Black Market Belly Dance

With a strong background in music and dance, Leyla of Black Market Belly Dance brings years of experience to her students and clients.

Leyla's initial experience in belly dance was with classic Egyptian Cabaret with some Turkish influence. After re-discovering Tribal Fusion via a Rachel Brice performance, Leyla worked on learning the principles behind this very disciplined form of belly dance. Now Leyla teaches both forms of dance to her students and continues to learn additional variations on both. Her extensive knowledge on various styles of belly dance makes her a delight to watch. This is not your every day belly dancer!

Leyla is experienced with veils, fans, fan veils, and finger cymbals. A master swords-woman, her specialty is sword balancing and dancing, including double and triple sword work. Leyla also knows basic doumbek (a Middle Eastern drum).

Leyla has performed at a wide variety of events including professional belly dance showcases, non-profit events, restaurants, private parties, festivals, educational institutions, and private businesses.

In addition to performing, Leyla has taught and currently teaches students via private instruction, small workshops/groups, and large group classes. She offers a wide variety of packages to clients who are interested in learning belly dance.

Leyla is looking forward to new dance opportunities in 2010, including performances with Hip Drop Studio's Tribalusions professional belly dance troupe and leading her own student troupe, Belly Dance Underground. Leyla is very excited to be a member of Tribalusions and to perform alongside her instructor, Aneaj. In addition, Leyla is very honored to have a lovely, talented group of girls for her student troupe's maiden voyage...and we have so much planned for 2010, should be exciting!

Leyla is a member of the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association (MECDA). In an effort to continue her own studies within Middle Eastern dance, she has studied virtually with Ansuya and the Suhaila Salimpour Online School of Belly Dance. Leyla has had the privilege of studying with many talented dancers including Soraya Al-Sayf, Nataj, Akasha, Moria Chappell, Aradia of Las Vegas, and Rachel Brice.

Leyla originally comes from the St. Louis-Metro East area, but now lives in Central Ohio.