She teaches and performs in the U.S. and overseas; and
educates hundreds of students in metro-Detroit - from those
wanting to have fun and get fit to more "serious" students who
take to the stage.
She performs authentic, elegant Middle Eastern belly dance at
weddings, nightclubs, restaurants, festivals, corporate and
non-profit events, anniversary and birthday parties, television
shows, concerts, bridal and baby showers and bachelorette
parties. (Sorry no bachelor parties!) Email
detroitbellydance@yahoo.com for booking information or
lessons.
Years ago, Lana and her two closest friends sought escape from
the heart-breaking volunteer world of animal rescue. With no
prior dance experience they walked into a belly dance class out
of pure curiosity. Together they felt the fire of this ancient dance
and her passion for Middle Eastern song was born.
Traveling, Lana enrolled in every instructional workshop she
could find and studied regularly in her hometown with some of
the world's best instructors. Her mentors are world-class dancers
Princess Madiha, of Syria, and Aida Al Adawi, of San Francisco --
both are the mothers of this dance in America (Aida is the direct
protégé of the legendary Jamila Salimpour).
Lana has studied with instructors from Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq
and Lebanon. And with inspiration such as Rachel Brice, Petite
Jamilla, and others.
Lana is in-demand dancer with a strong reputation as a
performer who BECOMES the music on stage. Known for her fiery
hip work, grace and triple layering, she's a dancer whose style
brings warmth and joy into a room.
Today she performs constantly - sometimes up to 4 shows in a
single day - and teaches multiple classes per week.
educates hundreds of students in metro-Detroit - from those
wanting to have fun and get fit to more "serious" students who
take to the stage.
She performs authentic, elegant Middle Eastern belly dance at
weddings, nightclubs, restaurants, festivals, corporate and
non-profit events, anniversary and birthday parties, television
shows, concerts, bridal and baby showers and bachelorette
parties. (Sorry no bachelor parties!) Email
detroitbellydance@yahoo.com for booking information or
lessons.
Years ago, Lana and her two closest friends sought escape from
the heart-breaking volunteer world of animal rescue. With no
prior dance experience they walked into a belly dance class out
of pure curiosity. Together they felt the fire of this ancient dance
and her passion for Middle Eastern song was born.
Traveling, Lana enrolled in every instructional workshop she
could find and studied regularly in her hometown with some of
the world's best instructors. Her mentors are world-class dancers
Princess Madiha, of Syria, and Aida Al Adawi, of San Francisco --
both are the mothers of this dance in America (Aida is the direct
protégé of the legendary Jamila Salimpour).
Lana has studied with instructors from Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq
and Lebanon. And with inspiration such as Rachel Brice, Petite
Jamilla, and others.
Lana is in-demand dancer with a strong reputation as a
performer who BECOMES the music on stage. Known for her fiery
hip work, grace and triple layering, she's a dancer whose style
brings warmth and joy into a room.
Today she performs constantly - sometimes up to 4 shows in a
single day - and teaches multiple classes per week.
| Quick Facts: * Named one of the "Faces of Detroit" by Channel 4 News. * Voted Best Dance Company in Detroit by Real Detroit Weekly *Teaches both beginner and advanced levels. * Performed as a guest dancer with the prestigious Belly Dance Superstars. * Has one of the highest student bases in metro-Detroit -women of every age and size can bellydance! * Performs at weddings, nightclubs, restaurants, parties and festivals several times per week. * Performed for mega-star, singer Usher. Worked with actors Patrick Swayze, Kerry Washington, Kevin Costner, Will Smith & others. *Performed with superstar Persian singer Houshman Aghili * Performed at the premiere of the documentary film: American Bellydancer. * Performed with respected world musicians including Rachid Taha and Oojami. * Teaches & performs in both Europe and throughout the U.S. * Is known for her rapid hip work and was told by her own instructor, "No one shimmies better than you. No one." * Her classes are so popular they have been promoted as some of the best things to experience when visiting Detroit by the national Travel Channel's "We Live Here," plus "Visit Detroit" magazine. * Has been featured on CNN and every major Detroit publication and TV news show. * Is repeatedly invited to dance at weddings, Persian New Year celebrations, Lebanese heritage celebrations, Chaldean and Egyptian festivals and university international programs. * She's created an instructional belly dance DVD, Authentic Bellydance with Lana, that beginner bellydance and professional dancers are using! * Lana Mini is also an award winning print journalist. Her career in newspapers is strong. * Her televised performance at the World International Festival was viewed by more than 2O million people on three continents. |
HIGHLIGHTS & HISTORY
Fast Fact: Michigan is no easy audience! It has the largest
Middle Eastern population in the U.S. - second in the world -
only to the Mid East itself! Many people in this big city
understand bellydance - and hire Lana as their dancer. Those
who don't understand bellydance, but are curious, hire her as a
teacher.
Her dance style foundation is Egyptian with strong elements of
Lebanese, Iraqi, Turkish and Persian and Tribal style.
In 2004 Lana was invited to perform as a solo dancer with the
stunning Belly Dance Superstars, an L.A. production company
headed by Miles Copeland (former manager of The Police, Sting,
The Bangles and others). A year later she & the Detroit
Bellydance tribe performed at the premiere of the film American
Bellydancer. The film features musicians Jane's Addiction plus
dancers Ansuya, Rachel Brice, Jillina, and many others.
She's performed for U.S., Middle Eastern and Indian Dignitaries;
has been featured in every major Detroit media publication and
on CNN, Detroit's Channel 7, 4 and Fox2 television news and
on television programs in the Middle East. She's performed for
singer/dancer Usher; turned down an invitation to perform for
the President of the United States in 2004; has taught &
performed in the Caribbean Islands and in Europe and recently
helped choreograph dances for Miss Black Michigan in the Black
Miss U.S.A. Pageant.
She's also performed with some of the Middle East's best
musicians including Persian singer Houshman Aghili, Algerian
singer Rachid Taha, plus Oojami, Raquy & The Cavemen and the
Russian rock & rollers The Red Elvises, just to name a few.
Finally....Even though she performs at large events, Lana
embraces the intimacy that Middle Eastern belly dance (raqs
sharqi) was founded on: which means dancing at smaller
intimate functions.
From the residential parties in Wayne County to the mid-size
restaurants in Oakland, to banquet halls throughout Macomb
County, resort hotels in the Caribbean and tucked away
restaurants in Europe....she's realized this dance can be
performed anywhere and enjoyed by small or big groups...all to
celebrate life.
Lana also dances at the city of Dearborn's most prestigious
Middle Eastern nightclubs and believes dance and music can
help bridge cultural differences.
The most passionate dancer studies hard and understands that
bellydance was created by women for women. As an educator
and performer Lana works hard to break the
Hollywood-stereotype of the Belly Dance Harem girl.
Fast Fact: Michigan is no easy audience! It has the largest
Middle Eastern population in the U.S. - second in the world -
only to the Mid East itself! Many people in this big city
understand bellydance - and hire Lana as their dancer. Those
who don't understand bellydance, but are curious, hire her as a
teacher.
Her dance style foundation is Egyptian with strong elements of
Lebanese, Iraqi, Turkish and Persian and Tribal style.
In 2004 Lana was invited to perform as a solo dancer with the
stunning Belly Dance Superstars, an L.A. production company
headed by Miles Copeland (former manager of The Police, Sting,
The Bangles and others). A year later she & the Detroit
Bellydance tribe performed at the premiere of the film American
Bellydancer. The film features musicians Jane's Addiction plus
dancers Ansuya, Rachel Brice, Jillina, and many others.
She's performed for U.S., Middle Eastern and Indian Dignitaries;
has been featured in every major Detroit media publication and
on CNN, Detroit's Channel 7, 4 and Fox2 television news and
on television programs in the Middle East. She's performed for
singer/dancer Usher; turned down an invitation to perform for
the President of the United States in 2004; has taught &
performed in the Caribbean Islands and in Europe and recently
helped choreograph dances for Miss Black Michigan in the Black
Miss U.S.A. Pageant.
She's also performed with some of the Middle East's best
musicians including Persian singer Houshman Aghili, Algerian
singer Rachid Taha, plus Oojami, Raquy & The Cavemen and the
Russian rock & rollers The Red Elvises, just to name a few.
Finally....Even though she performs at large events, Lana
embraces the intimacy that Middle Eastern belly dance (raqs
sharqi) was founded on: which means dancing at smaller
intimate functions.
From the residential parties in Wayne County to the mid-size
restaurants in Oakland, to banquet halls throughout Macomb
County, resort hotels in the Caribbean and tucked away
restaurants in Europe....she's realized this dance can be
performed anywhere and enjoyed by small or big groups...all to
celebrate life.
Lana also dances at the city of Dearborn's most prestigious
Middle Eastern nightclubs and believes dance and music can
help bridge cultural differences.
The most passionate dancer studies hard and understands that
bellydance was created by women for women. As an educator
and performer Lana works hard to break the
Hollywood-stereotype of the Belly Dance Harem girl.
TEACHING
Today some classes have waiting
lists, but to make room for all, she
happily teaches up to six classes per
week plus individual private lessons.
Lana's studies of Middle Eastern
dance is lifelong because she holds
the philosophy "when you think you
know it all is when you stop growing."
Her speciality is
improvisation...meaning dance that is
not choreographed, but rather
created while performing live on
stage...the way belly dance was
originally intended. While her style
focuses on traditional westernized
cabaret - the type of "belly" dance
performed at today's Middle Eastern
nightclubs and restaurants -- Lana
also studies and teaches elements of
American Tribal Fusion.
Whether it's with a sword, zils (finger
cymbals), a cane, Shamadan with
fire, Isis wings, veil or her hips; she
understands that a strong,
disciplined dancer helps her audience
see the music they hear; as the
dance is an interpretation of song.
Lana's goal as a teacher is to provide
students with a friendly, fun,
non-competitive supportive
classroom setting, and through
dance, help improve confidence &
health in women - building
sisterhood is good for everyone.
Finally, she feels everyone can dance
if you have a teacher willing to share
the secrets of belly dance...it makes
life a bit more fun!
Today some classes have waiting
lists, but to make room for all, she
happily teaches up to six classes per
week plus individual private lessons.
Lana's studies of Middle Eastern
dance is lifelong because she holds
the philosophy "when you think you
know it all is when you stop growing."
Her speciality is
improvisation...meaning dance that is
not choreographed, but rather
created while performing live on
stage...the way belly dance was
originally intended. While her style
focuses on traditional westernized
cabaret - the type of "belly" dance
performed at today's Middle Eastern
nightclubs and restaurants -- Lana
also studies and teaches elements of
American Tribal Fusion.
Whether it's with a sword, zils (finger
cymbals), a cane, Shamadan with
fire, Isis wings, veil or her hips; she
understands that a strong,
disciplined dancer helps her audience
see the music they hear; as the
dance is an interpretation of song.
Lana's goal as a teacher is to provide
students with a friendly, fun,
non-competitive supportive
classroom setting, and through
dance, help improve confidence &
health in women - building
sisterhood is good for everyone.
Finally, she feels everyone can dance
if you have a teacher willing to share
the secrets of belly dance...it makes
life a bit more fun!
| Photo courtesy of the Raging Grannies Above: A performance at Detroit's Dally in the Alley Festival with Ara Topouzian's Eastern Winds Ensemble, a band that creates authentic Armenian music. |
| -- special thanks to Detroit Bellydance writers who contributed to this page. |
copyright Lana Chownyk Bellydance
At Congress
restaurant in
Detroit.
restaurant in
Detroit.
| Performer & Instructor Lana Mini is an international performer & instructor based in Detroit, Michigan. She's also director of Detroit Bellydance - a Michigan belly dance tribe that provides students opportunities to perform. Lana also produces authentic instructional dance dvds available worldwide & on this site. |
| Lana of |
| "A good instructor not only teaches dance & helps each student develop their own style, but also helps women realize their own beauty, and gain confidence in a world that is much too hard on them." - Lana during an interview with CNN Headline News. |
Call 586. 242.9425 or email
detroitbellydance@yahoo.com
detroitbellydance@yahoo.com
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| ABOUT LANA |
| UPDATE: The international release of Lana's instructional bellydance DVD, Authentic Bellydance. Click here. |
| LATEST NEWS Voted 2009 Best Dance Company in Detroit by Real Detroit Weekly |