www.magic-hips.com

Yasmine & the Magic Hips Dancers (click here for video clips) Yasmine & The Magic Hips Dancers are a professional award nominated Mid-East Dance troupe based out of Charlotte, North Carolina under the direction of belly dance superstar, Yasmine, nominated in Zaghareet’s 2003 Golden Belly Awards as Best Kept Secret, as Instructor of the year in 2005 and featured on the cover of Zaghareet Magazine's May/June 2007 issue. As one of the Southeast's most popular performers at restaurants, festivals, special events and gala shows, the group has been nominated for Troupe of the Year in Zaghareet’s 2005, 2006 & 2008 Golden Belly Awards. Yasmine & The Magic Hips Dancers along with Yasmine's student troupe, The Beledi Beat Dancers, perform together as The Jewels of the Caravan each year at The Carolina Renaissance Festival and have been awarded as one of the Best Dance Troupes of 2007 by the 3rd Annual Renaissance Festival Awards.
Yasmine Head Instructor, Director of Magic Hips Yasmine, who has an extensive background in ballet, tap, jazz, & Middle Eastern dance, is the studio owner of Mid-East Dance by Yasmine. Yasmine spent much of 2004 touring with the Bellydance Superstars performing in major cities around the United States as well as Barcelona, Spain and after touring teamed up with Master Tabla Player Issam Houshan in offering Drum & Dance workshops. Yasmine is well recognized for her dynamic and precise movements, which she carefully extends to her students - grooming them for their own spectacular performances. As well as being a sought after instructor due to her personable and fun teaching approach, Yasmine's distinct performance style is often referred to as "Cutting Edge Cabaret." Featured on the cover of the May/June 2007 issue of Zaghareet, Yasmine also appears in IAMED's Bellydance-O-Rama volume 3 DVD and appeared as a featured artist for Dr. Samy Farag's 2008 CD Release Gala Show in Texas at the Palace Theater. Yasmine hosts several workshop and show events in the Charlotte area & is currently teaching seminars throughout the U.S.

Aliscia' Magic Hips Dancer Aliscia' began bellydancing under Yasmine’s instruction in 2003 and views bellydancing as a powerful, sensual dance in the most feminine form. Aliscia' developed a love for dance at a very early age, studying and performing the traditional Western styles of ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical. Missing the element of dance in her life, she decided she would try bellydancing, fell in love with all aspects of the dance, and hasn’t looked back. In addition to her dancing and love for music, she enjoys performing for and sharing the pure joy and energy of bellydancing with her audiences. She feels that dancing is a way of letting go and finding oneself at the same time. Aliscia' has focused mainly on Raks Sharki but also enjoys exploring American Tribal Style.

Huriyyah Magic Hips Dancer & Soloist for Restaurants & Special Occasion Events Huriyyah began belly dancing in 2002 and is proud to be the youngest member of The Magic Hips Dance Company. Her dance background began at an early age with tap, jazz, ballet, and pointe where she won 1st place solos in competition for ballet and pointe. Huriyyah prefers belly dance to any other form of dance because of the limitless number of styles and moves and is proud to be one of the original members of The Magic Hips Dancers under her sister’s direction. Huriyyah performs regularly as a soloist at several area restaurants and special engagements. "I wish to thank you very much for sending Huriyyah to perform at my husbands 50th birthday party...I was very impressed with Huriyyah's skills in the art of Belly Dance. Everyone was in awe of the beauty, grace & elegance of Huriyyah's talents..." - G.McGinnes (Kings Mountain, NC)

Nalani Magic Hips Dancer Nalani discovered bellydance in October of 2003, when she began taking classes under the direction of Yasmine. She quickly found a deep passion for the art form, and credits it as one of her favorite forms of dance, as it has allowed her a creative outlet and form of expression she has not found many places. In addition to her bellydance training, Nalani spent 10 years studying & performing competitively in tap, jazz, and lyrical dance. She is proud to have been one of the original members of Beledi Beat in 2005, and has performed as a soloist in many local restaurants. She joined Magic Hips in January of 2007, and considers it one of the greatest dance honors she has experienced thus far.

Shayda Magic Hips Dancer, Owner of The Belly Dance Shop Shayda has been studying bellydance since 2002, inspired to learn after living in Turkey. She has been fortunate to study with both extraordinary teachers, Zarifa and Yasmine of Charlotte, NC. Her instructors have taught her fluidity, grace and technique. Most of all, they have shown her how to bring her personality forth through dance and is why Shayda is known for her charisma, energy and smile while performing. Due to the immense support of her instructors, she began her own business, The Belly Dance Shop, which has prospered and is now a large supporter of the belly dance community. Shayda has danced as a soloist, a member of the Hadadah Dancers, The Jewels of the Caravan, the Beledi Beat Dancers & Magic Hips. Most recently, Shayda won the title of Rising Star at the 4th Annual "Personal Best " Middle Eastern Dance Competition in Columbus, Ohio. The Beledi Beat Dancers Yasmine's Student Troupe The Beledi Beat Dancers are Yasmine's student troupe and showcase some of Yasmine's students within her school of Mid-East Dance. The Beledi Beat Dancers perform at various gala shows and charitable events throughout the year to educate the community about the art of belly dance and it's history as well as the beauty and power that all women hold in their hips! The Beledi Beat Dancers also perform with Yasmine & The Magic Hips Dancers at The Carolina Renaissance Festival each year as part of The Jewels of the Caravan. Kamilah Soloist for Restaurants & Special Occasions, Beledi Beat Dance Member Kamilah began taking classes with Yasmine in 2005 and soon her passion for the dance soared and she realized that belly dancing was more than just a hobby. Her love for performance grew and soon she became a member of Yasmine's Beledi Beat dance troupe performing at charitable functions and Festivals. Kamilah performs regularly as a soloist at several area restaurants and special engagements and continues her studies by attending workshops with internationally known instructors to further develope her own style. Kamilah has focused mainly on American Cabaret & Modern Egyptian Styles but also enjoys exploring American Tribal Style Bellydance. Kamilah is inspired by so many in this art form which include Bozenka, Sadie, Saida and most of all feels blessed to have Yasmine as her mentor. Paradiis Beledi Beat Dance Member Paradiis has been dancing and performing under the direction of Yasmine for six years and has been a Beledi Beat dance member for the past three years. Paradiis was introduced to dance when she was a little girl. Tap, ballet, and jazz laid the foundation for Middle Eastern style and technique. For the past six years she has hit the ground shimmying and hasn’t looked back. Paradiis continues her studies as a student to further develop her style under the direction of Yasmine as well as attends workshops with master instructors. She also performs as a duet with other Beledi Beat member, Farasha. Her dance interests are in the disciplines of Golden Age Raks Sharqi, Folkloric, dancing with props, and Funky Fusion. Sanura Beledi Beat Dance Member Sanura has been dancing since the age of 5 with many years of ballet, tap and modern Jazz. Then later in life she found Bellydance which she just can't seem to get enough of due to her love for the dance and the Middle-Eastern arts and culture. Sanura also owns her own Travel Agency (Asmara Travel) which is a great perk when traveling to Bellydance Events. Sanura's main focus is Raks Sharki and Modern Cabaret Style and she continually studies with Yasmine and master instructors from around the globe.
Farasha Beledi Beat Dance Member Farasha began bellydance classes with Yasmine in 2004 after watching The Jewels of the Caravan perform at The Carolina Renaissance Festival. Their performance inspired her to begin her own journey in dance. She has been a member of Yasmine's student troupe, The Beledi Beat Dancers, since 2007. Her favorite style of dance is raks al assaya (dancing with a cane) mixed with a little of the men's tahteeb style and also enjoys the gitano style of arabic/spanish fusion. She also enjoys playing the tabla. Isolde Beledi Beat Dance Member Isolde enjoys the camraderie of dancing in a student troupe as she pursues her own path in dance. She is inspired by Bozenka, Cassandra, Yasmine and The Bellydance Superstars and continues her studies with Yasmine as well as master instructors to continually learn more about this beautiful art form. Isolde considers becoming a member of The Beledi Beat Dancers to be one of the greatest dance accomplishments she has experienced thus far. Mahisti Beledi Beat Dance Member Mahisti is proud to be one of the original members of The Beledi Beat Dancers under Yasmine's direction since 2005. Also known as our "Pirate Queen, " Mahisti is a published author of "Mad Kestrel .... a fast-paced pirate story that will transport you deep into a fantasy world of true high seas adventure..." Mahisti's gift in dance is allowing her own personality to shine through along with her energy and spirit of the dance. Mahisti enjoys Middle Easten Dance as it allows her yet another creative outlet for her own self expression. Mahisti enjoys cabaret, fusion styles of dance and Khaliji (Gulf Women's Folkloric dance). Moonsister Bellydance, American Tribal Style Dance Troupe Moonsister is dedicated to American Tribal Style Bellydance (ATS) and it's true form as taught by Carolena Nerricio of Fat Chance Belly Dance and Megha Gavin of Devyani Dance Company. ATS is a modern form of belly dance inspired by Spanish Flamenco and Egyptian Cabaret. Moonsister performs Group improvisations that are truly mesmerizing and a joy to watch. Moonsister also performs along with The Magic Hips Dancers and The Beledi Beat Dancers at The Carolina Renaissance Festival as part of The Jewels of the Caravan as well as performing at special events and charitable functions. Jenny Director of Moonsister Bellydance, American Tribal Style Head Instructor Jenny received her training from Megha Gavin, director of Devyani Dance Company in Birmingham Al, and danced as a member of Devyani from Spring of 2005 until March of 2006, when she relocated to Charlotte, NC. Jenny remains dedicated to American Tribal Style Bellydance and it's true form as taught by Carolena Nerricio of Fat Chance Belly Dance and Megha Gavin of Devyani Dance Company. Jenny has completed her Generals Skills Certification and ATS Teacher Certification through Carolena Nerricio of Fat Chance Belly Dance and continues to maintain her dedication by making MoonSister a Sister Studio to Fat Chance. Jenny offers ATS classes at Yasmine's Studio on Monday nights. Secondhand Gypsy Members are from Left to right: Joe Cathcart, Ken Helms and Chris Walters Secondhand Gypsy are based out of Charlotte NC and their featured instrumentation includes tabla, oud, violin, & cumbus. Specializing in Turkish, Arabic and World Fusion, Secondhand Gypsy adds their own flare in playing traditional songs every bellydancer should know! Secondhand Gypsy can been seen playing for Haflas, Special Events and Festivals as well as playing for The Jewels of the Caravan at The Carolina Renaissance Festival. Ken Helms is also the instructor for Beginner Drum Classes at Yasmine's Studio.