Meet our Instructors:

Liz London

Liz London opened the MidSouth World Dance Center in June 2010 with the initial intent to provide a home for global dancers in the MidSouth. Her bellydance company, Memphis Raqs Bellydance, had outgrown its previous space. Liz created Memphis Raqs in 2006 with the goal of promoting the joy of tribal style bellydance in the Midsouth. "By carrying on the dance traditions of those who walked before us, I hope to not only further my own dancing skills and knowledge, but to help other women discover the enjoyment and passion that this dance has brought to my life and the lives of so many others around the world throughout the ages."

Liz started dancing young, taking classical jazz, tap and ballet through elementary and middle school, and then moved on to hip hop and modern dance in high school. She didn't find bellydance until college under the tutelage of Juli Downum (formerly with Dandasha of Chattanooga, currently with Urban Tribal of San Diego). She continues her training constantly, having taken workshops with Mira Betz, Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Megha, Jillina, Rachel Lazarus-Soto, Jill Parker, Frank Farinaro, Amy Sigil and Heather Stants.
Memphis Raqs Bellydance is the top bellydance company in the MidSouth, having won the title of "Best in Cultural Dance" in 2011, and operating an average of 15 classes per week in Memphis, Blytheville, Tupelo, and Jackson. In addition to running the day to day activities of the studio, Liz teaches several classes per week, as well as performs regularly with Memphis Raqs Bellydance around the city.

Memphis Raqs Bellydance

Memphis Raqs Bellydance is Memphis' top bellydance company, offering classes in various styles of Middle Eastern and North African dance styles from beginner to professional levels. Current instructors include Nicci Lundquist, Tia Uphoff, Sherry Bordelon and Liz London. Each instructor has completed a minimum of one year of technical training, 4-6 months of instructor training, and continue their own technical training through external workshops with some of the world's top bellydance instructors and performers. For details about the performance company or their classes, head to www.MemphisRaqs.com

Isadora Belmonte

Isadora began her flamenco studies in Brazil in 1995, taking classes and workshops from several flamenco artists such as Irene Madureira, Andrea Guelpa, Yara Castro, Daniel Moura, Georgia Gugliotta. In 1999 Isadora went to Seville, Spain, where she studied flamenco at Manolo Marin’s School of Dance taking classes with Manolo Marin and Adela Campallo. In Brazil se was part of a group named Sangue Flamenco, formed by seven dancers and 4 musicians, which performed several public presentations in the city of Salvador.

Joy Stokes

Joy is a Dance Education major at the University of Memphis, and is director of the Diamonds Praise Dance Company, which performs at churches and gospel festivals throughout the MidSouth.

Jakeline Vaz

Belly Dance Performing Artist, Instructor, and Choreographer, Jakeline Vaz is native Brazilian. Discovering a passion for dance at a young age, she has a background in Classical Ballet, Jazz and latin ballroom dance. She started her Belly Dance education under Sara Jane with the Lider de Artes Dance Company in Brazil and later became an instructor and choreographer for both Jazz and Belly Dance. She has attended workshops with internationally acclaimed Belly Dance stars including Lulu Sabongi, Polimnia Garro, and Shahar Badri. Jakeline has performed at different venues and events in the city of Memphis and region, including Levitt Shell, Oasis Liquid, La Rumba Room and Gold Strike Casino in Tunica. Jakeline Vaz is also a salsa dancer for Salsa Memphis Ladies Team.

Jackie Evans

Jackie Evans was trained in ballet at Peninsula Ballet Theater School in San Mateo, CA starting at 10 years old. Jackie attended UCLA for undergrad with a major in biological anthropology. She moved to Memphis in 2011 to attend the Southern College of Optometry while keeping up with her passion for dance by teaching youth classes at MWDC!

Bjorna (BJ) Brantley

Bjorna is a Memphis native who spent a few years living in St. Louis and a few in El Paso, TX. While away, her passion for street style hip hop dancing grew into more than just a hobby. She found herself dancing professionally solo and as part of several groups, including the Fly Girls in El Paso. Upon returning to Memphis, her dancing took a back seat to the 'real world' and she found herself putting on unwanted pounds. Now, she returns to the dance scene, starting with a fitness-style class to help her and anyone who shares her story and her love for dance. Her classes combine hip hop, club music, and pop to keep you moving and dancing for the full hour. She'll sprinkle in some kickboxing, and floorwork for abs to make sure you get an all-around workout. "These are the things that have helped me lose the most weight, so that's what I'm sticking with. I just love to dance, so join me and we'll lose the weight together!" - Bjorna