Left to right: Leea Aziz in an early promotional photograph; Leea performing at El Morocco; and Sula with Roman "Bert" Balladine

Past Winners

Kata Maya - 2017 Belly Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Gameela, 2nd Runner Up - Alma, 3rd Runner Up - Natika, 4th Runner Up - Basinah, Congeniality - Alma
Kata Maya & Jahara Amar - 2017 Duet of the Year
Natika - 2017 Fusion Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Badia, 2nd Runner Up - Najwa, Congeniality - Badia
Mirit - 2017 Grand Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Kathi, 2n Runner Up - Theresea Jade, Congeniality - Gilana
Grateful Siren Belly Fusion Company - 2017 Troupe of the Year
1st Runner Up - Akasma Bellydance, 2nd Runner Up - Raks Jawhara, Congeniality - Jewels of Beladi

Zhanna - 2016 Belly Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Jillian, 2nd Runner Up - Corina, 3rd Runner Up - Natika, 4th Runner Up - Irina Eshta, Congeniality - Irina Eshta
Arabian Dreams - 2016 Duet of the Year
1st Runner Up - Black Sumac, 2nd Runner Up - Sapphire Sands, Congeniality - Arabian Dreams
Genisa - 2016 Grand Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Jordan Dancer, 2nd Runner Up - Theresea Jade, Congeniality - Mirit
Almaz - 2016 Troupe of the Year
1st Runner Up - Dansoleil Belly Dance Theater, 2nd Runner Up - Akasma Bellydance, Congeniality - Tiyanna


Cassandra Rose - 2015 Belly Dancer of the Year
1s Runner Up - Jennifer, 2nd Runner Up - Fanina, 3rd Runner Up - Henna, 4th Runner Up - Natika, Congeniality - Alisha
Bindu Bolar a.k.a. Tribalina - 2015 Tribal Soloist of the Year
1st Runner Up - Zyphire, 2nd Runner Up - Lulu Stone, Congeniality - Lulu Stone
Raks A'Diva - 2015 Troupe of the Year
1st Runner Up - Raqs Ayana, 2nd Runner Up - Almaz, Congeniality - Sister Sirens
Sumaia & Natika - 2015 Duet of the Year
1st Runner Up - Jamie Nyland & Hassan Yousef Deeb, 2nd Runner Up - Dee Mella Dee, Congeniality - Jamie & Hassan
Tasha - 2015 Grand Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Jordan Dancer, 2nd Runner Up - Julia, Congeniality - Jordan Dancer


2014
Mychelle Crown - 2014 Belly Dancer of the Year
Draconis - 2014 Tribal Soloist of the Year
Salena - 2014 Grand Dancer of the Year
Henna & Kohl Bellydance Company - 2014 Troupe of the Year
Pomegranate Vibrato - 2014 Tribal Ensemble of the Year
Mirage - 2014 Duet of the Year

2013
Khalilah Samah - 2013 Belly Dancer of the Year
Jenna Shear - 2013 Tribal Soloist of the Year
Mariah - 2013 Grand Dancer of the Year
Khamsin - 2013 Troupe of the Year
Ruya - 2013 Duo/Trio of the Year
Sepiatonic - 2013 Tribal Ensemble of the Year

2012
Isis San Miguel - 2012 Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Dhyanis - 2012 Troupe of the Year
Ember Rose - 2012 Duet of the Year
Hassan Yousef Deeb - 2012 Grand Dancer of the Year
ShoShannah Estell - 2012 Tribal Soloist of the Year
ShupaDa - 2012 Tribal Ensemble of the Year

2011
Namira - 2011 Belly Dancer of the Year
Jaouahir Tahoe - 2011 Troupe of the Year
Jamileh & Harley - 2011 Duet of the Year
Kimmy O - 2011 Grand Dancer of the Year
Natika - 2011 Tribal Soloist of the Year
Verbatim & Street Team - 2011 Tribal Ensemble of the Year

2010
Mia Sha'uri - Belly Dancer of the Year
Arabina - Troupe of the Year
Jamali Bellydance Trio - Trio of the Year
Yolanda - Grand Dancer of the Year

2009
Maria - Belly Dancer of the Year
Raks A'Diva - Troupe of the Year
Aiwa She Raqa - Trio of the Year
Fiji - Grand Dancer of the Year

2008
Ahava - Belly Dancer of the Year
Raks Awalim - Troupe of the Year
Naiya & Numa'ir - Duet of the Year
Salima Sisli - Grand Dancer of the Year

2007
Oreet - Belly Dancer of the Year
Lunatique - Troupe of the Year
Jaouahir Tahoe - Trio of the Year
Etana Hayal - Grand Dancer of the Year

2006
Nadira - Belly Dancer of the Year
Ayesha's Oasis Dance Company - Troupe of the Year
Petite Jolie - Duet of the Year
Thia - Grand Dancer of the Year

2005
Shabnam - Belly Dancer of the Year
Ooh La La - Troupe of the Year
Angelia, Kahli, & Tyrannie - Trio of the Year
Dunia - Grand Dancer of the Year

2004
Shoshanna - Belly Dancer of the Year
Unmata - Troupe of the Year
Raqs Habibi - Trio of the Year
Una - Grand Dancer of the Year

2003
Sa'diyya - Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Dhyanis - Troupe of the Year
Troupe Shamilla - Trio of the Year
Dhyanis - Grand Dancer of the Year

2002
Aziza - Belly Dancer of the Year
Shifting Sands - Troupe of the Year
Dhyanis & Carolena - Duet of the Year
Jizan - Grand Dancer of the Year

2001
Zaheea - Belly Dancer of the Year
Zahar's Dancers - Troupe of the Year
Sirens In Sanity - Trio of the Year
Saiedeh - Grand Dancer of the Year

2000
Piper - Belly Dancer of the Year
Raks Sahibat - Troupe of the Year
Shobiyet - Duet of the Year
Marula - Grand Dancer of the Year

1999
Leyla Zahar - Belly Dancer of the Year
Sisters of the Sands - Troupe of the Year
Leyla & Cyrianna - Duet of the Year
Tilana - Grand Dancer of the Year

1998
Leyla - Belly Dancer of the Year
Camels USA - Troupe of the Year
Sayah Ban - Duet of the Year
Niyah - Grand Dancer of the Year

1997
Shahalee - Belly Dancer of the Year
Ananka Dance Company - Troupe of the Year
The Shadow - Duet of the Year
Aisha Ahroosh - Grand Dancer of the Year

1996
Jizan - Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Mandala - Troupe of the Year
Yasmine & Calista - Duet of the Year
Siwa - Grand Dancer of the Year

1995
Alexandria - Belly Dancer of the Year
Ya Habibi - Troupe of the Year
Ah-Shah-Rah - Duet of the Year
Gaia - Grand Dancer of the Year

1994
SeSe - Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Nafisa - Troupe of the Year
Vashti Zadah & Zahirah - Duet of the Year
Bay'la Zena - Grand Dancer of the Year

1993
Judeen - Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Mosaic - Troupe of the Year
Alexandria & Kimaya - Duet of the Year
Nancy Awbrey - Grand Dancer of the Year

1992
JoEllen - Belly Dancer of the Year
Sahah Dance Troupe - Troupe of the Year
Kismet, Yasamina & Jason - Duet of the Year
Ayesha - Grand Dancer of the Year

1991
Jordan Dancer - Belly Dancer of the Year
Dancers of the Desert - Troupe of the Year
Sadia & Christina - Duet of the Year
Mira - Grand Dancer of the Year

1990
Aurelia - Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Tangiers - Troupe of the Year
Mandala II - Duet of the Year
Nashwa - Grand Dancer of the Year

1989
Dunia - Belly Dancer of the Year
Kismet Troupe - Troupe of the Year
Rebecca & Kalilah - Duet of the Year
Ziba - Grand Dancer of the Year

1988
Alexandra King - Belly Dancer of the Year
Bahar Belly Dancing Troupe - Troupe of the Year
Kamseen & Shiraza - Duet of the Year
Fatima - Grand Dancer of the Year

1987
Arlene - Belly Dancer of the Year
Raks Orientale - Troupe of the Year
Dottie - Grand Dancer of the Year

1986
Sadia - Belly Dancer of the Year
Raks Al Mus'ad- Troupe of the Year
Shahreena - Grand Dancer of the Year

1985
Sapphire - Belly Dancer of the Year
Sahah Dance Troupe - Troupe of the Year
Ilona - Grand Dancer of the Year

1984
Una - Belly Dancer of the Year
Al Ghawazee Dance Troupe - Troupe of the Year
Ay Shea - Grand Dancer of the Year

1983
Namora - Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Mandala - Troupe of the Year
Aneena - Grand Dancer of the Year

1982
Ma'Shar - Belly Dancer of the Year
Troupe Tangiers - Troupe of the Year
Sally Rohlichek - Grand Dancer of the Year


Winners prior to 1982 are not confirmed. Some names and photos have been lost over the years, but we are working on filling in the blanks. If you remember someone not listed, or notice an incorrect name, please drop us a line: info@bellydanceroftheyear.net

1981
Zenobia - Belly Dancer of the Year
Al Amara - Troupe of the Year

1980
Shalae - Belly Dancer of the Year
??? - Troupe of the Year


1979
Courtesy of Aziza!

Azuri - Belly Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Scherezade
2nd Runner Up - Kishma
3rd Runner Up - Naima
4th Runner Up - Aphrodite

Najla - Grand Dancer of the Year
The Turkish Delights, Directed by Emira - Troupe of the Year


1978
Malika - Belly Dancer of the Year

1977
Delilah - Belly Dancer of the Year

1976
Selenee- Belly Dancer of the Year

1975-1973
Zephyra and ???