Rayah has been dancing since she was a small child with aspirations to become a professional ballet dancer. After years of training and many physical and emotional setbacks, Rayah was introduced to Middle Eastern dance. She believes this introduction was not by happenstance and credits the dance for rebuilding her physical and emotional health. She performed in California with the High Desert Dancers and has traveled the US dancing, teaching, and learning in each city. Rayah is co-director of International Gypsy's professional troupe GRITS Raq and also owns and operates International Gypsy Belly Dance, LLC with Donaleah.

Debra is the newest instructor at International Gypsy. As a member of GRITS Raq she has performed at JavaBytes, in Atlanta, and in Miami. Donaleah has practiced various forms of dance since early childhood. She began belly dancing at age 40 as a birthday present to herself and fell instantly, madly in love with the movement, the music, and the costuming. Donaleah currently teaches the Intro to Belly Dance, Bellyrobics, and Belly Rhythms classes. Photo courtesy of MiaVonni Photography

Miriam Gamal **Miriam is taking a short sabbatical from teaching this summer to pursue her college course work. A South Florida native, Miriam has been involved with Middle Eastern dance since 2003. Miriam specializes in modern and classical Egyptian styles as well as some fusion and prop work including zills, veil, cane, wings, and sword. She is the founder and director of GRITS Raq, International Gypsy's professional troupe and Middle Georgia's premiere troupe of Oriental dance performers. Miriam now joins the team at International Gypsy to teach beginner and specialty classes and is director of their professional troupe, GRITS Raq. Photo courtesy of MiaVonni Photography

	Catahna also known as Cat, began her belly dance career in the early 1990's under Shalimar Serene in Atlanta and performed with the Kennesaw State University's dance troupe. Cat joined International Gypsy in 2006 and has performed with their group the Firefly Gypsies at Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Macon, and at several events in Atlanta and as a soloist in local restaurants. Belly dance is an important and centering part of Cat's life and she dearly loves the opportunity to dance and share the joy of what she has learned with others. When not dancing Cat is busy home-schooling and caring for her two children.