Judge & Bio
Melanie Dellas, San Diego Performer Magazine www.sandiegoperformer.com Melanie Dellas began studying cabaret belly dancing 12 years ago in Seattle and then in New York. But it wasn't until she moved to San Diego in 2000 that she discovered a love for tribal belly dance. She immediately began studying with Heather Stants of Urban Tribal Dance Company (www.urbantribaldance.com), and in 2004 auditioned and was accepted as a member of Urban Tribal. Melanie is a founding member of Iza Moon Dance Collective, which performs all over San Diego. Melanie also owns San Diego Performer magazine (www.sandiegoperformer.com). San Diego Performer magazine’s vision is threefold: to increase the awareness and support for performing arts in San Diego by reaching out to arts enthusiasts; to coalesce interaction among local performing artists that will dynamically strengthen the City of San Diego; and to become a platform, drawing in people who may not have been exposed to the colorful and diverse performing arts genres. San Diego Performer's editorial mission is to provide readers with complete, unbiased information on all the many categories of performing arts in San Diego in an effort to create a synergy between them.
Mariela Recently retired from dancing professionally, Mariela has performed both as a soloist and with troupes since 1998. She is a former member of Troupe Yaleil and co-founder of Dunya Dance Theater, based in San Diego, CA. She has taught belly dance both in Hawaii and San Diego since 2001, and has traveled around South America, Europe, and South East Asia where she shared her talents, both as a teacher and a performer. With a strong foundation in Amercian Cabaret Style, Mariela's dance style incorporates elements from Egyptian, Tribal, and Modern Fusion dance styles. She has trained under such renowned dance professionals as Ansuya, Jillina, Heather Stants, and Saida, among others. Mariela is best known for her soulful interpretation of the dance, captivating her audience with her dazzling stage presence. Mariela holds a Doctorate degree in Psychology and works in private practice.
Harry Saroyan www.saroyanzils.com Harry's love, devotion and contributions to the Middle Eastern Arts has made him one of the most influential men in the Belly Dance World. A businessman for over 40 years, Harry is the president of Saroyan Mfg. Co. He has a degree in business administration, tool design engineering, and metallurgy. Harry, who is a connoisseur of Middle Eastern fine arts and music, has produced and directed major Middle Eastern show productions from early 70's to mid 80's. He has served as a senior judge for dance competitions and contributing writer for dance publications.
Heather Stants www.urbantribaldance.com urbantribaldance.tribe.net Heather Stants is a lifelong artist and dancer with a degree in photography and fine arts. Her explorations in tribal bellydance began over twelve years ago when she became the assistant director of Read My Hips (www.readmyhips.com) in Chicago, Illinois. In 1999 Heather moved to San Diego, California and launched the southern California tribal movement through her classes and the formation of Urban Tribal Dance Company. Heather's diverse movement and arts background feeds her creativity and her groundbreaking approach to choreography. Urban Tribal Dance Company is known for its contemporary approach to belly dance, a pared down costume emphasizing body movements over ornamentation, athleticism and the use of the dance form as a means of personal expression and interpretation. Their creativity has twice earned them the title of "Troupe of the Year" in Zaghareet! Magazine's Golden Belly Awards. In addition to teaching several weekly classes in San Diego since 1999, Heather Stants and Urban Tribal Dance Company have been touring extensively for the last five years sharing their love of modern tribal bellydance with dancers in the U.S. and abroad. Read more about Heather and Urban Tribal on above sites.
Patrisha Gutierrez www.the-eda.com Patrisha Gutierrez has for over 20 years worked with Turkish Oriyantal Tanzi, American Cabaret and Armenian dances and was for 18 years an active member, co-choreographer and performer in the award winning California based professional Middle Eastern dance troupe Sahah. She has won several prestigious titles as well as served as judge at acclaimed competitions. Patrisha has been profiled in numerous newspapers and TV channels. In 2000 Patrisha established Patrisha Productions and in 2005 she relocated to San Diego and founded the Ethnic Dance Academy – the EDA - along with co-owner and academy dean DaVid of Scandinavia. Through Patrisha Productions she does artist management, event organization and DVD production. She offers private tutoring and performance coaching on all levels and has been the primary instructor for many nationally recognized performers. Patrisha serves the local dance scene as the MECDA San Diego president, and as a board member of SAMEDA.
Tonya www.tonya-and-atlantis.com Tonya is one of Southern California's premier teachers, performers, choreographers, and promoters. She has captured the highest awards possible in the field of Middle Eastern Dance from across the nation, among them: Best Teacher; Promoter; Achiever; and MC. Tonya is the producer of the “Belly Dancer of the Universe Competitions” held annually in Long Beach, CA. She has alternated holding the offices of President and Vice President of the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association (MECDA) Beach Cities Chapter. Tonya presently teaches belly dancing (Le Danse Oriental) or Middle Eastern Dance, at Golden West College, Cerritos College, and Cypress College. Tonya teaches workshops, is a professional vocalist and MC, both locally and abroad.
Atlantis www.tonya-and-atlantis.com Atlantis is the Vice President of the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association (MECDA) Beach Cities Chapter and a member of Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association "Hall of Fame". She is a prominent tour de force promoter, producer, choreographer, and performer in the field of Middle Eastern Dance. As the co-producer of the "Belly Dancer of the Universe Competitions", together with her mother and mentor, Tonya Chianis, RSCP, they have created and produced the most innovative, highly respected, prestigious, global competitive event of its kind annually in February. Atlantis was included in Biltmore's "Who's Who" among executives and professional business women, Honors Edition.
Ana www.anabellydancer.com Ana is a well known dancer throughout the Southern California as well as Baja California belly dance communities. Currently she’s serving as Secretary and Events Coordinator for SAMEDA, as well as liaison for the Spanish speaking community, and is a member of MECDA. She regularly dances in Mexico and in San Diego County. She recently won the title Belly Dancer of the Universe "Divine," People's Choice and Congeniality awards in February of this year. Ana served as a panel judge in the 1st Baja California Belly Dance Competition in Tijuana in April. She also hosts workshops and shows in Mexico. Ana has taught belly dance through the San Diego County Park & Recreations program for over 15 years, and teaches at various studios throughout the city. She is known for her expertise in playing zills and her consistent level of beautiful and exciting dance performance. She learned dance in San Diego with Kishma, Cyrena, and Leyla. She has taken workshops with Fahtiem, Suhaila, Dahlena, Marguerite, Jillina, Judy Reda, Sakti, Marta Schill, Delilah, to name a few, which have greatly added to her unique style.