Sahara Dance

Our Faculty

Chiaki

Raqs Sahara

Chiaki

Chiaki is a professional dancer who specializes in modern Egyptian belly dance. Drawing on her background in classical ballet, she brings grace and musicality to her dance and choreography.

Chiaki first studied belly dance with Autumn Leah Ward and Rachel Kay Brookmire. Her dedication and passion for the dance has led her to Egypt and throughout North America to study with master teachers, most extensively with Yousry Sharif, and including Faten Salama, Aida Nour, Raqia Hassan, Mahmoud Reda, Momo Kadous and Dina.

Chiaki has been teaching belly dance since the inception of the Sahara Dance Studio. She teaches four weekly classes and choreographs for Raqs Caravan East, the Sahara Dance’s resident company for advanced students. Through her classes, she aspires to share the joy and beauty of belly dance while emphasizing proper body alignment, technical precision, and isolation.

Chiaki has performed at theaters, private functions, and Arabic nightclubs throughout Washington DC area. She is a regularly featured dancer at Zaytinya (Gallery Place), Café Citron (Dupont Circle) and Skewers (Dupont Circle), and has performed at the Nancy Ajram concert, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and National Museum of Women in Arts, among others.

To learn more about Chiaki, check out her interview on Hip Talk and one of her solo performances.