About Melina of Daughters of Rhea

I am a second-generation belly dancer and circus artist. I first belly danced with a costume pinned to my diapers at the age of 2, and continued to regularly perform on taverna stages in Athens, Greece and in circus rings in Northern California throughout my childhood. My mother is pioneer of oriental dance Rhea of Greece, my father is a singer/song-writer musician. I am proud to have a Ph.D. in late medieval French literature, but prouder still to have turned away from the Ivory Tower in order to create my own gypsy world. I live a full-time artistic life featuring writing, circus and dance performance and the independent-minded teaching of belly dance as self-empowerment. I own my own European family circus, Cirque Passion, and belly dance company, Daughters of Rhea. Creating centers in the margins is my expertise. I am inspired by people with integrity who follow through on their ideas and support the efforts of others.