Hi! I'm Joharah. Most people call me Jo.

I'm a dancer, teacher and choreographer in Egyptian-style Raqs Sharqi, and I've spent almost 30 years building my understanding of the dance through training and performance. Over time, my relationship to this dance form has shifted quite a bit - from simply learning movements to really craving a deeper understanding of what I was doing.

That shift is what shaped how and what I teach today.

Background & Training

My foundation in Raqs Sharqi has been shaped through years of dedicated study, training and teaching. I've had the opportunity to

learn in-depth from respected Egyptian master instructors within the art form, deepening my understanding of technique, musicality and style.  Mdm. Raqia Hassan, Lubna Emam, Khaled Mahmoud, Nourhan Sharif have been among my principle teachers over the years.

Ongoing training continues to inform how I teach - not just in terms of movement, but in how I approach the dance as a whole. This work is rooted in a deep commitment to learning, refining, and respecting the art form.

How I got here

Like a lot of dancers, I started with curiosity. I instantly fell in love with the feeling of this dance,  the beauty of its movements  and importantly, the rich and textured music that we dance to. But I wanted to move, to learn, and be part of it at a much deeper level.

I wanted to understand the structure behind the movements. I wanted to understand, hear and feel the music the way an Egyptian dancer would. I wanted to feel more connected to what I was doing - not just repeat steps.

That process took time. And it changed the way I approach the dance completely.

Why I teach the way I do

Because of that experience, I don't rush the process when I teach. And I encourage my students not to  be in a hurry. I'm not interested in just getting through material.

I care about whether things make sense to you. Whether you actually feel what you're doing. Whether you understand how movement connects to the music. It's not just how to move this way, it's why to move this way.

That's what I come back to again and again in my teaching.

BellyUp - A new chapter

BellyUp used to exist as a physical studio. And for 20 years, that worked.

Eventually, I realized I wanted something different - something more focused, more intentional, and more aligned

with how I actually like to teach.

So I made the decision to close the physical space and continue my work in a different way. The teaching hasn't changed. If anything, it's become more focused.

What this looks like now

Right now, that means a mix of pop-up classes, workshops, training programs, and shorter-format sessions.

This summer, I'll be offering a pop-up series of classes - a way to train together, reconnect,  and get a feel for how I teach for those who are new. It's also a great way to see if the Fall training programs are the right fit for you.

What matters to me

At the end of the day, what matters most to me is how people experience the process of learning.

I want you to feel like you're actually being guided. I want you to feel like you can ask questions and take the time you need.
And I want you to feel like you're building something real - not just getting through material.

I don't believe in passive dancing.  My approach is rooted in helping dancers understand what they're doing - so every movement becomes intentional, precise and truly their own.  I care about my dance students, and I'm very invested in the work we're doing together.

Growth doesn't come from repetition alone - it comes from refinement, awareness and intention.

Who My Classes Are For

Raqs Sharqi is something you keep coming back to. Each time, you understand a little more, notice something new, and feel more connected to what you're doing. That's part of the process I'm interested in - and the part I try to support in my teaching every single day.

BellyUp is for dancers who want more than just learning a bunch of steps and following along. It's for those who want to understand the movements and the music of Raqs Sharqi, who want to build and refine their technique, and who take their dancing passionately - at any level. You don't need to be advanced. You just need to be willing to learn with intention.