BellyUp Teachers

Joharah

Dance Artist, Instructor, Choreographer

& Founder of BellyUp

Jo founded BellyUp in 2006 in Oakville, Ontario. Eighteen years later, BellyUp is one of the top dance studios for Middle Eastern dance in Canada. Fully dedicated to the high art of Egyptian Raqs Sharki for over 25 years, Jo has a passion for teaching and her class design reflects that with her strong emphasis on technique, musicality, nuance, stage presence and a strong dose of cultural awareness and historical context behind the dance form. She embodies the quintessential femininity and softness of Egyptian style. Jo has taught workshops throughout Canada, USA and at Cairo's "Ahlan wa Sahlan" festival hosted by her beloved teacher Mdm. Raqia Hassan as well as Egypt's Nile Group Festival hosted by her other primary teacher Mdm. Lubna Emam. Jo teaches Continuing Beginner to Advanced level classes,
Tuesday to Thursdays plus Workshops and private lessons.

Jennifer Lussier

Jennifer has been studying Egyptian dance with Joharah for over 5 years. She started as a Beginner and now performs with the studio's Performance Group along with teaching Beginner classes. Jen loves the freedom of expression that comes with Egyptian Bellydance and was an absolute natural in the dance form. She's been dancing since the age of 5 and has also spent time as a fitness class teacher. Apart from taking Bellydance classes several times a week plus teaching at BellyUp, Jen is a wife, a Mom and has a serious photography hobby on the side. She manages to juggle and balance it all with the same kind of grace she exhibits on the dance floor.  Join Jennifer for her fun, 8 Weeks Winter Beginner session Mondays 7:00pm. and Wednesdays 8:30pm. 

Stephanie Yelovich
Stephanie has been active as an artist and teacher in the performing arts community throughout the GTA since the age of 8 years old. With 10+ years' dance training in Jazz, Tap and Ballet at the Dance Centre in Hamilton, Stephanie truly found the style that resonates with her most when she discovered Egyptian Dance with BellyUp, training under Joharah. In addition to her dance study, Stephanie is also a mezzo soprano and is a working classical musician and opera singer. She will be appearing with the Oakville Symphony in April 2024 portraying the legendary Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Stephanie is a natural born teacher and maintains a private singing studio in Hamilton, ON. You can follow her on Instagram @Stephyelovich and Facebook for more performance dates and teaching info. Stephanie teaches our 8 week Beginner course this Winter: Saturdays 11am. - Noon

Share by: