Crystal Silmi Belly Dance And Fusion Artist

Biography

Crystal Silmi is a belly dance and fusion artist, instructor, and choreographer from San Francisco, California. She has performed and taught throughout the world, bringing her passion for movement and cultural expression to audiences and students alike.

Grounded in both the traditions of classical Middle Eastern dance and the innovations of modern fusion, Crystal draws on her Arab American roots with a deep sense of rhythm, powerful athleticism, and a signature energetic style. A longtime student of master instructors Suhaila and Jamila Salimpour, she has performed with the Suhaila Dance Company and Bal Anat, and in 2006 founded her own fusion company, RaksArabi. With RaksArabi, she presented dynamic works that merged hip hop, jazz, North African, and other dance forms, enhancing the art of belly dance with contemporary vibrancy.

Crystal lived nearly a decade in Madrid, Spain, where she directed Dance Junkies Madrid, a student fusion dance troupe, and shared her love of dance across Europe and beyond. Now based in Washington, DC, she teaches weekly classes both in person and online while continuing to perform in local and international venues.

In addition to dance, Crystal is a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher. She has been teaching hatha yoga and yoga for dancers since 2012 after training at Rishikesh Yog Peeth (Rishikesh Yoga Institute) in India. She later expanded her studies with certification in Yin Yoga through Yoga Weeks in Barcelona.

Crystal also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Classes

Join weekly belly dance and yoga classes in Washington, DC! Classes blend movement, culture, artistry and fitness. Build strength, flexibility, and confidence while improving your dance skills.

Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance Fusion

January — April 2026
Saturdays 9:30 — 10:30am (Eastern)

Take your dance to the next level in this intermediate-level Belly Dance Fusion class! Dancers will focus on refining technique, increasing speed, and mastering the art of layering. Through drills, movement breakdowns, and combinations, you’ll challenge your coordination, precision, and fluidity. Whether you want to enhance your fusion style or strengthen your foundation, this class will help you build control, confidence, and artistry.

Previous belly dance experience required. Bring water, a hip scarf (optional), and get ready to sweat!

Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance Fusion Performance (DC Dance Junkies)

January — April 2026
Saturdays 10:30 — 11:30am (Eastern)

Join this intermediate-level belly dance fusion choreography class and dive into sweeping full-skirt technique, dynamic layering, and expressive musicality—all set to a moving song about freedom and resistance. This piece is designed to ignite both power and artistry in your movement.

*Dancers must be enrolled in Fusion Technique class at 9:30am.

Beginner Belly Dance Fusion

January — April 2026
Mondays 6:30 — 7:30pm (Eastern)

Designed for beginners, this class will introduce you to the foundational techniques of belly dance while incorporating elements of modern dance for a fresh and dynamic fusion style. Each week, we’ll break down isolations, build strength and flexibility, and develop fluidity in movement. Whether you’re brand new to dance or looking to refine the basics, this class will help you gain confidence, coordination, and a deeper connection to your body.

Power Flow Yoga

Wednesdays 5:15 — 6:15pm (Eastern)

Move, sweat, and reconnect with yourself in this energizing Power Flow class. We will blend dynamic sequences with breath-centered movement, guiding you through poses that build strength, flexibility, and focus. This class is designed for all levels, with options to challenge yourself or scale back depending on your energy and experience. Whether you’re looking to release stress, energize your body, or simply enjoy a flowing practice, this class invites you to move with intention and feel the transformative power of yoga.

Yoga Heights
3506 Georgia Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20010

Workshops

Explore specialty belly dance workshops. Each offering focuses on specific topics designed to enhance your technique, expand your skills, and inspire your art & performance.

Electro Swing Belly Dance Fusion Choreography – Rum n’ Coca Cola

Saturday, February 7th 2026

In this two-hour intermediate fusion workshop, we’ll explore an electro-swing choreography that mixes crisp belly dance technique with rhythmic footwork and vintage-modern flair. Expect challenging combos, playful musical interpretation, and plenty of opportunities to refine control and performance quality. Dance heels are optional for those who want an extra touch of stage-ready style.

1:30-3:30pm

Sahara Dance
4433 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Washington DC 20016

Events

Experience the art of belly dance.

Saturday, December 6th

Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm

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