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Ilma Shehu: @itsilma._

​Ilma, a native New Yorker of Albanian descent, is a passionate and enthusiastic bellydance teacher committed to sharing the art of bellydance with beginners. Her approach is both enticing and welcoming, drawing inspiration from her extensive travels and diverse dance styles. With a strong foundation in traditional Balkan and modern dance from a young age, Ilma began her journey into bellydance in 2022 with a keen interest in exploring various fusion styles and techniques, including tsifteteli. Beginning her journey with renowned teachers such as Janelle Issis and Gabriela Figeuora, Ilma continues to explore connecting in the world of bellydance. She also loves to take this dance outside of the studio, whether on a night out or as a party trick, bringing joy and a touch of her culture to every setting.

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Lorena Kanzki : @itslorena.mk

Lorena is an exuberant belly dance artist and creative. She was born and raised in Miami to an immigrant family from the Caribbean, with ancestry in Lebanon and Syria. At a young age, Lorena was introduced to the art of belly dance through her maternal grandmother, Rose Marie Issa Khawly, who said that when they danced they could feel the presence of their ancestors. In 2012, Lorena began taking belly dance classes under Sophia Molfetas, and performed in international festivals and competitions. Since then, she has attended festivals, workshops, and classes internationally, and began teaching in 2015 as the director of her university’s belly dance troupe. In 2018, she visited NYC and took classes under Natalie Nazario who mentored her and introduced her to the New York belly dance scene. By 2021, Lorena was fully based in NYC and began training at JBelly School of Raq under the mentorship of Janelle Issis. She is currently an assistant to Janelle, a performer with the JBelly Jewels, and our newest Beginner Belly Dance Instructor. 

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Joudy Tounsi: @joudybellydancer

​Jude is a belly dancer/actress of Syrian descent. She discovered her love for performing at a young age and went on to study in the 2 year acting conservatory program, the William Esper studio in Manhattan. During her studies, she discovered her love of belly dance and the deeper connection it brought her to her heritage. Upon realizing this passion, she committed herself to the art full time. From the JBelly School of RAQ to the Ayaam Zamaan festival in Egypt, Jude has trained with notable masters such as Nada el Masriya, Tito Seif, Yousry Sharif, and so on. She is a current member of the Raqs Al Zahra belly dance troupe led by Natalie Nazario and a performer with the JBelly Jewels with JBelly School of RAQ. ​​​​

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Rachel Bella: @IamRachelBella, @Rachelbelladance

Rachel is a passionate dancer and teaching artist who believes in the power of dance to positively transform lives. She is a native New Yorker to a family of Austrian,Italian and Romanian descent. Rachel has a diverse dance background in various styles but it wasn’t until she discovered belly dance that she found her true dance passion. Rachel has trained with renowned belly dancers across Europe, The U.S. and Egypt such as Munique Neith, Janelle Issis, Irina Aukelenko, Natalie Nazario, Nada el Masriya and more. Rachel believes belly dance is so much more than performance or outward appearance. She truly believes it is an art form that connects the mind, body, and spirit, offering a unique path to self-discovery. Her work as a teacher aims to build students’ confidence, spark their creativity and embrace their authentic artistic expression.

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Haleema Hafeez: @haleema__h

Haleema is a native New Yorker of Latin and South Asian descent with a lifelong passion for dance. She began her training at a young age, studying ballet at Ballet Tech NYC and musical theater. In her adult years, she began training in salsa, competitive college pom, and belly dance. Her love for belly dance began when she fell in love with Shakira as a young girl, and her dedication to the art form grew thanks to the guidance and consistency she found in Janelle’s classes. Since then, she has trained with several other esteemed belly dance teachers across New York City. Currently a member of a competitive salsa team, Haleema enjoys blending elements of her diverse background into her belly dance practice. She is deeply committed to creating a warm, inclusive space where dancers feel safe and inspired to explore their unique style.