Arabesque Academy
25th Anniversary Extravaganza

25 Years. 25 Performances.

September 15, 2012
10:00pm (right after the Fall Student Gala)

at: Estonian House - 958 Broadview Ave.

$5 at the Door,
or Free with Fall Student Gala Ticket
info: 416-920-5593

Arabesque Academy 25th Anniversary Extravaganza Performers:

Yasmina Ramzy
Arabesque Dance Company
Dr. George Sawa
Denise Mireau
Roula Said
Jane Graydon
Mayada & Co.
Loretta Faveri
Samara
Mary
Saba Alemayehu Asfaw
Voula Zisis
Melissa Gamal
Ishra
Nikki Gentles
Anuka
Dharlene Valeda
Joanne Camilleri & Co.
Karen Hunt & The Jewels of the Nile
Kellye Crockett & The Veils of Isis
Vian
Suleiman Warwar
Arabesque Allspice
Arabesque Earthshakers

Arabesque Academy Anniversary Extravaganza
Performer Biographies

Yasmina Ramzy

Yasmina Ramzy is a visionary and a choreographer committed to the presentation of Bellydance as high art. Since 1981, the first 15 years of her career was spent performing throughout the Middle East, often for royalty and heads of state, Yasmina Ramzy then founded the critically acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra, Arabesque Academy and the International Bellydance Conference of Canada (IBCC). She received her key training from leading masters in Egypt and Syria including Aida Nour of the Reda Troupe and Mohammed Khalil, director of the National Folklore Troupe of Egypt. Her unique and highly creative choreographies have won numerous awards and commissioned by many dance ensembles internationally including the Bellydance Superstars. Today, she regularly performs and teaches in over 60 cities on 5 continents. She had produced nine performance and seven instructional DVDs as well as seven CDs. Yasmina writes the 'Ask Yasmina' column in the world's largest Bellydance magazine. As a mentor to many, she is well known for revealing the authentic, organic structure of Mid East dance and its relationship to Arab music.
www.yasminaramzy.com

Arabesque Dance Company

Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra is Canada's leading Middle Eastern dance and music ensemble and unique in the world. The company consists of 17 male and female dance artists trained in 14 different styles of Middle Eastern dance led by Yasmina Ramzy and 9 acoustic musicians led by Bassam Bishara and Suleiman Warwar. The company tours internationally and has staged 6 major full-scale productions featuring both traditional and ground breaking choreographies and musical compositions. It performs in such theatres as the Hummingbird Centre for the Arts, Premiere Dance Theatre and Madison Square Gardens. Arabesque has performed alongside such artists as Alabina, National Ballet of Canada, Bijan Mortazavi, Amr Diab, The Rolling Stones, Rageb Alema and Ben Harper to name a few. Having received numerous awards for artistic excellence, the innovative choreographies and rich acoustic music has the ability to move an audience to tears or on their feet dancing with joy. The company has garnered rave reviews for its high standard of art in all mainstream media. Sold out audiences are always enriched when making the emotional connection with the timeless and profound Arabic art which is Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra.
www.arabesquedance.ca

Dr. George Sawa

George Sawa was born in Alexandria , Egypt in 1947. He studied Classical Arabic music at the Higher Institute of Arabic Music specializing in qanoon, voice and theory. After immigrating to Canada in 1970, he studied ethno-musicology and obtained his doctorate in Historical Arabic Musicology at the University of Toronto. He has taught medieval, modern and religious Middle Eastern Music at York University and the University of Toronto, and is the author of "Music Performance in Early Abbasid Era 750-932AD" published in 1989. George Sawa has given numerous concerts and lecture demonstrations at universities, museums and art galleries in Europe and North America He has been teaching at Arabesque Academy, School of Middle Eastern Dance and Music Arts since 1995 and regularly teaches alongside Yasmina Ramzy in many dance workshops. He was awarded the 1990 Ontario Folk Arts Recognition Fellowship for his performances and lecture demonstrations on the qanoon. George served as a performer, composer and music coach in R. Murray Schafer's RA in Toronto (1983) and Holland (1985). As well as serving as the Musical Director for the Egyptian exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum, George has arranged music for and directed the musicians of the Arabesque Dance Company Orchestra since 1996 where he also plays the qanoon and naye in all of their performances.
www.georgedimitrisawa.com

Denise Mireau

Denise Mireau is a dance artist and teacher in Middle Eastern Dance, Alexander Technique (member of ATI) and Pilates Teacher. She is the owner and director of Studio For Movement. She has over 20 years of experience in Middle Eastern dance that include being a lead dancer with the critically acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company from 1992 to 2006, performing in many theatrical productions and performances such as the UN Millennium Summit (New York City), the International Conference of Middle Eastern Dance (Los Angeles), and dance contracts in Greece and Lebanon. Denise draws upon a wide array of training and experiences ranging from modern dance to Tai chi and improvisation. Her work as a certified Alexander Technique Teacher and Pilates Instructor inspire and inform her approach to teaching movement and dance. She is especially interested in providing a space where students can explore their creativity and develop more confidence and awareness in their bodies.
www.denisemireau.com

Jane (Jalila Ali Akbar)

Jane began her young dance life at the age of 5 standing at the foot of her parents' bed asking them to wake up and take her to ballet class. Her study of Middle Eastern dance began in 1988 with Yasmina Ramzy at Arabesque. In 1989, she toured with Yasmina and her company to Syria and Jordan. Jane was a full time member of Arabesque Dance Company since the very beginning and performed in pretty well everything until 2004, including Arabesque Productions "Oyoun", "Isis", "Descent of Ishtar", "Neda'a El'Nil", "Didi" and many cultural festivals.

Roula Said

Roula is an inspiring teacher who has been sharing the wisdom and pleasure of bellydance for over 20 years. Along with her warm and poetic teaching style, Roula brings fluency in the Arabic language and a vast knowledge of Middle Eastern music. She has studied with some of the leading educators in the field including Yousry Sharif, Yasmina Ramzy, and the late Ibrahim Farrah. As a musician, she has studied with George Sawa, Simon Shaheen, Bassam Bishara and master musicians in Syria. Roula's current passion as a teacher is Seven Waves, a holistic, bellydance infused system of movement and soundmaking. Seven Waves is deeply transformative, seriously fun, and imparts a profound experience of integration and wholeness.
www.omlaila.com

Mayada & Co.

Mayada Trained in theatre at Toronto Studio Players and Young People's Theatre; additional classes at Toronto Dance Theatre gave Mayada her early dance training and her love of dance has led her to study highland, kathak, hip-hop, ballroom, Brazilian, Latin and Middle Eastern dance. She trained intensively and extensively with Yasmina Ramzy and Maya DaSilva, and performed regularly with Arabesque Dance Company as a Lead Dancer until 2004 as well as Grupo Amazon. Since discovering Middle Eastern dance in 1994, Mayada has become a dynamic teacher, a popular performer, a creative choreographer, and creator of Canada's first bellydance magazine, MID-BITS as well as recently premiering Bellydance Talk Radio online!
www.mayada.ca

Loretta Faveri

Loretta Faveri became a dancer with Arabesque Dance Company in the late 1980's, performing in a variety of theatrical productions and touring with Yasmina Ramzy and members of Arabesque to Syria and Jordan. Loretta is currently a textile Major at OCAD University. Her undergraduate thesis explores the use of fibre and technology to create interactive dance costumes; her costumes were presented as a collaboration with former Arabesque dancer Denise Mireau at the 4th International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Loretta is a recipient of the Ellen Adams Award and the D.Kristjanson / Purchase Award both for her work in textile and print design.

Samara

Samara began her Bellydance training with Yasmina Ramsy in 1997, and performed with the Arabesque Dance Company as a lead dancer for 13yrs. Her bellydance training brought her to Egypt and Turkey and she continues to study with professionals. She is a graduate of Ryerson University's dance program, and is also trained in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Latin dance, Capoeira, and Flamenco. Currently Samara enjoys sharing her passion as a freelance performer and dance instructor internationally. She has performed and taught at events in Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos. She aspires to help her students celebrate their own bodies and express their own uniqueness.
www.rakssamara.com

Ishra of Invoke-Tress, Guelph

Ishra is a nation-wide performer and instructor. Since beginning her Bellydance training in 1994, she has been a member of several innovative dance companies across Canada, including internationally acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company. She currently teaches in Guelph, Ontario, where she encourages positive self body image, women empowerment as well as the mind, body soul connection. Her professional approach and undying thirst for movement and knowledge makes her a sought after workshop leader and dance instructor, as well as a traditional and pioneering performer. She has performed on the main stage at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, the Great Lakes Bellydance Convention in Michigan, and was a featured dancer in Guelph Jazz Festival's Opera, Quebicite, as well as with Guelph's Concert Band (50 member orchestra). Ishra has also danced with numerous bands including Juno award-winning Eccodek, Cuneyt Yetkiner, Bhadra Collective and Light of East Ensemble. She is currently the Founder and Artistic Director of Invoketress Dance Theatre.
Ishra is a lover of dance and has studied many different styles of Middle Eastern dance and drum with renowned masters. With training in Jazz, Latin, Flamenco, Kathak, Hip hop, Modern, Tai Chi and Capoeira, Ishra's multifaceted talents and professional approach combined with her ever-growing spiritual awareness of the mind, body, soul connection make her a sought after dance instructor and performer.
www.invoke-tress.ca

Mary

Mary's interest in bellydancing began at a young age while attending Greek bellydance dinner theatre performances with her family. Mary has studied Middle Eastern dance exclusively at Arabesque Academy with teachers Audra Simmons and Mayada. Mary trained intensively with Yasmina Ramzy, participating in classes, workshops and Teacher Instructional programs. Mary is a member of Arabesque Dance Company and fulfills her passion for teaching Middle Eastern dance at Arabesque Academy.

Saba Alemayehu Asfaw

Saba is a versatile and innovative dancer, choreographer and instructor. She is known for her uniqueness in both traditional and fusion styles of African, Middle Eastern and related dance forms. Her background being Ethiopian dance, Saba has further training and performing experience in styles such as Congolese Soukous, West African, Hip Hop and Bellydance. She has trained with Sonya Mann McFarlane of Imani Edutainers (USA), the African Dance Group of Franklin & Marshall College (USA), Yasmina Ramzy and Denise Mireau at Arabesque, DLM and workshops with many international instructors. Saba taught Bellydance and BellyHop at Arabesque Academy for 8 years and was a lead dancer with Arabesque Dance Company as well. She is currently choreographer and dancer with her African dance troupe Jaivah a.k.a Nouvel Exposé and performs with the Funkabelly All Stars. She can also be seen performing solo and collaborations on many stages and music videos.
www.sabadance.com

Voula Zisis

Voula's love of music and dance began at a very young age. Equipped with a solid background in Greek dance, Voula decided to explore the Middle East dance in the year 2000. Since then, she has actively pursued the dance and has been fortunate enough to study MED under the guidance of Toronto's most renowned teachers, including Yasmina Ramzy. Voula performs as a soloist at various Middle Eastern restaurants and clubs. As well, she was a Lead Dancer for the Arabesque Dance Company, performing at many city festivals, multicultural events and the Arabesque Production, "Asala" in 2006.

Melissa Gamal

Melissa began her formal dance training with six years of study at the Canadian Conservatory of Dance, studying Ballet under the instruction of Angela Borgeest. She began training in Middle Eastern dance at the age of 16 with instructor Raven Crow and has since continued to refine her technique at Arabesque Academy with master instructor Yasmina Ramzy, and teachers Mary Cabral and Emese Dosa. Her passion for the dance has led her to study with a number of world-renowned dancers such as Tito Seif, Randa Kamel, Aida Nour, Nagua Fouad, Orit Maftsir, Sahra Saeeda, Leila Farid, Jillina, Hadia, Camelia and many others. She traveled to Egypt in the summer of 2010 to study with the legends and stars of dance in Cairo. Because of her interest in Middle Eastern arts, she has also learned to play the Dumbek with instructor Suleiman Warwar. Melissa started her apprenticeship with Arabesque Dance Company in 2005, and became a lead dancer in 2007. She is proud to have been a part of their 2010 Canadian tour and last five stage productions: ASALA, EGYPT, OUM, NOOR and JAMRA. Melissa instructs weekly classes at Arabesque Academy and is an established soloist in Toronto and the GTA.

Karen & The Jewels of the Nile, Stratford

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www.studiooasisstratford.ca

Dharlene Valeda of Haft Vadi, Kitchener

Dharlene Valeda, the founder and director of Haft Vadi Studio in Kitchener has been studying bellydance since 1990. At her first lesson in Germany, she felt she had "breathed for the first time". Upon moving to Toronto in 1995, she started intensive studies with Yasmina Ramzy at Arabesque and Roula Said. Since then, she has been a devoted student, traveling as far as California, New York, Germany and Egypt to study with master teachers. Her most recent trip to Egypt was in January 2011, an exciting month to be in Egypt! Dharlene has also studied drumming, music theory and the Arabic language in an effort to get closer to the heart of the dance. Arabesque will always be Dharlene's dance home, and she's honoured to participate in this celebration.
www.haftvadi.com/

Joanne Camilleri & Co

Joanne's passion for dance has been a lifelong physical and internal journey. Her extensive dance training started at the age of five in ballet, jazz and various modern dance techniques. In 1988 she left Canada to explore the vast cultures of the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jeddah, North West Africa and Egypt) where she had the opportunity to witness firsthand the haunting spiritual depth, historical mysteries, and vast unexplored potential of the art of Raks Sharqi. In the early 90 's she continued her studies in India, Pakistan and Dubai exploring the subtle nuances of katach and baritnatium with world renowned teachers Partab Pawar, Naheed Sadeeki, and Sheema Kermani, while widening her scope and understanding of the delicate intricacies of modern and tribal fusion belly dance. Today she continues to create solo performances and original Middle Eastern inspired fusion dance pieces with her select troupe of dedicated students and Canadian composer Chris Hall.
In 2007 Joanne became the Founder and Artistic Director of VIVACE STUDIOS - School of Visual and Performing Arts in Toronto, where she teaches belly dance group and private classes and workshops.
vivacestudios.ca

Kellye Crockett & The Veils of Isis, Kingston

Known as Khalida to her dance sisters, Kellye became entranced by the music and movements of the Middle East from a very young age. However, it wasn't until her thirties that she decided to dedicate herself to an intense study of the dance in its many various forms. Her principal mentor in this has been Yasmina Ramzy, artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company in Toronto. Khalida has also been inspired by the teachings of other master instructors, including Sahra Saeeda, Dina, Cassandra, Hadia, and Aida Nour, amongst others.
The Veils of Isis Middle Eastern Dance Troupe was founded by Kellye Crockett in Kingston, Ontario, in the year 2000. The troupe and its soloists have performed at many local dance shows and art festivals and have been invited to perform at galas and workshops in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Florence, Italy. In Feb. 2010, the Veils of Isis celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gala show at the Grand Theatre in Kingston.
At the 25th Anniversary Gala, the Veils will be represented by Kellye Crockett, Heather Freeman, Nancy Seville, SaraJane Gregg, and Shawn McLennan. They will perform "Ya Salam!", "Oh, That's Really Great!", where the singer is shocked and upset that her sweetheart doesn't pay attention to her or call her, especially before she goes to bed.
www.myoasisstudio.com

Vian of Arabella, Thunder Bay

Founder of Arabella Middle Eastern Dance Academy in 2004 in partnership with Donna Insley; Vian has had the pleasure of being able to nurture her passion at Toronto's Arabesque Academy. Yasmina Ramzy, her teacher and mentor, had a profound impact and inspired me to attend Arabesque Teacher Training Programme, Arabesque Pro Course 2011 as well as many summer camps and Crash Courses.
Vian has had the honour to perform at the International Belly Dance Conference in 2008 , 2010, 2012 with her troupe Vibrations. Vian also completed study workshops in Mexico and Dallas with Bozenka & Ansuya.
Arabella Middle Eastern Dance Academy has the honour to be affiliated with the Arabesque Academy, and is the home of Thunder Bay's first belly dancing troupe, Vibrations. Yasmina and Arabesque means the world to me and I am thrilled and honoured to have this opportunity to dance at this memorable event.

Arabesque Allspice

This wonderful troupe was created in order to celebrate the female spirit at its most glorious. All women who have grey roots, who have been around the block a few times and for whom gravity has taken its course are welcome to join providing they have accomplished Beginner 2 Level and are continuing their training. Wherever this high spirited group performs, audiences walk away with a warm glow and a new zest for life.
www.arabesquedance.ca

Arabesque Earthshakers

rabesque Earthshakers is an ensemble of women with more of everything, who celebrate the joy of voluptuousness. "Earth Shaker" is the name of one of the most defining blues albums by a lady of the name Koko Taylor who uses the term in her song "I'm a Woman". This powerhouse ensemble is full of robust bodies with major personality and attitude.
Performances Include: International Bellydance Conference of Canada, Rivoli Dances, Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto Festival of Dance, Fifi Abdo Show, Canadian National Exhibition, Dance Ontario Dance Expeditions, 25th Latin American Festival and Arabesque Galas. Directed by Yasmina Ramzy.
www.arabesquedance.ca

Nikki Gentles

Nikki Gentles began her formal dance training in ballet dance at age five. Although her love of sports soon drew her away from ballet towards more than two decades of competitive soccer, she dabbled in various performance dance styles often including Caribbean folklore. Nikki was introduced to bellydance at a corporate gym and began studying the artform seriously at Arabesque Academy in 2005 with teachers such as Yasmina Ramzy, Denise Mireau and Saba Alemayehu Asfaw. She has furthered her technique in workshops with Egyptian masters Randa Kamal, Aida Nour and Tito. In 2008, she auditioned for the prestigious and internationally renowned Arabesque Dance Company and has since trained and performed with the troupe as an apprentice. Her performance credits include the CBC's Dragon's Den, the Canadian National Exhibition, Zidane and Friends Soccer Tour Toronto half-time show and major Arabesque productions like Egypt, OUM and NOOR at Fleck Dance Theatre.

Anuka

Anuka shares her love of music by making it a visible entity. Drawn to express the richness and variety of Middle Eastern music, she studied intensively with Hannan Sultan and Mayada, and has also taken classes and workshops with Yasmina Ramzy and Roula Said. International instructors she has studied with include Aziza, Bozenka, Aida Nour, Randa Kamel, Tito, Jillina, Ansuya, Hadia (Level 1 teacher training), Sahra Saeeda, Nath Keo, Rachel Brice and Sharon Kihara. Anuka frequently dances at public and private events throughout the GTA and has been teaching specialty workshops and weekly classes for over four years with meticulous attention to technique. She is an instructor at Dragonfly Bellydance Studio. Anuka is the choreographer and artistic director for her troupe Mirage, creating original dances every year for a variety of shows including the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, Fan Expo and her own annual production.
www.anukadance.net

Suleiman Warwar

Suleiman Warwar was born in Nazareth, Palestine in 1977. He began playing Arabic Tablah or Dumbek at age 6. The self-taught musician was the lead Dumbek player in his high school orchestra in Nazareth and performed traditional and modern musical pieces around the country. Suleiman immigrated to Canada in 1995 where he was introduced to Latin American, African, Turkish and many other types of music. As well as traditional Arabic percussion including Dumbek, Duff, Katim and Riqq, Suleiman also plays Bongos, Congas and Djembe. His innovative style of drumming has led him to play with such artists as Bassam Bishara, George Wasouf and in various peace movement events. Suleiman is a sought after master dumbek artist who is invited around the world to teach. He is the lead dumbek player for the Arabesque Dance Company Orchestra and has composed many popular drum solos available on his CD entitled "Beyond Rhthym" and the Arabesque Dance Company CDs entitled "Nawaem", Asala 1, Asala 2, OUM and NOOR.

Arabesque Academy 25th Anniversary Extravaganza