With a focus on Egyptian Orientale and training in
numerous folkloric influences, I have studied with over 20
Middle Eastern dance instructors around the world,
including top artists such as Mahmoud Reda, Farida
Fahmy, Hadia, Tito, Lubna Emam, Liza Laziza, Morocco,
and Saqra. In addition, I have an extensive background in
jazz, West African, modern, and ballet, and 12 years of
experience in the theatre. My independent travels to North
and West Africa and strong community ties with the local
Diaspora enable me to continually advance and deepen
my knowledge of rhythm, movement, production, and
choreography.

Since 2004, I have offered classes in Seattle to absolute
and advanced beginners, and I’m regularly contacted for
private coaching by people of all backgrounds, needs, and
goals. I have worked with early teens through 60s, with
mothers, Opera Singers, aestheticians, engineers, etc.
Although participation is predominantly female, I eagerly
welcome male students, as men have been among some
of my best instructors. Whether you are a curious
beginner or aspiring performer, whether you seek to feed
your spirit and soul, would like more attention on the
dance floor, or yearn for a more creative fitness program,
my classes will help you build strength, coordination,
muscle tone, flexibility, stamina, and confidence as you
gain a new sense of control and trust with your body.

I’ll be insistent on torso lift, arms, weight distribution and
shifts, and engaging your power core, but I’ll encourage
individual mind-body discovery and expression rather than
precision with choreography. In many cases, I’ll also
demonstrate multiple approaches to the same
movement. Come with an open mind and the desire to
study a low impact, full-body conditioning activity that can
be practiced for a lifetime!

Beginning sessions introduce movements such as
circles, eights, shimmies, hip lifts and drops, undulations,
tailbone release, pistons, twists, shoulders, egyptians,
basic steps, and traveling. We build these movements
into patterns, short combinations, and rhythm cues to
develop muscle and transition memory. For a workout-
oriented class, I may also incorporate the use of a veil at
this stage. Continuing sessions introduce layers and
increased complexity, texture, expression, musical
interpretation, rhythms and zills (finger cymbals), veil and
other props, styles and history, performance formats, best
practices, costuming, resources, and career development.

In addition to weekly classes, I teach workshops in
technique, Middle Eastern rhythms, veil, musical
interpretation, and other modules, and perform weekly at
premiere venues throughout the Northwest.