About US

Sulisha Kanouni Bathemess is an international performer and instructor of Egyptian and Traditional style belly dance. Sulisha Bathemess is a performing artist with formal training in classical ballet, jazz, Polynesian and modern dance. Born in San Francisco, California, Sulisha moved to Salt Lake City to major in ballet at the University of Utah in 1973. It was here that she attended classes in "belly dance" out of curiosity and soon became involved in the beautiful art form. "Oriental Dance" incorporates movements with the torso and hips as well as using the legs and arms. It is considered a natural form of dance since there is no extreme or extensive training to rotate the body in unnatural positions as in ballet. Although the fluid and layered torso movements were different for a trained academic dancer, Sulisha quickly adapted to the new art form. Middle East dance opened an entirely new realm of choreography, movement and dance opportunities. She loved the well-balanced aspect of oriental dance, and was inspired to blend the grace of her ballet training into the earthy passion of belly dance, unheard of at that time. Sulisha developed a technique of oriental dance that combined mind, body and soul in its execution, and loved being in control of what she did, when and how. Realizing this was the dance form she wanted to do as a life career, Sulisha opened many nightclubs and restaurants to oriental dance along the Wasatch front and continues to be the leader in innovative technique and stylization. Her dance knowledge, academic training and experience spans 40 years.

Sulisha traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada as a traditional belly dance soloist. She later joined a Greek touring production of singers, dancers and musicians and staff, traveling and performing in as many as 150 different nightclubs and theaters. Sulisha was one of the first professional dancers and one of the first qualified instructors of oriental dance in the Salt Lake City area in 1974. She was also the first professional dancer in Utah to perform at the well-known Athenian Restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City. Before Sulisha, the restaurant/nightclub only hired out-of-state dancers. As a performer and seminar instructor, Sulisha devotes her art to the education of the public and instructs her students in correct dynamics and technique of Oriental dance, while pursuing the highest of ethical standards. She is the owner of Sulisha Creations Boutique, the director of Arabian Eyes School of Dance Orientale, and director of Arabian Eyes Dance Company. She has been nominated for such prestigious awards as "Promoter of the Year", "Best Kept Secret", and "Cabaret Dancer of the Year" by the International Association of Middle Eastern Dancers in Los Angeles, California. She produces and performs in events, bringing her love of dance and its beauty to her audience.