|
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 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).
In 2007, I was asked to be a Tutor on the JWAAD
Foundation Course, and am now teaching the Foundation Course and
the Diploma Course, in association with other JWAAD Tutors.
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 am currently a regular performer on the
London showcase circuit, including Planet Egypt, Saqarah, El Layali.
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 was on the Committee of Mosaic Arabic Dance Network (the leading
organisation for Arabic Dancers in the UK), from 1994 to 2001. I
acted as Events Co-ordinator, Safety Co-ordinator, Treasurer and
Chairman.
I have written articles for Mosaic magazine, for NADA magazine, and for
other UK and international dance publications.
I give talks/demonstrations for community groups.
|
