Dance Background
Middle Eastern Dance has been my passion since 2008 and I've been involved in the UK dance community ever since in one guise or another. I'm a full JWAAD diploma teacher and have hosted over 100 events for the dance community to provide a safe and inclusive spaces for performance and experimentation for dancers at every level. Now working on 'Vocations' with philosopher Joel Uili, I 'unearthed' by career archetype as a 'dancing cymbalist' in January 2026 and will now dedicate the time I have left to realising that vision. Here is some of my background in dance over the years:
Teaching and Education
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Bachelor of Arts in Music and English Studies – 2004 Oxford Brookes University
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JWAAD Full Teaching Diploma – 2011 (Josephine Wise Academy of Arabic Dance, London)
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Study in UK and Egypt with teachers – Krystina, Heather Burby, Yasmina of Cairo, Camelia Tarek, Eman Zaki, Dina Talaat, Lorna of Cairo, Outi of Cairo.
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Taught regular bellydance classes (vintage bellydance styles and technique, saidi dance, khalighee dance, finger cymbals, props) – Hampton Hill, Isleworth, Surbiton, Edinburgh and East Lothian
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Taught dance workshops covering ‘Introduction to Bellydance,’ ‘Vintage Dance Technique’ and specific stylisations of famous dancers ‘Naima Akef, Tahia Carioca, Mona Said’ – JWAAD Summer School, Fantasia Festival, Torquay Spa Weekend, Libraries as part of Black History Month.
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Provided class cover – for Lorna of Cairo and Moyra Banks – Dancebase.
Performing
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Guest Dancer – Ozgen’s ‘One Day in Istanbul’ Show – Northern Ballet, Leeds
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Soloist and Group Performance – Sara Farouk’s – Music Box Theatre, Edinburgh
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Group Performance under direction of Lindsey Marie Silver – Castle of Light, Edinburgh
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Regular performer with the Arab Quarter Band at The Arab Quarterly, Islington
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Bellydance Trophies Competition - Finalist
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Performance with Baladi Blues Ensemble
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Private Parties, Haflas and Charity Events
Events
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Founder/Host – Arabesque Nights, London – Bellydance Cabaret Show – Monthly for 6 years, hosted for over 300 dancers during that time and visiting special guest performers from overseas.
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Founder/Host – The Rose Hafla, Edinburgh -Monthly hafla for 2 years hosting at Bellfield
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To date over 100 events hosted for dancers providing a safe and inclusive space for performance and themed experimentation in front of an audience
Cymbals
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Music Theory with composer Carlijn Metsalaar
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Practice and Performance with Mediterra Music Lab musicians
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Online courses with Simone Carboni, Mustafa Siina and Karim Nagi
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Resources study – Jamila Salimpour, Mary Ellen Donald, Mimi Spencer, Artemis and Yasmin, Momo Kadous, Asmahan Jonsin, Kobi Hagoel, Jenna Woods.