About

Inspiration and Philosophy

The most inspiring performances fuse strong technique with personal style, passion, honesty and inventiveness. Belly dance as art is a lifelong creative pursuit and an ongoing personal process.

Training

Stacey began studying belly dance in 1995. In 2001, she was introduced to Suhaila Salimpour’s format and has been hooked ever since. Certified Level I in 2001, Level 2 in 2002, and most recently Level 4 in 2009;  Stacey is currently pursuing her Level 5 (teaching) certification. She is also certified Level 2 in the Jamila Salimpour format and is pursuing the Level 3 (teaching) certification.

Stacey enjoys cross training in other physical pursuits such as ballet, jazz, Pilates, weight training, running and yoga. She has attended numerous belly dance workshops throughout the years with instructors from around the world and continues her studies: Momo Kadous, Randa Kamel, Yasmina of Cairo, Aida Nour, Mo Geddawi, Farida Fahme, Jillina, Magda & Atef Farag, Aziza, Bozenka, Delilah, and many others.

Instruction

Stacey currently teaches weekly beginner and advanced belly dance technique classes based on Suhaila’s format. She has instructed for several years in Austin in group, private and semi-private venues (Diva Dance studio, Tapestry Dance Studio, UT Informal Classes, Niaspace).

I’m getting a mind and body connection from you that I don’t think is available anywhere else. —Phillip

Stacey is pursuing her Level V certification in the Suhaila format, which is the official teaching level enabling graduates to offer Suhaila CEC’s (Continuing Education Credits) to certified students. She has traveled with Suhaila Salimpour nationally and internationally (Denver, Maryland, Belgium, Milan, Hong Kong, Taiwan) as a teaching assistant as well as assisting/teaching classes and workshops at the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance in California.

Stacey directs the Tekatek Dance Ensemble, her advanced student dance troupe in Austin, TX.

Want to learn belly dance? Check out my weekly classes.

Weekly Belly Dance Classes

Performance

Member of Sabaya Belly Dance Collective performing together and as soloists in various venues in and around Austin. Sabaya has produced a monthly belly dance showcase at Copa in downtown Austin for over 6 years.  Stacey has experience performing in belly dance workshop shows, restaurants, parades, private parties, cultural events, and on small and large stages, with live bands and to recorded music.  She has extensive experience both with choreographed work (solo or group) and improvisational performance.

Performance Experience Sampling

  • Guest performer at the Level 4 “Advanced Performer Testing Recital”, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek CA, Feb 2011
  • Guest performer with UT’s “Bereket” Middle Eastern Ensemble, Bates Recital Hall, November 2010
  • Level 4 “Advanced Performer Testing Recital”, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek CA, Dec 2009
  • Chesapeake Arts Center, MD, Nov 2009
  • Performance with Suhaila at Rakkasah East, NJ, Oct 2009
  • Layali Casablanca, Redwood City CA, Oct 2009
  • Cafe Byblos, Houston TX, Oct 2009
  • Second runner up at Ya Halla Ya’ll 2009 in the Professional Cabaret Star category
  • “Undulations” Contemporary Belly Dance Show, Boyd Vance Theater featuring Michelle Joyce, January 2009
  • Live music performance featuring the music of Samer Issa at Turquoise Mediterranean Grill in San Antonio, November 2008
  • Guest performer with UT’s “Bereket” Middle Eastern Ensemble at Bates Recital Hall, November 2008
  • Austin Belly Dance Convention mini lesson and performance, Round Rock, June 2008
  • “A Night to Remember” featuring the music of Atash at Ruta Maya, Austin, May 2008
  • The Loft Ultra Lounge, Brownsville TX, May 2008
  • Wedding Ceremony and Reception, Lake Austin, April 2008
  • On Your Feet International Music and Dance Benefit Show, Monarch Event Center, April 2008 and 2009
  • ABA Improv Show, Dougherty Arts Center, March 2008
  • Alborz Persian Cuisine, Austin, 2006-2010
  • Christmas Affair, VIP Party hosted by the Junior League of Austin, Palmer Event Center, 2007
  • Wedding Ceremony, Hideout Theater, 2007
  • Pecan Street Festival, 2007 – 2008
  • Austin SxSW Film Festival Awards VIP Party, 2007
  • Rug Gallery Art Expo, Palo Alto CA, 2007
  • Central Market, various dates from 2006 – 2010 with Sabaya Belly Dance Collective
  • Moroccan Themed Birthday Party, 2006
  • Wedding Reception, Austin Renaissance Hotel, 2006

Instruction Experience Sampling

  • Weekly Multi Level class at Tapestry Dance Studio, Austin, 2008-2012
  • Weekly Beginner through Advanced classes at Niaspace/Thrive Austin, Austin, 2007-2012
  • 3rd Coast Tribal Dance Festival, Jan 2012
  • Austin Belly Dance Convention, 2009-2012
  • Teacher Assistant for Suhaila Salimpour
    • Hong Kong; Taiwan, April 2011
    • L3 Weeklong Workshop, Feb 2011
    • Houston, 2010
    • Denver, 2010
    • Brussels; Milan, June 2010
  • All adult studio classes at Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance (1 week), CA, Aug 2009
  • Austin Belly Dance Convention instruction and performance, 2009-2011
  • Drum Solo Choreography Workshop in Harlingen, TX sponsored by Elda, Feb 2009
  • Workshop in San Antonio sponsored by Karen Barbee at Synergy Studio, November 2008
  • Bachelorette party dance lesson, Austin Doubletree Hotel, July 2008
  • Austin Belly Dance Convention mini lesson and performance, Round Rock, June 2008
  • Workshop (Technique and Combos) instruction and performance, Brownsville TX, May 2008
  • Private Group Bachelorette Party Belly Dance Lesson, 2007
  • UT Informal Classes – Beginner Belly Dance, 2004

Productions by Stacey Lizette

  • Austin Belly Dance Convention featuring Suhaila Salimpour and Bal Anat, June 2011
  • Austin Belly Dance Convention featuring Ava Fleming, June 2010
  • Austin Belly Dance Convention featuring Yasmina Ramzy, June 2009