Sandralis Gines

Sandralis, a native of Puerto Rico, started her dance training in Ballet and Jazz at the age of 8.  Throughout her college career she studied and fell in love with Modern and Contemporary Dance. In 1996 she began studying belly dance with Leyla Zahar.  Shortly thereafter, she became an active member two dance companies – one modern, Hincapie Dance Company, and one belly dance, Zahar’s Dancer.  In 1998 she became one of the principal dancers of a dance company, Juan Carlos y La Rumba Flamenca, performing at various venues throughout Puerto Rico. She decided to move to upstate New York to have a dance degree in 2004, and two years later moved to New York City with the intention of getting her dance teacher certification, and work as a dance teacher. 
Sandralis’ diverse dance experience and training includes Modern, Contemporary, Raks Sharqi, Turkish and Tribal Fusion Belly dance, Ballet, Jazz, African, and African-Caribbean. Her dance experience is versatile and her dynamic performances have captivated an array of audiences nationally and internationally. Beyond her extensive experience as a performer, Sandralis is also a highly regarded, charismatic and dedicated dance instructor. She has developed and taught numerous classes and workshops through a wide range of school dance programs in Puerto Rico, Western New York and New York City.  Sandralis has been the recipients of several recognitions for her belly dance performances including First Runner Up and Troupe of the Year in the 2001 Bellydancer of the Year Pageant.
Sandralis has danced as a principal dancer of Bellyqueen, a professional world dance company based in New York City, since 2006.