April 26, 2021 | St. Lucie Cultural Alliance | Member Spotlight – Helia Mondou
Contributed by Dorothy Kamm
Member Spotlight – Helia Mondou
Fort Pierce proved to be the perfect vacation destination for belly dancer and instructor Helia Mondou, who prefers blue skies, beaches and warm weather to the very cold temperatures that blanket the landscape of her hometown of Montreal throughout late fall and winter. It was in Fort Pierce, too, that Helia met her future husband, Lee, whom she married in 2009. They formed the Together Ensemble, with Helia playing folk harp and Lee playing stand-up bass, and both singing vocal harmonies. But it is as a belly dancer and instructor that distinguishes her.
For almost 20 years, Helia has specialized in belly dance. Prior to that her career was in theater. She is a certified drama teacher and actress. From 1987 through 2002 she transformed a theatrical school into a thriving nonprofit, more than doubling the number of registered students. “Although I was a successful businessperson, I wanted more dance and music in my life,” says Helia. She was ready for a change.
As a child, Helia attended the 1967 World’s Fair in Montreal. In the Man and His World section she saw all types of dance performances from many countries. Much later, her sister went to work in Tunisia and came back with recordings of folk music used in belly dancing. Something clicked inside Helia. “I always wanted to take a belly dance class, and I was fortunate there was a teacher in Montreal when I was ready,” she says.
Helia approached belly dancing with professional intensity. She took three group classes and one private session weekly. She practiced daily. “I was motivated and dedicated,” says Helia. Within two years she was ready to perform, quite a feat for a challenging dance form that usually takes up to five years to perfect.
The name Helia means light in Greek. One of Helia’s teachers told her that when she dances, she shines like a light, and indeed, she does! She performs at events, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and private parties, “but it is my students whom I want to promote,” says Helia. She opened Moving Harmonies in 2010 and teaches at various locations, from Vero Beach to Stuart.
Belly dancing, which started in the Middle East and Africa, is a unique form of dance that encompasses curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, and shaking. Helia’s approach applies somatic education. Somatic education comes from martial arts, as does tai chi and utilizes the same principle of movement to improve awareness, balance and control.
Incorporating somatic education into the art of belly dancing allows Helia to welcome any individual into a class, whatever her personal physical challenges. “My teaching is not about producing technical perfection for top performances,” says Helia. “I want my students to get enjoyment from belly dancing and to get healthy.”
“I see the person as a whole being,” she continues. “The body, breath and mind need to be aligned with each other and with the environment.” For example, if a dancer is trying to move her hips and her jaw is tight, the dancer’s body won’t work properly. “I want my students to connect with the music and become joyful when they dance. Dance is the expression of feelings and thinking,” she adds.
Helia joined the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance to tap into their resources. She used to hold classes in downtown Fort Pierce but lost her studio space in January. She doesn’t want to lose the momentum of that class and has temporarily connected with Unity of Fort Pierce to use their space. However, she is looking for a permanent location and hopes that the Cultural Alliance or its members can help.
You can watch Helia and her students perform on May 6 at The Take Off opening night art exhibition at Treasure Coast International Airport and at the Treasure Coast Arts & Mindfulness Fest on May 22 – 23 at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center. Both events are sponsored by the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance.
For more information about Moving Harmonies or to sign up for a class, visit www.movingharmonies.comor call 772-460-7971. You also may email Helia at monmarhel@gmail.com.
To learn more about the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance and the benefits of membership, please visit ArtStLucie.org, email: info@artstlucie.org or call 772-462-2783.