Yana is a native of  Russia. Her mother is a professional Ballet Dancer who still teaches and choreographs in Russia.  Following her mother, Elena’s graceful footsteps, Yana began the study of Music and Dance at the age 4. As a little girl, Yana began performing at her mother’s annual recitals and also appeared on local television shows, becoming a celebrity in her hometown Vladivostok. 

While obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in English Linguistics, Yana organized a modern-experimental dance troupe called Stihiya, meaning “Element” in Russian. Stihiya performed ardently at college recitals, various art festivals, and other venues.

From 2000-2005, Yana taught professionally as a choreographer at Red Stars Model Agency as well as in various fitness clubs, bringing the ancient art of Belly Dance to her beloved students.

As a brilliant soloist, Yana has performed at countless shows throughout the south east of Russia and continues to choreograph and perform solo performances.  She continues to study World Music and Dance; her current passions being Latin American Dance, Flamenco and Belly Dance; Tribal style and Classic Oriental.

More Recently

In 2005, Yana moved to Central Florida, bringing her passion and talent, as well as years of teaching experience. Yana attributes all the love and passion in her heart for the art of dance to her mother, Elena.

Locally, Yana has founded Daytona Beach Belly Dance, a community of women who celebrate the joy of Middle Eastern music and dance together. The Daytona Beach Belly Dance group gathers for classes during the week and performs during community cultural events such as the Daytona Beach Indian Festival, Earth Day, and at various private and public venues. Several “Haflas” are held every year for friends and family to attend and share in the groups’ love of Belly Dance. Yana also instructs Belly Dance and ZUMBA classes at many local fitness clubs, dance and yoga studios in the Volusia county area. She currently studies Salsa, Flamenco, Bollywood, and Polynesian dance as well as taking Samba classes and various workshops.

Yana is an instructor of Suspira’s Orlando Belly Dance Academy and currently performing with the “Orlando Dance Theater”.

Continuing Study

Yana continues to learn and regularly attends fitness and dance seminars around the country to expand her knowledge and teaching methods, techniques and movements.  During the last five years Yana’s experience in the US has included study with Masters of the Dance such as Mohamed El Hosseny, Tamalyn Dallal, Jihan Jamal, Aziza, Ansuya, Bozenka and many others. She was certified in Sahra Saeeda’s 20-hour “Journey through Egypt 1” intensive workshop and has recently started to learn the art of drumming (tabla and riq), which was introduced to her by the professional world famous percussionist Karim Nagi.

 Professional Certifications and Instruction

As a fitness instructor Yana is certified in Zumba®, Zumba Gold® and Aqua Zumba®  as well as Fitour Group exercise and the SilverSneakers^® Fitness Program.

Yana’s motto is “I dance for the same reason I breath – because if I didn’t I would die.”