Paola (Brazil)
I weave together experienced artistry, pedagogy, and ongoing research in the fields of Oriental, Balkan, and Lyrical dances.
As dancer and world traveler, I pursue my vision of strong, wise, and graceful womanhood through a passionate interplay of the intellectual, emotional and aesthetic. The results are expressed through my pedagogy and art.
To all women I say: Dance is Life and Life is a Dance. As we move our bodies to the rhythms of music, so do our individual universes move
within greater universal rhythms. We ebb, we flow, we spark, ignite, and grow. Dance channels our unique stories through the instrument of the body.
Through it, we become living works of art, capable of sublime expressive reach.
My own life path and dance path are one: Moving across cultures and languages, I’ve similarly moved across dance genres, but my core purpose remains the same:
to learn and teach and to use dance as a tool for self-evolution. To you, the reader, I extend an invitation: Walk a while with me.
Let’s journey through expressive realms, learn together, dance together, celebrate together.
Woman, sister, friend – our time has come. We are strong, we are wise, we are blessed. Let us commune in the Spirit of the Muse,
connecting, creating, and allowing the rhythms of our universal souls to resonate through our beautiful, graceful bodies.
El Einab
(Inter / Adv)
Drama, comedy, energy! A rousing fast paced shaabi for the Diva Dancer.
Flirtatious and entertaining, full of dramatic stops, gestures and fun surprises.
Ismael Sadeq Saiidi
(post beg / Adv)
Fun cane dance for solo or troupe featuring unusual combinations and floor patterns that combine
Takhtib movements with theatrical expressions. Includes formations for pairs, trios and larger groups. BYO Cane
Ana Hobik
(Inter / Adv)
A full, rich and flowing Oriental piece incorporating veil for solo performers—a great way to open your show.
The dynamic song is interpreted with lovely shapes and floor patterns, great accents, stops and dramatic pauses. BYO veil.
La Boheme - Gypsy Style
(Post beg / Adv)
An array of original combinations for duo & trios. Influenced by Turkish, Balkan, Flamenco & Duncan dance. Features
entrances, exits, circle patterns, lines concentric lines, skirtwork & many more creative ideas for soloists & ensembles alike.
Also suitable for Tribal dancers. BYO big skirt.
Rumeli Karsilamasi
(Post beg / Adv)
Fun, energetic and sassy floor patterns combine with Balkan / Turkish belly and hip expressions.
A totally different approach to Belly Dance for dancers wishing to expand their expressive range.
Pip E-Lysaah (New Zealand)
E-Lysaah, meaning “to entice” has been belly dancing since 2002, with a specialisation in tribal fusion style.
Her passion for dance began with those ballet classes at 5 years old and traversed through contemporary, modern, hip hop and even a little irish dance before discovering
yoga, Rak Sharki and her true love of Tribal Belly Dance.
An invitation in 2007 to choreograph a belly dance themed Cabaret Show has led to E-Lysaah leading the way with Belly Dance Cabaret Shows in New Zealand, her passion for incorporating the alternative has led to combined shows featuring fire, aerial, juggling and other sideshow acts.
E-Lysaah’s style covers tribal, tribal fusion and performance oriented belly dance. She takes contemporary, modern music and mixes it with belly dance to provide
viewable entertainment to an audience. Her style infuses the essence of Middle Eastern belly dance into something contemporary and performance focused.
This has involved the use of modern props such as fire fans, crystals orbs, fan veils and isis wings and a music range from classical Beethoven
through techno remixes of Phantom of the Opera and up to pop music.
She is not only a teacher of belly dance, but a member of oceanic tribal troupe Kiwi Iwi and leader of the Red Queens,
a revolving group of belly dancers focused on the quirky side of life.
Her enthusiasm for this art is limited only by her ability to fund travel for training. Her travels for tribal fusion teachers have included Rachel Brice,
Mardi Love, Mira Betz, Amy Sigil of Unmata, Deb Rubin, Jill Parker, Heather Stants of Urban Tribal and Australia's own Melusina and Devi Mamak.
Tribal Fusion Choreography
(Post Beg to Adv)
You've learnt how to do the moves, now see how they can be combined in a dark, sexy Tribal Fusion routine! Have fun snaking, twisting,
and 'locking' in this new choreography by Melusina and learn some techniques and pointers to create your own Fusion dance.
Jilyan (WA)
Jilyan is well-known in the Perth bellydance community for her catchy
choreographies and spectacular double sword dance.
A seasoned troupe and
solo performer, Jilyan's performance experience has spanned everything from
5-Star international hotels, restaurants, the Perth Entertainment Centre,
community fairs, corporate functions and just about everything in between!
She specialises in Egyptian dance and is often complimented by experts in
the style on her authenticity and feeling for the music. Jilyan now focuses
on teaching and aims to help students to bring out their personal best.
Beledi
(post beginner to adv)
You’ll learn a cute beledi style choreography. For those who are experienced with zills and would like an extra challenge,
there is an option of adding zills. Zill patterns are all based on the gallops. Notes provided. BYO zills.
Sword Choreography
(all levels except complete beginner)
Notes provided. Add a dynamic element to your performance with the drama of the sword! Jilyan will share tips and tricks
with a full choreography which blends the slow and hypnotic with the fierce and funky. BYO sword
Leonie Sukan (NSW)
Leonie Sükan has been dancing and teaching for more than twenty years and is Principal of the Newtown Middle Eastern Dance Centre.
A talented choreographer and dynamic performer, Leonie's choreographies have been performed by troupes Australia wide.
Family ties in Turkey keep her up-to-date on the latest costumes, music and dance styles.
Belly DanceTurkish Style
(post beg / inter)
There are two basic styles of Turkish Dance, Oriental and Romandance (gypsy).
They differ markedly from Egyptian dance both in rhythm and dance steps.
Leonie will take you through the moves, pointing out the differences as we go.
The Turkish dancers will "borrow" from traditional folkloric steps of the villages as well as moves
they consider "modern" for their Oriental performance. Bring zills (optional).
Kelly Garland (Vic)
Kelly has been an entertainer on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria for all her life. She began her performing life as a singer/songwriter
and later moved into performing in musical theatre with many of Melbourne's top theatre companies.
Kelly decided to return to a focus in music and gave up musical theatre to concentrate on performing in acoustic duo
"Garland and Coster" but still needed an outlet for acting and dancing. She began to study bellydance in 2000 and started teaching in 2003.
Her love for musical theatre and Hollywood musicals led Kelly to discover the joys of the Bollywood movies.
Naturally, the Bollywood dance style suited Kelly's need to incorporated dance and acting.
Kelly is the co-founder, choreographer and director to the Womanjah dance tribe, Shukumisa and operator of Bodywave Bellydance.
Bollywood Gold
(All levels)
Bollywood is a mixed treasure trove of dance styles including Bellydance, classical Indian dance styles,
hip hop, jazz and Bhangra.Students will learn the basic techniques of Bhangra and Bollywood variations of Bellydance moves.
These techniques will be combined into an easy, fun and boppy routine including some appropriate overacting.
Notes included. A no-frills DVD of the technique/routine will be available for sale at a low cost.
