Persian Cooking Workshop

Monelli Joon

Dancer and Cook

Monelli is an Iranian born artist who moved to Canada when she was 7. Although she grew up in the West she has a deep connection with her Iranian roots which she loves to share with her community. Monelli has been bringing Persian Dance, Culture and Music to the Island for the last 3 years. "Dancing allows me to see the beauty of the world around me and puts me in a state of pure bliss" - Monelli Monelli has performed on many stages including, DiverseCity Multicultural Festivals, Island Tides Festival, Street Feast Block Party, Iranian New Year Festivals (Nowruz) and more recently the 2023 Canada Games Illumination Festival. In 2022, Monelli joined the River Clyde Pageant dance group, and also leds a series of dance workshops & classes for IRSA-PEI Newcomer Program and Downstreet Dance to bring Persian music and dance into the hearts of many.  In 2020 Monelli worked on an exciting and wonderful initiative with ArtsSmarts PEI, to bring more diversity into Island music classrooms.  "Monelli’s excitement for dancing is contagious and brings joy to all that see her perform" ~ Karri Shea-Music Teacher,  ArtsSmarts Project coordinator Besides dancing, Monelli loves spending time with her two children, creating nourishing meals, going for ocean dips (even in the colder months!), gardening and spending time in the woods. She lives a holistic lifestyle rooted in traditional Healing & Wellness modalities. Monelli is an active student of Kundalini Yoga and martial arts. Don't be shy and come say Salām (hello) if you see me around!