Get to know us

Our teachers

Our strength lies in our individuality. Set up by Esther Bryce, the team strives to bring in the best talent in various fields, from architecture to interior design and sales.

Iloukhina Svetlana Zeinati

born on October 2, 1977, is a Russian dancer and instructor recognized for her commitment to both performance and teaching. With a strong artistic foundation, she holds diplomas in Social and Cultural Activities as well as Artistic Creation, later specializing as a professional dance teacher.

Her career reflects a lifelong dedication to the art of dance, blending technical expertise with a passion for nurturing the next generation of performers.

Andrea Achkouti

Andrea Achkouty began her ballet journey at the age of four, where she discovered a passion that has remained central to her life. After taking time away, she found her way back to the art through Sami Hajj Dance Academy, where she continues to grow as a versatile dancer across multiple styles. Today, Andrea is both a dancer and a dedicated pre-ballet teacher, guiding young students through their very first steps in ballet.

With patience and enthusiasm, she strives to instill in children not only technique, but also a genuine love for dance.

Angela Achkouti

Angela Achkouti discovered her passion for ballet at the age of five and has been dedicated to the art form ever since. Despite challenges and injuries, she proudly serves today as a classical ballet tutor at Sami Hajj Academy, where she is honored to be part of its inspiring family.

Angela joined the academy at 17, a turning point that allowed her to expand her skills and explore various styles, including Classical Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary dance. Through perseverance and hard work, she has grown into a versatile professional dancer and passionate educator, committed to nurturing young dancers and instilling in them a deep appreciation for the beauty of ballet.

Peri Berdikhanova Diab

began her dance career in 2004, studying at the Choreographic Faculty of Music and Art College until 2009. She then pursued advanced training at the Tashkent Higher School of Choreography and National Dance, where she studied from 2009 to 2013.

Since 2013, Peri has been working as a dedicated dance teacher, sharing her knowledge and expertise with students. Alongside her studies, she was a member of the State Folk Dance Ensemble of Uzbekistan, performing at presidential events and representing her country on prestigious stages. Her career has given her the honor of meeting and performing before numerous world leaders.

Rima Hajj

Rima Hajj is truly the heart of our academy. Known as the “mom” of the entire team, she embraces everyone with care, warmth, and unmatched dedication. Her attention to detail, her ability to nurture, and the way she treats each dancer and staff member as family make her presence indispensable. Beyond her maternal spirit, Rima is also the backbone of the academy’s operations—overseeing all legal matters, paperwork, and administrative responsibilities with precision and commitment. She ensures that every aspect of the academy runs smoothly and professionally, allowing the artistic side to flourish. Rima’s devotion, both personal and professional, is what makes her not only the heart but also the driving force that keeps the academy thriving.

Shadi Arar

Shadi is a distinguished professional dancer and instructor with extensive international experience. Over the course of his career, he has performed across more than 20 countries, showcasing a wide spectrum of dance styles and leaving an impact on audiences worldwide.

Highly versatile, Shadi has mastered multiple forms of dance, yet his true artistry shines through contemporary dance. Blending refined technique with creativity and expression, he transforms movement into powerful storytelling. As an instructor, he is dedicated to inspiring and guiding his students, encouraging them to unlock their own potential and discover the artistry within their craft.

Cedrique Abdel Sater

Cedrique is a versatile performer and educator with over 15 years of dance and teaching experience. Skilled across multiple styles—ranging from gymnastics and jazz to hip-hop, Latin, ballroom, and Broadway jazz—he is recognized for blending strong technique with expressive stage presence.

As a performer, Cedrique has appeared in music videos, large-scale productions, and major stage performances.

Beyond the stage, he is a dedicated teacher, passionate about inspiring students of all ages. With a deep belief in the power of movement to connect, empower, and express, Cedrique continues to make a meaningful impact both in the studio and on stage.

Raffi Krikor Puzant Topalian

professionally known as Raffi Top, is a Lebanese dancer of Armenian heritage from West Side Aintab. A versatile performer, he specializes in all styles of Hip Hop dance, with particular expertise in technique, foundation, and the history of Hip Hop culture.

With over 10 years of stage experience and 8 years as a dedicated dance instructor, Raffi has built a strong reputation as both a performer and educator, inspiring students while preserving the authenticity of Hip Hop’s roots.

Iwan

Iwan is a dedicated Oriental Dance instructor whose journey began with a strong foundation at the Caracalla Dance School. He later expanded his training under the guidance of renowned choreographer Sami El Hajj, further enriching his artistry through specialized workshops in Egypt and the UAE.

With a unique blend of elegance, strength, and cultural authenticity, Iwan brings Oriental dance to life, inspiring students to connect deeply with both movement and music. He currently teaches Oriental Dance at Sami El Hajj Dance Academy, as well as in several other leading dance schools across Lebanon, where he is admired for his passion, precision, and ability to empower dancers of all levels.

Bassel Shannan

a professional dancer and instructor recognized for his versatility and passion for the performing arts. With years of experience both on stage and in the studio, he has developed expertise across multiple dance styles, combining strong technique with expressive artistry.

As a committed teacher, Bassel is dedicated to inspiring and training the next generation of dancers, emphasizing discipline, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the art of movement. His career reflects a balance between performance excellence and a genuine devotion to education.

Saria Harik

Saria Harik began dancing at the age of three and a half, training in classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics. Alongside her artistic journey, she studied Events Management, where she excelled in leadership and organization.

Today as a General and operational manager, Saria is the vital link between teachers, owner, and clients ensuring seamless communication and harmony within the academy. She oversees every operational detail with precision, fairness, and a commitment to equality, creating an environment where both students and faculty can thrive. Her dedication, attention to detail, and ability to balance creativity with structure make her the key element in the academy’s continued growth and success.

Mira Moussallem

a Professional dancer with over 12 years of experience in classical ballet, contemporary, and jazz. She began her ballet training at the age of ten, developing strength, discipline, and a solid foundation that allowed her to expand into other dance forms. As she explored lyrical, contemporary, and jazz, Mira deepened her artistry, embracing coordination, rhythm, and creative freedom.

For Mira, dance is the perfect balance of discipline and technique with musicality, creativity, and self-expression. It has shaped her life and character in meaningful ways, and her passion for the art continues to grow each day.

Nadine Sayegh Hajj

affectionately known as Nanou, discovered her passion for dance at the age of four. By sixteen, she had already become a ballet professor at Studio Arabesque, where she went on to teach for more than 20 years. Her training includes three years at the prestigious Boston Ballet School, after which she shone as a lead dancer in several of Oussama Rahbani’s productions, including W Kama Fi Lyom El Thaleth, Akher Yom, and Joubran wal Nabi.

Since retiring from the stage in 2020, Nanou has shifted her focus to teaching and coaching. She is deeply dedicated to sharing her expertise in Classical Ballet, Pilates Mat, and Pilates Barre, alongside her work as a certified fitness coach specializing in posture correction and muscle therapy.

Beyond her professional career, Nanou finds her greatest pride in being a mother to three wonderful children: Chelsey, Nicholas, and Jason.

Perla Chalhoub

began her journey in ballet at the age of four, immersing herself in the elegance of classical ballet before expanding her repertoire to include jazz, contemporary, Latin, and ballroom dance. Over the years, she has performed at numerous events and concerts in Lebanon and abroad, showcasing not only her versatility but also her deep passion for the art of dance.

Beyond the stage, Perla has choreographed for a variety of occasions, bringing creativity, storytelling, and emotional depth to every performance.

Even throughout her university years, she remained dedicated to her training, proving that for her, dance is not just a hobby but a true lifestyle one that continues to shape her identity, discipline, and artistic expression.

Anthony Bou Chahine

is a passionate and dynamic professional dancer, known for his creative movement and fearless approach to performance. At just 23 years old, he has already built a strong foundation in both dance and gymnastics, blending the strength and precision of an athlete with the fluidity and expression of an artist.

With 11 years of gymnastics experience and over a decade in dance, Anthony has honed his skills across multiple disciplines. His training has allowed him to develop exceptional control, flexibility, and stage presence, making his performances both powerful and captivating. Whether executing gravity-defying flips or intricate choreography, he thrives in pushing boundaries and taking on new challenges.

Our mission

We believe that movement is a universal language—one that transcends boundaries and speaks to the soul. Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant community where dancers of all ages and backgrounds can explore their passion, refine their craft, and express their unique stories through motion.

Our vision

We envision a dance academy that stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural vitality—where movement becomes a powerful tool for storytelling, healing, and transformation. Our goal is to shape a new generation of dancers who are not only technically skilled but emotionally expressive, intellectually curious, and socially engaged.