Hi! My name is Nielle (pronounced KNEE - L) and I'm so happy you're exploring my little site.

"Shimmygoddess.com" is not a description of myself, (I'm not that vain) but rather a command to all the women out there in the world. (Shimmy, Goddess!) I lived in Tempe, Arizona for 30 years and am happy to answer any questions to those interested in belly dance classes in that area. I can recommend lots of great teachers (see also my teachers page) and places to catch belly dance shows.

In the end of May 2008, I moved to Littleton, CO (now living in Lakewood) and am taking classes (and teaching) in the Denver, Colorado area. So this site has started to include resources in that area as well.

I have been belly dancing since 1998 and have officially become an addict! I've been performing off and on since 2001, and it gets slightly less scary each time.
I decided to start this web site because I've been gathering so much information, my other personal home page was getting too crowded. Follow this link to learn more about me.

Having studied jazz, ballet and modern dance, belly dance has become a wonderfully exotic and fun form of expression for me.

I have studied with Samia, Ava Fleming, Helena Vlahos, Morgianna and Jazille of Domba as well as taken intensive workshops with Ansuya, Suhaila Salimpour, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Jasmin Jahal, Jillina, Moria Chappell and Rachel Brice. I was an original member of Ava Fleming's Black Opal troupe, which won 1st place at the Shake and Bake troupe competition in New Mexico (2003), as well as performing at places such as Lollapalooza, Rakkasah, private celebrity parties and more. I also had the privilege of dancing with Samia's Art of Bellydancing on the Fox 10 Morning Show.

In Colorado I have taken extensively with Kaya and Sadie and some with Suzanna Del Vecchio. At this point in the game, I'm ready to teach and share my love of the dance with others and cultivate friendships and community in the process.

In the dance classes I teach, I try to incorporate a positive, empowering message each week. Please check out my blog to read some of the messages I share with my students.

Please email me if you have any questions, or if you want to hire me to belly dance for a show, event or occasion or if you're interested in lessons.

Go forth and shimmy! :-)