Andrea Perkins has been teaching bellydance since 2002. She opened Zanzibar in 2003 with Cat Johnson and directs the Dandasha Dance Company. In 2005, she received her yoga instructor certification from the Asheville Yoga Center, under the direction of Stephanie Keach.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Andrea began her study of bellydance when she was fifteen years old with Kismet, after many years of ballet and modern dance training. While growing up, she was also involved with theater and film. After graduating from the University of Utah with a BA in Literature, Andrea moved to Cairo, Egypt for a year in order to teach English and write for Egypt Today, where she covered art and entertainment. In Egypt, she experienced the dance at its source, in its original cultural context. She also met her future husband, Deyaa Mounir. After returning to the states, she worked as a staff writer for Metro Santa Cruz, an alternative weekly newspaper in the Bay Area. In this hotbed of ethnic dance, Andrea studied with the great Sahar and also delved into tribal style for the first time with the inspiring Palika of Heavy Hips.


In 2002, Andrea and Deyaa moved to Chattanooga. Before opening Zanzibar Studio in 2003, Andrea taught at Madia's Studio, the Baker Van Cura School of Ballet, the Mountain Arts Community Center, and the Lifestyle Center. She has also taught belly dance at Baylor School and Girl's Preparatory School.

In 2005 Andrea received a grant from Allied Arts to study Flamenco in Spain. She has also explored other styles of Middle Eastern and world dance, including Salsa, African, traditional Indian dance, Tunisian style dance, and Moroccan folkdance, and is influenced by such artists and groups as: Mira Betz, Tobias Roberson, Noelia Garcia Carmon, N.O.madic Tribal. She has workshopped often with the following instructors: Suhaila Salimpour, Fat Chance Belly Dance, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Urban Tribal, Dalia Carella, Ultra Gypsy, and Rachel Brice.

Andrea teaches bellydance using a cohesive format that provides students with with a very strong techincal foundation, even if they have little or no dance background. The multiple levels of instruction offered at Zanzibar allow students to learn at their own pace while continuing to challenge themselves. Each level incorporates yoga and core muscle conditioning. Students also gain an understanding of Middle Eastern rhythms. To read more about classes click here.