ABOUT THE BELLYDANCE ACADEMY
The Bellydance Academy is a Belly Dance Studio where people can come to study, rehearse, explore, get fit with and meditate to the Art of Belly Dance. We enjoy our time at The Bellydance Academy very much and love the community within it.
In March of 2009 we officially opened for Belly Dance Classes at The Bellydance Academy's current location of 2938 Delaware Avenue in the Village of Kenmore, New York. Our mission is to increase body and mind, health and fitness thru the Art of Belly Dance. We offer Traditional to Modern and Tribal Styles of Belly Dance Classes as well as Bollywood/Bhangra Classes, Yoga Classes, and Belly Fitness Classes. Our Belly Dance Studio offers our participants opportunities to express Belly Dance in both class and performance settings.
Our first official event at The Bellydance Academy was bringing Darshan in for "Two Workshops and a Show", April 18, 2009. Later that year we hosted The Durga Tour which featured Tempest, Tim Rayborn & Asharah, June 13, 2009. We closed our first year by bringing in Sera Solstice for "Two Workshops and a Show", on November 9, 2009. On November 14, 2010, we hosted Workshops from Bellydance Superstar's Petite Jamilla & Lauren during their Bombay Bellywood Tour. On May 22, 2011, we hosted a special workshop by Ruby Beh "Swifti Chifti" and "Private Floor Work". On July 31, 2011 we hosted the lovely and very talented Irina Akulenko for an Ooey Gooey Torso Workshop and Performance at Babeville's Asbury Hall.
We are working on our 2012 and 2013 schedules and will post them very soon. We also hope to see you at our Winter Hafla on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Babeville's 9th Ward.
THE BELLYDANCE ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS
Jill Nykkei
Director, Instructor, Choreographer & AFAA Certified Aerobics Instructor. Jill's influences are strongly rooted in Traditional Belly Dance, Tribal Belly Dance, Bhangra Dance, Bollywood Dance and Bharata Natyam. Jill pulls from her over twenty years of experience as a Visual Artist (Photographer, Commercial Designer and Fine Art Artist) when creating choreographies. Prior to Belly Dance Jill studied Ballet, Tap and Jazz.. Jill's classes are intended to direct your body into learning essential muscle memory and building range of motion for both simple to complex Belly Dance moves, with drills, layering techniques, wicked fun combinations, and upbeat choreographies. She is also a founding member of Fleuron Rouge Belly Dance and also instructs throughout Western New York for The Bellydance Academy at such places including Ken-Ton Community Education School District. INSTRUCTING CLASSES IN TRADITIONAL BELLY DANCE, FUSION BELLY DANCE, BELLY DANCE FITNESS & BOLLYWOOD/BHANGRA
Samantha Shey
Instructor & Choreographer. Samantha is a Tale of Two Cities Belly Dancer (New York & Buffalo). When she is in the Western NY area she instructs at The Bellydance Academy. Her classes exhume her lifelong dance experience and theatre. Along with detailed explanations and breakdowns of basic Belly Dance movements, Samantha likes to work abs as well as complex layering drills in her classes. Gypsy Skirt Techniques are one of Samantha's many strong points and she is currently developing a special summer long session to share this knowledge with us! Prior to Belly Dance Samantha has studied many dance styles including Tap, Modern and Israeli Folk Dance. She has been featured in dance festivals throughout New York State including New York City and the surrounding boroughs. She is also a founding member of Fleuron Rouge Belly Dance. INSTRUCTING CLASSES IN TRADITIONAL BELLY DANCE, FUSION BELLY DANCE, & GYPSY SKIRT BELLY DANCE
Nahara Mar
Instructor and Zill Master. Nahara brings much experience to The Bellydance Academy with her history of Belly Dancing in Restaurants and Night Clubs, her years as a Tai Chi Instructor and her many Black Belts including Isshinryu style Karate. Her dance techniques are very traditional with her freestyle movements to the music in the air. This style of structured core movements instead of memorized choreographies is an art form in its own. She is also a founding member of Fleuron Rouge Belly Dance. INSTRUCTING CLASSES IN TRADITIONAL BELLY DANCE & ZILLS
Bonzai Love
Instructor and Poi Master. Ms. Bonzai is a co-director and core performer of Spun Out Fire Productions. She has been performing/touring Poi/Fire Spinning with Spun Out Fire Productions for quite some time as well as a key dancer at The Belly Dance Academy. She is also a favorite guest dancer in Fleuron Rouge Belly Dance. Bonzai is also an extremely talented visual fine-art Artist. INSTRUCTING CLASSES IN POI SPINNING
Danielle Kalila
Instructor & Choreographer. Dani Kalila has been dancing most of her life and brings years of dance experience to The Bellydance Academy. She is a performer and Instructor who was born with the grace and vision of a dancer. She has the ability to translate her dance knowledge into Belly Dance sessions that will make you want to dance. Her teaching method includes drilling core basics to build a strong Belly Dance foundation. She is also an significant member of Fleuron Rouge Belly Dance. INSTRUCTING CLASSES IN TRADITIONAL BELLY DANCE, FUSION BELLY DANCE & CORE DRILLING
Jes Sica
Instructor. Bio to be posted soon. INSTRUCTING CLASSES IN BELLY DANCE, FUSION BELLY DANCE & CORE DRILLING
INFO@THEBELLYDANCEACADEMY.COM ~ 716.983.7788