art. She also teaches and performs at surrounding
community centers and other venues. Along with belly dance, Diane is a certified
instructor in Pilates, Foundations of Group Exercise and Zumba (Latin aerobics).
Contact Info: www.deebah.com or 610-563-6510.

Surayyah
Where: East Coast Dance Connection at 22 Alta Drive, Whitehall, PA 18052
Levels Taught: Beginner to intermediate
Class Info: Tuesdays starting Sept. 14th. Beginners 6-7pm; Technique 7-8pm.
For more information see my classes page.
Styles/Specialties: Styles taught are a combination of Egytian, Turkish, American
Caberet & American Gypsy
Bio: See About Surayyah page
Contact Info: surayyah_dance@yahoo.com or 610-395-6244 (leave message)