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How Hip Hop Belly
Dance ®
Got Started
Hip Hop Belly Dance®
was created by instructor
and troupe director, Megan (Sharifa)
Sarantis-Rodriguez, as an opportunity for
women to dance and get fit, while
learning a new technique, in a fun and
stress-free environment.
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A
Saginaw native of Greek descent, Mrs.
Rodriguez had been dancing from early
childhood, performed statewide for many
years with a local Greek dance troupe,
and has been around belly dancers since
a young age. She began belly dancing in
1985 and danced with the Habibi Dancers
of Lansing, MI. After moving back to
Saginaw in 1996, and the birth of her
son, she explored the possibility of
taking classes from experienced local
instructors or joining a troupe . The
lack of opportunities prompted her to
create Hip Hop Belly Dance™
in 2002.
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What Is Hip Hop Belly Dance ®?
Hip
Hop Belly Dance®
incorporates
traditional belly dance moves with
more non-traditional and modern
American, Arabic and Greek music.
The music is all up-beat and hip.
It is an excellent form of
low-impact exercise. All that is
required is a positive attitude and
the desire to learn. This
dance form increases your heart rate
(for a great cardio work-out),
strengthens and tones your whole
body and makes you work muscles you
never thought you had. There are
also more personal benefits. The
DIVAS promote belly dance as an art
form which showcases the beauty of
being a woman. Friendships
are made, bonds are created, and a
sister-hood is formed. Most of all
- it empowers a woman! It
builds an even greater self
confidence! It makes them aware
that their body is beautiful no
matter what age, shape, or size they
are! Plus, it's just a whole lot
of fun!
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Who Are
The Belly Dance Divas® ?
Hip Hop
Belly Dance® has become the
hottest dance/fitness class and
was rated, by Interlude
magazine, as one of the top 10
fun/fitness classes to take in
the Tri-City area. From one
small class Hip Hop Belly
Dance® has evolved to
Bellydance Booty Camp® (our
fitness & beginner's bellydance
program) up to and including the
Belly Dance Divas® troupe plus
the creation of the Traveling
Divas. The Traveling Divas are,
sisters in dance and great
friends, who commit their time,
dedication, and portray their
passion for the dance. They
travel within Michigan, and
beyond, performing in staged
productions. The Traveling Divas
express the Diva‘s unique style
with spirited performances plus
have a whole lot of fun in the
process.
With
over 500 women taking weekly
classes, and the formation of
the Belly Dance Divas® troupe,
the ‘DIVAS’ have been able to
create a professional dance
company. The DIVA’S growth has
allowed opportunities for over
18 troupe members to be trained
as certified DIVA instructors
and certified Diva Troupe
Directors which allows them to
teach the DIVA style throughout
the Tri-Cities and Southeast
Michigan. The DIVAS excel in a
variety of styles including
cabaret, tribal, folkloric,
fusion, and traditional Middle
Eastern but with their own
unique ‘DIVA’ style. The Belly
Dance Divas® are a professional
dance company and have a unique
style all their own. Their
performances are fun, exciting,
and an excellent form of family
entertainment. This makes the
Belly Dance Divas® very venue
specific. They perform in such
venue types as stage
productions, corporate and
charitable events, art fairs,
and other Troupe events.
The ‘DIVAS’
mission is to promote bellydance as
an art form which showcases the
beauty of being a woman. They
embrace the attitude that no matter
what your age, shape, or size
YOU CAN BE
A DIVA!!!
Where Can I
Learn To Dance?
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