Paola Diaz, a Colombian-born based in South Africa, directs Artist Souls, Dance School & Performing Arts since 2018. She is an International FCBD® certified instructor and The Siren Project® Fan Dialect International Representative. Her artistic foundation includes theatre, rhythmic gymnastics, singing, and traditional dances.

Her belly dance journey began in 2010 in Yemen, through private Oriental belly dance classes with Palestinian teacher Rasha Al Jundi. Her training continued across Africa: at Renata Kalile’s academy in Mozambique (2012), Bhangra dance classes in Uganda (2014), Dancing Divinity in South Africa (2021), and her FatChanceBellyDance® studies with Heather Angel (2023). She expanded her learning with Indian dance foundations under Sanam Regnath (2021), and IndOriental Flow with Elizabeth Medina (2024). Paola also enrolled in FCBDU® (2022) and The Siren Project Fan Dialect (2023), with its creator Katarzyna Lidia, and teacher Lisi Brummer.

Paola’s experience & skills with props come from her previous rhythmic gymnastics background (1990-1995), adapted for dance genres including belly dance like ball, ribbons, hoop, clubs; and experience with candles as dancing props from her native cumbia and derivate dances expertise.

She has certified studies in Fan Veil technique with Victoria Teel, complementing classes with Shahdana & Lucero Ponce, as well as Liquid Fusion belly dance with Meli Sarina. She continues her development through the flamenco syllabus studies at the Alianza Flamenca South Africa (SA), Datura style training, belly dance studies, and works on her own style creations.

Paola participated in Jasirah’s Oriental Belly Dance workshops during Miss Belly Dance South Africa 2023. Later, in Fusion Fest South Africa 2023, she was part of the Performance project with Valenteena Ianni, and all her masterclasses. She completed an intensive workshop with Olga Meos at Fusion Fest 2024, and an Intensive with Devi Mamak at Dance Global Fusion Festival in the same year. She participated in the 2024 FCBD® Teacher in Soest, Germany, with DeAnna Prana and Carolena Nericcio. Later in the same year, Paola performed at the Cape Town Oriental Dance Festival, and at the South African Fusion belly dance showcase “Everybody wants to rule the world”.

In early 2025, Paola featured at the Cape Town Carnival in March. She then traveled to Poland to participate in the Tribal Festival 2025 in Krakow, where she appeared both as a solo performer and as part of The Siren Project Performance alongside Katarzyna and Agata. During the festival, she also enhanced her skills through workshops with renowned dancers Meli Sarina and Ariellah. Paola is currently preparing for two upcoming events: teaching and performing at the Cape Town Oriental Dance Festival in October, followed by similar engagements at Fusion Fest 2025 in November.

Paola is certified instructor and choreographer in Kizomba Soul Secrets©, Cali Salsa, Cumbia, and other Latin American dances. She currently directs the World Belly Dance Day for Johannesburg and Pretoria 2026.

Paola holds three gold medals, on Solo Category for Sensational Props. And Group Categories for Rising Starts and Sensational Props; and one silver medal on Group Category for Sensational Props, all of them at Miss Belly Dance SA 2023. She received recognitions in the categories ‘Community Service’ and ‘Arts and Culture’ at the Alkebulan immigrants Impact Awards 2023.
In 2024, she was awarded a silver medal and second place at the Festival Flamenco by Alianza Flamenca, in section Duets for Guajiras.
Paola also won the award and first place for ‘Inspirational Woman’ at the Alkebulan Immigrant Impact Awards 2024. She has been awarded twice with the Datura Online Academy Scholarship, and one scholarship for The 8 Elements of Dance at Datura Style School in Portland, USA (March, 2024).

Paola combines her artistic career with work as a scientific researcher (Master’s in Public Health), language translator, and linguistics annotator for AI. She speaks Spanish, English, Portuguese, and is studying Arabic. Though naturally introverted, she transforms into a confident, creative performer on stage. Her work emphasizes philanthropy, supporting vulnerable communities through dance and cultural exchange.