L. A. Bellydance Academy

The Los Angeles Bellydance Academy is a professional dance studio located in the heart of LA offering weekly classes, specialty workshops, and private lessons. On our schedule we have Arabic folk dance, belly dance, Persian dance, Ori Tahiti or Tahitian dance and Hawaiian Hula. Join us in dacne to find out more about our unique and passionate program that will uplift your soul and advance your dance.The L.A. Bellydance Academy finds its origin with Stefanya in the most unlikely of places. That place being in the capital city of the beautiful state of Kansas. This is where at the age of three, at the local dance studio she began learning how to dance. It was her mother who enrolled her, her grandmother who would drive her and her father who would show up at every show to video record. This once a week, sixty minute tap and jazz dance class for kids expanded into a focused and disciplined study of classical ballet and contemporary American dance styles. During her young adult years, Stefanya participated in numerous regional and national dance competitions. While still in school, she was the winner of “Best of Show” at Termain Dance Convention national finals, receiving the highest score out of four hundred entries for a lyrical dance number to which she choreographed and performed. She was also the recipient of numerous scholarships to study at with professionals at studio in New York and Los Angeles. The culmination of these experiences combined with her enthusiasm and drive Stefanya made the decision that she would leave her hometown in Kansas to move to Los Angeles, California to refine her artistic skills and pursue a professional dance career.

Stefanya’s training and specialties skills soon landed her a positions as cast member of the world famous Bellydancer Superstars. Catching the eye of mogul Miles Copeland the show’s producer she was chosen from a 90-dancer audition in Los Angeles to join the touring company. Since, her debut she has performed in over six hundred shows across twenty-three countries, at the world’s most well know venues for celebrities, dignitaries and royalty. At a point in time she was the troupe’s assistant director while performing her specialty act: dancing on stilts. Sharing the stage with such memorable middle eastern dance artist such as Bozenka, Sonia, Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Amar Gamal and Jillina Stefanya cultivated deep appreciation for this ancient art form and a real need to share that with other dancers. After eight incredible years of world tours, Stefanya returned full time to Los Angeles with an intact passion for dance but new ambitions:In 2011 Stefanya founded The L.A. Bellydance Academy and started welcoming new students in a cosy studio located in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. This space was previously owned and operated by legendary dance artist Adam Basma. Stefanya and Adam Basma were introduced at the Beirut Nights dance competition that Adam sponsored in Los Angeles. Stefanya was the 2nd place winner and was invited to meet with Adam Basma in his Bazaar. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.The studio moved to the Mid-City Art Center in the summer of 2014 for a more spacious and comfortable experience for its dancers and students.The studio today provides in average 20 classes a week taught by active professionals, private lessons, workshops, open houses and different cultural events throughout the year.Stefanya also contributes to cultivate and spread the legacy of legendary artist Adam Basma.

Performing across the globe Stefanya is a performance company member of the world-famous touring belly dance company, the Bellydance Superstars. A total of eight years with eight hundred plus shows in more then twenty-five countries this professional dance experience has provided Stefanya the tools and motivations needed to move forward passionately with insight and professionalism. Producing multiple successful events which includes “Allah Kushnir LIVE in Los Angeles”, “Club Bellydance L.A.” and the “Arabic Arts Festival” Stefanya’s goal is to unite dancers in celebration of truth and life through the love of dance.