Lauren Zehara

Hi, I’m Lauren Zehara.

I’ve danced and taught in the St. Louis area since 2000. I was the owner of Lotus Arts Studio, a world dance and yoga studio that had two locations in the St. Louis area. My studio was home to The Hips Afire! Bellydancers, a student repertory group and to the Silver Sirens, a senior recreational troupe. I was also director of (and a performer in) Lotus Arts Dance Company, our pro troupe that performed at festivals, universities, and events around the area.

I’m the author of A Belly Dance Journal and A Yoga Journal. I’ve also produced a video teaching Stage Presence skills for belly dancers.

I’m retired from professional dance and at the moment I’m traveling the world on a budget as a nomad and working as a freelance writer.

Experience

Dancing since 2000
2007-2013: Owner of Lotus Arts Studio (locations in St. Louis, MO & Belleville, IL)
Performed regularly at Nara Hookah Cafe, Aya Sofia Restaurant and other venues
Taught workshops regionally and at Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive 2012
Taught on Norwegian cruise ship, Dubai/India in 2012
Publisher of Belly Dance U
Author, A Belly Dance Journal
DVD: Stage Presence with Lauren Zehara

Specialties & subjects

Stage Presence: How to relax onstage and communicate with your audience
Musicality and Expression: Learn more about Middle Eastern music and/or rhythms
Folk Dances (intro level): Saidi, Khaleegy, Beledi, Turkish Romani
Props: Shamadan, Goddess Wings, Sword, cane
Styles of Dance: Lecture & video presentation comparing Egyptian, Turkish & other styles
Technique: Layered and textured shimmies
Group choreographies (both Egyptian and Pan-Arabic) for beginner, intermediate, and advanced troupes