Our instructors

Viral TikTok star, performer, teacher, and more, Kamrah is Chicago’s first trans masculine belly dancer. He has performed fusion, American cabaret, Lebanese, and Egyptian belly dance since 2001. He has taught at festivals like Tribal Fest® in Sebastopol, CA, the largest belly dance festival in the world; Tempest’s Waking Persephone (Seattle) in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and 2020; and Tribal Revolution (now Fusion Evolution). Noted for his creativity, isolations, and theatricality, he currently performs throughout the country.

Kamrah is also a member of Raks Geek (directed by Dawn Xiana Moon), a geek belly dance and fire company based in Chicago that has garnered press from MSN and The Daily Mail. In the past, he danced with Tucson-based Skirt Full of Fire (directed by Jolie Roberson).

His interdisciplinarity goes beyond dance: As an experienced massage therapist, his knowledge of anatomy enables him to teach students to dance both powerfully and safely. He also has 13 years of experience in a variety of martial arts, including kenpo, jiu-jitsu, karate, and kendo. And finally, he has a scientific research background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunology, and presently works as a software developer.

Kamrah currently resides in Chicago, Illinois, and is available for workshops and classes all over the country.

Visit Kamrah’s website here.

Drake von Trapp is an emerging interdisciplinary belly dance performer and researcher, recognized for their remarkable contributions to the world of dance and academia. Drake's educational journey led him to acquire a BA and MA in Dance from Texas Woman’s University, where they deepened their understanding of dancemaking, dance research, and critical theory.

With a keen interest in exploring the history of belly dance in the United States and how it intersects with men, masculinity, and social change, Drake's research has shed light on the unexplored tapestry of male belly dancers, unveiling its cultural significance and impact on the aesthetic quality and social dynamics of American belly dance. Their profound insights into the role of men and masculinity within the art form have challenged conventional narratives, sparking thoughtful discussions of inclusivity, femmephobia, and Orientalism within the community.

Beyond academia, Drake's talent as a fusion belly dancer has garnered them numerous accolades, having won an impressive nine awards for his performances. Drake has toured with companies such as Bellydance Evolution and The Radiant Tarot, and he has collaborated with many high-profile artists such as April Rose, Kaeshi Chai, Ebony Qualls, Zoe Jakes, Silvia Salamanca, Kamrah, and others.

Visit Drake’s website here.