Your North Texas Bellydance Artist & Instructor

Welcome! My mission is to provide, my clients and students alike, an outstanding professional bellydance experience that enriches and delights everyone! ~ Raena

Dallas Bellydancer Raena dances for special events in black and silver costume with a pink sik veil blowing in the air

Award-Winning Entertainer

For clients seeking high-caliber, authentic entertainment, I’m proud to be one of the most in-demand performers in North Texas. I’m known for my playful, feminine energy, a fluid refined elegance, and the ability to capture the attention of every guest with my smile. But being a great performer is more than just dancing well - it’s about connecting joyfully with guests and mesmerizing them with the magical atmosphere of silk, swords, and the mysteries of fire. See Raena's awards and certifications

See Show Packages
Bellydancer Raena competing at NYC Cairo event
Bellydancer Raena posed in a lunge dramatically holding a large sword over her head
Texas Bellydancer Raena Wins 1st Place in the Orlando FL Bellydance Competition
Bellydancer Raena performing with fire at Camperet show in south Texas
Bellydancer Raena 1st place winner of River City Raks Bellydance Competition
Dallas TX Bellydance Instructor Raena poses with her students before they performance

Experienced Teacher

For those of you seeking bellydance lessons, I’m excited you are here! 

For the last 15 years, I’ve been teaching bellydance classes to people who are looking for something “different” to enrich their lives.  They want a unique, exciting way to discover and celebrate themselves.  Bellydance offers this through beautiful movement and music in a fun social setting. 

My own dance journey continues inspires me to help others uncover the many benefits of belly dancing for their own mind, body, and spirit.

Learn From Raena
Raena and her bellydance students at an outdoor group show event in Sherman Texas
Raena and her dance students posed in front of Al Amir Addison
Raena and bellydance students at the Lebanese Festival in Lewisville TX
Some of Raena's students bellydancing at Stratos Greek Taverna
Raena and her bellydance troupe dancing at the Wildflower Festival in Richardson TX
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Bellydancer Raena teaches lessons and also performs professionally for weddings and other events.

MY BELLYDANCE STORY

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated by Egypt; it’s history, music and dance. 

Many years ago, I was hypnotized by a live bellydance performance at a Renaissance Fair in Ohio.  That was the moment that set my desire to dance in motion. But it was a slow journey due to cross-country moves, family, and life. I was lucky to move to Dallas, full of teachers & classes as well as cultural events that provided opportunities to learn and practice.  What started out as time for myself, became an enriching, life-changing artistic experience.

Today, I’m proud yet humble of my dance achievements and consider myself a “forever” student of this dance.  Authenticity and cultural respect are important to me so I strive to share this in my professional work, in teaching my students, as well as when educating those I meet in my community. This dance is about much more than a glittery, costumed dancer floating gracefully around the dance floor! 


BACKGROUND

  • Bellydancing since 2003

  • Began teaching in 2006

  • Owner & Director of Mckinney Bellydance by Raena (formerly called Arani Bellydance)

  • Director of the award-winning competition troupe, Sisters of Arani

  • Director of student troupe, Raqsat Al Jamal

  • Founding co-director & member of professional DFW belly dance troupe Basbousa Bellydance (and member of former professional troupe, Nadi El Raks)

AWARDS

  • 1st place, 2021, Diamond Diva, Yaa Halla Y'all (TX)​

  • 1st runner up, 2019, pro category, Heart of America (MO) ​

  • 1st place, 2019, pro category, Orlando Bellydance Convention

  • 1st place, 2019, pro category, RiverCity Raqs (FL)

  • 1st place with NaDi El Raks, 2019 NY Cairo in the troupe category.

  • 1st Runner Up & People's Choice, 2018 Yaa Halla Y'all (TX); her troupe Sisters of Arani won 1st runner up.

  • 3rd Place, Pro category Heart of America (MO)

  • People's Choice, 2018 2nd Ahlam Al Raks Improv (TX)

  • 4th Runner Up, 2017 Yaa Halla Y'all (TX) soloist category.

  • People's Choice Winner, 2017 Heart of America (MO)

  • 1st Runner Up and People's Choice, 2017 live improv challenge at Ahlam Al Raks (TX)

CERTIFICATIONS

  • NASM certified, Personal Trainer; Behavior Change Specialist; Corrective Exercise Specialist 

  • Certified SharQui bellydance®  Workout Instructor

  • TRX Certified Instructor

  • Certified® Zumba Instructor