TEACHER PROFILES

SHAMIRA - PRINCIPAL TEACHER

Shamira has been performing and teaching throughout Australia and overseas since 1986.

She regularly conducts workshops for various belly dance schools in city and country locations, and introduces belly dance to groups of women throughout South Australia via workshops run by Country Arts SA.

As the belly dance tutor at the WEA since 1990 - and at times for TAFE - Shamira has a strong background of teaching adults of various abilities, and is enthusiastic about imparting her knowledge to others.

Recently she has been sponsored to travel to New Zealand, Canberra, Albury, Hobart and to Queensland where she does regular workshops. She also teaches and performs at the Sydney Festival every year.

Despite her busy schedule, she also travels to the middle east frequently to work with some of Egypt's finest teachers.

EXCERPT FROM SYDNEY MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE FESTIVAL ARCHIVE 1996.

Shamira of Adelaide made her first appearance at the Festival in the Friday night concert, "glittering in silver", according to Carolynn Parr-Whalley's subsequent newsletter report. Shamira confesses to being terribly nervous about her debut at the Festival, because at that time there were few opportunities in Adelaide to dance with top quality musicians, and because she knew the fabulous Amera, just returned from two years in the Middle East, was dancing a couple of acts after her.

Looking at the well-worn video of Shamira's performance with the band that night, there's no evidence of nerves. Just a fantastic performance, including a drum solo in which she held her own against the now-legendary Ghassan! Shamira has come back every year since and is a Festival favourite both as a teacher and performer.



EXCERPT FROM THE SYDNEY MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE FESTIVAL ARCHIVE 1998

 Shamira not only gave a beautiful performance but also survived a marathon nine minute drum solo from the notorious Ghassan that had her wiping the sweat from her brow. Obviously Ghassan is a big Shamira fan, because he just wouldn't stop! And on top of that, he once again demonstrated his complete aversion to the conventional approach of playing the same rhythm four times in a row!! Fortunately, this was nothing that Shamira could not handle - she took in all in her stride magnificently. ;

Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival

THE TEACHERS

The members of the teaching team at Belly Dance Arabesque have been drawn to belly dancing from a variety of professional backgrounds.

They combine skills gained from nursing and teaching, as well as extensive knowledge of other ethnic dance styles, to make learning to belly dance safe and enjoyable.

Members of our team have experience in teaching and performing locally and internationally.

They possess a true love of the dance, a deep sense of fun and enjoy the opportunity to share their skills with their students.