Xenia Leonteva (Kyrgyzstan)

"The best thing that happened to me in 2020 in the dance field was to discover Joana Saahirah's online dance school. Joana's teachings are what I will gladly carry with me into 2021 and further as I grow both in dance and on a personal level. When I first saw Joana's video performances, I was glued to the screen. I was captured by her presence, her unique style, and charisma. Intrigued, I decided to check out her online school courses. There I uncovered immense amounts of material, invaluable insights into dance and life in general, and a very rich, deeply caring, giving person. Joana's guidance has given me confidence in my path as a dancer and a human being. She has given me tools to achieve my dance goals. And in her magical ways, she has helped me find answers to profound questions. Joana leads by example and it shows in everything that she offers to her students. The material that she gives is always rich, captivating, and enlightening. I would highly recommend Joana's school of dance to dancers of any level and of any background. There is something special and highly useful in her teachings for everyone."

Linda Hadj (Spain)

"This year, I subscribed to 4 courses at Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School and, honestly, her courses are amazing, I recommend them 100% because she teaches you the dance technique and choreography but the Egyptian Culture behind the dance, the mentality behind each movement.
Furthermore, she develops you on a personal level - emotionally and psychologically -, something that can help you evolve in your dance and in your life.
If you´re wondering if you should join her school, I´d say “don´t think twice, join it now!”

Seiko Endo (Japan)

"I would recommend Joana Saahirah´s Online Dance School to other students, for sure.
But only those who are really interested in the authentic Egyptian dance and the culture behind it.
I have learned beautiful choreographies, received many beautiful learning materials, tips for self-practice, and some Arabic.
I have also learned practical ways to be self-confident through your course, which is indeed life-changing.
The reason I cannot leave her school is that she doesn't force her students to be her followers (totally the opposite!)
She values each student's individuality and guides us to be "ourselves," in dance and in life.

Taking your courses in 2020 was truly a great help for me, both physically and mentally.
Literally, you saved my life...Thank you."

Professor Dr. Hassan Khalil

(Academy of Art, Cairo

High Institute for Theatre Arts

Department for Acting and Directing

Head of ISOC, International Saray of Oriental Culture, Cairo)

"Joana is an exceptional person and artist, I´ve known her for several years.

She´s a passionate supporter of dance as an art form, her heart beats for the Egyptian dance and culture.  Her choreographies demonstrate her creativity and technical abilities, where movements bring the music to life, synchronizing mind and body. 

Joana infuses her students with the same passion. With an outstanding technical eye and the strongest background in different facets of dance technique, she is fully dedicated to each of her students and is aware of both their strengths and the areas in which they need to develop. Although the proper technique is critical to Joana's approach, she requires always more, from herself and from her dancers. She wants dancers to flourish as performers by discovering their OWN style, their OWN personality. 

Her spirit and heart are enormous, and she is an ambassador for the world of Egyptian Dance and the world of dance in general."

Orit Maftsir

(Internationally acclaimed Oriental Dancer & Teacher; the creator of the monumental "Eilat Festival")

"Joana's dance is a rare combination between high intelligence and deep cultural knowledge - behind her beauty and femininity.

She is the only teacher I´ve known who passed not only the how - but also the why.

I was personally inspired by her and was able to finally control my own small hip breaks thanks to her clear and visible control.

Meeting Joana and being her friend is one of the best things in the Belly Dance community- it is rare and not always possible to maintain, but there is such a thing - a true soul mate in Bellydance!"

Candice Frankland

(Professional Oriental Dancer & Teacher; the creator of Phoenix Belly Dance, New Zealand)

"I remember the moment I first saw Joana, it was in Istanbul and she charged the dance floor like an eagle diving for its prey - I was mesmerized, enchanted, afraid, and liberated by her performance. Following that, I attended her workshops where I lapped up her teachings like they were balm for my dance soul. After booking a private lesson, I realized this Teacher had the power to make real and lasting changes in not just her students' movements, but in their perception of Egyptian dance, as well as themselves (I don’t consider myself someone who cries much, but I had tears rolling down my face during the lesson from the profundity of what I absorbed). I have since hosted her for workshops and performances in Auckland, and she brought just as much wisdom and passion to share with our community as my first meetings with her. I am forever grateful, and I cannot recommend highly enough to any dancer that wishes to learn the depths of Egyptian dance and feel the shift of insight that Joana’s work brings."