PRINCIPAL, FOUNDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

BELLYDANCE TEACHER

ZUMBA GOLD INSTRUCTOR

Temporarily on break for Term 3

With a professional performance career spanning 20 years, Rachel is well known and respected in Australia's Bellydance community. She is recognised as a dynamic dancer with a diverse repertoire and a passion for engaging her audience.

Egyptian styles are closest to Rachel's heart: from the folklore of the villages, to slick stage shows. She has studied intensively with Egyptian master teachers as well as with authentic practitioners of folkloric dance traditions. She encourages her students to follow suit, to learn the history and take every opportunity to attend workshops and classes with other teachers.

As a teacher, Rachel combines her experience in psychology and improvisation, with her structured scientific approach. She asserts that everyone can dance, and especially loves helping women to uncover this new side of themselves. She also loves cultivating community and connection between women.

Rachel holds a Group Exercise Leader certificate from the Australian Institute of Fitness. She is a licensed Zumba® instructor and member of the Zumba Instructor Network, with qualifications in Zumba® Basics 1, Zumba Toning, Zumba Gold, Zumba Gold-Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Sentao, Zumba Kids and Zumba Kids Jnr. Since 2014 she has focussed on teaching low-impact Zumba Gold, including specialised classes for seniors.

BELLYDANCE TEACHER:
LIVERPOOL & BANKSTOWN STUDIOS

A fun-loving, warm-hearted woman, Laura has been dancing since she was four: first in classical ballet, tap and then contemporary dance. But once she encountered bellydance, she never looked back! In her own words:

"What I love about this dance is just that it feels good! Physically and emotionally. It helped and helps me develop and express self-confidence and creativity, and I can also see that in others when I teach. My aim is to share the joy of the dance with others; no matter their age, shape or background."

Laura is an experienced solo performer, who has been featured at many of Sydney's best-known Middle Eastern restaurants as well as private functions. Her career highlights include performing in folklore troupe Farrah's 2013 theatre show Letters from Egypt, with a starring role as one of the three sisters; and poducing and featuring in Farrah’s 2023 show “20 Years of Flight”. She continues to be an active member of Farrah: The Egyptian Dance Artists - developing her skills in folkloric dance, enjoying group performances, and cultivating community awareness of Egyptian dance.

Students describe Laura as a wonderful teacher: her classes are well structured, she explains and demonstrates clearly, and is always warm and encouraging. She has a knack for creating choreographies that are just perfect for her students’ level of dance, that they love learning and performing together. Laura's classes frequently sell out, so get in quickly if you'd like to learn from her!

BELLYDANCE TEACHER:
CITY STUDIO

An elegant and vivacious dancer, Andrea has a particular interest in Lebanese styling and Iraqi folk dances; and her favourite prop is fan veils.

Despite her skill and success, she is dedicated to continuing to grow as a dancer: "Watching all the beautiful international dancers inspires me to continue and makes me want to learn more. Every single one of them has something, like a personal seal, and I'm looking for mine."

Her dance philosophy is very much aligned with the values of Inspire Bellydance. Andy enjoys being able to express herself through dance; and in particular, the amazing feeling of being able to transmit happiness to an audience.

As a teacher, she loves giving students the opportunity to forget their worries while learning something that's good for their bodies and minds. Her classes tend to be high energy and will make you sweat; but her big smile makes you forget how hard you’re working out. As a proud Latina, she often spices up her classes with a little Latin flavour.

BELLYDANCE TEACHER:
AUBURN STUDIO

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

An exotic and passionate dancer, Johara's style draws from her diverse knowledge of Folkloric genres to Classical and Modern Egyptian cabaret. She integrates fluid footwork, graceful turns and spins with dynamic Egyptian hip and belly movements... and brings those skills to class in an informative way that can accommodate any level of dancer.
 Students enjoy her detailed knowledge, technical skill and precision, as well as her deep understanding of body mechanics.

Always in search of new knowledge to better her performance and teaching, she keeps up to date with the latest trends in Egypt, travelling regularly to Cairo to immerse herself in Arabic culture and learn from the world's best. She has studied Oriental Bellydance, folkloric dance and also explored tribal and fusion styles. Johara is also a qualified Yoga and Zumba Fitness instructor, and has trained in Pilates and Dance Therapeutics.

Jo has a special interest in how the body moves as a whole and how the fascial system impacts breath, flow and ease of movement.

In her Yoga teaching, she aims to combine her knowledge of body movement with traditional Yoga postures and philosophy. Joining breath and movement to quiet the mind and find ease – both on and off the mat.

BELLYDANCE TEACHER:
EASTWOOD STUDIO

Vibha is an emerging artist in the Australian bellydance community. Not long after discovering bellydance at the age of 14, she was captivated. She learnt for many years with Inspire Bellydance, and continues to train at every opportunity, immersing herself in the study of Egyptian, Lebanese and Iraqi dance and music.
Her dedication to the art, enthusiasm, performance skills and technical rigour have helped Vibha rapidly develop a following as a professional performer. She has a particular love of contemporary Egyptian music, while continuing to be inspired by the classics and by folklore.
Vibha joins our team after teacher training with Kaeshi Chai (Bellydance Superstars, Bellyqueen) as well as with Rachel. She is excited to share her love of Oriental Dance with students at our Eastwood studio.

SPECIAL GUEST BELLYDANCE TEACHER: CHATSWOOD STUDIO

For 20 years, Georgette was a beloved favourite of Sydney's bellydance community, before moving to Darwin. Now she's back, and we are so lucky to have her on board! Adored by audiences and students alike, Georgette has a captivating stage presence, paired with a warmth and humour that she also brings to her teaching. She was originally taught by Despina (who was also a teacher to Rachel and Johara, in fact it's where the 3 of them met!) and mentored by the famous Amera herself. Georgette performed in all the top Arabic venues in Sydney, and even had several overseas contracts. She also ran a popular school in Parramatta, "Hips Don't Lie". Georgette will be sharing her personal style with Inspire students this term at our Chatswood studio while Rachel is on break.

BELLYDANCE TEACHER:
NEWCASTLE STUDIO (COMING SOON)

Beginning in Wollongong with Cinnamon Twist Belly Dance, Tara Yasmin has grown as a dancer through taking classes internationally, travelling around the world for intensive workshops, and becoming a fully fledged professional performer in Melbourne. As much as she has learned from these international teachers, she owes her gratitude to friends and colleagues with Middle Eastern backgrounds who have generously shared their knowledge and experience. Now back in Sydney, she continues to dedicate herself to studying a variety of oriental and folkloric dance styles.​

Her personal style has evolved from this combination of formal and informal tuition. The masterful demonstration of belly dance technique is important, but time spent in relaxed social settings has shown her that it is the right tunes and attitude that make the party! Above all, honouring and paying homage to the cultures of origin of Middle Eastern dance is fundamental to her dance approach.

“My aim as a Middle Eastern Dance teacher is to facilitate connection, cultivate safe and expressive dance technique while supporting a kind, joyful and most of all - fun - class environment. My experience as a belly dance performer and teacher over the past 12 years has emphasised to me that connection to culture, ourselves, the dance community, and our audience is the heart of our art form. I'm looking forward to connecting, laughing and dancing with you!”