Merrybellies Belly Dance
A Passion for the Art of Oriental Dance
Jillanna enjoys belly dance as a teacher, choreographer, troupe director, event organizer, performer, and art historian. Her training includes Egyptian and Turkish cabaret styles and folk dances of the Middle East and North Africa. She also specializes in henna body art (mendhi).
She earned her masters degree in art history at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, specializing in Modern Art. She also researched and studied African and Islamic Art. The graduate school awarded her a fellowship to further her work in African art. She earned her BA in Fine Arts at Amherst College, graduating summa cum laude. Her painting thesis ("Visceral Reality and Machine Dreams") received highest honors.
Jillanna's performance,
visual, and verbal arts career spans nearly two decades,
with numerous exhibitions, teaching opportunities, and events
providing outlets for her vision and creativity. For a listing of
past events and exhibitions, please review her résumé. 
Jillanna has studied with excellent teachers, including Rose Champagne, Emuna, Liora, Attar Mellea, Shifah, Eva Cernik, Morocco, Alexia (Knoxville), Elizabeth Artemis Mourat, Leyla Jouvana, Jillina, & Gina (Atlanta), and continues her studies in Middle Eastern dance, culture, language, and art.
Jillanna
currently teaches belly dance at locations in Northwest Georgia,
Southeast TN, and the Chattanooga area. She began teaching belly
dance in 2001, and now teaches several classes every week (beginner through
advanced level). Recently she began teaching at the University of
Tennessee Chattanooga as an adjunct professor. She is passionate
about her classes, creating choreography, organizing events, and
directing her troupes, Desert Sirens, Gems of the Oasis,
Mermaids, and Graveyard 
Dollies. She also
performs solo and with her professional troupes, Ballista Bellies
and Desert Sirens. She is devoted to the women & girls in her
classes and to her passion for dance.
Above Photos by Bob Edens
Jillanna enjoys the company of strange personages...
Here with Desiree' and other friends at HallowCon 2007!
photo by KneeByter
Return Home