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 intensive teacher training program, as well as multiple performances each year. Most recently, Sahara Dance celebrated its 20th anniversary Under a Desert Moon Gala in April 2025, and had the honor of representing Middle Eastern Dance at the World Culture Festival in 2023 with Jillina.
“For a lot of people, that sense of confidence and that blossoming and the changes they make in their own bodies and lives that come from belly dance tend to come under the pressure cooker of performance.”
Earlier this year, Rachel was interviewed on Iana Komarnytska’s Belly Dance Life podcast, where she shared:
- her own personal belly dance story beginnings
- how she got into teaching belly dance and who her early teachers and influences were
- valuable lessons from her mentors
- how to understand if you’re ready to teach belly dance
- how she manages Sahara Dance’s curriculum and teaching staff
- how she has witnessed dancers evolve through Sahara Dance’s performance opportunities
- and so much more!
“I feel just very lucky to be in this place, in this time, in this world with these people who want to be part of this dance. I think it attracts a special kind of person to share this dance.”
Learn more about Sahara Dance’s history by listening to the full podcast here or on Spotify! Want to see the Sahara Dance community evolve over the years? Check out our photo albums!
“The overarching hope is everybody leaves feeling uplifted by being a part of Sahara Dance.”