Belly Dance Life

Katalin Schäfer is a Hungarian dancer, choreographer, teacher, costume designer, and psychology student whose work bridges Middle Eastern dance, modern fusion, somatic movement, and self-awareness practices. With more than 20 years of international teaching, performing, and judging experience, she is the creator of the NEUture Dance method, a neuroaffirmative approach that integrates movement, body awareness, creativity, and nervous system regulation. Katalin is the director of GoldenScarf Arabic Folklore Dance Theater, founder of numerous artistic and retreat projects, and an award-winning performer whose career has taken her to festivals and events across Europe, North America, and Asia. Currently pursuing a degree in psychology, she combines her extensive dance background with research into neurodiversity, somatic practices, and personal development, helping participants cultivate authentic expression, resilience, and deeper connection through movement.In this episode you will learn about:- How an ADHD and autism diagnosis completely changed Katalin’s understanding of herself- Why dance became a healing tool long before she understood the science behind it- The surprising ways neurodivergent traits can become strengths in dance and creativity- The difference between a dance retreat, somatic practice, and actual therapy—and why the distinction matters- The challenges of balancing motherhood, a dance career, university studies, and personal wellbeingShow Notes to this episode:Follow Katalin Schäfer on FB, Instagram,  YouTube, and website.Previous interview with Katalin Schäfer:Ep 107. Katalin Schäfer: Accepting Art Instead of Defining ArtDetails the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Serkan Tutar is an internationally award-winning Turkish belly dancer, teacher, choreographer, and festival organizer known for his dynamic stage presence and multicultural approach to Oriental dance. Originally from Turkey and now based in Belgium, Serkan discovered his passion for belly dance as a child during his time in Saudi Arabia and was deeply inspired by Middle Eastern music and culture. Winner of Male Bellydancer of the World 2008 and Brandon Oasis 2006, he has taught and performed in over 30 countries worldwide. Specializing in Turkish and Modern Egyptian style, Turkish Romani, Baladi, Saidi, veil work, and his signature “crazy drum solos,” Serkan is also the organizer of the internationally recognized Rakkas Istanbul International Oriental Dance Festival. Known for his warmth, humor, and supportive teaching style, he continues to inspire dancers around the world through workshops, performances, and mentorship.In this episode you will learn about:- Why jealousy can quietly damage dancers more than competition ever could, and what’s the difference between jealousy and envy from the dance career perspective- The ongoing challenges of being a male belly dancer- Why body type, age, gender, or appearance should never define who gets to dance- The reality of online criticism, keyboard warriors, and how dancers can protect themselves emotionally- Why many “international festivals” are not really festivals—and how this is changing the dance industryShow Notes to this episode:Follow Serkan Tutar on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website. Rakkas Istanbul International Oriental Dance Festival: website.Previous interview with Serkan Tutar:Ep 91. Serkan Tutar: Shortcuts That Don’t Serve Your Dance CareerDetails the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Sara Pappalardo is an Italian Oriental and Bollywood dancer, choreographer, teacher, and festival organizer based in Catania, Sicily. Founder of the dance school Tery al Kubra and artistic director of the internationally recognized Khamsin Festival, Sara is known for blending strong technical foundations with expressive freedom and deep musical understanding. Specializing in Muwashahat, she has also developed her own teaching method for finger cymbals and rhythm, helping dancers build a stronger connection to Arabic music and musical interpretation. Alongside her work in oriental dance, Sara explores Indian dances and fusion styles, bringing warmth, humor, and a deeply personal teaching approach to students across Italy and internationally.In this episode you will learn about:- Living with endometriosis for over 20 years—and how belly dance became therapy, healing, and body acceptance- What studying Indian classical dance taught Sara about discipline, focus, and falling back in love with dance- Why good teachers should sometimes say “you’re not ready yet”—and why that can be a gift- How finger cymbals can completely transform a dancer’s understanding of rhythm and musicality- The beauty of fusion dance—and how mixing influences can become a way of expressing your full selfShow Notes to this episode:Find Sara Pappalardo on Instagram, YouTube and FB.Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Süreya is a London-based, internationally recognized Turkish belly dancer, choreographer, and instructor known for her dynamic stage presence, strong musicality, and versatility across multiple Middle Eastern dance styles. Deeply connected to her Turkish cultural roots, she has trained extensively in Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Iraqi, and Khaleegy dance, as well as ballet and theatrical fusion. A multi-award-winning performer, Süreya has taught and competed in over 10 countries, including Turkey and Egypt, earning recognition at major international festivals and competitions such as Rakkas Istanbul, the International Belly Dance Battle, and Dum Tak Festival. Alongside performing at prestigious venues and events across the UK and internationally, she is also known for her passionate teaching style, commitment to continuous learning, and dedication to sharing authentic oriental dance with new generations of dancers.In this episode you will learn about:- Growing up loving belly dance in Turkish culture while feeling pressured to hide it- How burnout affects dancers mentally more than physically—and ways to recover from it- Why nutrition, fitness, and structure become essential for sustaining a dance career- The importance of lifelong learning and studying with many different teachers- Competing in nine categories while unknowingly dancing with pneumonia—and the reality behind pushing too hardShow Notes to this episode:Find Süreya on Instagram, FB and her website, or contect her directly at sureyabellydance@gmail.com. For Moyolo (Egyptian Dance and Cultural Tours) visit www.moyolotravel.co.uk Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Summer Deng is one of the most sought-after Chinese professionals in the world of Oriental dance, celebrated for his exceptional technical precision, artistic expression, and groundbreaking contributions as a male dancer. He has performed, taught, and judged across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, conducting hundreds of workshops and intensives in over 80 cities in China alone. Known for his versatile style—blending high-energy, dramatic movements with fluid, intricate technique—he has inspired countless dancers through his masterclasses, helping them grow, transform, and deepen their connection to Oriental dance. In this episode you will learn about:- What it meant to be one of the first male belly dancers in China—and face 10 years of silence from his family- Why Summer walked away from Chinese classical dance to fully devote himself to Raqs Sharqi- How copy-paste choreography culture is weakening artistic identity in China- His mission to build a transparent, fair festival system in China starting in 2015- The rise of China and Korea as serious forces in the Asian belly dance competition sceneShow Notes to this episode:Find Summer Den on Instagram.Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comDetails the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Fernanda Reschke is a Brazilian-born Oriental dance artist, educator, and trauma-informed psychotherapist whose work bridges movement, culture, and healing. She began her career as a dancer and choreographer at a young age and later trained in counseling and naturopathy, holding a bachelor’s degree in holistic health and wellbeing. Fernanda spent many years living and performing professionally in the Middle East, specializing in Egyptian Raqs Sharqi and folkloric traditions of the SWANA region. Now based in Australia, she is internationally recognized for her warm, inclusive, and culturally respectful teaching approach. As a PACFA-accredited psychotherapist and advanced Somatic Experiencing practitioner, Fernanda supports dancers in reconnecting with their bodies, emotions, and sense of belonging while honoring Raqs Sharqi as a living cultural art form.In this episode you will learn about:- The hidden mental health challenges of working belly dancers- Body image pressure, harassment, and unspoken industry norms- How validation, visibility, and social media affect dancers’ nervous systems- Why not every hardship is trauma — and why that distinction matters- What “taking care of mental health” actually looks like in daily lifeShow Notes to this episode:Find Fernanda on Instagram, Facebook, and website.Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Mohamed Reda Saad is a prominent Egyptian musician and the leader of the Cairo Band, one of Cairo’s most sought-after ensembles for major dance festivals and cultural events. Continuing the artistic legacy of his father, the renowned musician Reda Saad, Mohamed has both preserved and expanded this heritage, specializing in traditional and contemporary Egyptian music created specifically for professional Oriental dance performance. Known for its refined arrangements and exceptional musicianship, the Cairo Band performs regularly at prestigious events in Cairo and on international stages. In parallel with his work as a performing musician and band leader, Mohamed is also an experienced music engineer who has recorded and produced numerous albums for Oriental dance and collaborates with dancers worldwide to create custom-made music tailored to their performance needs.In this episode you will learn about:- The difference between musicians who play for singers and those who play for dancers, and why Egyptian drummers follow the dancer, not the other way around- The most common mistakes dancers make with live bands—entrances, endings, and accents- How dancers can communicate with musicians using simple, universal stage signals- How dancers should prepare for rehearsals to truly benefit from limited time- The behind-the-scenes reality of creating custom music for dancers and why recording dance music takes weeks—not hoursShow Notes to this episode:Find Mohamed Reda on Instagram, and FB.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Martina Tellini is an Italian professional belly dancer, teacher, and choreographer known for her dynamic, powerful, and natural style. Born in Florence, she began her artistic path with music, singing, and acting before dedicating herself to dance. Martina trained extensively with leading figures of Oriental Dance, including Randa Kamel, Tito Seif, Yousry Sharif, and Wael Mansour, and went on to win numerous international competitions across Europe and Asia, as well as becoming a finalist at the prestigious Raqs of Course Festival in Cairo. She has performed, taught, and judged worldwide. Deeply committed to artistic individuality, Martina’s teaching focuses on strong technique, unconventional choreography, and helping dancers discover their own unique voice. Alongside her belly dance career, she is also the president of the Renaissance dance association Il Lauro, performing historical dance across Italy and Europe.In this episode you will learn about:- Starting belly dance directly in festivals and masterclasses, not beginner classes- How progressing too fast can cost you foundational technique- When audience love can mask what you need to work on — but competition feedback exposes it- The role of choreography vs. improvisation at different career stages- How pregnancy reshaped priorities, body awareness, and paceShow Notes to this episode:Find Martina Tellini on Instagram, Youtube and Facebook. Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast