Serena Wilson

Serena Wilson was one of the foundational teachers of American belly dance in New York. She began performing Middle Eastern dance during the 1950s and later created Serena Studios, which became an important centre for training professional and recreational dancers. Wilson also directed her own dance company and brought Oriental dance to television audiences through a dedicated television programme. She authored several books about belly dance, making technique and cultural information available to students who had limited access to teachers or source material. Her background included study with modern-dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis, which contributed to her theatrical approach to movement. Serena's teaching, publications and media appearances helped establish belly dance as a visible and organised dance practice in the United States.