Dance Training
I started Middle Eastern Dance in 1991, taking evening classes with
Reading Adult College. I started taking classes with Liza Wedgwood,
of the Hilal School of Raqs Sharqi, within a couple of years and I
continued regular classes, with Liza and with other teachers of the Hilal
School, including the principal, Suraya Hilal.
I have attended many workshops with teachers of the Hilal School of Raqs
Sharqi, and with teachers of the Josephine Wise Academy of Arabic Dance, (JWAAD-
formerly the Josephine Wise School of Dance), including the principals,
Josephine Wise and Maggie Caffrey. I have also attended many
workshops with teachers and Master Teachers of international standing,
including Mahmoud Reda, Raqia Hassan, Shareen el Safy, Yousry Sharif, Aida
Noor, Dandesh, Randa Kamel, Nadia Hamdi, Lubna Eman, Leila Haddad, Samasem, Yasmina of Cairo,
Beata & Horacio, Professor Hassan Khalil, Magdy el-Leisy, Medhat
Fahmy, Gamal Seif, Khaled Seif, Zaza Hassan, Aziza of Montreal and Ava Fleming.
I have attended several JWAAD Summer
Schools (weeklong residentials).
Teaching
I gained my teaching diploma from the Josephine Wise School of Dance,
in 1997, and this was upgraded in 1998 to a JWAAD diploma. I attend
JWAAD’s regular Professional Development events. I also regularly
attend Safety Update Workshops, in connection with insurance, health &
safety and fitness training matters.
Click here for details
of JWAAD teachers
I have been teaching in the Adult Education field since 1994. I have
taught Middle Eastern Dance classes at all levels: -
- Reading Adult College- 1994/5, as
assistant tutor for the Beginners Class, and as substitute tutor for the
Intermediate’s class
- East Berkshire College- 1995/6 to 2005/6, teaching Beginners classes &
Intermediates classes
- Surrey County Council, Adult Education- 1998/9 to date, teaching
Beginners classes & Intermediates classes
- University of Surrey- 2001/2 to date, teaching Mixed Level classes
I teach occasional workshops throughout the country & have taught
regularly at JWAAD’s Summer Schools, and at Fantasia (the UK’s largest
Oriental Dance Festival).
Performance
Solo work has included dancing in Theatre Shows, such as Performance
Showcases for the Hilal School at the Lilian Baylis Theatre, Sadlers
Wells, London, for JWAAD at Jacksons Lane Arts Centre, London, for Mosaic
Arabic Dance Network at Watermans Arts Centre, Brentford, and at Fantasia;
dancing in Studio Shows, supporting performers such as Shareen el Safy,
Nadia Hamdi, Leila Haddad and Serena; occasional cabaret work, for
restaurants and private parties.
I have also performed with the group Desert Flame, of which I am a founder
member. Desert Flame also performed at the JWAAD Raqs Sharqi
Showcase, and at several performance platforms. We were a regular
feature at Reading’s Lion Rally, and at Reading’s CamRA Beer Festival.
We also took part in pantomime and other community events. However
Desert Flame’s most regular performances were at their Haflahs (dance
parties) and although the group no longer performs together, we continue
to organise the Haflahs.
Other Professional Information
I am a member of Mosaic Arabic Dance Network (the leading organisation for
Arabic Dancers in the UK), and was on its Committee from 1994 to 2001.
I have acted as Events Co-ordinator, Safety Co-ordinator, Treasurer and
Chairman. I am also a member of the Northern Arabic Dance
Association (NADA).
I have written articles for Mosaic magazine, for NADA magazine, and for
other UK dance publications.
I give talks/demonstrations for women’s groups.
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