Female

38

Since 9 years, I learn and dance oriental dances in Paris with several teachers. I have been learning and dancing oriental dances for 9 years in Paris with several teachers. From 3 hours per week at the beginning to 15-20 hours per week now. More than a hobby, oriental and tribal dances are today a true passion.

I have been teaching and performing Middle Eastern dances in France since 2005. Active, I also often organize workshops featuring national and international dancers and recognized teachers that give belly dancers the possibility to improve and widen their skills.
I started studying this form of dance 9 years ago and qualified with different teachers such as Lolie, Samira (both were Leila Haddad’s assistants), Najat Taoussi, Nuria Rovira Salat, Lamia Safiéddine and Raja Shakarna. Willing to deepen my acknowledge, I took part in specialized workshops in Middle Eastern dances with renowned teachers, such as Aïda Nour, Djamila Henni-Chebra, Yousry Sharif, Beata & Horacio, Mahmoud Reda, Farida Fahmy, Virginia, Nawal Benabdallah, Suraya Hilal, Fatima Chekkor, Fanyda and Simona Jovic. In the past few years, I have traveled twice in Rajasthan to learn Kalbeliya dance, a form of dance I am particularly attracted to, and followed the workshops of Simona Jovic, Sarah Avril and Maria Robin.

I also discovered American Tribal Dance and Tribal-Fusion in 2005 on the internet and followed some workshops in Europe in 2006 to learn those new styles for France (no classes, no workshops available at that time).
I Trained in American Tribal Style (ATS) by Carolena Nericcio (FCBD) and Megha Gavin during several intensive sessions (Belgium, Italy and Finland), and also by Susan Frankovich, Samantha Hasthorpe, Gyspy Fire, Meissoun, as well as in tribal-fusion with Sharon Kihara, Anasma, the Bellyqueen, Unmata, Samantha Hasthorpe, Ariellah, Morgana and Geneva Bybee, I try to develop these styles in France. I have completed both the Fat Chance Bellydance General Skills Certification, and FCBD Certification for teaching ATS in 2009. I have been teaching ATS and ATF since 2007 and opened in September 2008 the first weekly Tribal classes in Paris which are also the only ATS classes in France. Like many dancers, I think it is essential to continue my training in order to gain and pass on knowledge to my students.

Open-minded and curious, I am particularly interested in fusions. I practiced two years of salsa, then Argentinian tango, bollywood dance, and was initiated to the Flamenco Descalzo with Valerie Romanin. All these dances come to enrich my artistic sensitivity and gradually my choreographic work. The richness of these arts, like the discovery of the cultures surrounding them, is highly inspirational for me.

Passionate, I am intensely working in favor of the emergence of a tribal dance community in France and founded the first festival dedicated to tribal and fusions in France: the BellyFusions festival.

More about my activities and me: www.etoiledessables.com