About Us
Discover the story behind SHEBA and the artists who bring it to life.
Who is SHEBA?
SHEBA is not a who. It's a what.
While you might assume that SHEBA is the name of a person, it is actually an acronym for Sisterhood of Eclectic Bellydance Art.
We are an organization dedicated to preserving the art and culture of bellydance and positively representing it wherever we go. Through education, performance, and community programs, we make bellydance accessible and relatable to all, using dance to connect people and enrich lives.
SHEBA's Offerings
Whether you join us as a student, audience member, event host, organization, or community group, SHEBA provides many paths to explore, appreciate, and connect with the art of bellydance-
The SHEBA Way
Bellydance is a beautiful art form that is so much more than fun and fitness.
At SHEBA, everything we teach, perform, and create is built on these three core pillars:
Integrity
Strong foundations in technique, cultural, and historical knowledge upheld in both teaching and performance.
Musicality
A deep connection to the music through listening, understanding, embodiment, and expression.
Community
Meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and a welcoming environment where everyone belongs.
Meet Salit, SHEBA Founder
"I used to be a tomboy"
I wore baggy clothes, short spiky hair, and wanted nothing to do with “traditional” femininity like makeup, dresses, skirts, accessories, or anything else considered girly.
I wanted to hide my body and hated my curves.
My insecurities and low self-esteem impacted the way I carried myself, leaving me slouched and physically weak.
My Pure Love
I always loved the performing arts and trained in various forms of movement and music from the age of three, starting with ballet, which I did not relate to because my body resisted the form and alignment required for the style, especially having to suck in my belly all the time, and my teachers would always scold and correct me hopelessly. I also hated putting my hair up in a bun and wearing tight, restricting leotards.
It was a rigid experience.
I left ballet classes eventually but my body still needed movement and music so I continued dancing freely in my living room to any clip that came on MTV, while training in singing, piano and guitar playing, and spending hours a day listening to all kinds of music.
And Then
When I was 21, I discovered a bellydance studio. I was too shy to walk in by myself, so it wasn't until my mother started taking classes there that I found the courage to join.
That. Changed. Everything.
What I Discovered
The circular and wavy movement taught in class felt pleasant and natural in my body, and boy did I like shimmying, letting my hips fly loose, and watching my belly jiggle freely!
The teachers were warm and supportive and never scolded me for “getting it wrong.” And the music... oh, the music!
It was love at first note :)
Having women of all different ages, shapes, sizes, and fitness levels around me in class showed me that bellydance was truly for everyone and a beautiful way to connect with people who were different from me.
Not only was I enjoying every part of the experience- the movement, the music, and the social side of it, but at what I thought was an “old age” for a dancer (21), I discovered that my body could do these movements well, and I was actually getting good at them, fast.
New Love
As my bellydance training was progressing, my technique was improving, and my knowledge was expanding, I suddenly looked at my newly toned body and started loving it. My posture gradually improved as my confidence in my skills and knowledge grew, and I shifted to wearing tight-fitting clothes and even skirts!
When it came time for my first bellydance performance on stage with our studio's student troupe, and I had to slip into a very revealing bra and skirt costume showing a lot of my body, instead of feeling terrified, I was proud and excited to present all the hard work I had poured into this art.
Home Sweet Home
Since the first moment I stepped on that stage I felt at home and I knew I had found my place with bellydancing.
After that performance I was ever so motivated to continue training, growing, and seeing how far bellydance can take me.
Where Bellydance Took Me
Through years of practice, classes, workshops, performing anywhere I could, and loving the journey with all its challenges, I became a professional bellydancer, teacher, business owner, choreographer, producer, musician, and most importantly- a strong, confident, self-loving woman.
I have bellydance and the supportive community from my first year of training to thank for that.
It's Not Just Me
Change and transformation are possible.
I am living, breathing proof of that, and my mission in life is to help you discover your own strength, confidence, and joy through movement and music.
Believe in yourself, and stay open to new possibilities - you never know where they might lead!
See SHEBA in Action
Press & Features
NBC, Today Show
PIX11, NY Living
Time Magazine Online
Refinery 29, Lucie Fink
