Performers (Listed Alphabetically)

Anshu Tukol

Anshu is a Singapore-based dance artist of Indian origin whose work celebrates the fullness of the feminine form. Trained in Kathak since age five, she discovered belly dance in 2021 and now fuses both forms to reclaim movement from the male gaze. Her practice explores sensuality as empowerment, using storytelling to foster safety, healing, and freedom. She trains at the Bellyqueen School in New York, studies Kathak under Guru Pallavi Sharma, and completed the Bellyqueen Teacher Training under Kaeshi Chai. Anshu teaches locally and online, and co-creates interdisciplinary workshops through her artist collective, Mother of Pearl.

Ashley Arboleda

Ashley’s dance origins are rooted in that unique place where American Cabaret meets Temple Dancing, she enthusiastically enjoys studying a range of styles: Egyptian, Turkish, folk, Persian, contemporary and fusion centric. She emphasizes the importance of connection with an audience and fellow dancers and empowerment for all involved.

Allegory of Prudence

An exploration of the cyclical nature of what is past, present and future.
Irina Akulenko, Stephanie Cheng, Han Chen.

Brenna Crowley’s ZombieBoy Project

A mysterious masquerade collides with a haunted nightclub—where glamour meets the ghoulish. Fair warning… things will get delightfully weird. Brenna Crowley, Christine Feller, Doreen Correia, Gail August, Luca Ferrel, Marie Richardson, Pamela Weinstock, Samantha Seiver, ViviMar.

Dalia Carella

Dalia Carella is a world-renowned fusion artist, choreographer, and master instructor specializing in Near and Middle Eastern dance and contemporary dance theater. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Dalia Carella Dance Collective. International audiences have celebrated her mystical and innovative choreographies, inspired by the traditions of Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Morocco, and Algeria. Blending traditional and contemporary movement, her works embody a deep spiritual and theatrical essence. From sacred rituals to ethnic contemporary theater and cabaret pieces inspired by the 1920s–30s, Dalia’s creations transcend boundaries, reflecting her lifelong devotion to the art of dance and cultural expression.

Datura Club

Datura Club NYC is a collective of group improv fusion dancers from the tri-state area. The core group consisting of Allisun, Undine, and Nora have all completed phases of Rachel Brice's 8 Elements program.

DCDC

Dalia Carella Dance Collective (DCDC), aka Dance Fusion Arts, is a dance theater company that concentrates in global fusion. Fundamental to the DCDC's mission are educational residencies and workshops that enable us to share our creative process and knowledge of world dance with universities, theaters and the dance community at large across the U.S. and abroad. Through our programs and performances, DCDC strives to attract and engage a diverse audience, and take them on a journey to seek a greater understanding of blending different cultural dances together into one global community of the arts.

Donna Eileen

Known for her fiery stage presence and sophisticated cymbal work, Donna Eileen is a dynamic performer and instructor based in Sterling, VA. A Salimpour Licensed Instructor and the Group Leader Liaison for Salimpour Collective DC, Donna Eileen teaches regular technique and choreography classes in northern Virginia.

Elizabeth Khard’s Moonlit Sisters

Elizabeth Khard’s Moonlit Sisters – Oksana Savuk, Elana Sidorina, Maya Smira, Eleanor “Nora” McDaniel, Diana Monter, Ashley Bransky, Jennifer Gal, Michelle Martinez, Andrea Martinez, Elizabeth Harriman, Nataly Prozorova, Elisabeth Schifrin, Allison O’Connell. Under the silver glow of three moons, the Moonlight Sisters gather for their sacred night ritual. But when darkness tries to steal their light, sisterhood becomes their greatest magic.

Emalie Vann Thok

Emalie is based in Houston, Texas and is the artistic dance director for Museum H Studios, a collective creating exhibits, media, and dance. Their dance projects have been showcased internationally and locally, including for DanceFest in New York, throughout Houston, and on the Texas coast. Emalie has a background in theatrical dance forms and Cambodian dance, and continues to learn from the incredible Kaeshi Chai and the sensational Silvia Salamanca.

Hayatidance

Hayatidance is a dance instructor, choreographer and event producer in Buffalo, NY. She is trained in both traditional and fusion style and is the founder and creative director of The Kind Killers. Also known as the queen of props, she dazzles the audience with unexpected spectacles.

Heather Powers

Heather Powers is a New England fusion dancer and instructor currently based out of Boston. Her style most often blends modern dance with belly dance, focusing on fluid movement, dynamic expression, and a love of floor work.

Holly Dagger

Holly began her dance journey at the age of three and hasn’t stopped moving since. Trained in traditional dance forms throughout her youth, it was after college that she discovered belly dance—and with it, a deep sense of grounding and creative expression that immediately enthralled her. While she appreciates all styles of belly dance, Holly is especially drawn to tribal fusion and sword work, where she channels strength, precision, and fluidity. A lifelong student of movement, she blends her roots in hip hop and modern dance into her choreographies, crafting dynamic, genre-defying pieces that are uniquely her own. Holly holds a degree in music and brings a musician’s ear to every performance, allowing her to express musicality with intention and depth. As a former fitness professional, she ensures her students train safely and effectively, combining form, function, and fun in every class. Based in Rochester, NY, Holly teaches weekly classes and continues to explore and expand her artistry. She is honored to share the stage at this event alongside some of her biggest inspirations in the fusion dance world.

Irina Akulenko

"Journey" – Irina Akulenko is a New York City-based performer, teacher and choreographer with a burning passion for arts of all genres. Although she discovered Middle Eastern dance purely by chance, her interest in expression started at an early age and was channeled into ballet training, in addition to piano and voice lessons as well as drawing. Since 2001, Irina explored Egyptian Cabaret and American Tribal style belly dance, Flamenco and Classical Indian dances (focusing mainly on Odissi) and now enjoys fusing these styles as well as everything in between. Today, Irina performs on various New York stages and tours nationally and internationally as a soloist and as member of various stellar projects. She released three instructional DVDs with World Dance New York and has two instructional series of videos with the popular website “Howcast.com”. Furthermore, she holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science, and has a strong interest in women's issues and visual arts. www.DanceIrina.com

Jumalanna Tiamat

Jumalanna Tiamat started Bellydancing 21 years ago using DVDs until she met Sera Solstice and she fell in love with using her body like a musical instrument. Today she has performed all over NYC with friends and family. She currently studies under Belly Queen and Shoshana Mizell. She enjoys practicing traditional and fusion styles of belly dance.

Karess Azura 

Hello! I am Karess Azura, A bold a beautiful Brooklyn born belly dancer who lives in the land of fusion. I am a daughter, cat mom, and a certified belly queen teacher who also waves a WICKED fan veil or two! This piece is a little dive into how I feel the music with my body. Let’s put down some sweet vibes!

The Kind Killers

This piece was inspired by the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices Valya Balkanska's song floating in space as part of the golden record in NASA's Voyager Mission. It is a prop extravaganza featuring veil, swords, fishbone fans, zills, weighted veil, frame drum and wings. It is framed by the David Bowie Space Oddity Song and starts with the countdown, then we meet Major Tom who encounters cosmic creatures in different circumstances and joins for an intergalactic dance party. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and the piece circles back to the beginning motif, inclusive of the Bulgarian flag colors as the creatures movements die off one by one. The piece comes to an end with the ending frame of Space Oddity as each performer bows out on the repeated question "Can you hear me, Major Tom" and only the frame drum playing as the moon remains on stage. – Undine, Bassema, Bogdana

Liz London

Liz London has been professionally teaching and performing modern fusion bellydance for 20 years. Originally from Memphis, TN, Liz was founder of Memphis Raqs, then relocated to Italy, and now settled in Syracuse, NY as Bella Luna Bellydance. "I’ve been a dancer since I was 5, but fusion Bellydance was the bug that bit me and re-shaped my world. My first teacher was Jules Downum, and my major influence shout-outs over the years go to Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Mira Betz, Donna Mejia, and Jill Parker. My personal dance is flavored by my American culture, my personality, and my hometown of Memphis - where soul & hip hop are infused into everything, everywhere, all at once. "

Madam Gemini

Dance has always felt like home to me. I began at a young age studying jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballet, later expanding into diverse dance communities. Growing up in Chicago, I was immersed in the house music scene, where I first experienced a dance cypher. The house community introduced me to freestyle, footwork, and the joy of surrendering to rhythm. For many years, I was a performer in Chicago with hoop dance and fire props, blending these with belly dance. My belly dance journey began 15 years ago when I unexpectedly met my first teacher, whose class sparked a lifelong passion. Since then, belly dance has uplifted my spirit, fostered discipline, and offered a vibrant creative outlet. I have trained in Raqs Sharqi, Turkish, and fusion belly dance, while cross-training in salsa, samba, and house. Dance continues to enrich my life, while keeping me connected to community, and artistry. I am grateful to have had experiences training in many dance forms, learning from many wonderful teachers from around the world , and learning about different cultures through dance.

Maya Smira

Maya Smira is a professional dancer and international artist specializing in Oriental & fusion dance alongside working in digital media, photography & video. She has been dancing since childhood, with a diverse background in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, Indian dance, belly dance, & contemporary fusion styles. Her training spans studios around the world, including in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, & the United States. Maya holds a diploma in Oriental Dance Instruction from the Wingate Academic College & is also a certified yoga teacher (YTT200), trained in Yoga Salt Los Angeles. Her movement practice is deeply informed by her studies in yoga, breath, and body awareness, enriching her unique choreographic language. Maya performs, teaches, and leads workshops internationally, sharing the depth and richness of Oriental dance with diverse audiences. As a multidisciplinary artist, she integrates dance with visual & digital arts, creating powerful works that connect body, rhythm, and emotion across cultures.

Rose Calavera

Rose Calavera is a modern fusion dancer from Oneonta, NY. Rose showed interest in dance at a young age and has studied Irish, Middle Eastern, North African, Spanish, and Southeast Asian dance forms. Her movement and costuming choices are heavily inspired by art deco, Ruth St. Denis, and, of course, the showgirls of the mid-20th century. In addition to performing solo, Rose has been a proud member of The Lunachix since 2015 and in 2024 became director of the company. She lives to create unusual and aesthetically charged dance, and to move all types of bodies in formation across the stage.

Vendor Experience

Kaeshi Chai will get transformed by our fabulous vendors.