Phoenix of Denver is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina. Currently, she lives and performs in the Denver area. Phoenix approaches belly dancing from a spiritual and artistic direction. Her fluid performance is a fusion of various styles. She has shared the stage with many well known dancers and talented artists. Her performance is most often improvisational and is always from the heart. Phoenix is a member the band Yallah! and the professional troupe - the Sultry Emberz. Phoenix is co-sponsor of the Shimmy 2B Free! fundraising events.

Phoenix began belly dancing in 1997. She shares the beauty of this art form with many by sponsoring haflas and teaching. Phoenix and Yallah! host haflas on a regular basis with the idea of creating a non-competitive and supportive environment for dancers and drummers.

Phoenix released the "Isis Wings with Phoenix" instructional DVD in 2008. See her Wings DVD page for more information - and join Phoenix as she awakens the goddess in all of us with Isis Wings! Phoenix considers herself to be a lifelong student of dance. She has studied many styles including Egyptian Cabaret, Turkish, Classic Oriental, Tribal, Folkloric (Lebanese, Ghawazi, Kuwaiti, and Egyptian), Rom, Khaliji, and Spiritual Dance. Her instructors include Joynan and Eva Cernik. She has also enjoyed taking various workshops from Ariellah, Artemis, Bahaia, Coke, Dalia Carella, Domba!, Fat Chance Belly Dance, Fahtiem, Gypsy Caravan, Jim Boz, Karim Nagi, Kassar, Michelle Manx, Momo Kadous, Morocco, Naila Rose, Onca O'Leary, Rachel Brice, Rafi'ah, Romka, Rooshana, Sadie & Kaya, Samasem, Sera, Siovana, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Titanya, Thia, Tribal Tique, Ultra Gypsy, Urban Tribal, and Unmata. While Phoenix does love traditional belly dance, she enjoys moving out of the traditional realm and taking the dance down a different track. This includes more theatrical experiments, various styles of music including rock and more, and light hearted fun comedy dances. Phoenix's past performances include many types of events (belly dance shows, festivals, clubs, Vampire's Ball, Erotik'a, belly grams, & restaurants) and dancing with live bands (Yallah!, Sherefe, Siren Project, & Peace, Love, and Destruction). Phoenix enjoys varying her performance using single and double veil, wings, feather fans (larger and smaller versions), Thai fingers, sword and double sword, cane, veil poi (voi), and fire.

As a teacher, Phoenix works with each student to develop strength in their moves, technique, and create their own style. She teaches self-expression and creativity. Also, she teaches each of her students zill techniques from the drummer and dancer perspective. Phoenix provides performance opportunities for her students to grow. Phoenix continues to share this beautiful form of self-expression and art by teaching, sponsoring events, and performance. She hopes to awaken the goddess within us all. Phoenix is available for workshops in your area - contact her at: phoenix_dancing@hotmail.com

~~~Quotes from students about Phoenix:~~~

"You are the best instructor I have had for teaching the zills. What I love is the variety and creativity in your style."
~Jan

"You have helped me by having a heart of compassion, demonstrating kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and most of all fun! You are beautiful inside and out and you show us all we do not have to be perfect. Because of this teaching style, I feel we all have grown and have our individual blessings that shine as we dance.
It has helped me heal and grow. It gives you confidence and we all work very hard for you. We all have great pride and hope to make you proud without taken it to serious."
~Katina

"I love Phoenix's' teaching style! She is very good at explaining, takes time to let us work through it and explains in several different ways. The zills have been hard for me, but to my amazement, I have done better than I thought I could! Phoenix goes over and over each rhythm so we can catch on.
I keep coming back because she gives us opportunities to perform and is so encouraging while we are learning. I would highly recommend her if you want to learn and have fun. If you are very serious about performing at restaurants and more, she offers private lessons to get you out there on the scene. Privates offer you the chance to start from your level and work on what you want to work on."
~Debbie

Interview with Phoenix of Denver:

Under the Sun Bellydance - featured dancer for May 2009