Yalla- Tucson Belly Dance Academy

About

Let's get moving! Yalla Tucson performs raqs sharqi and other dances influenced and informed by the movement traditions of MENAHT (Middle-Eastern, North African, Hellenic, & Turkic) cultures. We focus on learning from dancers, choreographers, and musicians from the originating cultures, study the many facets of dance in those cultures with leading dance ethnologists, and use only MENAHT music in our performances. We understand we represent this art as guests, and strive to both honor existing traditions and recognize the dance's current growth and development. Founded by Bonnie Grate, the studio embraces her unique technique based on her diverse training under several instructors including Nada El Masyra, Kathryn Ferguson, and Ava Fleming.