Gilana has been a lifelong ballet, jazz and modern dancer, starting at the age of 3. She was awarded a scholarship to study at the School of Ballet and was an apprentice with the Sacramento Ballet. After moving to Southern Oregon she studied, performed and taught at local studios in Ashland and was a dancer with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

She continued to study and teach into adulthood and 20 years ago was introduced to Raks Sharqi (belly dance). She recently moved to Granbury from the Seattle area where she has been performing in shows and restaurants, teaching, and sponsoring belly dance events since 2008. She is not only the sponsor of La Danse Orientale Belly Dance Competition, but is also a multiple award winning dancer herself, most recently winning 2018 Grand Dancer of the Year and the 2018 Professional International Ambassador of Bellydance.