Scholarships

‘As a training organisation, we want to encourage learners to continue their journey whether with us or by studying elsewhere.  Whatever path you choose, it is the ongoing commitment to learning that is essential.’

Encouraging New Learning:  

We offer the ‘Yvette Cowles Scholarship’, twice a year, in memory of our late director, Yvette Cowles.

Yvette believed that we never stop learning and we want this prestigious award to encourage dancers to continue their development through our accredited courses that Yvette helped design.

Yvette wrote and starred in her one-woman show ‘Sequins on my Balcony’ about her experiences with breast cancer, as well as writing a book ‘Belly Dance and Beating the Odds’.  Both of these gave many women hope and helped people see that you can live a full and rewarding life whilst living with cancer.

This will only be awarded when there is a ‘deserving’ candidate.  If no one demonstrates the requested attributes then we will hold over until the next time.

Our Yvette Cowles Scholarship has been awarded to many dancers over the years from differing Bellydance disciplines.

• We are now inviting applications for our next Level Two teaching diploma.
• Your deadline:  10th August 2025
• We welcome applications from committed dancers worldwide.
• Scholarships of  up to £100 off the course cost.  If you have already booked your place, the scholarship will still apply.
• We will review applications received and inform you within 2 weeks of the deadline.

Qualities we look for from applicants:

• Evidence of ongoing Bellydance training
• Evidence of a commitment to the wider dance community
• Additional commitment to health and well-being is desirable but not essential
• To Apply:
• Specify which course you are asking for the scholarship.
• Send an email to info@bellydance-now.com which includes:
• Your name, address, contact number
• Details of your personal dance journey: who you have studied with and your current situation.
• Include any examples which illustrate the qualities we are looking for mentioned above.
• Please tell us why you want to do the Level One teaching course or the Level Two Teaching Diploma – and what you hope to get from it.
• Please take time to think about your application – we can only go on the information you give us.

You can subscribe to our newsletter here for updates and reminders of deadlines.
Go to Bellydance Safely for full details on this course.
Go to Bellydance Music Explored for more details about this course

Recipients of our Yvette Cowles Scholarship June 2025
This scholarship was awarded to 2 dancers to help towards the Level 1 teaching course.

 

Nadia Chan: 

Nadia says: As a belly dancer, I am passionate about sharing the beauty, transcendence and joy that dance embodies. I love fostering fun environments where people can dance and reap the significant health and mental benefits. This scholarship is a stepping stone so I can provide the best possible experience for my students.

I’ve already been bringing this passion by teaching locally in Epsom, Surrey, in community centres, dance studios and as a volunteer dance instructor in my local Macmillan centre in Epsom Hospital. 
Last year I completed the Safety course – Level 1 Diploma and it’s helped me tailor my teaching to the wide array of people who come to my courses from ages 20 to 70 and with various fitness levels. I teach beginner level raqs sharqi (oriental dance), fusion so that students can make music requests,  and Kabyle – my traditional Algerian dance

 

Annelies Baeyens 

Annelies tells us: Currently I teach weekly and give performances/workshops at different locations in Belgium. At the same time I also continue to follow courses in the different aspects where I notice that there is still room to grow. One of these aspects is teaching bellydance. I hope that this course can help me to reach my full potential in teaching bellydance. In the future this course can give all the necessary tools to become a better teacher and at the same time it can also help to support me in the way to let my students become the best version of themselves while dancing. It also gives the opportunity to make all the acquired knowledge my own and apply it so that it enhances my skills and gives me more confidence. I am delighted it is on Zoom as this makes it much more accessible for me in Belgium.

I am so happy and grateful for this scholarship. Thank you for all the support and help in this journey. I am really looking forward to discover this valuable course.