Izora
I’m Izora, a Tribal Fusion Bellydance performer and instructor from the Netherlands. I’ve loved dancing from a young age, and when I first discovered what was then known as Tribal Fusion Bellydance, I was mesmerised!
I was drawn to the incredible muscle control, the slow and heavy quality of the movements, the beautiful jewellery and adornments, and the strong stage presence of the dancers. It was such an innovative and expressive approach to bellydance, and I knew I wanted to learn more.
Over the years, my interest in the style has grown into a passion for both performing and teaching, and eventually led me to create Siren School.
The Story of the Siren
The ocean has also been part of my world for as long as I can remember. As a child, The Little Mermaid was my favourite movie, and I was fascinated by everything to do with the sea, mermaids and underwaterlife. I loved the fact that there was this entire mysterious world just below the surface.
Looking back, I think there is something in that fascination with the sea that connects naturally to what I love about tribal fusion bellydance. Waves are woven into this style, from undulations and body waves to arm pathways, transitions and travelling patterns. The movements can be fluid, soft and mysterious. But there is also weight and strength, sharp and articulate isolations. I love that contrast, the way movement can shift from precise and grounded to flowing and infinite. Just like the ocean!
Izora is my artist name and connected to the colour blue. My given name is Irene and means peace. The name Siren grew naturally from this connection. While mermaids were the creatures I loved as a child, the Siren became a fitting image for the dancer and the school I wanted to create, connected to the deep blue sea, to serenity and enchantment.
That became the inspiration behind Siren School.
My Approach
In addition to my dance training, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education, specialising in Politics and Sociology. My background in education has strongly influenced the way I teach. It has made me aware of how people learn, how to break down complex skills and how to create a clear and supportive learning process.
As a teacher, I want to give dancers more than a collection of steps and movements. I want to help them build a solid technical foundation, understand how movements can be combined, transformed and developed into choreography, and explore how these ideas can be applied to their own dance.
I also believe in developing a practice that is structured, sustainable and effective. Smart training, helpful techniques and different approaches can make the learning process more efficient, but they cannot replace putting in the work. Progress comes from consistent practice, discipline and having a clear direction. Through my teaching, I want to help students not only learn new skills, but also develop the tools to structure their own practice and take an active role in their progress.
For me, technique and creative expression go hand in hand. A strong technical foundation gives dancers the freedom to make more intentional choices, explore their own movement and gradually develop their personal style.
My Dance Journey
My training has taken me through different approaches to bellydance and movement. I studied the Datura Style in depth through Rachel Brice’s 8 Elements programme in Portland, which I completed as a Datura Style Teacher. I am currently the only dancer from the Netherlands to have completed the full programme.
I also graduated from DanceCraft’s Key of Spades, based on Zoe Jakes’ format, and plan to continue with Key of Clubs in 2027. Alongside these programmes, I have studied classical bellydance styles and taken workshops with a variety of teachers. Learning from different teachers and approaches has been an important part of my development.
I also love dancing to live music and have been performing with various balkan bands (Trikosis, Scheepskameel) and alsways eager to do new collaborations!
More recently I have been involved as a volunteer with the Shimmy Shake Soirée in Amsterdam, an annual event bringing together bellydancers from different styles where I take care of filming, editing and the website.
Beyond Dance
When I’m not dancing or teaching, you’ll usually find me travelling with my boyfriend, studying Portuguese, working on a creative project or spending time in Portugal, where I enjoy being close to the ocean.