Belly Dance
with Janelle
Janelle is an artist, performer, instructor, and has been studying dance since the age of five. She has been studying belly dance since 1995 and just can’t get enough.
Upcoming Shows
Save the Date
Haunted Cabaret!
November 2nd
At Desert Dream Dance Studio
Mozaic – Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar
Start your weekend off with Dinner and a Show at Mozaic Restaurant in downtown Santa Cruz. Janelle and various dancers from The Desert Dream Dance Company and Salimpour Collective perform mesmerizing Belly Dance shows every Friday 6:30pm and 7:30pm.
You can find Janelle belly bance classes at Desert Dream Dance Company
1025 Water Street Santa Cruz CA 95062 (above Good Omen Tattoo).
Classes and Workshops
Classes available Monday through Saturday and offered for all levels. From belly dance vocabulary and fundamentals to rhythm and veil work, Janelle offers it all.
About Janelle
Janelle Rodriguez is a belly dance performer, choreographer and musician who has trained in many styles of dance since the age of 5.
Video Gallery
Experience highlights from Janelle Dance’s choreography and improv performances as a soloist, with Desert Dream Dance Company, and Salimpour Collective.
Janelle is currently certified in both Salimpour formats
Janelle has her Salimpour professional teaching license (formerly S5 & J5). Janelle’s classes use Salimpour technique (Suhaila format) and step Vocabulary (formerly Jamila Salimpour Format).
Testimonials
“My first experience with Janelle was actually at Menara, a Bay area restaurant, as a student dancer from another studio. I was so blown away by her energy and positivity that I recorded her performance that night.
Years later I happened to move to the same area as her dance studio and I was ecstatic that I would be able to take classes with her. I can’t stress enough how much I have improved and challenged myself under her instruction because even though I had been dancing on and off for 15 years, I’ve never had this type of intense instruction. She has a way of pushing us and encouraging us with a smile on her face and her positivity. I always look forward to her classes and especially her delicious choreographies and infectious playlists.”
“Janelle’s regular classes are challenging enough, but I wanted more and she encouraged us to commit to the intensives which were really transformational. There’s something to be said for spending 3 days back to back with a community of other committed students and pushing through the difficult movements and enduring hours of drills.
After the 3 days intensive, I really felt that some things just clicked and I had turned a corner in my dance journey. The final day included an exam where we all had our backs turned to each other and had to listen for her cues and complete certain movements. This was probably one of the hardest things I ever did but it was much needed so that I could remember not to focus on watching the teacher when I do these movements.
It forced me to go inward and really lock into my knowledge and experience. I also took advantage of a private coaching session before the written exams and that also really helped.
In short, don’t let Janelle’s positivity and warmth fool you. She will challenge you and she’ll be right there with dancing and yes, sometimes suffering, so you can be the best dancer version of yourself!”