Arabesque Dance Company
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Instructors: Dance

All of the Arabesque Academy instructors are also part of the Arabesque Dance Company, bringing their real life stage experience and passion to the classroom.

Yasmina Ramzy

Yasmina Ramzy, director and founder of Toronto based Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra, Canada's leading Middle Eastern belly dance and music ensemble, and Arabesque Academy specializing in Eastern belly dance and music classes and training After many years of performing throughout the Middle East for royalty and heads of state, Yasmina Ramzy founded the critically acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra, Arabesque Academy and the International Bellydance Conference of Canada. She received her key training from leading masters in Egypt and Syria including Aida Nour and Mohammed Khalil of the National Folklore Troupe of Egypt.
Her unique and highly creative choreographies have been commissioned internationally by universities, museums, ballet companies, figure skating teams and many Middle East dance companies including the internationally renowned Bellydance Superstars. She has been awarded numerous grants for her choreographies by all levels of arts councils.

Yasmina is invited to teach and perform regularly in over 60 cities on five continents. She has produced 8 instructional DVDs, 7 performance DVDs and 6 CDs that sell worldwide. The "Ask Yasmina" column which is published in the world's largest Bellydance magazine is translated into several languages.

Yasmina is well known for elevating the status of Middle Eastern dance as high art and conveying its relationship with Arab music and culture. She is a member of the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists and has served on the Board of Directors for Dance Ontario since 1996.

Melissa Gamal

Arabesque Lead Dancer/Teacher

Melissa Reber 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.

Sarah

Arabesque Lead Dancer/Teacher

Sarah Brawley Sarah began her formal dance training at the age of 4 in ballet. Throughout the years she has also trained in jazz, hip hop, and modern. She has had the opportunity to study with amazing instructors such as Siona Jackson, Shawn Byfield and Ingrid Abbot. Once Sarah discovered Middle Eastern dance one evening at a restaurant she was hooked. Soon after she began studying the art of Bellydance with Yasmina Ramzy, Denise Mireau and Saba Alemayehu. Throughout her training she has been lucky to study with Randa Kamal, Amir Thaleb and Sahra Saeeda as well. She is currently teaching Bellydance at Arabesque Academy and is a Lead Dance with Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra.

Shari

Arabesque Apprentice Dancer/Teacher

Shari was first inspired to learn the art of Bellydance after seeing Arabesque Dance Company lead dancer, Mary, perform at a local restaurant in 2004. Shortly thereafter, she began taking classes at Arabesque Academy, without any prior dance training. At Arabesque, the enthusiasm and passion of the talented instructors encouraged her to continually challenge herself and improve her skills. In addition, during her post-graduate studies in Sociology and Equity Studies, she developed a deeper appreciation for Bellydance as a valuable expression of femininity, power, and resistance. Shari is thrilled to continue her training as an apprentice with the Arabesque Dance Company, and is excited to teach at Arabesque Academy.

Charlene

Arabesque Earthshakers Dancer/Teacher

A member of the Arabesque professional dance troupe under the direction of Yasmina Ramzy, the Arabesque Earthshakers, Charlene has been performing Middle Eastern dance since 2009. Performances include: the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, the Canadian National Exhibition, Nathan Phillip's Square, Robert Gill Theatre and the Fifi Abdou Gala Performance in Toronto. A graduate of the Arabesque Professional Course and long-time student of Arabesque Academy, Charlene continues her passion for Bellydance as a substitute teacher at Arabesque.

Tatiana Kaptchinskaia

Apprentice Dancer/Teacher

Born in Russia, Tatiana has received extensive training in classical ballet, Russian, Gypsy and Ukrainian folklore, but then discovered Bellydance and focused her training exclusively on this dance form. Tatiana studied with many of Arabesque teachers, and joined the dance company in 2009. As a member of Arabesque for the last four years, Tatiana has been performing traditional forms of Bellydance across Canada and appeared on the cover of Shimmy Magazine in the fall of 2012. Tatiana is also a solo Tribal Fusion performer. She teaches weekly tribal fusion classes at Arabesque Academy and was a featured instructor at International BellyDance Conference of Canada in May 2012.Tatiana is known for her fluid and elegant moves and thrives on sharing her passion for BellyDance with the audience, allowing them to experience the beauty of this most feminine art form through her.In her spare time Tatiana designs and creates new costuming pieces and jewellery.

Amy Leung

Arabesque Apprentice Dancer/Teacher

Amy Leung After watching a friend Bellydance in a student show, Amy was hooked. Having no formal dance training, she decided there was nothing to lose - and learned to shimmy. While studying at various schools, Amy always admired Yasmina Ramzy and her work with the Arabesque Dance Company. Years later, she finally gathered up the courage to try a class at the well respected Arabesque Academy. Amy is thrilled to be an apprentice with Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra and is excited to continue learning this beautiful art form.

Camelia

Arabesque Apprentice Dancer/Teacher

Camelia fell in love with dance at the age of 3 when she began her training in ballet and baton twirling. After an initial taste she quickly moved on to include tap, jazz, and acrobatics. After stepping away from dance to focus on competitive soccer, Camelia began studying acting, film and television production and eventually returned to take up Bellydance in 2006. Her past dance training includes various Latin dances including Salsa, Afro-Brazilian Samba and Salsa-Belly Fusion. Camelia's essential Mid East dance training is received from Mayada and various teachers at Arabesque Academy. Camille has danced throughout the GTA at various venues and solo performances. Today Camelia continues to broaden her dance experience as an apprentice of Arabesque Dance Company while balancing her career in the creative arts.

Deborah Shaw

Arabesque Earthshakers Dancer/ Teacher

Deborah Shaw Deborah Shaw graduated with honours from the Theatre Arts Performance program of Humber College and enjoyed two season as a costumier for Canada's Wonderland while embarking on her career as an actor in Toronto. Deborah continued performing, costuming and stage managing for various productions in and around Toronto while co-running her own small theatre company, Carpe Dinero. Deborah both designed and constructed the masks and costumes for the renaissance period Commedia del Arte productions with shows in Canada and the U.S.. Deborah has also been the creator of one of a kind dolls and bears with her own small company Deborah Designs and its adult line, Bear To Be Naughty. While taking belly dancing classes, at Arabesque Academy, Deborah answered a notice for costumers to help with the 2006 production of Asala. Since then Deborah has happily taken the reins as Head Costumier/ Designer, Wardrobe Mistress, Backstage Co - Coordinator and Props Mistress for all of the Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra's shows.

Siham Chowdhury

Arabesque Earthshakers Dancer/ Bellydance/Bollywood Teacher

Camille Siham Chowdhury is a fusion dance artist and teacher with a background in Bollywood, Latin Ballroom, Polynesian and Bellydance. Currently, she is utterly thrilled to be an apprentice dancer with the fabulous Bellydance company, Arabesque Earthshakers and a member of Bollywood dance company, Divine Heritage Artistry. Being the artistic director of her own fusion Bellydance troupe Dance, Sister, Dance, she enjoys combining elements of Bollywood, Polynesian and Latin dances with Bellydance to create imaginative choreographies with a touch of whimsy. Siham is so proud and thankful to be part of a dance community that allows her to express her unique blend of creativity.

Catherine Mais

Arabesque Apprentice Dancer/Teacher

At the tender age of six, Catherine began her formal dance training with classes in Ballet, Jazz and Modern dance. Later in life, she began an exploration of other dance forms which lead to the discovery of a lasting artistic passion for Middle Eastern dance. Catherine formed her Bellydance foundation through study with Toronto-based Bellydancer Shouhair. She then refined her art at the Arabesque Academy, studying with Melissa Gamal, Nikki Gentles, Sarah Brawley, Yzza and Yasmina Ramzy. Catherine strongly believes that dance provides a wonderful body practice for lifelong health and fitness, and satisfies our natural and universal desire to express creativity through movement. She is also an accomplished Flamenco dancer and a licensed instructor for the highly popular Zumba and Bellyfit fitness programs, and has brought the joy of dance to dozens of students throughout the Toronto area. Catherine is delighted to be a part of Arabesque Dance Company, where she works with world-class fellow dancers to perform the timeless art of Middle Eastern dance.

Lindsay

Arabesque Apprentice Dancer

Lindsay was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. She is a versatile dancer in Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Hip Hop, and many other forms. Lindsay began her love for dance at an early age by ample practicing on her own in the style of hip hop and whatever way her body moved her. She began Middle Eastern dance at age fourteen from Linda Yablonski. In July of 2009 she travelled to Toronto to continue her education with Middle Eastern dance where she studied with Yasmina Ramzy, founder of Arabesque Academy.
In February 2011, she competed in the BDUC in Long Beach, CA where she won the award for the PEOPLE'S choice in Egyptian dance, as well as 2nd place in Drum Solo. She successfully completed her training in the Egyptian dance certification provided by BDUC. Celebrity judges such as Jillina from the Belly Dance Super Stars was present at the BDUC 2011, and had commented, "Lindsay, you dance like me when I was your age ... "do not stop - you could be a star".

Rommel Delos Reyes

Arabesque Apprentice Dancer, ZUMBA Teacher

Rommels love for the Arts, especially dance, has taken him on a great journey of discovery. If movement is the rhythm of his life; dance is an expression of his personal experiences, what words can only explain. He began dancing at the age of 8 with Karilagan Filipino Dance troupe in Winnipeg, continuing to dance with the company for 10 years. While attending university, Rommel trained in Ballroom, having taken dance classes at the Ted Motyka Dance studio. He soon after discovered Salsa dancing and was captivated by its style and flavour. He trained with Salsa Explosion Dance Company, under the tutelage of Leonardo Lopez, and later with Virage Dance Company with Sergei and Natasha, and has gained training in many other Latin techniques since. Rommel has also taken courses and workshops in other dance disciplines such as Bollywood, Hip Hop, African & Cuban Tribal, Modern and Ballet.

Now residing in Toronto, and interested in learning the ancient artform of bellydance, Rommel attended several classes at Arabesque and was fascinated by its beauty and its challenge. His passion for dance is what gained him an audience with Yasmina Ramzy to be a part of the troupe. Rommel feels very blessed and privileged to be a part of this prestigious and distinguished group of dancers and musicians, and is very excited to continue his journey of discovery with Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra for many years to come. His motto: Live, love, laugh... and dance!