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Classes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Last Updated on February 4, 2024

Belly dance in the UAE is becoming increasingly popular, particularly with ex-pats looking for something new and different to learn in workshops in the evenings and on weekends. Below are some classes and lessons you might want to join.

Teacher: Lydia Tzigane in Dubai

Location of classes: Dubai, UAE (United Arab Emirates)

Venues: Dubai Ballet Centre and Sharjah Lady’s Club.

Lydia’s classes run at certain times of the year so you will need to check for the latest classes

Level of lessons: Various levels for all dancers.

Time and cost: Email for the latest.

Types taught: Traditional style Raqs sharqi, Saidy, folk, Amcab, Tzinga, props like veil and zills.

Other additional information: I have been performing daily in the Middle East since 1983, I did more than 5000 shows and I have been teaching since 2001.

Interesting information about Lydia

My belly dance carrier started when I was working in the theatre in Baghdad where I was performing with a ballet company.

I saw oriental dance there for the first time and I knew that was what I wanted to do.

It was the freedom I wanted to be able to do my own thing and to grow in my own way in dancing, without being held back by the rules and the regulations and the choreography from the ballet that I was performing in.

I started to train every day during my free hours at the same theatre.

After 4 months the owner of the place passed in the afternoon and saw my dance; he then offered me a solo contract as a belly dancer in the same theater and there I was, me, in an Arabic country that was full of belly dancers and I was performing!

I knew it was my road and I could not go wrong. Until today I am hooked.

I stayed in the Middle East and have been successful since the first show. I never regret my choice, it made my life a beautiful dream, it gave me a support system, and gave me love and the security that I never had.

I was born in a gypsy camp and never went to school, so dancing has been my life. It saved me from poverty, abuse, and racism.

For me, dancing is really necessary, like oxygen.

On top of that, it gave me a respectable place in society. I have in my way contributed to the happiness of so many people; when they come to see me dance, they forget their problems and sorrow.

So, if you can follow in my footsteps and become a dancer, the reward is as big as the universe. I hope you will.

Teacher: Dareen in Dubai

Location of classes: Dubai, UAE (United Arab Emirates).

Level of lessons: Beginners.

Types taught: classic belly dance, folk oriental dancing, oriental technique, and choreography.

Other additional information: Dareen teaches a mix of styles, such as Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, and classic choreography.

Interesting information Dareen

Dareen is a charismatic belly dancer and a great performer.

She comes from Belarus, where she studied dance and performing arts. After discovering belly dance, she fell in love with this art form and has been practicing since.

Dareen studied belly dance in Minsk and Moscow. She moved to Dubai for a short time initially, but then she liked the place so much that she decided to stay and now she teaches and performs belly dance in the United Arab Emirates.

Dareen is also a successful belly dance events organizer and she organizes the International Oriental Dance Festival JAWHARA every year in Dubai.

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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.