Yasmina Ramzy

"Will go down in history as having redeemed Bellydancing"

The Globe and Mail

"Artistry & Passion "

Dance International

"Intelligent and Inventive choreography"

The Globe and Mail

"Yasmina creates dramatic impact"

Toronto Star

"Has taken Bellydance to another level"

Bravo TV

Biography

Yasmina Ramzy is a visionary, a choreographer and a pioneer. Beginning her Mid East dance career in 1981, Yasmina spent the first 15 years performing throughout the Middle East, often for royalty and heads of state. Then Yasmina 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 of the Reda Troupe 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, lecture 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.

Yasmina has taught and performed in the following locations:

International - Austria, Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Spain, Syria

USA - Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Miami, Milwaukee, New York, New Jersey, Massachewsetts, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Virginia Beach

Canada - Barrie, Brandon, Belleville, Brockville, Edmonton, Calgary, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Sarnia, Sault St. Marie, St. John, Stratford, St. Catharines, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Windsor, Winnipeg

note from Sahra Saeeda

Sahra Saeeda

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