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About Me
hey there!
I'm Janelle.
A talented, fun-loving, full-blooded Palestinian-American national touring artist, choreographer, performer, certified Yogini, nutritionist, and CESD signed Model and Dancer.
I am best known for my contagious laugh and my sultry elegance on the hit U.S. show “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 9 as the top 6th female finalist and the only classically & fusion trained bellydancer ever to hit the Fox stage!
Today I teach bold women like you how to encompass mental, physical, and emotional wellness through the art of dance!
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ALL ARE WELCOME!
MY EXPERIENCE
I started my bellydancing journey at the age of 4 by studying the art of Classical Egyptian Bellydance as the protege to “Aziza of Birmingham.” After 17 years of Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Musical Theater I went off to college and continued to train at the University of Alabama where I received a BA in Nutrition and in Dance Performance, learning under Cornelius Carter of Alvin Ailey! I had trained heavily in other dance styles that Raqs got left behind for a moment. It wasn't till my junior year of colleague did I realize that Arabic dance could be the genre I felt most connected to. This is when I began creating the "JBelly Style"! (8 YEAR OLD ME VIDEO)
SINCE GRADUATING, I'VE HAD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO BE GRATEFUL FOR!
Here are a few of my faves:
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Currently traveling all over the United States and abroad teaching and performing with “Showstoppers On Tour” and on my own.
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Featured in my first international T-Mobil commercial with artist J.Balvin
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Made New York my home in 2018 and I enjoy connecting to my students of all ages and abilities at the world famous Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey Extension & Ripley-Grier Studios, NYC.
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Joined Raks Al Zahra "Egyptian Bellydance Company"
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Choreographer to International Moroccan vocal artist Abir
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Featured in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 3 working with renowned choreographer Marguerite Derricks
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Featured on Good Morning America with Derek and Julianne Hough while working with the Tabitha and Napoleon
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Featured in the video of the hit single “YOGA” with Janelle Monae
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Gain my YTT200 HR Yoga Alliance Certification
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Featured on The Wendy Show 2021 for BellydanceBURN!
THE COVID PIVOT
When Covid hit, we all had to pivot a bit! I saw it as a huge opportunity to create a virtual classroom so that we could continue to dance and create together while spreading joy and love! This was a dream of mine and COVID really gave me that push to just go for it! Now I am bringing the classes to YOU, beauty! Experience a class from around the globe, or in the comfort of your own home! Now that COVID seems to be settling a bit I am continuing my online classes and offering in-studio work as well!
LET'S DANCE, BEAUTY!
Whether you want to pursue a professional career or simply want to cultivate deep joy and self love - my classes were made for YOU!
I am here to help you grow and explore the beautiful art-form of Bellydance! Whether we connect via Virtual Zoom, On-Demand, or In-Studio please do not hesitate to reach out to me. No matter where you live I am accessible and have so much to share with you!! Make sure to check out ALL my class offerings, workshops, unlimited plans, merchandise and more!
AS SEEN ON
