Oriental Dance Teacher /former Director of  Balloon/ Om Kalsoum Theatres  Cairo, Egypt

Prof. Dr. Hassan Khalil:

“Her movements and body is like a fish, fluid and soft.  Siobhan is a skillful and creative, professional dancer and teacher who brings together technique with feeling.  Through her studies in my oriental dance culture program, she understands  a deeper cultural knowledge and how it relates to the dance.  Her graceful movements reflect the meanings, gestures and history in the story of the dance.  Siobhan’s style is angelic and sensual.”

Founder of A-Z Bellydance Routines, Choreographer, Author, Event Producer, Cairo Egypt

Keti Sharif:

“Siobhan is a graceful, soulful dancer, who is dedicated to her art and combines her passion for dance with her gift as a healer.  Her dancing is a joy to watch and she brings years of study and travel experience into her art.  Siobhan- the artist, dancer, musician, and healer is well-read and enjoys the quest for knowledege.  I find that whatever she sets out to research she fully embraces, from its cultural roots to the deepest layers of the art.

I first met Siobhan is NYC, USA, when she joined the A-Z Teacher Training intensive and she later visited Egypt to participate in the A-Z Teacher’s Conference and experienced ‘real life’ in Cairo.  More recently, she has been a participant and guest performer at the Sphinx Festival, Egypt-where she attended seminars on Egyptology, Sacred Geometry, and the Dance Arts.  She graced us with a captivating classical performance on the ‘Fire Element’ night; under the full moon, overlooking the Pyramids of Giza.  Her  training in Egypt over the years; culminating years of study with various teachers including Hassan Khalil, have developed Siobhan’s sensitivity to Egyptian dance and she performs beautifully, with grace and connection to the source of the dance.”

Andrea Thornberry, Director of Heartland Humane Society Animal Shelter

“Siobhan has a sensitive and gentle soul.  Her talent for dance and music is matched by her generosity and willingness to share creative gifts of movement for the benefit of those without a voice.  Siobhan supports the animals of Benton County without homes by producing performance showcase fundraisers.  These benefit shows pack the venue and blow the audience away.  I love watching Siobhan dance.  Her performances are so artistic and joyful.  Siobhan and her dance students and colleagues create an environment of imagination and awe through their grace and creativity.  These showcase fundraisers bring in lots of financial donations to help Heartland’s furry residents find their new forever homes.  Heartland is grateful to Siobhan for supporting the animals of Benton County!”

Jo Morgan, student

“Siobhan’s dance classes are unique-I love her careful attention to authentic Egyptian bellydance moves which she articulates well with beginners and advanced students alike.  Siobhan possesses a deep understanding of dance technique.  But what s truely about Siobhan, is the moment you walk into the studio, she is tailoring her lesson to address your physical, emotional, and spiritual well being.  Having a bellydance teacher with a deep understanding of the dance, who is also a professional bodyworker and gifted spiritual teacher, provides an experience without compare!”

Joy Henkle, student

“Siobhan is such an inspiring instructor.  Her knowledge of the human body and the mind help her to assist all levels of students who take her classes.  I have greatly benefited from her calm, gentle approach.  Her exercise techniques have made me stronger and better able to deal with my everyday challenges and stress.  Once you take her classes you will not want to take from any other instructor!”

Karryn Connor, student

Siobhan brings a contagious love of life to everything she does.  She is personally committed to everyone’s safety and health and blends it with an inviting, joyful spirit that creates a supportive, respectful atmosphere.  As an advanced yoga practitioner recently certified, I admire Siobhan’s ability to keep the class fresh for us long-time yogis while creating a welcoming space for the first-timer.  It is clear she is passionately driven to share the health benefits of yoga with everyone.  She integrates educational and empowering information with uplifting and gentle spiritual connection, leaving us feeling inspired and flexible, physically and mentally, ready and open to greet life with a sense of joy, trust and compassion.  She is truely a blessing to all the lives she touches.

Paul Catullo, student

Knowledgeable, skillful, thoughtful, gentle and positive.  These words will likely come to mind for anyone attending sessions led by Siobhan.  Her use of music and writings to create a positive mindset before you enter the movements is not only good for the body but the mind and spirit as well.  During activity, she keeps a watchful eye on the participants and helps them accomplish each technique as it fits their individual ability.  She is descriptive in her dialogue and clearly explains both function and purpose involved in yoga poses.  Closing out the session, there is a return to the original thought with which it began and an invitation to bring yourself into the day ahead, mindful of the positive effects a loving heart and mind has on self and others.  Take a yoga class with Siobhan and you will be glad you did!

Bonnie Starr, student

“I loved learning Oriental dance from Siobhan.  Her classes were custom fitted to whom ever was in the class at the time.  I loved that she teaches a variety of Egyptian Cabaret as well as Tribal Style.  In her classes she encourages an atmosphere of love and support and no matter mood you are in when you came, you feel better when you leave!”

Elizabeth Richardson, student

Siobhan has provided me with a supportive and effective environment for me to nurture my changing body.  Over the last 10 years of taking her yoga classes, Siobhan’s class has alllowed me to feel healthy and well-balanced throughout my first and second pregnancies. Her ability to teach techniques that balance muscle pairs and keep the spine moving in all directions is a gift to all of us! Thank you Siobhan for sharing your gifts with us and providing tools to keep your students strong, healthy, and injury-free.

Cynthia Ferguson, student

“When I went to one of her showcases and then showed up at her class, I immediately loved it.  All the yoga and movements.  And nobody was there to judge other people. Since I’ve been dancing, I’ve really slimmed down in a healthy way and become more flexible and learned how to concentrate my energy better.  I used to get mentally overwhelmed, but some of the techniques she taught have really helped me out with all that.  I look forward to her class every week!”

Laurie Gilligan, student

“Siobhan’s classes share Egyptian culture and history, dance styles, embracing the feminine with sensitive instruction and warmth.  Her classes take you into a beautiful world of hip shimmies, figure-eights, undulations and other bellydance movements under the warm emerald light of an Egyptian lamp and richly colored rugs in her studio.  I don’t have a dance background but her class helped me realize bellydance is much more than a skill, but a way to express, let go of judgement, embrace female movement, be completely in the present and work the chakras that affect mood and happiness.  Her teaching style is creative and fun.  Between dances, she shares culture and different styles of dance, music and personal empowerment.  Siobhan is a role model to me, as she freely meshes the art of dance and life together with her love and compassion for the earth and everything living.

Acacia Minard, student

“Siobhan’s classes are inspiring, creative and informative with her extensive background in yoga, the healing arts, and kinesiology.”

Bob Gerding, student

“Before taking Siobhan’s class, my inflexibility was unbelievable!  But with Siobhan’s expert guidance, my stiff joints and muscles slowly loosened and my aggravating lower back pain basically dissolved. Now I can not only touch my shoes, but no longer experience hip/knee soreness on long horse rides.  This is because of her pigeon pose sequence incorporated into her classes.    I also enjoy the creative visualizations, imagery, and self-care emphasis she shares with her classes.  After over fours years of Siobhan’s classes, I consider it essential to my well-being.  I guarantee it will be one of the best things for your health!”

Phoebe Welke, student

Your classes were amazing for me.  You gave us a safe environment where we could learn, have fun and be together.  I’m normally incredibly awkward and self-conscious  in situations that involve self-exposure but I always had an awesome time dancing with everyone in your classes.  I was able to get past that insecurity and fully enjoy being with an awesome group of students.

Peggy Donovan, student

When I was 39, I started having very serious low back pain. I am a nurse
and knew I needed help other than ibuprofen.  I had the good fortune of
finding Siobhan’s yoga and pilates classes.  Siobhan has training as a massage
therapist.  When a student attends her classes, Siobhan knows how to make the
class safe and how to provide a series of poses that will be most
beneficial physically.  She focuses on how to strengthen and how to
stretch.  Siobhan also focuses on mental relaxation and positive imagery.
Until I experienced that practice with Siobhan, I didn’t realize how
powerful and helpful that aspect could be.  I have been going to
Siobhan’s classes for over 12 years.  My back feels great and I have
experienced a tremendous sense of well being through simple exercises
refocusing  my thoughts towards healing and relaxation.  Thank you
Siobhan!

Chary Wilson, student

“I’ve taken classes and private lessons from  Siobhan over the past two years.  Class sizes are small so we can get individual attention.  Anytime I or anyone else in class wanted to run through something again or were confused about a move, Siobhan would run through it again and go over it until we were comfortable with the moves.  She really cares that we enjoy ourselves and wants to enrich our bodies as well as our souls.  Private lessons really allowed for more in depth critiques and intricate routines.  Siobhan is very supportive and wants to make sure you get what you need and want out of the class.  I love her class!”

Jane Cassidy, student

“Thanks for the help, and also for your kindness in providing for each class member what they need without calling attention to them in class and for your skill in managing to cross from beginning to advanced levels in one class and including everyone along the way.  That is not an easy skill to master, and you do it as well as you dance.  I was impressed.”