Melanie began dance classes at the age of 4 in Milwaukee, WI, studying the basics of ballet, tap, and jazz, and first appeared onstage as one of the Siamese Princesses in a production of the musical "The King and I" when she was 6 years old. She continued in modern jazz through her 'teens. From 1990-95, she attended the University Center for Performing Arts in Davie, FL, studying the Eric Morris Method of Acting for the Theater, and Modern Dance. In '95 Melanie moved to Gainesville, FL, where she took classes in several different dance forms including African, Classical Chinese, and Indian Mudra. At the same time she began studying traditional Egyptian and Lebanese Raqs Sharqi with Karolinka of Sahnobar Dance Ensemble, a Bellydance Company that Melanie then began performing with in January 1997. She took workshops and private classes from many MidEastern dance artists, studying the Egyptian folk styles of Saiidi and Ghawazee, the Gulf Dance Khaleeji, and Turkish cabaret and "gypsy" dance. Melanie also took Isadora Duncan and Lester Horton Modern Dance classes, studying with a second generation Duncan-trained teacher. She fused these styles with Raqs Sharqi. In 2003 Melanie took 2 months of intensive classes, 6 days a week, with Suhaila and Jamila Salimpour, the Suhaila Dance Company, and Bal Anat in Berkeley, CA. In 2004 she moved to LA, where she trained with Jillina(of the Bellydance Superstars), Tamra Henna, and other Bellydance Artists. She has performed with three International Dance Companies, including Jillina's Sahlala Dancers and the Bellytwins. In January-March of 2007, she appeared as one of Venus's minions in the LA Opera production of Tannhauser. Since living in LA, she has appeared as a featured Bellydancer in several music videos, stage productions, for the t.v. show Drive, and in the upcoming romantic comedy A Numbers Game, starring Steven Bauer.

The first time Jayna graced the stage, she was wearing whiskers, alert pink ears and a tail. She was 8 years old, and a (very proud) little mouse in her ballet classes' production of "Alice in Wonderland". Though she has since traded ballet for Bellydance, not much has changed! Jayna's love of performing continued through her high school years as head of the dance team, then into her early 20's when she finally began to study the magical art of Bellydance. Under the instruction of many beloved teachers, amongst them Jillina Carlano, Jayna fell in love not only with the fabulous costuming and the intriguing mysticism but mainly with the intimate connection that can be found between the dancer and the audience by translating the music through Bellydance. These traits came naturally to Jayna, having grown up in a culturally saturated household (her mother, Marta Schill is a renowned dancer and author, and her father, who is from Lebanon, played classical Middle Eastern melodies from sunrise to sunset), Jayna was already familiar with the ryhthms, nuances, and soul of the music. With the Bellydance Superstars, Jayna has toured Europe, the Middle East, Taiwan, the United States and Canada. She starred in her own instructional DVD, as well as being featured in several performance DVDs. Prior to joining the Superstar group, Jayna rocked the L.A. nightclubs both as a soloist and with several hot dance troupes in Southern California. The moment she enters the stage, you will know that Jayna loves you!

Born to dance, Olu grew up in a world filled with music, art and imagination. She thrives on creativity and expression. In the mid nineties, Olu began studying the Art of Belly Dance. Her passion for the dance has been a never ending journey of learning and discovery. Today, Olu is a seasoned professional and performs at numerous private and public events. She is also a respected instructor and enjoys teaching workshops and private lessons. Over the years, Olu has had the pleasure of working and performing with several talented dancers and choreographers in her field. Always moving forward, Olu continues to be inspired by life, friends and her family.

Kaotar began Bellydance as a young child, dancing with her mother, friends, and family at parties and holiday celebrations. She has been professionally trained for over 14 yrs, studying Ballet, Hip-hop, Jazz, and Modern dance, and is a founding member of Goddess a GoGo Dance Theatre Company. Although she has never taken a Bellydance class, her Moroccan heritage instilled in her a love for Arab culture, music, and dance. She is excited to bring her love for Bellydance out of her living room and onto the stage. Kaotar looks forward to immersing herself more into the Bellydance world and would like to thank Melanie for this wonderful opportunity. She would also like to thank her husband Erik for his support, Yesmine and Inaya for their inspiration, and her mother for giving her strong a connection to culture and family.

Josie's enchantment with both world culture and dance began when she began travelling outside of the country. Her exploration of world dance sparked after witnessing some locals in Egypt dancing. Since that time Josie has received a BA in Anthropology and for the past 10 years has trained in many different dance forms. Particularly enamored with the elegance and earthiness of Egyptian styles, Josie has spent the last 8 years studying with an array of wonderful instructors and continues to do so while performing as both a soloist and troupe member.