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 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

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: @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,  and 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. 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,  Hot Raqs Professional, Bellydancers USA Professional.  

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 Master Teacher of both Salimpour and her own styles of Bellydance! Janelle heads the Santa Cruz Salimpour Collective and Desert Dream Dance Company, and is owner of Desert Dream Dance Studio in Santa Cruz, CA.  

IG: @janelledance

FB: JanelleDance