Chandara Gamal

Chandara Gamal was first introduced to Greek "Bellydance" in 1981 at a restaurant in Bamberg, West Germany where she was touched by not only the physical beauty of the dancer, but her graceful movements and the joy on her face as she danced. She took her first lesson in 1982 and has been in love with bellydancing ever since.

After returning to the United States and the birth of her second child, she continued her study of bellydance with Patti Lyle (IA), and later with Simone's 7th Veil Dance Company in St. Louis, MO. About 1988, Soraya Al Musri, founder of Aalim Dance Academy (St. Louis, MO), took Chandara under her wing and became Chandara's mentor, helping her grow into an excellent performer and caring teacher. She began teaching at Aalim Dance Academy in 1989, and later founded Raqs Al Dounya World Dance Ensemble, and co-founded Desert Moon Dance Academy in St. Louis. Upon relocating to Columbus, Ohio in 2002, Chandara created Bellydance Columbus to continue to share this ancient, beautiful art form.

Chandara has taught workshops from Missouri to Ohio and has performed in a variety of venues - including television, schools and universities, state and local fairs, renaissance festivals, parades, restaurants and nightclubs in 10 states.

Over the years, Chandara has attended numerous master classes, seminars & workshops with some of the greatest names in Middle Eastern Dance, including Mahmoud Reda (Cairo, Egypt); Suhaila Salimpour (CA); Sahreen El-Safy (CA); Morocco (NY); Bert Balladine (CA); Sarah Kent (CA); Cassandra (MN); Amaya (NM); Leila Gamal (IN); Ruby Jazayre (IN); Maleeha (IA); Mona N'wal (WI); Kamaal (CA); Aziz (UT); Karen Barbee (TX); Zahra Zuhair (CA); Zoe Jakes (CA); Conchi (OH), Faten Al Munger (IN), Valizan (Canada), and many more!

Chandara is dedicated to passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of dancers, performers and teachers through classes, seminars, and as a Board Member for MECDA - Middle Eastern Culture & Dance Association.

Leyla Soleil is a professional bellydancer recently relocated to Columbus from the Akron/ Cleveland, Ohio area.

A dancer since childhood, and a second generation bellydancer, Leyla Soleil is a graceful and polished performer. Besides Middle Eastern Dance, She has studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, samba and flamenco and continues her studies through master workshops and classes. Her intense passion for dance has resulted in a long resume, including such titles as featured performer, dance company director, choreographer, seminar instructor, event producer and studio owner.
 
Throughout her career she has been featured in numerous publications including Jareeda magazine, Cleveland Magazine, Free Times, Akron Beacon Journal, Cleveland Scene, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Some highlights of her performance career include the Cleveland premiere of the American Bellydancer Movie; Opening act for international recording artist Oojami; appearing for a season as the bellydancer in Toga - a show at Pickwick and Frolic in downtown Cleveland; and beng the featured workshop instructor and performer in Conchi's Mediterranean Echoes 2010.
 
Leyla has also had the priveledge to perform live with many well known artists including Melham Baraket, Oojami, Raquy and the Cavemen, Sohail Kaspar, Tony Mikhael and Joe Stephan, Tony Eid and Haider Alaugaily, David Hakim, The Stygma Band, and the Kakias Band. She is skilled in the use of finger cymbals, veil, fan veils, sword and cane.
 
In the classroom Leyla is passionate about dance as an avenue to fitness and health and is certified in Yogafit and Zumba. She has trained intensely in Pilates on the reformer and taught at the Tom Smith Studio in Akron. While in Akron she created a unique training program designed to develop professional level bellydancers and that program produced many of the performers known in the Akron/ Cleveland area today. She is known for being a generous, caring, yet strict instructor, able to read abilities and teach to many different levels. An innate motivator, many students credit Leyla for being able to bring out their best.
 

Laylia began her study of Middle Eastern Dance and music with Hakan Kaya (OH) – a delightful folk dancer, musician and comedian - in 1995, and later with Selayma (CA) in 1997. Through Hakan, she found a love for Turkish Culture and comedy. Laylia performed at many weddings, Turkish New Years parties, restaurants, festivals and celebrations across the U.S. Hakan also introduced her to the Turkish band, Turkana, with whom she toured across Canada and played bass doumbek on the album, “Keyfim Yerinde”.

In addition to being an accomplished musician herself, she has inspired other musicians to create music especially for her, such as the drum solo "Laylia 2.0" by the New York based "Djinn" on the 2009 album "The Silent D".

In 1997 Laylia began the comedy-bellydancing show at The Ohio Renaissance Festival now known as the “Naughty Navels”. Her unique combination of bellydance and comedy have entertained rennaisance-faire audiences in Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and Arizona.

In addition to bellydance, Laylia’s experience in opera, theatre, ballroom, salsa, hip-hop, swing, and Lindy Hop give her a unique edge in breaking down movements for her students. She is a teacher’s teacher – beloved by students and peers alike!

Laylia has also taught Middle Eastern Dance classes as an accredited course through the University of Ohio in 2006 and 2007, and continues to teach seminars across the country.

Just a few of the many venues in which Laylia has taught and guest-performed include: University of Ohio; Perdue University; Chicago Turkish Festival; Alabama Renaissance Fair; Arizona Renaissance Fair; Tennessee Renaissance Fair; Arizona Renaissance Fair; Ashville Viking Festival; Dayton’s City Folk Festival; ComFest (Columbus, OH); and countless others across the U.S., Canada & Mexico.