Moody Street Circus Co-Founders & Master Teachers Alexandre “Sacha” Pavlata and Melinda “Melina” Pavlata

The majority of regular circus arts and belly dance classes at Moody Street Circus are instructed by Sacha and Melinda Melina Pavlata. We also feature visiting guest artists and illustrious instructors from around the world.

These are some of our regular guest artists:

Rhea of Greece, Belly Dance Pioneer
Over 4 decades immersed in the heart of the art. Mother of Internationally-famous belly dancers Melinda Melina Pavlata and Piper Hunt. Spiritual mother and mother in dance to many more. Free-thinking Philosopher-Rebel. “Rather die on my feet than live on my knees”. Rhea has inspired and transformed many lives through her teaching of oriental dance. Rhea, who resides and teaches primarily in Athens, Greece, teaches classes and workshops at Moody Street Circus when she is visiting her family in the U.S.

Rhea of Greece

Piper Reid Hunt, Ph.D.
Belly Dancer of the Year 2000 & FDA Scientist. Founder, the PiperMethod of American Belly Dance. Co-Founder, Daughters of Rhea Belly Dance.. (Melinda Melina’s Multi-Talented Sister :) ) We are lucky enough to have Piper visit at least two times a year for classes and workshops!

Piper Reid Hunt

Una Mimnagh, M.A.

Founder, Circus Una.
World-class aerialist and Motorcycle thrill show performer.
An inspiration to us all! Una teaches occasional aerial workshops at Moody Street Circus, and we count ourselves lucky to count her among our friends!

Sara Rodrigues Cabral


Principal Dancer, Cirque Passion & Daughters of Rhea.
Creator of “Keep Inspired: Modern Dance/Belly Dance Fusion” Series at Moody Street Circus.
Comedienne, Golden Winged Princess Dancer, Artistic Muse of Cirque Passion.

Panayiota (far right)

Greek-style Belly Dance Specialist & Greek Folk Dancer Extraordinaire.
Original Daughters of Rhea Dancer.
Trained in Sharif Technique.
Founder & CEO, Koukla Enterprises.

Celia/Betsy Nelson

Aerialist, Hoop Dancer & Belly Dancer.
Member of Cirque Passion.
Daughters of Rhea & Bellybeat Dance Company.
Celia will be teaching Hoop Classes in the Fall of 2012 at Moody Street Circus.

Najmat

Boston’s “Queen of Shimmies.”
Arabic-style Belly Dance Instructor & Performer.
Najmat’s Arabic-style Masterclass Series is a popular feature at Moody Street Circus.

Odella/Christina Ackley, M.A.

(Odella, Melina and Celia before a performance at the Peabody Essex Museum)

Founder & Director, Bellybeat Dance Company.
Certified Pilates Instructor.
Masters in Choreography.

Jasmin Kalathaki
Visiting belly dance artist from Athens, Greece,  Jasmin also performs Ancient Greek Dance, Bollywood and Salsa, among other styles. 
Original member of Daughters of Rhea :: Athens, Greece troupe. Greek Representative of Daughters of Rhea Athens.

Lisa Zahiya

Visiting belly dance instructor from Asheville, N.C.
An innovative, award-winning performer, in-demand instructor and successful studio owner.
Working in the genres of belly dance, Indian dance (Bollywood & Bhangra) and hip-hop dance, Lisa travels nationally and internationally teaching and performing.

Other Musicians and Artists who have appeared and/or taught at Moody Street Circus

Elena Lentini
Ali Arsoy
John de Kadt
Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble
Mal Barsamian
The Legendary Fred Elias Ensemble
George Mansour
Phil Marsh
Alanah of New York
Marria Grace