"I met Maria Dachraoui for the first time in Bath in the 90s when Karine Butchart sponsored some of my dance workshops, then Bristol and London. In one of the Bristol workshops I taught, with Salah- Dawson Miller drumming and singing; and Maria was so enthusiastic about the singing workshops that she recorded herself singing the song I taught… and she still has it on tape! I was so impressed by her passion and interest for North African culture as well as her dancing skills that I invited her to dance a Tunisian song at one of my show at the Oval Art Center.
Since that time, Maria never stopped dancing the Egyptian dance style although her heart belongs to the North African culture and spirit. She kept studying and evolving. She has now her dance company called “ Maria Egyptian Dance”, while she is always interested in sponsoring North African dancers in order to bring an awareness about that dance culture to her students and in the area of Bristol where she lives.
I met Maria again this past April when she invited me to teach in Bristol and I was touched by her warmth, interest and sincerity. Maria is so grounded and down to Earth that she can bring the confidence to her students to dance from their core and still enjoy the dance.
She is teaching weekly classes for women, performing.... and finally she has a dance class for children. Maria knows that all the children are "vulnerable" in some way. She feels that it is a wonderful gift from the universe to use dance for children because they will gain some empowerment. This project may be a challenge for Maria but I trust that she will do an incredible job to help the children finding their own way.
Maria makes the women feel comfortable in her classes and her students are hugely grateful for the foundation of her knowledge. They appreciate her teaching style. Her teaching comes from genuine love of the culture which shows in her knowledge of the subject, music and traditions. It is more than just basic dance technique. When she dances she connects with the culture of her dance and expresses the joy and pride of Arabic women."
Amel Tafsout, Master Teacher, Dancer/Performance Artist,
`Comments`
~ Enjoyable and fun ~ Good to participate in hands on activity ~ An interesting way to introduce cultural diversity
~ Lots of ideas to try out ~ Found list of resources useful ~ Beautiful music and good props
~ 92% of workshop attendees rating `Good` to `Excellent` (63% rating `Very Good` to `Excellent`)
Evaluation Report for four Arabic Dance Workshops for Early Years practitioners, `Early Years Conference on Creativity` September 2005
"Maria was the first Belly dance teacher I felt comfortable to stick with on a regular basis and did so for 4 years (I only stopped because I moved away). 8 years on and 6 teachers later I'm still dancing, hugely grateful for the foundation of knowledge I have learnt from Maria and more appreciative of her teaching style and lesson structure Her teaching comes from geniune love of the culture which shows in her knowledge of the subject, music and traditions. It is more that just basic Egyptian Cabaret.
Since I've left Maria's classes I have only really ever had 1 other teacher that I would put on a par with her in terms of all round cultural knowledge and relaxing class atmosphere. Bellydancing is a huge passion in my life now and I have Maria to thank for that."
Helen Quadling, former student from Bristol Folk House (2000-2009)
I absolutely recommend this class to anyone! Maria is so friendly, reliable and welcoming. The classes really are suited and tailored to anyone, regardless of age, size, shape or physical ability. For anyone looking to keep active and have fun - THIS IS THE CLASS FOR YOU!!!!
Katie Comley , student
email [email protected]
mobile 07796 056 383
or go to Contact page
Since that time, Maria never stopped dancing the Egyptian dance style although her heart belongs to the North African culture and spirit. She kept studying and evolving. She has now her dance company called “ Maria Egyptian Dance”, while she is always interested in sponsoring North African dancers in order to bring an awareness about that dance culture to her students and in the area of Bristol where she lives.
I met Maria again this past April when she invited me to teach in Bristol and I was touched by her warmth, interest and sincerity. Maria is so grounded and down to Earth that she can bring the confidence to her students to dance from their core and still enjoy the dance.
She is teaching weekly classes for women, performing.... and finally she has a dance class for children. Maria knows that all the children are "vulnerable" in some way. She feels that it is a wonderful gift from the universe to use dance for children because they will gain some empowerment. This project may be a challenge for Maria but I trust that she will do an incredible job to help the children finding their own way.
Maria makes the women feel comfortable in her classes and her students are hugely grateful for the foundation of her knowledge. They appreciate her teaching style. Her teaching comes from genuine love of the culture which shows in her knowledge of the subject, music and traditions. It is more than just basic dance technique. When she dances she connects with the culture of her dance and expresses the joy and pride of Arabic women."
Amel Tafsout, Master Teacher, Dancer/Performance Artist,
`Comments`
~ Enjoyable and fun ~ Good to participate in hands on activity ~ An interesting way to introduce cultural diversity
~ Lots of ideas to try out ~ Found list of resources useful ~ Beautiful music and good props
~ 92% of workshop attendees rating `Good` to `Excellent` (63% rating `Very Good` to `Excellent`)
Evaluation Report for four Arabic Dance Workshops for Early Years practitioners, `Early Years Conference on Creativity` September 2005
"Maria was the first Belly dance teacher I felt comfortable to stick with on a regular basis and did so for 4 years (I only stopped because I moved away). 8 years on and 6 teachers later I'm still dancing, hugely grateful for the foundation of knowledge I have learnt from Maria and more appreciative of her teaching style and lesson structure Her teaching comes from geniune love of the culture which shows in her knowledge of the subject, music and traditions. It is more that just basic Egyptian Cabaret.
Since I've left Maria's classes I have only really ever had 1 other teacher that I would put on a par with her in terms of all round cultural knowledge and relaxing class atmosphere. Bellydancing is a huge passion in my life now and I have Maria to thank for that."
Helen Quadling, former student from Bristol Folk House (2000-2009)
I absolutely recommend this class to anyone! Maria is so friendly, reliable and welcoming. The classes really are suited and tailored to anyone, regardless of age, size, shape or physical ability. For anyone looking to keep active and have fun - THIS IS THE CLASS FOR YOU!!!!
Katie Comley , student
email [email protected]
mobile 07796 056 383
or go to Contact page