Join Despina, a licensed Salimpour Instructor, for a 5-week dance journey honoring the enduring legacy of Jamila and Suhaila Salimpour — two visionary women whose pioneering work continues to shape the global language of belly dance and SWANA movement forms.

Founded by Jamila Salimpour in 1949, the Salimpour School established the first structured approach to belly dance, later expanded by Suhaila Salimpour into a contemporary and somatic system of training. Together, they created the Salimpour Vocabulary — a living language that connects cultural lineage, musicality, and technique across generations.

In this project, Despina will guide dancers through key vocabulary, technique, and emotional expression, culminating in an original choreography that will be performed at Bellyqueen’s Annual Holiday Showcase on Dec 13th.

Honor a lineage. Refine your artistry. Dance the legacy.