Elena Faye
Professional Belly Dancer
Washington DC | Maryland | Virginia
Biography
Elena Faye is an award-winning performer and teacher based in the DC metropolitan area. Born into a family of dancers, painters, and musicians, Elena was surrounded by art from a young age. She first began belly dancing at the age of 14, under the instruction of DC-based dancer Najwah (Karen McLane), and soon joined her teacher's company, Ancient Rhythms. After four years of intense study, Elena relocated to New York City in order to pursue her undergraduate degree at Columbia University's Barnard College.
During her time in New York, Elena had the opportunity to study and collaborate with such respected artists as Nourhan Sharif, Ranya Renee, Luna of Cairo, and Kaeshi Chai. She also spent three years as President of the Columbia University Bellydance Troupe, which is host to the annual Collegiate Middle Eastern Dance Conference. After earning her degree in Middle Eastern Language & Culture with a Minor in Dance, Elena returned to the DC area, where she now resides. She spent six years dancing with Central Asian dance company Nomads Dancers and master Uzbek choreographer Olimdjon Beknazarov, during which time she developed a love for the plethora of traditional and folkloric Persian & Central Asian dances.
From 2012 - 2020, Elena taught regular weekly classes at Saffron Dance belly dance school in Arlington, VA. From 2017-2020 she served as Artistic Director, overseeing the creative development of the school. Today, she continues teaching in her home studio and online coaching.
In addition to belly dance, Elena studied Irish Step dance for 7 years, and has explored modern, ballet, flamenco, garba/raas, kathak, bharatanatyam, and, most recently, bachata & Brazilian Zouk.
Awards and Honors
1st Place- 2013 RAKSTAR Competition, Starlette Category (Miami, FL)
1st Place - 2013 Jewels of the Orient Competition, Professional Category (Wilmington, DE)
2010 & 2012 Bellydance Evolution Competition Winner (NYC/DC 2012, NYC 2010)
Chosen to participate in Season 2 of "Project Bellydance," a reality tv dance competition
Selected as a 2012 Main Stage performer at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada
1st Place and People's Choice winner - 2011 East Coast Regional Bellydance Championship