Lisa Zahiya

Tribal Fusion bellydancer linking hip-hop and bellydance

Lisa Zahiya started bellydance in 2000 taking classes with such great teachers as Autumn Ward, Laurel Victoria Gray and Artemis Mourat (also an historican). While studying fell in love with the diversity of bellydance community. Lisa had been following ballet, jazz and hip hop dance classes and became a member of the University of Maryland dance team while living in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her career as bellydancer launched off in the Baltimore / Washington DC area where she followed intensive bellydance classes with Piper Reid Hunt. Lisa became a member of the "Daughters of Rhea" performance troupe as certified dancer in the Piper Method of American Belly Dance.
Later on in 2005 Lisa moved to Asheville, North Carolina, to join the Baraka Mundi troupe in 2006. This tribal bellydance troupe founded by Onça O'Leary. Baraka Mundi mixed bellydance techniques with East-European music. Baraka Mundi pioneered tribal bellydance in the Carolinas.

Lisa Zahiya developed her style further and is now widely known for her fusion of hip hop and bellydance and bellyfunk.
In 2008 Lisa won the title of Tribal Fusion Bellydancer of the Universe in California. But never stopped developping as a dancer taking classes with Aziza of Montreal and Ava Fleming.
Lisa settled in Asheville, North Carolina teaching bellydance and hip hop dance for a living but also does tours as workshop instructor and solo performer.