Beyond The Dance: Cultivating Confidence and Feminine Energy through movement

Ioanna Piagalis is a premier figure in the Oriental Dance community with over 20 years of professional experience as a performer, educator, and adjudicator. As the founder of our studio, she has dedicated her career to creating a transformative space where students use movement to cultivate vitality and a deeper connection with their bodies.

A former Miss Belly Dance South Africa, Ioanna’s expertise is backed by intensive training with global masters such as Randa Kamel and Mercedes Nieto, alongside specialized teacher training with Maria Aya. Her influence extends internationally; she is frequently invited as a Master Teacher and Judge at prestigious festivals, including Cairo by Night (Greece) and Best in World (USA). Ioanna continues to lead her award-winning troupe to first-place titles, blending historical theory and musicality into a world-class dance curriculum.

Originally from Taiwan, Lana Wood offers a unique, multidisciplinary approach to dance. Since 2016, Lana has specialized in Oriental (Baladi and Golden Era) and Tribal Fusion, training under industry experts Ioanna Piagalis and Eolande Steenkamp. Her technical foundation is bolstered by over a decade of classical piano training, giving her an elite ear for rhythm, musicality, and song editing—a skill she translates directly into her choreography and instruction.

Lana’s style is further enriched by years of international training in Indian Classical dance (Odissi and Bharatanatyam) and Bollywood. A lifelong learner, she even incorporates elements of Muay Thai to enhance her stamina and balance. Lana leverages this diverse palette of movement to help her students achieve a rich, well-rounded, and successful dance practice.

Margot Santana brings a wealth of international expertise and technical precision to our faculty. Specializing in Oriental Dance, Margot has refined her craft under the tutelage of premier instructors both in South Africa and abroad. With five years of professional competitive experience, her background is exceptionally diverse, spanning Disco Jazz, Latin American, Ballroom, and Tribal Fusion.

Margot is celebrated for her signature “Latin Flare,” a modern fusion that elevates traditional belly dance into a high-energy, contemporary art form. Her teaching philosophy centers on radiant energy and audience connection, ensuring that her students learn not just the movements, but the evocative storytelling that makes a performance truly unforgettable.

Eolandé is an accomplished performer, choreographer, and educator who has been an integral part of the Oriental dance community since 2006. Specializing in the intricate art of Tribal Fusion, she is known for a performance style that balances mysterious, sensuous energy with immaculate technical form.

A dual-diploma certified instructor, Eolandé has refined her craft through long-term mentorship with Ioanna Piagalis and intensive workshops with international icons such as Heather Aued and Kami Liddle. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in “Dedication and Diligence,” ensuring her students and Tribal Troupe achieve professional-level precision. Eolandé remains a lifelong student of the culture, constantly evolving her practice to bring the latest global techniques to her classroom yet remaining true to the authentic roots of Tribal Fusion.

Linda joined Belly Academy in late 2021 and has since developed a deep love and appreciation for Oriental dance as both an art form and a personal practice. She is drawn to the fluidity, musicality, and embodied femininity of belly dance — valuing movement that feels grounded, expressive, and present rather than rushed or forced.

As a teacher, Linda creates a welcoming and supportive class environment where students are encouraged to connect with their bodies, trust the process, and express themselves with confidence. Her approach emphasizes mindset, mind–body connection, and creative freedom — reminding students that growth happens through curiosity, consistency, and self-compassion.

Linda has trained primarily under Ioanna Piagalis and has expanded her studies through workshops and special Golden Era projects with Julia Farid, as well as training with Jarsirah. She has performed in group and solo categories at Miss Belly Dance South Africa, placing second in two solo categories in 2025.

Deeply involved in the studio community, Linda is known for being dedicated, approachable, and attentive to each student’s journey — holding space for learning that is both technically informed and emotionally supportive.