Golden State Raqs Judges

Vanessa of Cairo in Sacramento! Vanessa is a Master Instructor and Performer, who has graced stages all over the world while teaching ballet and dance foundation to all ages in her hometown in Texas. We can't wait to host Vanessa at Golden State Raqs! 

IG: @vanessa_raqs

FB: Vanessa Raqs

We are honored to host Lebanese legend Jacques Alasmar! Master Performer and Instructor and incredible human being Jacques will teach, guide, and judge our competitors with kindness and Mastery of Skill and Knowledge. 

IG: @jacquesalasmar

FB: Jacques Alasmar

Amy Sigil is a worldwide creative phenomenon. Founder of ITS and the Sigil Method, Amy is a master of many modalities of dance and has traveled the world teaching other Masters.  

IG: @amysigil

FB: Amy Sigil - Official

Roxxanne Shelaby is a Lebanese-American icon of California Bellydance. From the Los Angeles area, Roxxanne is producer/creator  of  The Fez documentary, which chronicles the legendary restaurant owned by her Father and its intertwined history with Arab dance in America. She is also a consummate performer, historian, and event producer. 

IG: @roxxanneshelaby

FB: Roxxanne Shelaby

Alia Gamal grew up in  Orange County, California surrounded by her Arabic family, as well as other Arabic immigrant families. This influence created a love for history, art and music and inspired her to study Arabic music, dance, and cultural anthropology as an adult. Through her studies, Alia continues to find Arabic dance connecting her back to her roots and heritage. This connection has been further fostered by studying and  working with Aubre Hill and the Qabila Folkdance Company. She is  inspired to share the Arabic art that helped her explore her own identity in ways that can also represent the culture to others.

IG: @alialulugamal

FB: Alia Gamal

Rachel Noel is an African-diasporic dancer based in Oakland, CA. Her work aims to reunite African dance lineages in her body and find cultural connections between past, present, and future. 

IG: @know.el92

FB: Knowelcreates

Andalee ia a California legend, Executive Director of the Warners Historic Theater in Fresno, CA. Andalee rose to fame as the winner of Project Bellydance Season 1 and became producer of the famous Hot Raqs Competition and Festival. 

IG: @hotraqs_ca

FB: Andalee

Maria is one of the most respected and highly decorated performers in Bellydance, including such titles as Bellydancer of the Year, Bellydancer of the Universe in multiple categories, and so many more. Maria is a consummate performer who has won titles all over the US and beyond. 

IG: @orientdancer

FB: Maria.Sokolova

Gameela is a champion and Sacramento is proud to call her our own! Her titles include Bellydancer of the Year 2019,  Hot Raqs Professional 2021, Bellydancer USA Professional 2016, and more.  

IG: @gratsi_ella

FB: Gameela

Kaira is a lifelong dancer and competitor from Chico, CA. Kaira has competed in everything from Bellydance to West Coast Swing, and is largely regarded as the best in every modality she competes in. Competitors do not come more well-trained than Kaira, and we are proud to have her as a judge!  

IG: @kairabellydance

FB: Kaira Bellydance

Janelle Rodriguez is a belly dance performer, choreographer and musician who has trained in many styles of dance since the age of 5. Based in Santa Cruz, California, Janelle has been teaching dance since 2002 and serves as artistic director/choreographer of Desert Dream Dance Company and leads the local Salimpour Dance Collective.

 Janelle also directs the Desert Dream Percussion Ensemble and owns and operates a dance studio dedicated to SWANA forms and specifically Belly Dance in Santa Cruz, Ca since 2008. 

IG: @janelledance

FB: JanelleDance

Phaedra Darwish is a performer, teacher, and event producer in the Chicago, IL area. By examining the music, regions, and cultural aspects behind the movement in her classes and performing Arabic dance at a professional level both inside and outside of its traditional environment, Phaedra seeks to fulfill her mission as an artist: to increase cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding by sharing the dances of her heritage with as large a population as possible.   

IG: @chicagoraqs 

FB: PhaedraDarwish

Warda Shahrazad is an International Award winning Bellydancer, including Champion at Ahlan a Sahlan. She is a highly respected Judge, as well as Teacher, Writer, and Founder of the Shahrazad Dance Company.   

IG: @wardashahrazad

FB: Warda Shahrazad

Los Angeles, CA -based Adrianne is professional dancer, event producer, member of the Baladi Babes duet team, and is a gifted instructor who has taught specialty workshops across the Southwestern United States. Adrianne also won the prestigious award of Belly Dancer of the Year 2018. Adrianne is dedicated to helping dancers unlock their creative potential

IG: @adrianneraqs

FB: Adrianne Curran