Janim is a professional belly dance artist based in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Area.

As an experienced and respected performer, Janim exudes high-energy and charisma in her dancing. Her understanding of bellydance rhythms allows for the freedom of structured improvisation within her performances. Janim's dancing is full of spirit, spontaneity, and heart, captivating audiences where ever she performs. Janim's training in both Egyptian and Turkish oriental styles allows her the flexibility to give every movement its due.

She is a frequent performer at ISTANBUL in Lawrenceville and the LaCasa in Shadyside. Her elegant and cheerful dance style has allowed her to captivate and connect with her audiences during her performances. Janim performs regularly at restaurants, weddings, fundraisers, and promotional events.

Janim fell in love with Middle Eastern dance in the Summer of 2002. Since moving to Pittsburgh, Janim has dedicated herself to the study of belly dance with her teacher, Mirjana, who continues to be a major influence and inspiration for her. Janim has recently developed her own bellydance classes teaching the fundamentals of the vintage oriental style of bellydance.

Workshops with well known teachers such as Sahra Saeeda, Bozenka, Elizabeth Strong, Sharon Kiahara, Nashwa of Cairo, Mardi Love, Kristina Melike, and many others have further enhanced Janim's dance style. She is currently besotted with the dancing of Tulay Kuraca and Nesrin Topkapi, two of the legends of Turkish oriental bellydance. However, she has never forgotten her roots and continues to study the timeless grace of Soheir Zaki and Fifi Abdou.

Janim is the cofounder of the vintage oriental bellydance troupe, WEST OF CAIRO. Through this troupe, she teaches two classes per week and organizes workshops throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. To find out more, subscribe to her newsletter! SUBSCRIBE!

By day, Janim is a landscape architect specializing in urban design and environmental systems. Janim holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and is currently a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University. When not dancing, architecturing, or teaching, she can be found designing the posters and programs for her husband Federico's new music ensemble Alia Musica Pittsburgh.