Fantasia Teachers 2027

Read more about our amazing teachers:

From Egypt:    Mohamed Kazafy

Kazafy has had an incredible career.  He originally trained with the Reda troupe and became their principle male dancer.  He then moved to a solo career teaching and performing around the world.  On occasion he assisted both Farida Fahmy and the late Mahmoud Reda when they taught workshops internationally.   Kazafy loves the creation of new choreography and putting together, producing and directing shows.  Kazafy worked as director of the Reda troupe to produce the show which was a tribute to Mahmoud Reda and his contributions to Egyptian Folklore dance.
Kazafy has formed ‘Kazafy Troupes’ in several countries and works with dancers to put together amazing shows.  He is now Egypts leading exponent of Egyptian Folklore dance.  Dancers who have worked with him on projects travel the world to do so again.  
Kazafy is not only an excellent teacher, he has a wicked sense of humour!
We are delighted that Kazafy has agreed to work on a one off ‘Kazafy Project’ for Fantasia, teach workshops on the weekend itself and perform at our show.  This is an amazing opportunity to study with Mohamed Kazafy.

From Ukraine:  Alex Delora

We are delighted that Alex Delora is joining us at Fantasia in 2027.  
International bellydance performer, teacher and choreographer from Ukraine.  Known for her powerful drum solo style, musicality and unique technique, Alex has been teaching and performing worldwide since 2012 in more than 50 countries.

• International festival star
• Judge & workshop instructor
• Creator of Drum-Matic / Hypnotica online training course 
• Inspiring over 1 million followers worldwide
More than dance — energy, character and deep connection with music.

From Palma de Mallorca:  Levana

Levana is a premier Spanish Oriental dancer and choreographer known for her explosive energy and technical mastery.  Combining her early training in ballet and gymnastics with the modern influences of the Ukrainian style, she has earned a reputation for powerful and high precision performances.

Based in  Mallorca, she is the director of Aloha Dance school and visionary founder of the Toiles d’Orient festival.  Levana is celebrated not only as a first class soloist but as a key cultural leader who has elevated the standard of Oriental dance in Spain an across the international stages.

We are delighted that Levana is joining us to both teach and lead the judging panel for our Friday afternoon competitions.

From UK / Egypt:   Yasmina of Cairo

Yasmina of Cairo is a performer and teacher with a lifetime of experience that includes over 25 years based in Cairo, where she performed for nearly a decade with her orchestra, as well as dancing her way around many Middle Eastern countries. For the past 15 years she has run the Belly Dancers’ B&B in Cairo hosting dancers from around the world, and facilitating live music parties, workshops and connecting guests with Egyptian culture. She is also in demand teaching and performing worldwide at festivals and dance events.  

Now dividing her time between Cairo and the UK, Yasmina brings her depth of experience and international connections to Bellydance Now, and has helped develop the online course content. Along with Carmen Tormo, Yasmina has also been the driving force behind our annual competition, the Bellydance Now International Challenge. This has proved to be hugely beneficial to dancers, and is now in its third year.

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

From Spain:  Carmen Tormo

Carmen is part of the BDN team and responsible for adding our Drum Solo competition to the Fantasia programme.  She also co-hosts the Bellydance Now International Challenge with Yasmina.  
Carmen teaches regular classes in Valencia, Spain where she also has a small dance company.  
Carmen teaches and performs at festival in Europe and we always love her to join us in the UK.
Carmen represents the European dance community within Bellydance Now.
Carmen teaches and judges at other European festivals.  Her classes are extremely popular.

Carmen taught a great class with Joelle last year …. this year they explore the ‘Spanish’ influences.

From UK / Denmark:  Dorte Evelyn / Ishtar

Dorte Evelyn, also known as Ishtar, is an International bellydance teacher and performer known for her captivating performances and strong stage presence. Her background as an actress and theatre choreographer teamed with her extensive training in Ballroom, Latin, Jazz and Middle Eastern dance, gives her an incredibly varied wealth of dance knowledge as well as elegant dance intensity. Having taught and performed all over Europe and in the Middle East, she is now based in Surrey, England where she teaches locally as well as internationally online. 
Dorte is a part of our BDN team, leading on our Teacher Training courses.  These are in depth and fascinating, equipping many dancers with the tools to become inspirational teachers.
Dorte always brings something different to the mix and is a very popular teacher – take this chance to study with her.

From China / UK:  Jamilah Aziz

Jamilah is a UK-based Bellydance and Bollywood performer, instructor and festival organiser, known for her expressive stage presence, elegant fusion style and dynamic teaching energy. Based between Leamington Spa and Birmingham, she teaches regular Bellydance, Bollywood and fusion dance classes, workshops and performance training for students of all levels through her platform “Dance With Jamilah”.
With many years of training and teaching experience, Jamilah has studied with internationally renowned artists from Egypt, Europe and India, blending Oriental dance technique with Bollywood expression, musicality and theatrical storytelling. Her workshops are known for combining strong technique, performance quality, emotion and cultural flavour in a welcoming and inspiring environment.
She is also the founder and organiser of the UK-based international dance festival “Nachle Raqs”, a unique event celebrating Bellydance, Bollywood and global fusion arts through workshops, performances and cultural exchange. The next edition of Nachle Raqs Festival will take place in Birmingham, UK, on 21–23 May 2027.

From UK:  Jessica Gamal

From UK:   Joelle Barker

World percussionist and Drummer Joëlle Barker specialises in Arabic percussion-  finding her feet as a youth with renowned Egyptian Musicians  including Ibrahim El Minyawi and Sheik Taha. Since then she has moved through many disciplines in drums and percussion, from Frame drums, Latin percussion, cajon to drum kit and much more. She has recorded with many artists, including Ruby Turner, Celloman, Ric Sanders (Fairport convention), Dave Randell of Faithless and Above and Beyond, as well as working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal Ballet and West End theatre productions. 
She is currently freelancing in a variety of acts, touring the UK and beyond, including full music shows, rhythm and blues bands, folk bands and her solo and duo acts- Bakhita and Beelive.  You may also find Joëlle working alongside DJs, as a workshop leader and teacher.  
Joelle is working with both Kay and Carmen this year – two workshops with live drumming.  Joelle is also accompanying the dancers who enter the drum solo competition.

From UK:   Katie Alyce

Katie Alyce is an international performer, choreographer and teacher from London. She teaches regular belly dance courses in London, retreats around the world, and teaches workshops nationally and internationally.
Some of her performance highlights include being featured dancing in the BBC drama ‘SAS: Rogue Heros’, channel 4’s ‘complaints welcome’, Sky 1’s ‘A league of their own’ and performed for clients in Italy, Ibiza, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Bali and in the Maldives. Katie’s past clients include Sienna Miller, Salma Hayek and for the royal families of Bahrain and Qatar. 
Katie recently taught at the International Bellydance Summer School to rave reviews.  If you haven’t had the chance to study with Katie we can highly recommend her classes.  They are always extremely popular at Fantasia so book early.

From UK:   Kay Taylor

As part of the BellyDance Now team, Kay organises both Fantasia and the International Bellydance Summer School.  As Farida Adventures Kay takes groups of bellydancers to Cairo to soak up the culture and to see as many dancers as possible in all the different settings.  
Kay is director and co-choreographer to the Helwa Bellydance company who toured the last show ‘Bellydance: A true story’ around the UK and took it to the Edinburgh Fringe where it sold out for a week long run.  Helwa are currently in rehearsal for a new show.
Kay brings a great energy to her classes and though you work hard, Kay ensures everyone has fun too.  Kay not only organises these iconic events but also teaches regular classes in the North east both in person and on zoom.  Kay loves to help students achieve their full potential and inspire them to be the best they can be.
This year Kay is teaching a class with Joelle Barker – they have worked together many times – join them for ‘Creative Tabla solos’.   
‘ Kay and Joelle are a great combination.  Kay facilitates a safe space in which to dance with live tabla, encouraging both Joelle and the dancer to create the magic’.  Quote from participant at Summer School

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From UK:   Leilah Isaac

Leilah is a London based professional belly dancer, instructor, and choreographer who teaches weekly at Pineapple Dance Studios and performs at events and festivals internationally. She has worked with major platforms including ITV, BBC, and the History Channel, and has built a global following through her platform BellyFit by Leilah. Known for her clear, structured teaching and attention to detail, Leilah breaks movements down step by step, giving dancers the exact tools and technique they need to improve quickly and confidently. Her classes combine authentic Middle Eastern dance foundations with a polished, modern approach, creating a professional yet welcoming environment where dancers can develop strong technique, musicality, and true confidence in their movement. 

From Brazil:  Priscilla Belle

Priscilla hails from Brazil where she had her own very popular school of bellydance.  Priscilla is one of the top Egyptian style dancers in Brazil and celebrates both modern Egyptian dance and Folklore.  She has studied different forms of dance and spent time in Egypt where Randa Kamel has been her mentor.
Winner of many competitions, she has also taught and performed in over 15 different countries.  
She loves to mentor students to find their own path in this dance and help them on their journey.  Passionate about raising the profile of bellydance – and helping students understand history, culture and context.  
This is Priscilla’s first time teaching and performing in London – and at time of writing, the UK.  We hope you enjoy these classes with our Brazilian star.

From UK/Turkey:    Tevec