Simone, known as “The Arabian Princess”, is an international performer in Raks Sharqi, the Oriental Dance of the East, known in the West as “belly dancing”. She is the most respected and recognized belly dancer in North Florida, distinguishing herself from other dancers in her history of performing the dance.

Residing in Jacksonville, FL, Simone was born and raised in Sidon, Lebanon of Lebanese and Palestinian descent. Her first memory as a child is dancing. She began learning and training in Raks Sharqi at an early age and has remained faithfully devoted to her traditional style of the dance ever since. This style she has passed down through her own working belly dance troupe known as “The Stars of the Night”, teaching private lessons at dance studios and also in her classes at FCCJ where she has been a belly dance instructor since 1997. Her traditional style of dancing will continue to be handed down as well as various modern interpretations of belly dancing at her new belly dance studio, “Simone Belly Dancing” which is Jacksonville’s first and only belly dance studio.

Some of Simone’s credits include performing abroad, portraying the famous belly dancer Mata Hari in the Oscar award-winning Discovery Channel documentary “Spies In Washington”, has been showcased on several television interviews and performances as well as local newspapers and magazines, performing on Carnival Cruise Line, at The Festival of The Nile, the World of Nations Festival which celebrates diversity and culture and is hosted to thousands, weddings, events, universities, charity and church functions, corporate parties, etc. Along with The Stars of the Night who also perform at these events, Simone and her troupe have been contracted by all the Arabic restaurants in Jacksonville where they regularly dance different nights every week. Together they perform traditional and modern versions of Cabaret, Baladi and the 1001 Nights styles of Raks Sharqi.

Simone holds a B.A. from Beirut University and a B.S. in Health from the University of North Florida.