Yolanda started belly dancing in 2003, under the guidance of Kim Leary, while attending Princeton University. ​She was a member of Princeton's Middle Eastern dance troupe, Raks Odalisque, from 2004 to 2008.

 

Since then, Yolanda has trained with many teachers around the US and abroad, focusing on learning the biomechanics of belly dance, its history, and the many styles that infuse the belly dance scene. 

 

Yolanda is ever-fascinated with Egyptian-style, American Cabaret, and Tribal Fusion belly dance. In 2014 she completed the first phase of Rachel Brice's 8 Elements approach to belly dance. She also achieved Level 1 certification in Sherena's HipCurve Method in 2015.

 

In 2015, Yolanda won first place Rising Star in both the live music and recorded music categories in the Pittsburgh Bellydance Festival and Competition.

 

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Yolanda is also passionate about Salsa and other forms of Latin dance.

 

She now lives in Pittsburgh, PA, where she dances her heart out with Kari Merlina and her student troupe, Banafsaji.