Thank you for joining us for the show!✨

We will begin accepting submissions right here once the competition has started.

Please check back here soon to cast your vote and show support for your favorite dancers at the 4th annual L. A. Bellydance Competition

Hosted by Ahmed Hussien and Stefanya! 💃🏆.

L. A. Bellydance CompetITion

Fourth Annual

🌟 Are you ready to elevate your dance journey to new heights? ✨ Registration is NOW OPEN for our transformative two-day event featuring the incredible Stefanya and the esteemed master instructor Ahmed Hussien. This is your golden opportunity to refine your skills, unleash your true potential, and dance like never before! Embrace the chance to receive invaluable feedback, inspiring mentorship, and a shot at winning BIG! So, what are you waiting for? Join us, and together, let’s dance into greatness!

Register and win big at this year’s Los Angeles Bellydance Competition.

Join your hosts, Egyptian dance master Ahmed Hussien and bellydance superstar Stefanya, for an uplifting event.

Contestant Registration Fees

Pay Here

Ahmed Hussien

Ahmed Hussien is an undeniably iconic figure and a source of inspiration for dancers and teachers alike in the world of Classic Oriental and Egyptian Folkloric Dance. Ahmed’s masterful and dynamic teaching method is the result of his absolute dedication to dance combined with his comprehensive experience in the area of performance and choreography. Ahmed is the ONLY Egyptian Dance Master to have Ballet, Belly Dance, Ballroom, and Broadway experience in his repertoire.

Master Class

Ready for the ultimate dance experience? Kick off your Competition weekend with Master Ahmed Hussien’s 90-minute class! Enjoy his signature warm-up, motivating combos, and mentorship that will keep you focused throughout the competitive process. Participating contestants are encouraged to attend the class; however, it is not mandatory for competition participation. Don’t miss out – sign up today and join us on the dance floor!

Ahmed Hussien's Masterclass

$75.00

ONLINE PAYMENT

Awards

Cash, Prizes, and Dance Scholarships

Competitive Categories

$125 Winner / $75 1st runner up / $50 2nd Runner up

Overall Competition – Highest Score

$500 PRIZE Scholarship to L. A. Bellydance Academy

Corps d’elite – the audience choice winner, selected from the final event

Prize TBA

Non-Competitive Categories

Scholarship awards will be given and presented to 4 chosen participants.

Registration Form

Celebrity Judges

Daytime Television Star

Cindera Che

Cindera Che is an Asian American actor and dancer best known for her iconic role as The Madame in Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal (1988). With a career spanning over 30 years, she has appeared in Fresh Off the Boat, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Lethal Weapon, and Alan Yang’s Tigertail on Netflix.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Cindera began performing at twelve before moving to the U.S., where she landed her first role on Fantasy Island. Her dance credits include Out to Sea, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, La La Land, and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.

A dedicated educator, Cindera has taught for over 35 years, founding the Movement for Actors program at The Edge Performing Arts Center. She also coached Kristi Yamaguchi to her winning performance on Dancing with the Stars and choreographed the acclaimed inmate finale in the Philippine film Dance of the Steel Bars.

Egyptian Dance Master

Ahmed Hussien

Ahmed Hussien is an undeniably iconic figure and a source of inspiration for dancers and teachers alike in the world of Classic Oriental and Egyptian Folkloric Dance. His masterful and dynamic teaching method reflects a lifetime of dedication to the art of movement, combining a deep understanding of Egyptian cultural heritage with the precision of classical dance training.

A graduate of the Cairo Institute of Ballet, Ahmed’s early career began with the Cairo Opera Ballet, where he performed and choreographed extensively before bringing his artistry to international stages.

For decades, Ahmed has been a leading educator, teaching workshops and master classes around the world. His teaching philosophy emphasizes authenticity, musicality, and emotional connection, inspiring generations of dancers to embody the essence of Egyptian dance with both discipline and soul.

American Dance Legend

Chester A. Whitmore

Legendary dancer and Los Angeles native Chester A. Whitmore was mentored by MGM legend Fayard Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers and trained with renowned performers including John Bubbles, Clarence Landry, Norma Miller, and Leonard Reed (co-creator of the “Shim-Sham”).

Chester has performed around the world and worked with icons such as Michael Jackson and Madonna. He has toured internationally as a tap dancer and historian with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and, most recently, choreographed scenes in the Oscar-winning film La La Land.

His choreography can be seen in music videos for Weird Al Yankovic, Teena Marie, Boyz II Men, and Sugar Ray, as well as in televised productions including the NAACP Image Awards, Soul of American Music, and the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. His work spans genres—choreographing for the Nicholas Brothers with Savion Glover, M.C. Hammer, LeVert, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and tributes to Dick Clark and Prince—showcasing his extraordinary versatility and artistic legacy.

Shifan Ozseza – Prelim Judge

Originally from the United Kingdom Shifan is a dance instructor & choreographer now residing in The Woodlands, Texas, with her family. She continues to teach dance and perform around the USA. Shifan is a counselor in Anxiety & depression. She provides guided meditation for therapy and is currently at Blissful Waters in The Woodlands.

Shifan has combined her knowledge in dance and psychology to teach dance therapy and meditation in rehabilitation Clinics in Europe, one being Cheshire homes; she also worked as a patient coordinator/counselor for IVF hospitals for two years in between her dance teaching and Middle Eastern dance studies to The American universities dance faculties students, where she taught for 5 years.

Shifan has performed on stage with famous artists from around the world and has earned an extraordinary ability visa to teach in the USA where she continues to perform, teach, and guide online as well as in the studio studies.

Round One

Saturday, November 15th

Preliminary Evaluations and Elimination

Activities are held at the L. A. Bellydance Academy at 1644 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035.

– 1:00 pm Mater Class with Ahmed Hussien. Mandatory Attendance by all contestants. $75 for all dancers. Order online here.

– 3:30 Private performance prelims will begin. A schedule for preliminary performance times will be provided by November 10th. This is the dancer’s opportunity to have a technical rehearsal and prepare for the live finale event. We will be filming the performance. This portion of the event ensures that we have your performance details in order, including music, costumes, etc. There will be evaluation forms associated with the prelim. However, the scores from this portion will not be carried over to the final event. Videos of your performance from our prelims will be available for $25.

Round Two

Sunday, November 16th

Finale Event

Illusion Magic Lounge

1418 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

– 3:00 Call time for dancers

– 4:00 Doors Open to the public

– 5:00 pm Competition Begins – All dancers perform one final time for their final scores in front of our judges and live audience members.

– 8:30 pm Award Ceremony

Category Winners

Corps d’elite – audience choice

Overall PRIZE winner’s circle

Rules

Thank you in advance for respecting yourself and others.

Solo performance time should be at least two minutes and no more than three minutes and fifteen seconds.

Group performances must not exceed five minutes and forty-five seconds and should be at least three minutes and forty-five seconds long. Performance times will be noted on your score sheets.

To register for our 2025 competition, you must complete this form and submit your online registration payment before 11:59 pm 11/1/25.

No nudity, No animals, No fire

Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable

The schedule is subject to change.

Competitive Categories

Raks Sharki Spectacle – Bring your show to the stage! Our Raks Sharki category is lifting up dancers who embody the grace, poise, and personality of true Oriental Dance. Routines may include the use of finger cymbals and props such as veil, cane, melaya leff or shamadan, however no points are deducted if these impilments are not included. Time allowance: no longer than 3:15, no shorter than 2 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $85

Drumsolo Royale – Dynamic physical movements with precise musical interpretation, the drumsolo showcases the dancers’ dedication to the details. Time allowance: no longer than 3:15, no shorter than 2 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $85

Fusion – Creativity is the spice of life, and this category is for the dancer who wants to demonstrate a unique blend of moment and aesthetics. May include Mahraghanat (electro-shaabi), ATS, Trans-National Dance or World Dance fusions, Acrobatics, and props like fan veils, swords, poi, etc. Time allowance: no longer than 3:15, no shorter than 2 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $85

MENAHT Folklore – Traditional and historical dances provide a valuable connection to the past and allow us to celebrate the vibrancy of the cultures they come from. This category is for the dancers who wish to present traditional or theatrical folklore from the Middle East, North Africa, Hellenic or Turkic cultures. Time allowance: no longer than 3:15, no shorter than 2 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $85

Révérence – This category is for distinguished dancers aged 60 and above. It is an open category, so contestants can perform in their chosen style. Time allowance: no longer than 2:45, no shorter than 2 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $85

Open Groups (2+ members) – Performance is better together! Duets, trios, and groups of four or more dancers are welcome to present in this open-style category. Time allowance: no longer than 5:45, no shorter than 3:45 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $35 per dancer for groups of 7 + dancers and $50 per dancer for groups between 2-6 dancers.

Non-Competitive Categories

Rising Stars (14-19yrs, open style) A teen open style category for the dancing youth to share their emerging skills. Time allowance: no longer than 3:15, no shorter than 2 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $125 Includes contestant’s seat reservation at the finale event.

Initiates (non-competitive evaluation form, 3yr experience max) New dancers can take advantage of the rare opportunity to receive professional feedback on their live performance within this non-competitive category. Time allowance: no longer than 3:15, no shorter than 2 minutes. Register here. Registration Fee: $125 Includes contestant’s seat reservation at the finale event.

Registration closes 11/1/25

Step 1. Fill out our registration form online

Registration Form

Step 2. Pay your registration fees online by clicking the proper link below.

Competition Registration

$85

Pay Here

Competition Group Registration

$35-$50 per dancer

Pay Here

Step 3. Please Submit your entries’ music selection. If you require assistance, please email Stefanya@labellydanceacademy.com

Step 4. Invite your friends and family to the show. General admission is available to the public and can be purchased here.

Are you ready to make the most out of your dance journey? Registration is now open for our two-day event with Stefanya and master instructor Ahmed Hussien. This is your chance to take your dancing skills to the next level and unleash your full potential. Experience feedback, mentorship, and the opportunity to win BIG! So, what are you waiting for? Join us, and let’s dance!

Join Stefanya and master instructor Ahmed Hussien in the heart of the world’s entertainment capital for an exciting two-day event. This event is designed for you to grow as a dancer and to build the bonds of our beautiful dance community. Dancers from around the world will come together to receive feedback and mentorship.