Sophia Balentine

Sophia Balentine holds a B.S. from The New School in Manhattan where she focused her studies on the psychology of movement while also working towards certification in Creative Arts Therapies and Performance Wellness.  A former member and instructor for Body By Bellydance, Sophia has spent the last two years in Manhattan participating and performing with the Casbah Dance Experience with Morocco, one of the first dancers admitted to the AAMED Mideastern Dance Hall of Fame as a “world class” performer and instructor as well as a lifetime achievement award winner from both the Isis Foundation and Zaghareet Magazine.

Sophia also spends her time in New York studying and performing with the Mary Anthony Dance Theater with the famed Mary Anthony, now aged 93, one the world’s recognized leaders and pioneers in Traditional Modern Dance and a recognized international choreographer.  She has been a visiting performer to the Bing Bamboo Burlesque Room since 2006 and is a former member of the Shriner Circus.

Balentine is a classically trained Oriental dancer specializing in Cabaret, Egyptian Folkloric, Modern and her own brand of Fusion Bellydance combining Egyptian Cabaret and Western Classical Dance. She has studied, performed, and taught throughout the United States as well as the Middle East, performing in numerous productions and commercials as well as countless variety shows across the United States.

Sophia is also a featured dancer with the world fusion band Tartanic and spends most of her year traveling within the United States. Sophia is the director of Manna Dance an upcoming production company founded with the desire to bring dance to women in need. Her dance is infused with a classical elegance and joy of movement. “She feels with you.”

For more information visit www.mannadance.org or www.myspace.com/mannadance