 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| About Lana |
Lana teaches and performs throughout the U.S. and overseas and
educates hundreds of students throughout 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 bellydance dance
at nightclubs, restaurants, festivals, corporate and non-profit
events, weddings, anniversary and birthday parties, bridal and
baby showers and bachelorette parties. (Sorry no bachelor
parties!) Email detroitbellydance@yahoo.com for booking
information or lessons.
Years ago, Lana sought escape from the tiring, heart-breaking
volunteer world of animal rescue. With no prior dance experience
she walked into a belly dance class out of pure curiosity. It was
then that she felt the fire of this ancient dance and her passion for
Middle Eastern song was born.
Traveling throughout the U.S. & overseas, Lana enrolled in every
instructional workshop she could find and studied regularly in her
hometown with some of the world's best instructors - from Egypt to
Germany to the states. 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. Her current
inspiration is also Petite Jamilla & Rachel Brice of both the
Bellydance Superstars and the classic dancers of Egypt, Turkey,
Iraq and Lebanon.
Quickly Lana became an in-demand dancer with a strong reputation
as a dancer who blends as one with the music, and for her firey hip
work and triple layering. She's the dancer whose style brings
warmth, and joy into a room. Today she performs at least weekly
and teaches six classes per week.
educates hundreds of students throughout 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 bellydance dance
at nightclubs, restaurants, festivals, corporate and non-profit
events, weddings, anniversary and birthday parties, bridal and
baby showers and bachelorette parties. (Sorry no bachelor
parties!) Email detroitbellydance@yahoo.com for booking
information or lessons.
Years ago, Lana sought escape from the tiring, heart-breaking
volunteer world of animal rescue. With no prior dance experience
she walked into a belly dance class out of pure curiosity. It was
then that she felt the fire of this ancient dance and her passion for
Middle Eastern song was born.
Traveling throughout the U.S. & overseas, Lana enrolled in every
instructional workshop she could find and studied regularly in her
hometown with some of the world's best instructors - from Egypt to
Germany to the states. 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. Her current
inspiration is also Petite Jamilla & Rachel Brice of both the
Bellydance Superstars and the classic dancers of Egypt, Turkey,
Iraq and Lebanon.
Quickly Lana became an in-demand dancer with a strong reputation
as a dancer who blends as one with the music, and for her firey hip
work and triple layering. She's the dancer whose style brings
warmth, and joy into a room. Today she performs at least weekly
and teaches six classes per week.
| Quick Facts: * Named one of the "Faces of Detroit" by Channel 4 News. *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. * Performs at weddings, nightclubs, restaurants, parties and festivals several times per week. * 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 televised performance at the World International Festival was viewed by more than 20 million people on three continents. |
HIGHLIGHTS
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). In 2005 she & her Detroit Bellydance
tribe performed at the Detroit premiere of the film American
Bellydancer.
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 performed with some of the Middle East's best musicians,
with singer Rachid Taha, 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 was
founded on: which means dancing at smaller functions too.
From the residential parties in Wayne County to the mid-size
restaurants in Oakland, to banquet halls throughout Macomb
County and tucked away restaurants in Europe....she's realized
this dance can be performed anywhere and enjoyed and
participated by small or big groups 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 city of Dearborn, Michigan has the second
highest Middle Eastern population in the world - only superceded by
the Middle East itself!)
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.
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). In 2005 she & her Detroit Bellydance
tribe performed at the Detroit premiere of the film American
Bellydancer.
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 performed with some of the Middle East's best musicians,
with singer Rachid Taha, 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 was
founded on: which means dancing at smaller functions too.
From the residential parties in Wayne County to the mid-size
restaurants in Oakland, to banquet halls throughout Macomb
County and tucked away restaurants in Europe....she's realized
this dance can be performed anywhere and enjoyed and
participated by small or big groups 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 city of Dearborn, Michigan has the second
highest Middle Eastern population in the world - only superceded by
the Middle East itself!)
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
Lana also evolved into an in-demand
instructor. Today some classes have
waiting lists, but to make room for all,
she 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, 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 also evolved into an in-demand
instructor. Today some classes have
waiting lists, but to make room for all,
she 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, 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.
| 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 with
Bellyrox.
restaurant in
Detroit with
Bellyrox.
| An international performer & instructor currently based in Detroit. She's also director of Detroit Bellydance - a dance tribe that provides students with opportunities to perform. |
| 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