I began my journey with Arab Egyptian Dance- dance from Egypt and North Africa- in 1991. After gaining my degree- BA (Hons) Humanities - I discovered this beautiful art form- rich in culture and history- to be the perfect antidote to `all that head stuff`. With it came all the usual benefits of physical exercise ....and more! It was liberating and empowering, and a route to enjoying being a woman in a woman`s body.
Smitten with the music and dance from the Middle East and North Africa, I had to know more. I believe that to understand a dance, one needs to better understand the PEOPLE- the SOURCE. Alongside dance training, I studied from afar, the culture, the food, the language. The desire to have first hand experience led me to travel to Tunisia, North Africa. I married into a Tunisian family, lived there and experienced grass roots, everyday village (and city) life. Feeling the synergy of the dance, the people, the culture at this grass roots level has been a deeply enriching experience.
Formally trained long term with established teachers Wendy Buonaventura, Jacqueline Jamal, and Amel Tafsout, I continue to train, attending workshops with master teachers including Maria D`Silva, Serena & Hossam Ramzy, Yasmina of Cairo, Nawarra , Sarah Malik,
My other teachers- the people! `Dance of the People`, the social dance which the Arab people do at home, at social gatherings; pure joy.
"....an excellent teacher with a very patient and welcoming approach....."
I am an experienced teacher, qualified and MADN insured to teach dance. As well as teaching women I am able to offer sessions for children also. I have current DBS certificate (formerly CRB)
I have secured contract with the therapy based organisation "Kids Company" , to run dance sessions in schools.
I began teaching shortly after gaining the City and Guilds FAETC in 1992 and studied teaching further, the "Teaching Middle Eastern Dance Course" run by Jacqueline Jamal.
I have been teaching regular weekly classes since 2000 including 9 years at the Bristol Folk House.
Other teaching includes courses for community groups such as "One World"- a multi cultural group of women.
I created and led the dance for the record breaker attempt at Sponsored Shimmy Bristol, with Diva Fever- around 300 people took part! A large number to lead indeed, but not enough to break the record.
I have ran workshops for Bristol City Council "Celebrating Age" , Easton Arts Trail and for Early years practitioners at the Early Years Conference on Creativity.
As a performer I have been described as relaxed, and authentic. A fluid dancer expressing emotion, and with a knack of `drawing the viewer in`.
I gained valuable performing experience as part of Jacqueline Jamal`s troupe "Ghawazee" in the early to late 1990s. Currently I perform solo and with my students, at festivals, community groups and events, haflas, women`s groups and was part of the very first and subsequent Easton Arts Trail.
Venues include Glastonbury Festival, Ashton Court, The Royal Festival Hall London, The Oval Theatre, and more recently, Islington Assembly Hall with Melanie Norman and The Arab Quarter.
email [email protected]
mobile 07796 056 383
or go to Contact page
Smitten with the music and dance from the Middle East and North Africa, I had to know more. I believe that to understand a dance, one needs to better understand the PEOPLE- the SOURCE. Alongside dance training, I studied from afar, the culture, the food, the language. The desire to have first hand experience led me to travel to Tunisia, North Africa. I married into a Tunisian family, lived there and experienced grass roots, everyday village (and city) life. Feeling the synergy of the dance, the people, the culture at this grass roots level has been a deeply enriching experience.
Formally trained long term with established teachers Wendy Buonaventura, Jacqueline Jamal, and Amel Tafsout, I continue to train, attending workshops with master teachers including Maria D`Silva, Serena & Hossam Ramzy, Yasmina of Cairo, Nawarra , Sarah Malik,
My other teachers- the people! `Dance of the People`, the social dance which the Arab people do at home, at social gatherings; pure joy.
"....an excellent teacher with a very patient and welcoming approach....."
I am an experienced teacher, qualified and MADN insured to teach dance. As well as teaching women I am able to offer sessions for children also. I have current DBS certificate (formerly CRB)
I have secured contract with the therapy based organisation "Kids Company" , to run dance sessions in schools.
I began teaching shortly after gaining the City and Guilds FAETC in 1992 and studied teaching further, the "Teaching Middle Eastern Dance Course" run by Jacqueline Jamal.
I have been teaching regular weekly classes since 2000 including 9 years at the Bristol Folk House.
Other teaching includes courses for community groups such as "One World"- a multi cultural group of women.
I created and led the dance for the record breaker attempt at Sponsored Shimmy Bristol, with Diva Fever- around 300 people took part! A large number to lead indeed, but not enough to break the record.
I have ran workshops for Bristol City Council "Celebrating Age" , Easton Arts Trail and for Early years practitioners at the Early Years Conference on Creativity.
As a performer I have been described as relaxed, and authentic. A fluid dancer expressing emotion, and with a knack of `drawing the viewer in`.
I gained valuable performing experience as part of Jacqueline Jamal`s troupe "Ghawazee" in the early to late 1990s. Currently I perform solo and with my students, at festivals, community groups and events, haflas, women`s groups and was part of the very first and subsequent Easton Arts Trail.
Venues include Glastonbury Festival, Ashton Court, The Royal Festival Hall London, The Oval Theatre, and more recently, Islington Assembly Hall with Melanie Norman and The Arab Quarter.
email [email protected]
mobile 07796 056 383
or go to Contact page