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.

Ahmed Refaat is an Egyptian folkloric dancer, choreographer, and master teacher with over 35 years of experience dedicated to preserving and sharing the richness of Egyptian dance culture. Beginning his dance journey at the age of nine at El Gezira Youth Center under renowned teacher Mokhtar Mustafa, Ahmed later became an instructor himself, training new generations of dancers from a young age. He has performed and taught at major festivals across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including appearances in the Mahmoud Reda anniversary performances in Alexandria, Rome, and Madrid. Today, he is a sought-after international teacher, performer, and choreographer, known for his deep cultural knowledge, strong artistic vision, and passion for helping dancers understand not only the movements, but also the feeling, music, and spirit behind Egyptian dance traditions.

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.

Verona Kemet (Veronika Kremenskaya) is a Ukrainian belly dancer, known for her strong musicality, expressive style, and deep connection to Egyptian dance aesthetics. She has taught workshops and master classes across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, including Spain, Italy, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Brazil, and Egypt. A highly accomplished competitor, Veronika is the winner of the Royal Crown at Cleopatra Festival 2025, among many other international events. Her artistic style has been shaped through long-term study with renowned Egyptian masters including Mohamed Shahin, Khaled Mahmoud, Kareem Gad, and Sahar Samara, blending technical precision with a strong commitment to musical interpretation and authentic oriental dance.

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.

Sharon Mesguich is a French, Tunisian, and Algerian belly dance artist, teacher, and festival organizer known for her dynamic stage presence and deep connection to Egyptian style. Introduced to oriental arts from a young age, she discovered belly dance in 1999 and has since built an international career, performing at major venues and events while teaching across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. She trained extensively in Egypt with renowned masters such as Dina, Mahmoud Reda, and Mayodi, shaping her musicality, technique, and expressive style. In 2004, she founded her school “Les Danseuses du Sinaï” in Montpellier, and later created the Oriental Marathon Festival, now one of the leading belly dance events in France. Known for her energy, generosity, and strong artistic identity, Sharon is dedicated to preserving the essence of oriental dance while supporting new generations of dancers through performance, education, and community.

Maha Al Musa is an award-winning international childbirth educator, speaker, and the founder of EmbodyBirth and BellydanceBirth®, a pioneering approach to pregnancy and birth preparation she has been teaching since 1997. A leading advocate for natural birth, breastfeeding, and women’s embodied wisdom, she is the author of the acclaimed book Dance of the Womb: The Essential Guide to Belly Dance for Pregnancy and Birth, along with a widely recognized practice video series. Maha has presented at major conferences and institutions worldwide, sharing her work across Australia, the USA, India, and China. A mother of three, she is known for integrating personal experience with decades of teaching, including giving birth to her daughter at 46 in a home water lotus birth. Her work has received international awards and endorsements from respected figures in the birth community, and continues to influence both mothers and birth professionals globally.

April Rose is a belly dancer, teacher, and creator of the Dance Cohesion method, known for her precise technique, integration of finger cymbals and frame drum, and emphasis on group improvisation and musical connection. Based in Austin, Texas, she has taught and performed in over 25 countries, sharing a fusion approach rooted in Middle Eastern, North African, Turkish, Hellenic, and Central and South Asian dance influences. With a background that includes a bachelor’s degree in Dance and a master’s in Culture and Performance from UCLA, April combines academic research with embodied practice, exploring dance as a tool for presence, creativity, and human connection. She is also the founder of the Boss Bellydancer training program, where she mentors dancers in building sustainable and meaningful professional careers.

Dr. George Sawa is an internationally recognized musicologist, performer, and educator specializing in Arabic music history, theory, and performance. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, he brings over 50 years of experience, with training from the Higher Institute of Arabic Music and a PhD in historical Arabic musicology from the University of Toronto. He has taught at the University of Toronto and York University, and lectured and performed worldwide. A prolific author on medieval and modern Arabic music, his work bridges historical research with contemporary practice and has become an important resource for the dance community. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for his contributions to Arabic music research.

Bindu Bolar is an award-winning Indian dance artist and a pioneer of Tribal Fusion Belly Dance in her country, known for creating her signature style, “Belly Animation,” which blends belly dance with popping and animation. She is the founder and artistic director of Lights Camera Dance in Bangalore and has built an international career as a performer and teacher, leading workshops across the USA, Europe, and Asia. After initially balancing a career in software with dance, she chose to fully pursue her artistic path despite social pressures. Bindu has trained with leading figures including Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, and Carolena Nericcio, and was the first Indian dancer to win an International Belly Dance title in the Solo Tribal category. She continues to evolve as an artist and educator, with a strong focus on individuality and lifelong learning.