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A certified Personal Trainer with a BA in Physical Education, Helena has 15 years teaching experience in
fitness and dance. Her dance studies began with the late Marie Monforte of the Southern Tier Academy
of Dance and Acrobatics. Helena then persued her studies in fitness and aerobics and later, began
Egyptian Dance studies with Diana Shahein of the Beledi Dance Theatre Co. Helena teaches this dance as
a dance for women by women that allows the freedom of self-expression and sensuality without being
“sinful”. Believing that a good teacher never stops being a student, Helena continues her education in this
dance genre through workshops, private lessons and exchanging information with her peers and is the
choreographer and artistic director of Egyptian Velvet, her student dance troupe.
Helena's recent endeavor includes joining with a newly formed dance company, Fantasy Arabesque, with
the most professional and the most experienced dancers in the North East region, which includes Diana
Shahein of Scranton, PA and Haifa/Michelle Repsher, of Tunkhannock, PA.
fitness and dance. Her dance studies began with the late Marie Monforte of the Southern Tier Academy
of Dance and Acrobatics. Helena then persued her studies in fitness and aerobics and later, began
Egyptian Dance studies with Diana Shahein of the Beledi Dance Theatre Co. Helena teaches this dance as
a dance for women by women that allows the freedom of self-expression and sensuality without being
“sinful”. Believing that a good teacher never stops being a student, Helena continues her education in this
dance genre through workshops, private lessons and exchanging information with her peers and is the
choreographer and artistic director of Egyptian Velvet, her student dance troupe.
Helena's recent endeavor includes joining with a newly formed dance company, Fantasy Arabesque, with
the most professional and the most experienced dancers in the North East region, which includes Diana
Shahein of Scranton, PA and Haifa/Michelle Repsher, of Tunkhannock, PA.
| Please visit: Shangri-La Boutique |
These and other beautiful designer
originals can be purchased at the
Shangri-La boutique located in the
Commons in downtown Ithaca, NY,
156 East State St. TEL (607)
272.6156 or 5955.
originals can be purchased at the
Shangri-La boutique located in the
Commons in downtown Ithaca, NY,
156 East State St. TEL (607)
272.6156 or 5955.
Above photos by: Dudley McConnell
Click on images for purchase information
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Contrary to popular belief, Oriental dance (the correct name for belly dancing) did not originate as a dance of
seduction done by harem girls to seduce the sultan.
While Americans and Europeans step to the beat of the music, people in the Middle East might shimmy to the music.
Some of the hip movements found in the women's dances have ancient symbolic meaning and have nothing to do with
seduction, but rather, a celebration of femininity and maturity and in ancient rituals, the dance was used to strengthen
the body for childbirth.
Our dances are folkloric in nature, keep in line with the traditional roots of this dance, are family oriented and are
perfectly appropriate for community events and festivals.
seduction done by harem girls to seduce the sultan.
While Americans and Europeans step to the beat of the music, people in the Middle East might shimmy to the music.
Some of the hip movements found in the women's dances have ancient symbolic meaning and have nothing to do with
seduction, but rather, a celebration of femininity and maturity and in ancient rituals, the dance was used to strengthen
the body for childbirth.
Our dances are folkloric in nature, keep in line with the traditional roots of this dance, are family oriented and are
perfectly appropriate for community events and festivals.