My name is Satusirkku Minor, and I am the instructor and main choreographer for Satu's Belly Dancing. I am originally from Finland, and I spent a few years living in India where I met my Canadian husband Jay, whom I settled with in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I've been teaching Belly Dancing since March 2003, and I owe gratitude to my first belly dance instructor, Becky Andersson, as well as Yasmina Ramzy of Toronto (whose classes and workshops I have attended and hosted) for inspiration and vision. I have taken my Teacher Training and Professional Training from Hadia, a Montreal based Master Instructor and Dance Artist. I have taken workshops and classes from numerous instructors including Mohammed El Hosseny, an amazing Egyptian male dancer, who has taught me Egyptian Folklore as well as Oriental technique, Khadejah & Mustapha El Queslati from Germany / Morocco and Dharlene Valeda (Kitchener, ON.), whom I have also hosted here in Thunder Bay along with her husband Sheldon and her star student, Raveet.

Satu's Belly Dancing, The Original Belly Dance School of Thunder Bay is committed to giving you a great variety in Belly Dance styles from Egyptian to Lebanese to Tribal, Folklore and Fusion: Swords, Drums, Wings & Fire Cabaret, Tribal, Folklore, Gypsy, Finger Cymbals and beyond: Hula, Dance Fitness CO-ED Belly & Latin.

Middle-Eastern Drum instruction I have received from Suleiman Warwar (Nazareth, Palestine), Khaled (Cairo, Egypt), Monsoor Monsoor (a.k.a.Victor) (Iraq) Sheldon Valeda (Kitchener, ON), and Meghan (Thunder Bay).

  Belly Dance experience is greatly enhanced by live drumming. I am pleased to have Victor and Jordan with us to share their talent and expertise. Many thanks to John, Lorna, Carissa and Elizabeth who are currently enlivening our performances with their drumming skills. I also owe gratitude to all the drummers who have volunteered their time and efforts throughout the years. Amr (Egypt) and Victor (Iraq) were engineering students who composed the lively "From Eufrates to the Nile" drum solo for us, and gave us an authentic sample of middle-eastern drumming. Dave and Mike blew us away with their enthusiasm and talent! Sean Jesseau from Music Workshop (622-1841) is a great local drummer/instructor and has assisted us in our shows and workshops. Jessica, Matt, Matthias, Lena, Audra, a great big thank you to you all, and I am so excited about the new drummers starting with us: Michelle, Mary, Rita, Dan, Theresa, Luke, Jennifer and Natasha.

Besides belly dancing I teach Dance Fitness for men & women: Latin & Belly Dancing.1.5 hr class with 35-40 minutes of hard aerobics built into it using real dance steps. No need for partners.If you bring a partner, you will get 2 complimentary 1 hr lessons where you learn to switch your aerobic routine into simple latin ballroom dancing, useful in clubs and caribean vacations. Dance Fitness classes are offered Mondays 6-7:30 PM and Wednesdays 7:30-9 PM. I also teach some Hawaiian Hula. I dance regularly ballroom, latin and swing.

Ask Satu about DISCOUNTS for multiple classes: Dance Fitness or Belly Dance. Tuesday night practise on the seventh week has always been part of your belly dance session as a free extra; duration of which is .5-4 hrs, depending on material learned.

  You can contact me by e-mail: Satu @ satusbellydancing.com (please eliminate the spaces when pasting or typing the e-mail address on your e-mail) or by phone: 807-344-2621

  I offer belly dance classes from levels 1 - 3 on Saturday mornings and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Thursday nights 6-7:30 PM I offer Review classses (scroll down to the bottom of "Class Schedule" page).

Thursday night 7:30-9:00 PM is for Middle-Eastern Community Drumming Co-Operative.(See "Class Schedule"-page)

I am also available to host and teach workshops, and Satu's Belly Dancers are available for charity functions and other community events, as well as private weddings, retirement parties, birthday parties, etc. (We do not perform for bachelor parties.)