The Navel Academy - Mideastern Dance

"THE NAVEL ACADEMY"

AH-LAN WA SAH-LAN (Hello)!

RAINA - PHOTO BY BOBBY WHETSEL

~ WHAT'S SHIMMYING
AT THE NAVEL ACADEMY ~

FIGHT PINK CHOCOLATE DONATE!

LAURIE & ASHLEY

CHEZ YVETTE STUDIO

INSTRUCTORS' SCHEDULES

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Hello and welcome! Those of you who know me are aware that I have been working at overcoming a rare form of abdominal cancer. I am feeling great now after a long struggle with recovery from surgery. I have chosen to follow a more holistic approach to my healing, which is an ongoing process. I'm back and ready to dance again - thanks to all of your prayers, donations, love, and positive energy!

Dance has been a major part of my life since the age of 5, when I began taking ballet at "Grace Thomas Dance Studio" (now Thomas Dance Studio) in Lake Worth, FL. I studied the classics - ballet, acrobatics, jazz and pointe for the next 8 years.

Years later, while a University of Florida employee, I was introduced to an incredible variety of international dances. In 1984, I began training seriously in Middle Eastern (Belly), Polynesian, and Turkish Folk dances. I embarked on a special tour of Egypt and Morocco (with Turquoise International), in February 1989, to deepen my understanding of the native dances and music of these countries. Oriental dance luminaries I have had the honor to study with include: Aszmara (NY), Horatio Cifuentes (Germany), Dahlena (NM), Suzanna Del Vecchio (CO), Myriam Eli (FL), Fahtiem (CA), Kathryn Ferguson (AZ), Halime (NY), Jenann (PA), Jihan Jamal (FL), Kahreen & Kira (FL), Morocco (NY), Mahmoud Reda (Egypt), Yousry Sharif (NY), Shoshanna (CA), Zhaleh Fereshteh (FL), and many others.

I have been performing and instructing professionally in Florida and New York, with over 25 years experience in Middle Eastern Dance. My repertoire includes the classical Oriental style, "Raks Sharqi," as well as indigenous folk styles. I believe dance is not only entertaining but can be therapeutic, rejuvenating, and spiritually uplifting. My desire is to educate and bring good will to the world through dance......

I am delighted that you are visiting my web site! My company is here to provide you with exciting, fun, and professional Middle Eastern dance performances, choreography, seminars, lectures, and classes. Class and Events Updates will appear monthly, so check back regularly to see what's shakin' at The Navel Academy!

On this site you'll find information about our activities, classes, services, Oriental dance history, and more. Be sure to check out my "Favorite Links" page for other dance-related web sites. Dance is my passion and I look forward to sharing this wonderful art form with you!

Feel free to contact me with your comments and join my mailing list!

MY DEEPEST THANKS GO TO....

~ my loving mother and biggest fan, Jean Milliman

~ my dearly departed father, Bruce Milliman

~ my husband/angel/confidant/healer/soulmate/best friend, Bobby Whetsel

~ Jim Stanton, Timothy W. Swilley and the Atlantic High School Class of 1976

~ our wonderful South Florida community of dancers in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties

~ David, Julia, and Josh Cronin; Valerie Langley, Dan Pineda, and Nancy Kennedy of Changing Times Books & Gifts

~ Heather Madden & Maria Komie for teaching classes during my medical absence in 2006-2007

~ Denise Wickell & Steven White, Changing Times Books & Gifts, Eugenia & Shan, Daniela & Hip-notic, BellyCraft, Shri-Shambhala, Sunsport Resort community, The Wallflower Gallery, my incredible family, and friends I never knew I had...for their fund raising efforts to help me overcome cancer, and

....for all the love, inspiration, support and encouragement you have given me over the years in becoming the dancer I am today! God bless you!