Heather's Biography

You can call me Heather or Haleema, I answer to both.

I've been studying Middle Eastern dance since 1999 and teaching since 2004. After trying to find a belly dance class for years, I finally found a teacher and started learning to dance at age 30. My only goal was to have fun and be able to mimic the seemingly-mysterious movements that I'd only caught glimpses of in movies and read about in books. Luckily for me my instructor was Cassandra Al Warda, an amazing dancer who not only taught me how to dance she also encouraged me to perform and ultimately to teach. I was also fortunate enough to be able to study with the woman who taught Cassandra, Ates Altiok, an absolutely phenomenal Turkish dancer.

Over the past 12 years I've been inspired and influenced by many dancers, present and past, but when I found Keti's courses I knew this was my calling. I love seeing a new student when they first "get" a move. Keti's Routines and teaching philosophy give students a great way to link movements together so that they can put on some music and just dance!