Lisa is a alumni of the University of Maryland Dance Team and has a background in musical theater, jazz and hip hop. In 2008, her strong powerful style earned her the title “2008 Tribal Fusion Bellydancer of the Universe” and she went on to win the Alternative Category at the Wiggles of the West bellydance competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Lisa’s unique style and fusion dance forms has gained her recognition in the International bellydance community. She travels, teaching workshops, performing and developing curriculum. She is currently developing a fusion dance curriculum for a dance school in San Raphael, France.
At home, she is faculty at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, where she teaches bhangra, hip hop and bellydance. She also serves as an Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica, Asheville.
Lisa is also known for her work with children and women, using dance as a impitus for change. Lisa serves as a Resident Artist with the Lake Eden Arts Festival, working with 1st-8th graders in public housing communities and is also a Guest Dance Instructor with the Buncombe County School System. Additionally, she travels nationally teaching in school systems and for childrens’ organizations.
She has taught at two eating disorder recovery centers, helping women re-discover their bodies through movement, and teaches at the Swannanoa Correctional Facility for Women.
Here's what she had to say about NCBellydance.org:
One of the things that is near and to dear to my heart about bellydance is community. This dance brings women (and men) together - and allows us to grow, accept ourselves and dance together. NC Bellydance is such an amazing resource for North Carolina as it fosters that sense of community across the state. Not only do we have our local communities, but we are able to easily find out about dancers, classes and workshops across the state. The website allows me to keep up with what my friends are doing across the state and keep up with all the wonderful happenings here.
For more information about Lisa Zahiya, visit her website.
