Hilary took her first bellydance class with Sherry Hammond in 2003, when her daughter Gemma was an infant.  She instantly fell in love with the art form and was honored to be part of Flagstaff’s Troupe Shuvani for 3 years. 

In December 2006, Hilary graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Masters degree in Liberal Studies.  For her thesis, she did qualitative research with young women and Tribal bellydance.  Her study showed that women correlate Tribal dance with higher confidence, self-esteem, happiness, and better body image.
In 2007, Hilary and her husband Pete Giovale traveled to Australia where they began the BellyRoles Project, a collaborative photo and narrative project with Tribal dancers.  This project further explores the relationship between Tribal dance, women’s diverse forms of beauty, and bodily acceptance.  They published an article about the BellyRoles Project in the January-March 2008 edition of Bellydance Oasis, an Australian magazine.

She has studied various forms of Middle Eastern dance with teachers in Flagstaff, throughout the United States, and Australia.  In 2007, she earned a teaching certification with Gypsy Caravan in Portland, Oregon. Hilary updated her teaching certification with Gypsy Caravan in 2008.

Hilary was blessed to dance throughout her second pregnancy and the birth of her son Angus.  She finds inspiration in the transformative nature of Tribal dance, the sense of community it creates, its ancient roots and modern innovations.

about the workshop:

Beauty and the Belly
with Shelley Dennis, MD
and Hilary Giovale, MLS

In this workshop for women, we'll explore the connections between belly
dance, body image, and the feminine divine using guided meditation, brief
discussion, stretching and bellydance for beginners.  Join us and experience how the ancient
women's dance is empowering and enlightening the women of today!

Hilary is co-resenting this workshop with Shelley Dennis:

Shelley Dennis is a Life Consultant, drawing from her rich life experiences,
spiritual practice, and formal education to help others achieve their goals.
A former psychiatrist, she now owns and operates Open Lotus Life Consulting,
where she utilizes her intimate familiarity of the dynamic relationship
between the psyche and the spiritual life in a consulting relationship to
help workshop participants achieve a greater sense of well-being.