Rising Stars: Meet Heidi of Snellville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi.

Hi Heidi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been dancing my way through life since childhood. My mom took me to my first full-length ballet when I was three, and the theater staff in Miami was so impressed by my focus and captivation in the performance that they upgraded our seats during intermission. As a youth, I was enrolled in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern classes, and I’ve enjoyed exploring various movement studies since then. Music and dancing are integral to social interaction in Cuban culture, so I grew up surrounded by music and dancing at home. Watching the movie musicals of the golden era of Hollywood further nurtured my love for storytelling through dance. When a dear friend invited me to a “belly dance” show, I was intrigued and challenged beyond my wildest expectations. Today, I find myself balancing a portfolio career as an educator to the young and young at heart, a freelance choreographer, performer, and producer. I edit my own videos, create and/or design costumes for myself and others, edit music, design lights, and mentor students to do the same. It’s a gift to love what I do, so even in the frustrating moments, I can remind myself that it’s worth it!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is filled with challenges. As a cis-woman of Afro-Cuban heritage sexism, colorism, racism, and body shaming from others and my own mind due to the oppressive ideas that have been ingrained in our societal psyche are hurdles I regularly face. Additionally, the constant validation of the value of dance, art in general, is exhausting. Having a diverse career that centers around dance is wonderful, but it’s also necessary to be able to navigate the mental gymnastics necessary to persevere so I can continue to provide for myself. I don’t want much from this world, but it seems like a constant battle to remind the world that I am contributing something valuable and worthy. My students get it and keep the fire burning so I keep keeping on.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself a versatile dancer and educator, with a career spanning various roles. My work encompasses teaching, choreographing, artistic direction, performancing, and production.

Teaching dance takes up the majority of my time. I work at three studios in the metro-Atlanta area. At Caló Gitano, a flamenco academy in Kirkwood, I direct a ballet and tap youth program. At Momentum Arts in Snellville, I teach contemporary ballet and tap to children, as well as tap and belly dance for adults. Atlanta Fusion Dance in Chamblee offers a wide variety of “belly dance” classes. I teach technique and cross-training classes on Saturdays that introduce ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance concepts to belly dancers.

I find immense joy in creating dances and regularly showcase my choreography skills at student showcases held twice a year. I’ve also had the privilege of choreographing a few musicals, most recently Singin’ In The Rain this past spring. I find great joy in choreographing and creating cohesive performances, I’m looking forward to doing more of that in the near future.

In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I direct a synchronized improvisation fusion troupe called Ouroboros Dance Project. We have a codified vocabulary of moves and variations that we cue each other with. Initially, we started with a globally recognized style, but I’ve been developing my own dialect alongside my troupe members incorporating moves we love. Meraki Dance Ensemble, which comprises of any group of dancers who perform my “belly dance” choreographies is also under my direction. For the past few years, I’ve been producing a spooky-themed show that features ODP and MDE, and I eagerly anticipate every fall’s production. Salon Macabre will take place November 2nd at Caló Gitano at 5pm. Tickets will go on sale October 15th.

As a soloist performer, I identify as a transcultural fusion dance artist. My dance roots intertwine with mydance and movement studies, allow me to create a unique hybrid style. I drawn upon ballet’s play between suspension and flow, the breath work of modern dance, the power of jazz, the nuances of Afro-Cuban dance traditions, the playfulness of tap dancing, and the earthy vibrancy of SWANAHT (South West Asian, North African, Hellenic, and Turkish) cultural traditions that encompass “belly dance.” Additionally, the inspirational elements of Flamenco, Indian dance traditions, and hip-hop which Americans began incorporating into transcultural fusion styles about 30 years ago, further enrich my dance with a touch of theatrical flair all contribute to my artistic expression.

I find myself immersed in this web of movement information. While I enjoy taking classes and delving deeply into dance, I also strive to respectfully transform this knowledge into something that aligns with my unique perspective. It’s incredibly rewarding when someone from a SWANAHT culture compliments my dancing. It’s a testament to their recognition of my love for their culture and, hopefully, my respect and awareness for it as well.

Living a life surrounded and supported by dance is my greatest pride. It’s my passion, and I am fortunate and grateful to be able to pursue it every day.

What’s next?
I always look forward to deepening my study of movement. Atlanta Fusion Dance is producing Gothla in November and bringing legendary drummer Issam Houshan back to Atlanta in January. Those weekends filled with learning, community and a showcase are always a treat. I’m excited to travel back to Migrations in Austin, Tx where I shall be teaching and performing early next year. I have a couple of other ideas brewing in my brain and look forward to bringing them to life next year — stay tuned!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HeidiBaila.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidi.baila/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidihbaila/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@heidih5519?si=gR_aG9vKvv8TQmnS
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/heidi_baila
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/heidibaila/

Image Credits
Personal photo: photographer unknown
Pink hip scarf and black with a red silhouette: photographer unknown, taken at the Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance Sweet 16 Anniversary Show
Purple skirt photo taken by Vance Strickland at the Migrations Friday Night 2025 Gala
Yellow Drape photo taken by my mom at Into The Mythic: A Creature Feature in Greenville, SC 2024
Bowing purple background picture: photographer unknown taken at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance’s Holiday Raqs 2024
Sword photo taken by my mom at Raks Gliteratti hosted by Aziza Nawal at Taverna Plaka 2023
Fan photo by Jaki Hawthorne Photography taken at McDaniel Farm Park in 2023