Yasmina Ramzy, founder and Artistic Director of Arabesque Dance Company and Arabesque Academy, School of Middle Eastern Dance and Music Arts, received her key training from leading instructors in the Middle East, including Mohammed Khalil, director of the National Folklore Troupe of Egypt and Ida Nour. With an early foundation in ballet and constantly pursuing innovation and new challenges, Yasmina has broadened her knowledge base by studying Modern, Azerbaijani, Latin, Brazilian, Abinaya, Pilates, Capoeira and Aikido. She has studied Arabic language at the University of Toronto, as well as Arabic drumming and voice with Dr. George Sawa.
Yasmina has been performing, teaching and choreographing Middle Eastern dance, particularly the Egyptian style, since 1981 and has toured extensively as a soloist and with Arabesque Dance Company, teaching workshops and performing internationally. Along with Arabesque Dance Company, she was a featured performer at the 2nd International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance in California and at the United Nations Peace Conference in New York at Madison Square Gardens Theatre and with Alabina at the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto as well as many prestigious venues throughout the Middle East.
Laidlaw Foundation, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts have all recognized her artistic vision and have awarded her numerous grants. She has been highly acclaimed in both national and international media such as Dance International, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Arab Star and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for her innovative, inspiring and theatrical choreography. Her workshops, attended by record numbers, always promote a deep understanding of the artform and its relationship with live Arabic music and its power in elevating the female spirit. She has been a mentor to many Middle Eastern dance artists worldwide.
Yasmina Ramzy serves on the Board of Directors for Dance Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Alliance of Dance Ontario.