Most belly dancers never have the opportunity to explore their art to its maximum potential, argues Miles Copeland, founder of Bellydance Superstars. But as with any centuries old art form that originated on the other side of the world, it’s nigh impossible for a single individual to know what is best for belly dance. Especially an individual who has never practiced belly dance and concedes that he lacks formal expertise in the field. Neither of these facts has prevented Copeland from founding a belly dance troupe, which has shimmied its way through 20 countries in the last seven years.
“We are not stuck having to do things a traditional way. I don’t think that is sustainable,” said Copeland. “As they say, variety is the spice of life. If you’re a purist you’ll see things that make you go ‘wait a minute, that’s not supposed to be there.’”