Sadie is an internationally recognized Oriental dance artist, educator, and innovator dedicated to empowering people through the art of belly dance. She has produced dozens of bestselling instructional videos, amassed millions of views through viral online content, and represented Oriental dance before a global audience on America’s Got Talent. Sadie is the founder and director of Raqs Online and the Raqs Flow training program, which offers a strong technical foundation while maintaining deep connection to cultural roots, musicality, and embodied expression. In addition to teaching and performing worldwide, she curates destination dance retreats that blend movement, self-exploration, nature, and conscious living. Based in Denver, Colorado, Sadie is passionate about holistic, sustainable living and weaves together dance, music, nature, and human connection in both her teaching and retreats, inspiring dancers around the world to grow artistically and personally.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How Sadie’s relationship with dance has evolved over her career

- The ongoing dilemma between following artistic calling and choosing stability

- Navigating aging, visibility, and self-worth in a youth-centered dance culture

- Why the “maiden–mother–crone” archetype matters in belly dance today

- Why Sadie chose to return to university and study psychology at this stage of life

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Sadie Marquardt on Instagram, FB, website and Youtube, as well as her online classes at Raqs Online.

Previous interview with Sadie:

Ep 157. Sadie Marquardt: Respect Your Need to Recharge

Ep 39. Sadie Marquardt: Reclaiming Feminine Power

Ep 14. Sadie Marquardt: Before & After Social Media Hit

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Mohamed Reda Saad is a prominent Egyptian musician and the leader of the Cairo Band, one of Cairo’s most sought-after ensembles for major dance festivals and cultural events. Continuing the artistic legacy of his father, the renowned musician Reda Saad, Mohamed has both preserved and expanded this heritage, specializing in traditional and contemporary Egyptian music created specifically for professional Oriental dance performance. Known for its refined arrangements and exceptional musicianship, the Cairo Band performs regularly at prestigious events in Cairo and on international stages. In parallel with his work as a performing musician and band leader, Mohamed is also an experienced music engineer who has recorded and produced numerous albums for Oriental dance and collaborates with dancers worldwide to create custom-made music tailored to their performance needs.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The difference between musicians who play for singers and those who play for dancers, and why Egyptian drummers follow the dancer, not the other way around

- The most common mistakes dancers make with live bands—entrances, endings, and accents

- How dancers can communicate with musicians using simple, universal stage signals

- How dancers should prepare for rehearsals to truly benefit from limited time

- The behind-the-scenes reality of creating custom music for dancers and why recording dance music takes weeks—not hours

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Mohamed Reda on Instagram, and FB.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Yaël Zarca is an internationally recognized Oriental dance artist and one of the leading figures of Egyptian dance in France. She discovered Oriental dance in 1999 and has since built a remarkable career spanning Parisian studios, major international stages, television appearances, instructional DVDs, and creative projects within the dance world. Known for her expressive, elegant style, Yaël blends deep Egyptian tradition with modern sensibility, placing strong emphasis on musicality, emotional interpretation, and impeccable technique. An outstanding pedagogue, she teaches Sharqi, Baladi, and Egyptian folklores in Paris, across France, and worldwide, sharing a dance rooted in feeling, culture, and transmission. Her professionalism, artistic integrity, and commitment to teaching have made her a respected and influential voice in the global Oriental dance community.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How motherhood reshaped her priorities, dance practice, and definition of success

- Why improvisation is essential—and how to teach it without terrifying students

- How feeling good as a woman is essential to becoming a better mother - and its relationship with dance

- Why Egyptian style is now labeled “old school” in global dance scenes

- Yael’s decision to charge her students only on an annual basis—and how such commitment changes everything

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Yaël Zarca on Instagram, FB, YouTube and website.

Previous interview with Yael Zarca:

Ep 162. Yaël Zarca: Spreading Light and Positivity

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast