New Mexico Belly Dance Scholarships

The purpose of New Mexico Belly Dance scholarships is to provide opportunities for dance students to gain experience outside of their regular classes and instruction. As part of our mission, NMBD scholarships serve the belly dance community in New Mexico to expand learning and appreciation of Middle Eastern, North African and Central Asian (MENACA) cultural forms of dance.

The Mosaic Dance Festival - A Homecoming Celebration of our 30th Anniversary - Santa Fe, Oct 8-11, 2026

  • NMBD is providing one full scholarships for this workshop festival.

    Join us for The Mosaic Dance Festival, a homecoming and celebration of Pomegranate Studios' 30th Anniversary!

    3 full days of live music and dance in Santa Fe, NM! Featuring workshops from instructors Kaeshi Chai, Elsanne Barrows, Cecilia Rinn, Myra Krien, Ariel Beall, and Joel Beall, the live music of Sherefe Musical Ensemble, Beatbox Guitar, and Djinn, plus 3 performances and 3 fabulous dance parties (including a Zouk dance party Sunday evening).

    October 8th-11th, Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Thursday October 8th

    Meet and Greet - light fare and drink, informal music and dance party from Beatbox Guitar

    Friday October 9th @ Railyard Performance Center

    Gala Show 7pm featuring the live music of Sherefe Musical Ensemble

    Followed by an Open floor dance party

    Saturday October 10th @ Railyard Performance Center

    Workshops:

    10-12 Kaeshi Chai

    12:30-2:30 Myra Krien

    3-5 Cecilia Rinn

    7pm - Gala Show featuring live music from Djinn and Beatbox Guitar

    Followed by an Open Floor Dance Party

    Sunday October 11th @ Railyard Performance Center

    Workshops:

    10-12 Elsanne Barrows

    12:30-2:30 Ariel Beall

    Participant Show 4pm featuring the live music of Djinn and Beatbox Guitar

    6pm Zouk workshop from Ariel & Joel Beall

    Followed by a Zouk Dance Party

  • Scholarship includes access to the entire weekend festival.

    Additional expenses, including travel, food, or accommodations, are NOT included in the scholarship.

    The recipient will accept responsibility for all other expenses associated with the event.

    There is no financial compensation or cash value for the scholarship if the recipient cannot, for whatever reason, attend the workshops.

  • Applicants must submit a complete application. You do not have to be a member of New Mexico Belly Dance to apply, but preference will be given to awarding one of the scholarships to member applicants.

    Deadline for application is Friday, August 7 . Scholarship will be awarded August 10.

  • Upon notification, applicants must confirm acceptance of the scholarship, or NMBD will move on to the next awardee.

APPLY HERE

Burque BellyFest Weekend Scholarship - ABQ, Sept. 18-20

  • NMBD is providing two full weekend scholarships for Burque BellyFest weekend. Scholarship will include the Saturday and Sunday workshops and one ticket to the Saturday evening show.

  • Scholarship includes access to Day One and Day Two workshops and one ticket to the show.

    Additional expenses, including travel, food, or accommodations, are NOT included in the scholarship.

    The recipient will accept responsibility for all other expenses associated with the event.

    There is no financial compensation or cash value for the scholarship if the recipient cannot, for whatever reason, attend the workshops.

  • Applicants must submit a complete application. You do not have to be a member of New Mexico Belly Dance to apply, but preference will be given to awarding of the scholarships to member applicants.

    Deadline for application is Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Scholarship will be awarded Sept. 1.

  • Upon notification, applicants must confirm acceptance of the scholarship, or NMBD will move on to the next awardee. Deadline for acceptance of scholarship is Sept. 5.

APPLY HERE

Raqs Alba Scholarship - ABQ, Nov. 13-15

  • The epic Raqs Alba workshops and gala show are back this year with special guest instruction from Devin Alfather and Diana Soto. NMBD will be awarding two scholarships for one individual workshop of your choice.

    • Saturday, November 14th (11am-1pm) - Nadia Gamal's Fierce Freedom (Diana)

    • Sunday, November 15th (10am-12pm) - Arm-wave Alchemy (Devin)

    • Sunday, November 15th (12:30-2:30pm) - Saidi Stick Revisited (Diana)

    Friday intensive not eligible for the scholarship.

  • NMBD will award two scholarships for one individual workshop of your choice.

    Additional expenses, including travel, food, or accommodations, are NOT included in the scholarship.

    The recipient will accept responsibility for all other expenses associated with the event.

    There is no financial compensation or cash value for the scholarship if the recipient cannot, for whatever reason, attend the workshops.

  • Applicants must submit a complete application. You do not have to be a member of New Mexico Belly Dance to apply, but preference will be given to awarding of the scholarships to member applicants.

    Deadline for application is Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. Scholarship will be awarded Sept. 28.

  • Upon notification, applicants must confirm acceptance of the scholarship, or NMBD will move on to the next awardee. Deadline for acceptance of scholarship is Oct. 2.

APPLY HERE

Scholarship FAQs

How Do I Apply for an NMBD Scholarship?

Available scholarships will be listed on this page, along with the application form. If you do not see an application form, there are no scholarships available at this time.

How are NMBD Scholarships Awarded?

The NMBD Scholarship Committee consists of NMBD members who review the scholarship applications. The applications are provided to the committee by the NMBD president. The president does not serve on the committee but acts as the coordinator for the program, providing the applications to the committee and removing any individual indicators, such as name, location, and place of instruction. Committee members are provided a scoring matrix based on the scholarship questions. Scholarship criteria can vary, depending on the instructional program, however, NMBD gives priority to applicants who show a passion and understanding of the cultural roots and implications of our dance. Occasionally, scholarships will be offered to members only.

How Do I Arrange a Scholarship for My Event?

NMBD works with our professional members to offer scholarship funds for their events. Professionals interested must be members of NMBD. Amounts of scholarships will vary, depending on available funds.

Please complete the Application for Sponsorship.

Scholarships Awarded in 2025

  • Zoe Jakes Workshops, Albuquerque, NM | June 14-15 | Hosted by Sirena Studio

  • Rajasthani Workshops, Portales, NM | Aug. 16 | Hosted by Yogini Yoli Movement Studio

  • New Mexico BellyFest, Santa Fe, NM | Sept. 19-21 | Hosted by NMBD

  • Tribal Workshops, Portales, NM | Oct. 18-19 | Hosted by Yogini Yoli Movement Studio

  • Persian Workshops, Santa Fe, NM | Oct. 17 | Hosted by Deborah Newberg

Hosting an event and are interested in scholarship sponsorship? Visit our sponsorship page.