Judge & Bio
Melanie Dellas, Dance San Diego Magazine www.dance-sandiego.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. She's been dancing ever since! Melanie also owns Dance San Diego magazine, our city's only dance-related publication (www.dance-sandiego.com). Dance San Diego's goal is to provide a platform for dancers who are representing artistic vision in San Diego and who can both encourage and be a role model to other dancers. Dance San Diego is a vessel to inform dancers about artistic principles in everyday business and to encourage interaction among dancers in every genre of dance in San Diego County. Its mission is to promote the concept of "community" in the various aspects and types of dance.
Mariela www.marielabellydancer.com Mariela, of South American background, moved to Los Angeles in 1991. She began her Belly Dance studies under the instruction of renowned dancer Ansuya and her mother Jeneani. Inspired by the passion of this dance form, Mariela devoted several years to studying Belly Dance in classes and workshops from many accomplished dancers, such as Jillina, Heather Stants, and Saida among others. After travelling through Europe and South East Asia, where she also shared her talents as a teacher and performer, Mariela relocated to San Diego, California, where she co-founded Dunya Dance Theater under the direction of Angell Estrada. Mariela continues to perform locally and abroad, mostly limiting her performances to private venues. Aside from dancing, Mariela is currently pursuing her Doctorate degree in Psychology.
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 Stants is a lifelong artist and dance enthusiast with a degree in photography and fine arts. Her explorations in tribal bellydance began over eleven 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 formed Urban Tribal Dance Company. Heather's diverse movement and arts background feeds her creativity and her innovative approach to choreography. Urban Tribal Dance Company is known for its "urban" and modern influenced dance style, 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 since 2004 sharing their love of modern tribal bellydance with dancers in the U.S. and abroad.
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.
Tiffany Bisconer www.tiffanybisconer.com Tiffany has been a leading force in the dance as it extends through Tribal and Cabaret. She has toured and taught around the world, and has become one of the most sought after instructors of the Suhaila Salimpour format, teaching both Jamila's and Suhaila's format with proficiency and joy. Her extensive knowledge in a wide array of belly dance stylizations and her mastery of playing finger cymbals have led her to reach the highest level in all areas of the dance form. Tiffany Bisconer's performance resume includes extensive solo and ensemble pieces including her notorious Snake Dance, Water Glass Balancing Dance, Mother Goddess (Mask Dance). Tiffany’s Acapella Finger Cymbal Dance in Sheherezade has been reviewed as one of the most complex belly dancing pieces in the performing world today.
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.
Julie Lively Julie has studied dancing for over 14 years. She began studying belly dancing over 11 years ago and specializes in Tribal Style Improvisation. She has studied various styles of dance including American Tribal Style, American Cabaret, African, Indian Katthak, Balinese, Flamenco, Dunyavi Gypsy, and Creative Movement and Improvisation. She was a founding member and principle dancer of Rakadu Gypsy Dance of Lexington, KY, for over 8 years. She currently teaches tribal based improvisation in San Diego, CA, and performs both as a soloist and with Urban Tribal Dance Company. In addition to dancing, Julie is an occupational therapist, pilates instructor, and craniosacral therapist.