Rockin' Raqs 2026 Performers
RIANNAGH
Riannagh grew up studying Celtic and Modern dance, but she truly felt at home in her body and one with music when she discovered Bellydance. Now, as a fusion artist, she expresses the rawest, truest version of herself through a mix of dance styles and intuitive movement. Strongly rooted in her studies of Raqs Sharqi, Riannagh's dancing continues to evolve through studies in West African, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Butoh dance styles.
MAYSARA
Maysara was introduced to several styles of dance at a young age, which laid the groundwork for her interest in bellydance. Upon discovering her passion for it, she soon became a member of the Egyptian Dance Company and an instructor at the Egyptian Dance Academy where she met her mentor, Nada El Masriya. Thanks to her friend and dance sister, Nourah, she is currently an instructor and student troupe director at Hashtaka Dance. Maysara has a powerful presence on stage, a reflection of the freedom and happiness she feels as she dances. As she continues to explore the depths of bellydance in all it's beauty, she constantly rediscovers and shares the joy that dance brought her as a child.
NOURAH
Nourah is an international bellydance artist, instructor, and studio owner based in Toronto. With Colombian roots and a deep passion for Egyptian dance, she brings energy, musicality, and heartfelt expression to the stage. Through performances and workshops in Canada and abroad, Nourah shares her love of bellydance while helping students build confidence and discover their own expression through movement.
SHERESE
Sherese is an internationally trained dancer based in Toronto. She began her studies at the Egyptian Dance Academy and continued training in Cairo, Egypt with renowned masters. She has performed in various troupes and is a former member of the Egyptian Dance Company. Sherese currently performs as a soloist in Toronto. Her passion and focus are on traditional music and classical Raqs el Sharqi, so this fusion piece is a challenge for her!
HOUSE OF SHIMMY
House of Shimmy, Toronto’s unique fusion bellydance duo known for their undeniable synergy and mesmerizing movement, are delighted to return for the third time to Rockin' Raqs! With performances ranging from sultry  to silly, House of Shimmy has been bending genres and delighting audiences with fusion rooted in bellydance, jazz, modern and vaudevillle since 2014. They may make you laugh, they may make you cry with their 'strange beauty in motion', come find out which it will be at Rockin Raqs on Nov 8th
SAMANTHA
Samantha has studied Egyptian Dance for over 10 years, learning with Nada El Masriya and The Egyptian Dance Academy. She currently performs with the collaborative troupe The Gems and solo, enjoying modern Raqs Sharqi, folklore and fusion styles. Her goal with every performance is to draw the audience in by infusing emotion throughout her body and her movements
TARANEH
Taraneh first came to belly dance in 2004 as a way of deepening her appreciation for Middle Eastern music. In belly dance she found the ideal synthesis for her varied passions: visual art, music, dance, communication, and culture. Taraneh has enjoyed the pleasure of teaching at Hannan’s Bellydance Studio and Egyptian Dance Academy for several years and performing as a member of the Sultanettes and Alhambra Dance Company. She is currently a member of North Star Belly Dance.
THE GEMS
The Gems are a Toronto based troupe with extensive experience preforming together. Well versed in both classical bellydance and Egyptian folklore, they are known for their creative choreographies and infectious on-stage chemistry. The Gems are back for their fourth Rockin Raqs, bringing a little dark nostalgia for your wicked delight.
MIRANA
Mirana discovered bellydance in 2011, when she took a chance on an absolute beginner class at the Egyptian Dance Academy, and became absolutely hooked on the art form.
Mirana has performed as a member of The Egyptian Dance Company (EDC), Egyptian Academy Student Troup (EAST), and as a dancer in Sarah Skinner's theatrical show 'Persephone'. She has expanded into learning other dance styles, now performing with the Yosakoi dance troupe 'Sakuramai Toronto', performing pop culture inspired choreographies with her dance group 'Vespertine Dancers' and continuing bellydance troup performances with 'The Gems'.
SIHAM
Siham is a Toronto based belly dancer who brings influences from Bollywood, Latin and Polynesian dance into her fusion belly dance explorations.
Her creations are informed by her fascination with diverse cultures, all forms of art, languages, politics, and by the universal themes of the human
experience.
Siham is thrilled to return to Rockin' Raqs and share an offering of joy with all of you.
You can connect with Siham on Facebook at Siham Chowdhury.
ARC ODYSSEY - AIMEE & MEL
Aimée and Mel began dancing together as members of Dragonfly Dance Company before finding their creative home in Dragonettes, a steampunk, fantasy, and fusion belly dance group where they could embrace their love of the darker and more unconventional side of dance. Now, as members of Arc Odyssey, they continue to explore that same spirit through performances inspired by rock music, darker themes, and theatricality. For this show, they’re bringing that love to the stage with “Hunter’s Moon” by Ghost—a little rock, a little darkness, and a distinctly unholy edge.
DAMIANA
Damiana has an eclectic history with bellydance, having taken classes and performed in the Czech Republic, Japan and the Netherlands before joining the Egyptian Dance Academy in Toronto. At EDA, she trained in folklore and oriental styles, performing with both the Egyptian Academy Student Troupe and the Egyptian Dance Company under the artistic direction of Nada El Masriya. She has been fortunate to have taken classes with many distinguished local instructors and to have attended seminars and master classes with renowned international artists including Doaa Sallam, Randa Kamel and Mohamed Salah. Since 2017, she has been a member of Toronto-based cosplay dance group Vespertine Dancers, fusing diverse styles with fantasy and fandom. She also practices classical ballet, pole fitness and ninjutsu.
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HASHTAKA STUDENT TROUPE
Established in 2025, the Hashtaka Student Troupe brings together dedicated bellydance students who share a passion for taking their dance to the next level. Led by Maysara, the troupe focuses on refining technique, building stage confidence, and growing together through choreography and performance. They have performed at numerous festivals across Toronto, sharing their love of bellydance and celebrating the joy of dancing together.
RAKKAS STUDENT TROUPE
Rakkas Student Troupe was created in January 2025 under the director of Aslı Rakkas, which is composed of Beyond Beginner-level students. This divers group dancers are Jamaican/Egyptian, Sri Lankan, Ukrainian and Canadian. Their love of dance brought these ladies together, and they love sharing their joy of dancing and their love for Arabic & Turkish cultures with the audience.
