New York City and State Classes and Teachers

Last Updated on February 4, 2024

Performing on stage — Teaching on a stage

Teacher: Morocco, NYC

Based in New York City

Level: Middle Eastern dance for all levels, from beginners up to advanced.

Time/Cost: Prices and class times change often so the best option is to visit and contact Morocco directly or check Morocco’s website casbahdance.org

Morocco teaches all types of oriental dance and all styles of Middle Eastern dance.

Morocco has traveled extensively throughout the years to several Middle Eastern and North African countries, where she researched their dance styles.

Address: Cap21 Studios 18 West 18 Street (between 5th and 6th Avenue), 6th floor, 718-859-0144.

Website: casbahdance.org

Experience & style

Morocco has over 50 years of experience with Raqs Sharqi.

She started being involved with Arabic dance back in 1960 and she has traveled to most Middle Eastern and Northern African countries, such as Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kirgizia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Algeria.

Following her travels, her knowledge of Arabic dance is very extensive; Morocco also taught at universities and she has won many awards.

Her research includes studies on Middle Eastern dance during pregnancy. Morocco is in great demand at Arabic dance events all over the world, where she teaches workshops.

Morocco has recently written a book, containing a huge amount of information, the fruit of her research and experience in all types of oriental dance in over 50 years.

Morocco’s book is extremely informative and dispels all the misconceptions that one may have about oriental dance.

It is also full of useful tips for oriental dancers and interesting anecdotes. The book’s title is You Asked Aunt Rocky: Answers & Advice About Raqs Sharqi and Raqs Shaabi –

>> Buy Morocco’s book

Teacher: Christina, Forest Hills Classes

Forest Hills, New York classes.

Level of lessons: All levels.

Time and cost of lessons and classes: Christina normally teaches 4 times a week. Email her for the latest times and fees.

Types of classes taught: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Sunday is a Belly Dance Workout. All classes are 90 minutes, starting with a 30-minute abdominal workout followed by one hour of dance.

Other additional information: Former Broadway star. Serena style teaching – Turkish and Egyptian dance.

Interesting information

Christina has been dancing for over 30 years. She graduated in dance from Hunter College and studied many styles of dancing.

However, after she tried belly dancing, she found her passion. Christina has appeared in many shows and several times on TV.

To find out more about me and my school, check out my Facebook page for christinabellydance.com.

My “Slinkydance” belly dance workshops are also online!

Teacher: Donna Haya Touti, East Rockaway N.Y.

Level of lessons: Beginners and intermediate.

Types of belly dance taught: Beginners Foundation to Belly Dance.

Class 1: The Dance Space Studios, 55 Main Street East Rockaway N.Y (516) 887-4620. Introduction class and discount multi-class package are available. Long Island belly dance classes.

Class 2: Oceanside Dance Center, 3394 Long Beach Rd Oceanside, N.Y 11572 (Next to The Men’s Warehouse Store). Beginners and intermediates taught. Introduction class and discount multi-class packages are available.

Class 3: Coming Soon to Sky Athletic Club, 310 Merrick Rd, Rockville Centre N.Y 11570. Morning & Evening Classes.

Interesting information: I love to teach and help my students discover the strength, grace, and beauty of the body, no matter their age, shape, or size.

Additional information: I was born in the Middle East and grew up in the U.S.

My father was a successful Middle Eastern singer, so I was around Middle Eastern orchestras and belly dancers as I was growing up.

I have a lifelong background in Middle Eastern music and dance.

I believe no one has seen more belly dancers perform more than I have.

I teach a beginner class. I’m very detail-oriented: from essential foundation steps to memory sheets my students take home to practice and remember after each lesson for the next.

Fun atmosphere and fun music from all Middle Eastern backgrounds.

Teacher: Anna, Queens, Bronx and Manhattan

Location of classes: New York (Queens, Bronx, and Manhattan). Contact Anna for more details on exact locations.

Level of lessons: Beginners

Time and cost: Please email Anna for the latest information including details on private lessons.

Types taught: Egyptian, Turkish oriental, modern belly dance, floor work, choreography, props.

Other additional information: over 15 years of dancing, performing, and teaching. Feed your soul with belly dance!

Interesting information

Anna has been interested in dance all her life, including ballet and folk dances of all nationalities and she graduated in International Folk Dance at the University of Choreography for Russian Ballet in Armenia.

Anna has been living in New York since she was a teenager and whilst in New York, she studied flamenco with Andrea del Conte and belly dance at Fazel’s School for Belly Dance and Serena Studios.

Since she discovered her passion for belly dancing, Anna has been training in various styles, such as Egyptian, Turkish, and cabaret.

In addition to this, Anna has kept studying and experimenting with many different forms of dance, such as Indian folk and hip-hop, which contributed to giving her style a unique flavor.

Anna currently performs in theatres and for celebrities at private events and she also appeared in films and TV programs, such as MTVs my Sweet 16, where she performed as a belly dancer.

She also performed in “Autumn in New York” with Richard Gere and Winona Rider, where Anna appears as a gypsy dancer.

Currently, Anna runs her own entertainment company: Anna’s World Shows.

Teacher: Sera Solstice

Location of classes: Solstice Studio, New York, NY.

Level of lessons: Beginners.

Time/Cost: Weekly classes are offered, Prices vary.

Types of lessons: East Coast tribal, tribal fusion, ATS.

Teacher: Joanna, Staten Island, New York

Location of classes: Staten Island, New York, USA.

Level of lessons: Beginners and intermediate.

Time and cost of lessons: Sundays Beginner 12-1 pm, Sundays Intermediate 1-2 pm (BUT please check for the latest information by emailing Joanna).

Types taught: Egyptian Belly Dance.

Other additional information: Joanna offers instruction in Raqs Sharqi and Folkloric Egyptian Belly Dance. Instruction in Veil and Assaya (Cane) work is also offered.

Interesting information

Joanna has been dancing and teaching for over 20 years.

She has trained extensively with Ahmed Hussien of Egypt’s Cairo Ballet, who was also a choreographer and principal dancer for Belly Dance Master Abrahim Farrah.

She has also trained with Yoursy Sharif and Abrahim Farrah, Faten Salama, and Mohamed Shahin.

Joanna feels that Belly Dance is a wonderful expression of the feminine spirit and brings each dancer the opportunity to instill their very own unique personality and creativity.

Belly Dance also allows each dancer to explore and express their own femininity. Join Joanna and learn the beautiful art of Belly Dance!

Do you also hold Staten Island belly dance classes? Let us know.

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Dr Valeria Lo Iacono

Dr Valeria Lo Iacono is a belly dancer and a dance researcher with a PhD in dance and heritage. Valeria also teaches and performs as a belly dance but also enjoys learning ballet, jazz dance and other dance genres.