Dawn Rhys is an International Performing Artist, Certified Instructor, and Award Winning Choreographer. Classically trained in Ballet and Jazz, she specializes in Belly Dance and Hula but is also trained and holds teacher certifications in Fire Dancing, Group Dance Fitness, and Mat Pilates. In 2014 she earned her teacher certification in Hot Hula Fitness. In 2018, she was 1 of 50 Dancers worldwide chosen to participate in Nonosina Polynesia’s weeklong Hula Auana and Ori Tahiti Dance Intensive. And added a teacher certification from Tahiti Fit in 2024.
She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a double minor in Psychology and Dance. Her passion is helping educate her students and audience on the value of learning to dance in reducing stress, anxiety, and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia. She has been teaching belly dance classes since 2003 and hula classes since 2013.
She has performed at The Orient House in Istanbul, Turkey, in New York City, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Boston, Atlanta, the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and Trump’s Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach. She has danced for audiences including The Florida Turkish American Association, Tommy Hilfiger, Janet Jackson, Brooke Shields, David Schwimmer, Ricki Lake, Loretta Swit, and Mahmoud Reda and has performed onstage with the B-52s.