There are a lot of beautiful dancers in our field, but Mercedes Nieto has always stood out as an artist with a very distinct voice. Her dancing feels deeply rooted in raqs sharqi while still being completely her own. Her style feels romantic, nostalgic, nuanced, and deeply emotional. There’s a femininity to her work that …
Are you wanting more opportunities for play and lightness in your life? Spend a little time with a four-year-old and you’ll see how naturally play comes to them. Give them a prop – and almost anything can become one – and suddenly there’s a new world to explore. Props can bring that same imaginative spirit …
We’re so excited to introduce the Sahara Dance Living Library – a new digital home where you can continue learning, practicing, and finding inspiration whenever it fits your schedule. Whether you want to sharpen your technique, revisit favorite performances, study rhythms, or keep dancing between classes, the Living Library gives you access to growing collections …
2026-2027 is the year of Marta Korzun at Sahara Dance. 2026 to 2027 is our year featuring Marta Korzun at Sahara Dance! We were grateful to first meet her for an intensive at the end of February 2026 and are looking forward to our second set of workshops at our Washington, DC studio this August …
There’s a point every year where you can just feel the shift in the studio. Music playing a little louder. People staying after class a little to run sections again. Costumes laid out in corners. That mix of excitement and nerves that builds right before something big. That’s where we are right now. Under a …
Dear Sahara Dance Community, As another year comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting with deep gratitude on all that we’ve created together. This year was filled with meaningful milestones, beautiful performances, shared growth, and moments of connection that remind us why Sahara Dance continues to be such a special home for dancers. Thank …
Listen to the Podcast Over 2 decades ago, Rachel Kay Brookmire launched what has become one of the largest belly dance studios in the United States: Sahara Dance. Based in Washington, DC, Sahara Dance has evolved and grown since 2005, offering over 30 weekly belly dance classes, a variety of belly dance intensive retreats, an …
This fall, we’re excited to launch a special 12-week intensive at Sahara Dance with Jacinda. Learn more about her offering with this Q&A. Q: What makes this intensive different from a typical belly dance class? A: Traditionally, dance classes focus on the external factors, such as technique, choreography, music, history, and culture. All of that is …
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Raqqesat Soheir, our newest performance company! Raqqesat Soheir is an Advanced Level 2 company, offered to bridge the gap between the Advanced 1 and 3 curricula and provide additional advanced performance training as the overall levels of dancer technique has improved within the student body. The student …
Dear Sahara Dance community, Reflecting upon the 20th anniversary Under a Desert Moon show, I feel privileged to witness Sahara Dance’s growth and so proud to provide a creative home for countless dancers over the years. For this special commemorative show, I was so touched to see our tributes to life changing inspirations. The diversity …
