The Starbelly Dancers are internationally recognized belly dance artists from Boise, Idaho, under the artistic direction of Cecilia Rinn. Specializing in traditional, modern, fusion, and theatrical raks sharki, or belly dance, they are available to entertain at family-friendly celebrations, festivals, and main stage events across the nation. Collectively, the Starbelly Dancers have been granted awards by organizations such as The Alexa Rose Foundation, Boise City Department of Arts and History, The Idaho Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts and have been featured at events such as Boise Music Week, Treefort Music Festival, and even on Telemundo.
The Starbelly Dancers are an award-winning professional belly dance company based in Boise, Idaho, captivating audiences with elegant artistry, vibrant costumes, and unforgettable performances. Specializing in traditional, contemporary, fusion, folkloric, and theatrical Raks Sharki, the company has delighted audiences at intimate celebrations, festivals, theaters, and major community events throughout the United States and abroad.
Under the artistic direction of Cecilia Rinn, Starbelly is known for creating performances that are both visually stunning and deeply engaging—celebrating the rich cultural traditions of Middle Eastern dance while inviting audiences to share in its joy, beauty, and excitement.
Starbelly's work has been recognized with grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Idaho Arts Commission, the Boise City Department of Arts and History, and The Alexa Rose Foundation. The company has appeared at events including Treefort Music Festival, Boise Music Week, and on Telemundo, earning a reputation for excellence, professionalism, and performances that leave lasting memories.
Whether performing for a private celebration, cultural festival, corporate event, or theatrical production, the Starbelly Dancers bring elegance, authenticity, and a touch of magic to every stage they grace.
Get ready to be dazzled by The Starbelly Dancers! These talented artists are known for their electrifying fusion of Traditional & Modern Bellydance (Raks Sharki) that captivates audiences all over the country. Under the direction of Director Cecilia Rinn, the Starbelly Dancers are dedicated to sharing the beauty and excitement of this amazing art form, bringing the enchanting world of belly dance to life at celebrations, festivals, and major stage productions.
Cecilia Rinn embodies the passion & joy of belly dance. She loves to share that joy by dancing at a variety of celebrations & events. With ethereal power and fluid movement, Cecilia creates truly transcendent art. A sought-after instructor, Cecilia teaches and performs locally (Boise, Idaho) and nationally.
Cecilia’s production credit includes the theatrical belly dance event, The Big Bad-Ass Belly Dance Show, which is which 16th year at Boise’s Visual Arts Collective is coming up Feb. 27 & 28, 2026. Cecilia has hosted legendary performers, such as Delilah and House of Tarab(2016), Karim Nagi (2017), and Myra Krein (2018 & 2026). Cecilia is the creator of the StarBelly Dancers, her elite dance company. Cecilia is also a mentor to four upcoming professional belly dancers at her school StarBelly School of Dance. In 2013 and 2014, Cecilia ran the SEEDs program for at risk teenage girls and has plans to run the program in 2026.
Cecilia has performed across the country, one of her highlights as the featured dancer in the prestigious Invaders of the Heart world class show in Santa Fe, NM and was be a featured dancer in the internationally touring show "The Radiant Tarot"(2023) & "The Return"(2025/2026). In 2017, Cecilia was awarded a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, affording her the opportunity attend the P.U.R.E. Conference held in New York, NY. Starbelly has been awarded a grant in 2019 from the Boise City Department of History and Art for the “Arabic Folkloric Dance Celebration” held in August of 2020 and "Raks of Ages" show at J.U.M.P. in June 2023, and "Boise Raks" in both 2025 and again in 2026.
In Boise and across the United States, Cecilia has delighted audiences at various performances, including restaurants, festivals, fundraisers, and weddings. Cecilia has had the honor of performing with some of the best musicians in the country, including House of Tarab (Seattle), Brothers of the Balidi(Portland), Arabesque (Portland), Karim Nagi (Chicago), Sherefe(Bolder, CO) danced with and served as percussion with the Fleet Street Klezmer Band(Boise).
Cecilia’s achievements extend beyond belly dance. With a Bachelor’s of Science, Social Science degree from Boise State University, she is also an award winning filmmaker and graphic artist under her production company, Full Tilt Boogie L.L.C.Her featured documentary, Belly: Sensual, Scarred, Scared, has toured the country after a successful premiere at the 2008 Idaho International Film Festival and is available on Amazon. Cecilia is a professional seamstress and costume designer, creating belly dance costumes for herself, students of her dance school and company dancers, & commissioned requests. Cecilia is also an amazing textile artist, and has her exquisite silks and clothing at Starbelly Creations, featured in the Urban Culture Fashion Show 2024 & 2025 and showcased on stages all around the US, and parts of Mexico.
Cecilia Rinn lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband Chad Rinn and their 2 dogs, Vincent & Floyd.
The Starbelly Dancers put on an elegant, fun, and colorful show ideal for any event! With thirty years of experience, they will make your event unforgettable!
Examples of possible events: Children/teens birthday, Birthdays, Wedding, Bridal Showers/, Bachorlette Parties, quinceanera, Graduation parties, Educational events, Fundraisers, Company parties, Retirement parties, Women’s celebrations , Special Occasions, Festivals , Grand Openings , Assisted living facilities/retirement centers, Restaurant , Nightclub , Theater Shows, Theme Events, Trade Shows, Conventions...and more
· 9 Reasons Dancing Is Good for Your Health - https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness-pictures/health-benefits-of-dance.aspx
· The Health Benefits of Dance - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1084822310384689?journalCode=hhcb
· Belly Dance as an Embodying Activity?: A Test of the Embodiment Model of Positive Body Image - This article concludes that belly dance represents an embodying activity, one associated with a number of benefits for its practitioners, including positive body image. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-014-0408-2
· Beyond the Belly: An Appraisal of Middle Eastern Dance (aka Belly Dance) as Leisure - Based on participant observation, journal narratives provided by dancers, and publically accessible online discussions, findings are examined along four themes: healing, sisterhood, spirituality, and empowerment. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00222216.2012.11950262
NPR’s Idaho Matters-Beloved festival gets new chapter as Starbelly Sacred Arts festival debuts in the Treasure Valley
NPR’s Idaho Matters-Music and connection: The art of belly dancing
Boise Weekly- New Starbelly Sacred Arts Festival continues on the legacy of Goddess Fest
KTVB- Local Dance School Gets Art Grant
NPR’s Idaho Matters-History, art and culture through belly dancing
Boise Weekly- The 15th Annual Big Bad-Ass Belly Dance Show: My Silly Um...
Idaho Press-Free dance day for building community — and fun: https://www.idahopress.com/community/life/free-dance-day-for-building-community-and-fun/article_7cb862d5-7972-5c26-94ab-53efa5aa2097.html
The Healing Dance with Cecilia Rinn - The Message with Sohail Ishaq: https://youtu.be/ii7lUhjXiDU
NPR’s Idaho Matters- The Roots Of Boise Belly Dancing
Starbelly School of Dance. The following is a short list of awards
Starbelly School of Dance- Boise City Department of Arts and History in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025, & 2026
Idaho Arts Commission- Cecilia Rinn (2018), Chad Rinn (2018), Tori King (2020 and 2022), Cassandra Joan (2021), Bayla Night (2021)
National Endowment for the Arts - Cecilia Rinn (2018), Chad Rinn (2018), Tori King (2020 and 2022), Cassandra Joan (2021), Bayla Night (2021)
The Alexa Rose Foundation - Cecilia Rinn (2020)
Treasure Valley Spotlight Award Idaho Press 2021
Cecilia Rinn has been a judge for Fusion Belly Dance & Drag King film Competitions
Cecilia & Chad Rinn's film BELLY: Sensual Scarred Sacred" won Audience Choice award at the Washougal Film Festival in 2008, and was an official selection of the Idaho Internationals Film Festival before touring internationally in 2009
*Downloadable below
2026 Starbelly Sacred Arts Festival
2026 Deja Zoo
2025 My Silly Um...
2024 RoboBelly Roundup
2023 Raks of Ages
2023 Radiant Tarot Tour
2022 Art of Belly Dance Show
2021 Starbelly Arabic Folkloric Dance Celebration
2020 Bug Bad- Ass Belly dance Show
2019 Big Bad-Ass Belly dance Show
* download below.
Cecilia Rinn & Starbelly!
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