Shimmy This Belly Dance

Amaryllis Salome' Rosario-Carter has been dancing since the tender age of 3.  Her journey began with her cultural roots of Salsa and slowly progressed to the Latin dances, Ballroom, Hip Hop, Jazz, Interpretive, and West African.  It would be after years of dance training that Amaryllis would discover Oriental dance. 

Amaryllis began her journey into belly dance by commencing her lessons in 1993 under the tutelage of Marliza Pons in Las Vegas, Nevada.  In 1996, Amaryllis, seeking new inspiration, began a new adventure in Denver, Colorado.  There, she found inspiration and new challenges from her extended studies with Joynan, Suzanna Del Vecchio, the late Phaedra Ameerah,  and Eva Cernik.  After several years of intense studies and several troupe affiliations, she decided to branch out and begin a work on her own curriculum.  In 1999, Amaryllis began a year long process of creating a new form of instruction with emphasis on body mechanics and movement.  In 2000, Amaryllis opened Shimmy This Belly Dance Studio and with little more then heart, a gift for teaching and a solid curriculum based format, her classes flourished.  She quickly found her classes full to capacity, and the need to add more and more weekly classes.  She soon found herself teaching 5 days a week with a full performance schedule at several restaurants and clubs.  The euphoric chaos that had taken over Amaryllis' life became secondary when she became pregnant.  Wanting to be close to her family for her baby's benefit, she moved back to Las Vegas in 2002.  After the birth of her daughter, Sofia Isabella, she took some time to revel in motherhood and enjoy her baby girl.   in 2003, Amaryllis got back into the swing of things by beginning her classes, and by working closely with sponsors, producers and the belly dance community in Las Vegas.

Since 2003, Amaryllis has produced and directed several large events including The MASSIVE Spectacular, Essence of Arabia and Wiggles of the West.  Having had the opportunity throughout the years to study and work with some of the top instructors such as Suhaila Salimpour, Aradia of Las Vegas, Fathiem, Dalia Carella, Dr. Mahmoud Reda, Aziza, and many more has allowed Amaryllis find inspiration for her classes and own self growth, but also the belief that multi-instructional learning is the key for success in body mechanics, movement and individualism in dance. 

Having spent many years performing in both Las Vegas, Nevada and Denver, Colorado, Amaryllis now devotes her time to teaching and creating great events, with occasional special performances.  Amaryllis has had the opportunity to teach and perform at the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive in 2005, 2006, 2007 and2008.  Amaryllis played a critical role as the Director of Entertainment for the  Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive  for her last 2 years with the event.  Bringing her years of experience to the mix, she created Vegas style shows full of Middle Eastern flavor.  Amaryllis works closely with Tori Halfon, creator of the MASSIVE Spectacular and Tribal Massive to bring Tribal Fusion to the main stage in the largest concert venue belly dance event in Las Vegas.   Not wanting the dust to settle - Amaryllis has joined the staff as a director for Wiggles of the West!  One of the longest running, professional competitions and workshop sponsors in the U.S. 

Amaryllis has been honored with being featured in a new book, a photographic journey, Desert Rakkasah by Glenn Brogan.  She is also featured on the new 2008 Desert Dancer Calendar ,  photographed by Glenn Brogan and produced by Amira.

Amaryllis shares her life with her wonderful and very supportive belly dance husband Michael,  her stepson Matthew, 13, and her mini belly dancer daughter, Sofia Isabella, 6.  And of course, life would not be complete with the furry babies: Blaze - the Aby mix cat (who rules over the dogs with an iron fist),  Nutmeg - the bat eared pitbull-lab, and Ginger - the pitbull-mastif puppy that has zero traction on hard wood floors!