Esmeralda Colabone has dedicated herself to Arab dance and culture since 1999. From 2002 to 2014 she worked with Belly Dance Brazil and Lebanon’s famed La Maison de L’Artiste, becoming the agency’s youngest dancer at 19 and spending 12 years performing across the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, and Lebanon. She was the first Brazilian to tour the Maghreb and held one of Tunisia’s longest foreign dance contracts—experiences that shaped her both artistically and personally. After her “Enta Omri” video went viral in 2015, her influence spread worldwide. She helped popularize Lebanese style globally through her 2014 workshop and even co-created the first belly dance shoes with Capézio Brazil. A soloist, teacher, choreographer, judge, writer, and producer known as “The Turban Dancer” and “The Tunisian Treasure,” she has performed in 38 countries, inspiring dancers everywhere with her musicality, presence, and lived connection to the Arab world. In this episode you will learn about: - The painful gap between YouTube criticism and the power of her live performances. - Feeling “outdated” in an industry racing with new trends and younger dancers. - The birth of the Silver Tour and her decision to call it “one last time.” - The hidden reason behind her tribute performances—and how they helped her survive emotionally. - Feeling more like a displaced performer rather than a true teacher. Show Notes to this episode: Find Esmeralda Colabone on Instagram , FB , website and Youtube . Previousinterview with Esmeralda: Ep 151. Esmeralda Colabone: Living The Truth: Motherhood and Dance Career Ep 13. Esmeralda Colabone: Music as Your Guide & Mentor Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com Follow Iana on Instagram , FB , and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club . Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE . Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast
