Bio

Effie (her real name is Euphoria but her family and friends call her Effie) has had a lifelong love for the arts coupled with a passion for dance. Dancing since the age of three, Effie has developed a thorough dance background in jazz, tap, modern, and ethnic dances including belly dance. Being of Greek heritage and also living abroad, she has been exposed all her life to the traditional, folkloric and modern worlds of belly dance and it’s music. She was 13 years old when her aunt Alexandra, a professional belly dancer, casually showed her a few basic moves in “tsifteteli”, a common form of belly dance in Greece , Turkey and Roma (Gypsy) populations.

Her respect and passion for belly dance had become grounded her in discipline when she started taking classical and folkloric Egyptian style belly dance classes with the international award-winning Jasmin Jahal at her School of Oriental Belly Dance of Chicago. Her passion was further ignited after she saw Blue Lotus Tribe perform tribal belly dance at one of Jasmin’s student showcases. She immediately became enamored with tribal style and started taking classes and workshops with Christina of Blue Lotus Tribe. Effie has further expanded her knowledge by taking classes or workshops from other artists such as Stephanie Barto of Read My Hips, Trillium Tribal Belly Dance, Lacey Sanchez, Body Rythms and Elisheva.

Effie has traveled extensively and has been exposed to the global belly dance community of teachers, students, dance & music performers around the world. Her experience living abroad and traveling throughout many foreign places since a very young age has allowed her to expand her knowledge of belly dance as she studied and observed the various formats of belly dancing including tribal/folkloric/eastern dances in countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Greece, Thailand, Balkan and Slavic countries and throughout other parts of the word.

Effie provides a gateway for women to express themselves through the ancient, feminine and beautiful art form of belly dance. With her background in Greek, Egyptian (Raks Sharqi), and Tribal styles, Effie offers a distinct blend of tribal & fusion style classes and workshops.

Effie has performed at international venues in Greece, Morocco and Egypt, including local public and private venues at the House of Blues, Orlando Musem of Art, charitable events, shows and parties. As professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer she is director of the unique tribal belly dance troupe Euphoria's Muses in Deland, Florida.

Effie is also available for private lessons, educational demonstrations, and professional performances.