Kendra Ray

With over 12 years of studying the art of "bellydance", an Associates Degree in Arts specializing in media and as the former managing editor and video correspondent for Michigan Movie Magazine, Kendra has over 15 years of experience working with event coordinators and marketing departments in various industries, and has aided in production for dance conferences, expos, and gala shows since 2006.

With this unique approach, Kendra sees the full picture of an event - from coordination and logistics to the guest experience - creating the best show possible for each unique event.

Each dance show is customized for the client and nature of the event. Some factors can include:
- Who is the audience? Are they of a certain culture and want a more traditional set or are they new to this experience and looking for Vegas-style spectacle?
- Is there a theme for the event to help customize the costuming and props to match the esthetic?
- Would the guests be interested in combining a show with an interactive demo so they can learn some moves? Are they wanting a full lesson at their event to encourage guest participation?
- Would the client be interested in combining dance from different cultures and parts of the world?
- Would the client like to add on additional performers such as musicians, vocalists, cirque style entertainers, etc.?

These elements and more are simple ways to ensure that your guest experiences a dance show they'll never forget and you get the assurance of a smooth and professional entertainment provider.

By applying her experience with performance technique and media production to a foundation of classic and modern belly dance styles, Kendra Ray creates performances and provides consultation for festivals, concerts, video productions, athletes, and Arabic and Middle Eastern venues in the USA and Canada. She won first place in the 2013 Bellydance for a Cure Competition and was nominated for the 2014 Dahlal Internationale's Spirit of Aphrodite Award.

Some career highlights include: performing alongside music artists such as Chantal Chamandy, Christopher Lawrence, Konqistador, Victor Ghannam, Jacco Muller, Naghmeh Farahmand, The High Strung, Sean Blackman's In Transit, King Jazzy, DJ Joey Pistoles, and The Green Sky Project; being a featured performer in the "World For Change" 2011 Concert in the Glenn Gould CBC Studio in Toronto, the Small World Music Festival 2012 in Toronto, the 2010 Detroit Greektown TV commercial, and 2011 and 2013 Club Bellydance Tour featuring The Bellydance Superstars.

Kendra acted as a consultant for the USA ice dance pair, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, on the "Persian" nuances used in their free dance program "Scheherazade" which won them the Gold Medal at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. She also assisted Evolution Dance Theatre of Toronto, Ontario as the International Liaison and Rehearsal Director in the pre-production of their latest show Follow Your Heart.

Since 2004, Kendra has continuously studied the history, evolving culture and various subgenres found in the art known as "belly dance" heavily concentrating on authentic nuances and merging them with modern dance techniques and theatrics. Her first teacher, Aziza Ammar, gave her a strong classical Raqs Sharqi foundation, and as a member of Unveiled Dance Company since 2006 she has gained experience in modern, fusion, and theatrical choreography. She founded Tableau Cadre Movement Ensemble (TCME) in 2014 - a multidisciplinary and multicultural dance entertainment group - and regularly cross trains with TCME on dance forms such as Latin, Samba, Hip Hop, Ragtime and Polynesian Dance Fusion styles.

As a performer and instructor, Kendra aims to inspire others improve their quality of life through encouraging wellness, social interaction, and intercultural respect. Above all else, she puts an emphasis on dancing from the heart. She regularly performs and teaches private dance lessons and workshops in the USA and Canada.