Belly Dance by Amaryllis Salome' Carter

Amaryllis Salome' Carter has been dancing since the tender age of 3.  Her journey began with her cultural roots of Salsa and slowly progressed to Merenge, Plena, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, Jazz, Street (classic hip hop), Modern, Flamenco, West African and Raks Sharqi.

Amaryllis began her journey into belly dance by taking lessons in 1993 under the tutelage of Marliza Pons.  In 1996, Amaryllis decided to start a new adventure in a new city and decided to move to Denver, Colorado.  There she continued taking lessons from Joynan, Suzanna Del Vecchio, the late Phaedra Ameerah,  and Eva Cernik.  After several years of studies and troupe affiliations, she decided to try her hand at teaching.  In 1999, Amaryllis formed her curriculum and began teaching basic beginner classes.  Quickly, she found her classes full to capacity and with the need to find more space and form more weekly classes.  In 2000, Shimmy This Belly Dance Studios opened.   Moving back to Las Vegas late 2002, she took a hiatus to give birth to her daughter, Sofia Isabella.   After a much needed break, she took immediately to the community which has become an ever fixed mark on her heart.

Having had the opportunity to study with some of the top instructors allowed Amaryllis to really put together an amazing teaching format all of her own.  Her ease with students stems from a dedication and passion for teaching what she loves.  Her desire to grow shows through her continuing education in workshop participation and continuation of classes with Master instructors such as Suhaila Salimpour, Fathiem and Aradia of Las Vegas. 

Having performed for several years in both Las Vegas, Nevada and Denver, Colorado, Amaryllis now devotes her time to teaching, educating and directing.  Amaryllis has had the opportunity to teach and perform at the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.  Amaryllis played a critical role as the Director of Entertainment for the  Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive  for the last 2 years.  Bringing her years of experience to the mix, she created Vegas style shows full of Middle Eastern flavor.  Amaryllis is now working on a second year with the MASSIVE Spectacular (hosted by Tori King and Bedouin Events).  Amaryllis directed the largest concert venue belly dance event in Las Vegas in 2008 with the MASSIVE Spectacular, feautring stars like Rachel Brice, Mardi Love and Aradia of Las Vegas!  Not wanting the dust to settle - Amaryllis has recently 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 and produced by Glenn Brogan and co-produced by Samira Tu'Ala.

Amaryllis recently became an editor with the launch of her new belly dance publication Shimmy This Quarterly.  She is also the President of a Non-Profit organization created with the purpose of helping to produce, promote and manage Middle Eastern Arts events in Las Vegas, the Middle Eastern Dance Association of Southern Nevada (M.E.D.A.S.N.).

Amaryllis shares her life with her wonderful and very supportive husband Michael , and their two children, Matthew Tanner, 12, and Sofia Isabella, 5,  Blaze - the Aby mix cat and Nutmeg - the bat eared dog!

Top photo in studio by Craig Moran

Bottom photo at Valley of Fire by Glenn Brogan