Our Teachers

Yael Ortiz

Yael has always loved dancing and expressing herself through the dance. As a child, she fantasized about being a ballet dancer or even on Broadway (absolutely LOVES musicals and don’t get her started on her Bollywood addiction) but never pursued those thoughts except in daydreams. At the age of 25 she walked into a dance studio for the first time in her life and began ballet and modern dance lessons. Several weeks into her classes, her teacher approached her and wondered how long Yael had taken lessons previously. Yael told her she had never had any prior lessons and her teacher informed her she was a natural!

Needless to say that was all the encouragement Yael needed, she was hooked!

A move to Philadelphia, prompted her to look into dance classes in the area and that was when she discovered belly dance. What a joy Yael discovered! The fluidity and beauty of belly dance was so natural to a woman’s body. Later Yael stumbled upon “Tribal Style” bellydance. Dance for and by women– A tribe and community of dancers! The fates smiled upon her and led her to her beloved teacher, Vikki of Hipnosis. She has studied under Vikki for many years now along with being a Teacher’s assistant for the past year and a half. Yael is also a member of Tribal Spirit Belly Dance troupe and enjoys performing at a variety of haflas in the Tri State area. Yael has also attended workshops with Zafira and Paulette of Gypsy Caravan.

When Yael is not dancing she is a dreamer of dreams and maker of her home. She is also a doula, childbirth advocate, preschool teacher, supporter of women, aspiring herbalist, and Medicine Woman student. She loves fiber and enjoys spinning wool, knitting, weaving, and crochet . Most of all she enjoys learning and teaching along with empowering children and women.