Emerging Artists' Stage

ASHLEY ARIN

TENNESSEE, U.S.A.

Performance Description:

AKILAH

WISCONSIN, U.S.A.

Performance Description:

ALLE SCHATZIS

WISCONSIN, U.S.A.

Performance Description:

Music for Oriental Dance - Mawoud #3(3:26 min)which is a challenge dance in which one group of dancers thinks they dance better than the other group, but in the end, they all are happy dancin together.

Turkish Groove - Sinanay (3:10 min)

AMIRA

COLOMBIA/CANADA

Performance Description:

ARIELLAH

CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA

Performance Description:

AURORA ONGARO

EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA

Performance Description: Habibi Ya Eini: A fun up-beat oriental piece.  "let's dance and sing.

AYANA

PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A.

Performance Description:

AZURA

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

Performance Description:

BEKKHILD

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

Bekkhild fell in love with Bellydance in 2004 at the age of 24. Since then she has studied under a number of teachers (the most recent being Denise Mireau) and met many wonderful dancers. In 2010 she opened up her own studio “The Art of Bellydance Studio” in Burlington, Ontario. Since then she has had the pleasure of introducing many students to the wonderful art form of Bellydance.

Performance Description: Bronte By Gotye
Bronte is a very emotional and sad piece of music. By mixing Bellydance and modern movement I hope I have done Gotye proud by creating this lyrical Bellydance choreography to his song.

CHEMAGNE MARTIN

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Chemagne Martin is a multi-faceted artist. A professional Belly Dance Artist performer, and instructor. Chemagne’s style combines years of experience as a dancer and yoga practitioner with a love for dance and movement. From a young age Chemagne learned jazz, baton twirling, and Afro-Caribbean dance. Since discovering Belly Dance many years ago, Chemagne’s passion for dance began to change. Today she is a sought-after Belly Dance performer and instructor, who has taught at many studios in Toronto and has performed at various venues and special events across North America. With a unique movement background in various dance forms, Chemagne has taken a fresh and modern approach to the art of Belly Dance training and instruction. She is certified level II in the Suhaila Salimpour format, and level I certified in pilates from East to West Yoga studio. Her recent achievements include being featured in the spring issue for the Canadian Health and Lifestyle magazine, and opening of Chemagne Dance Studio, giving her the opportunity to teach, and share her experience with others the beautiful art of Belly Dance.

Performance Description: Batwanes Beek  (You're Always With Me): The song talks about cherishing the love for another person. The yearning and wanting to be with her lover always.

DANIELLE KUSHNER

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

A Thunder Bay dancer who has been dancing with Arabella Middle Eastern Dance Academy for the past three years. Danielle dances at all local fairs and event, and is a member of Arabella’s troupe " Vibrations ". Danielle’s love of dancing has brought her to this conference for the ultimate experience.

DEBORAH SHAW

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Deborah is a Toronto actor who loves belly dancing and creating costumes. Deborah has acted throughout Canada and the United States and spent the two years as the Entertainment Director for The Pirate Festival. While acting has always been a first love, dancing came in a close second. She has, since childhood, studied ballet, jazz, modern, laban, historical and heritage dances with Ellen Schiffrin and Viv Moore. A chance sighting of the Arabesque sign began a love of Bellydance and all that it makes you feel and express. She is a happy member of the energetic Arabesque Allspice, she is also very proud to be a member of Arabesque Earthshakers and looks forward to shaking the world of dance, one shimmy at a time.

Performance Description:

Let it out, feel it, let it breath, revel in it and never apologize for it.

DENAIS DANCERS

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A.

The Denais dancers are a lively troupe of women led by Denise Lukasik-Sedmak of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For over 25 years, Denise had been a member of a professional dance troupe, the Trisha Mid-East Dancers, which are members of the International Institute of Wisconsin.  Denise has been active with her own troupe “Denai’s Dancers” and continues to choreograph and perform throughout the Midwest.  Denise and the Denais Dancers are well known instructors and performers, teaching throughout the mid west and performing at such illustrious events as the International Bellydance Conference of Canada.
Performance Description:

DENISE

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A.

Denise began teaching Middle Eastern Dance in 1979 and later added ballet, jazz and tap classes for children and adults.  With increased interest in her dance classes, Denise added more Middle Eastern Dance classes to meet the demand.

For over 25 years, Denise had been a member of a professional dance troupe, the Trisha Mid-East Dancers, which are members of the International Institute of Wisconsin.  Denise has been active with her own troupe “Denai’s Dancers” for over 20 years and continues to choreograph, direct and perform throughout the Midwest.  Denise continues to study with various internationally renowned dance artists and performed at the 2008 and 2010 International Belly Dance Conference of Canada.

Performance Description:

Denise will present a classical Middle Eastern performance with an energetic open, veil piece and conclude with a vibrant drum solo.  Denise choreographed all numbers.

DENISE MIREAU DANCE

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

This is a contemporary bellydance group lead by Denise Mireau, a dance artist and teacher in Middle Eastern Dance based in Toronto. Her  focus is on creating dances in a modern uncluttered way allowing the beauty and simplicity of the dance to be seen.She is the owner and director of  "The Studio For Movement" offering classes in Bellydance, Pilates, Yoga and Alexander Technique

Performance Description: This dance is about doing less. Waiting. Listening. Finding stillness in movement, movement in stillness. Simplicity.

DONNA INSLEY

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

ESSA

CANADA/INDIA

FAVERI/MIREAU PROJECT

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Loretta Faveri is a textile Major at OCAD University in Toronto.  Her undergraduate thesis explores the use of fibre and technology to create interactive dance costumes. She is the recipient of the Ellen Adams Award and the D.Kristjanson / Purchase Award both for her work in textile and print design.

HAIFA

ONTARIO, CANADA

HAIFA, IONA & AMEERA

ONTARIO, CANADA

IANA KOMARNYTSKA

UKRAINE

IOANA

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

IONA

KINGSTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

KARINA B.

CHINA

KENDRA

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, U.S.A.

KIERRA

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA

Kelly Picard (Kierra – ‘key-air-a’) discovered bellydancing in 2002 and immediately fell in love with the soft moves, the feminine energy and the creative expression of the body. In bellydance, she found an exercise she could enjoy, hips that she could live with and a passion she could share. 

LAYLA HASSAM

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

LEYLA

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Leyla started Bellydancing in 2001, taking classes at Arabesque Academy with Yasmina Ramzy and took part in many Student Gala performances.  I Also took classes with Mayada’s Bellydance.  I Performed at Arabesque Student Soirees and Mayada’s Rak n Rolls' – a performance for students. 

In 2008 I joined Arabesque Allspice and have been performing with them ever since, at special functions and festivals.  Arabesque Allspice also performed on the Main Stage at IBCC in 2008 and 2010.
I have also performed at the IBCC as a soloist on the Open Stage in 2007 and 2008.

Performance Description:

I will be performing to a medley of songs by Country Singer Patsy Cline.  This is a number I have done before, using 2 songs which total in time about 5 minutes.  The songs are more than 50 years old.  The titles to the songs are:   CRAZY  and   WALKIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT.

MAHFOUZA

AJAX, ONTARIO, CANADA

Mahfouza has almost 6 years bellydance experience (current half with Zahra’s School of Middle Eastern Dance, Ajax), as a soloist, Instructor, and member of the Zahra’s Dance Company.  Her favourite style– Tribal. She interprets her feelings and emotions through dance – “Dance is my drug, and the shimmy is my song”

Performance Description:

Solo – “Sitarfire” by David Starfire, choreography by Zahra:
Dancing with the Isis Wings is feminine, powerful, and exotic, exuding confidence and sensuality within the music..

MAYADA

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

MICHELLE WILSON

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

Michelle Wilson has been dancing and preforming with Arabella Middle Eastern Dance Academy for the past three years. Michelle dances at all local fairs , festivels and events, and is a member of Arabella’s troupe " Vibrations". Michelle is very excited to have the opportunity to dance at this event.

OKSANA

RUSSIA

I was born in Russia and dancing has always been my passion. My first experience with dance was in ballet at the age of 4 and rhythmic gymnastics at age 12.  In school, I was a frequent performer and winner in the annual dance competitions. After moving to Canada I tried Latin dance. The Art of Middle eastern Dance was introduced to me in 2006, and it was an eye opener and a love from the first class.
 
I have been studying with many teachers and internationally known dance artists including Sahra Saeeda (USA), Yousry Sharif (USA), Tito (Egypt), Cassandra(USA), Louchia (USA), Jillina (USA), ), Delilah(USA), Amel Tafsout(Algeria), Sema Yildiz (Turkey), Yasmina Ramzy (Canada), and Hadia (Canada) with whom she completed the Certified Teacher Training Level 1 & 2 and can’t wait for the opportunity to finish her Level 3.

I am specializing in Oriental and folklore forms of Middle Eastern  dance and the use of various props such as veil, sword, cane, shamadan (candelabra), wings, voi (veil+poi), fan veils.

I am a weekly performer at the Acropolis Greek restaurant in Grande Prairie, AB since May 2007.

In 2008, I became a founder of the Moondance Shimmy dance group for which I am an instructor, lead choreographer and artistic director. The group had been dancing at different cultural and numerous fundraising events. Moondance Shimmy is an organizer of the Annual Regional Belly Dance Night in Grande Prairie where dancers and groups from Northern Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan get together and demonstrate their talents.

My latest endeavor has taken me into the art of designing and creating belly dance costumes.

Performance Description: Shaabi, choreography by Mohamed Shahin
A story about the woman who cant pick between 2 men she likes and she is very confused about it and she is also very shy about it.

www.moondanceshimmy.com

NASHITA

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Nashita has been treading the boards since stepping into her first pair of ballet slippers at age 3. She studied ballet, tap and jazz through her teens and twenties, discovering bellydance quite by accident in her 30s. She's had the privilege to study with some of Toronto's most talented dancers and instructors, including Roula Said, Audra Simmons and Denise Mireau. She is currently a student of Mayada's Bellydance, a member of Egyptian Folkloric troupe Banat el Sharq and Mayada’s Student Troupe and loving every minute of it!

Performance Description: Nashita will be performing an upbeat saidi-style piece to George Abdo's Hadouni, Hadouni.

NOOR

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Performance Description: Oriental entrance piece Soumboula Hanom by Al-Ahram Orchestra. 

NOUR HAYATI

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Nour bellydances in Toronto with Habeeba’s Egyptian Dance Ensemble. As part of the Ensemble, Nour performs group and solo folkloric and classical dances at corporate events, festivals, restaurants, birthdays, and weddings. Occasionally she dabbles in more modern and fusion styles. She choreographs most of her own dances and makes many of her own lavish costumes.

Performance Description:Lucy the Magnificent by Hossam Ramzy

RACHEL

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

Rachel began her passion and knowledge for Bellydance in Saskatchewan in 2002 studying under various local instructors and taking in as many workshops from  world renowned masters and professionals of Middle Eastern Dance.  This has lead to her to perform and teach in various locations throughout Canada, as well as at tropical destinations.  Rachel's charismatic smile and bright & bubbly personality shines through in her dance, her classes and her students as she positively promotes this art form. Rachel continues her growth and education in Middle Eastern Dance to expand her own skills, and bring these skills to her students, her Lalita Maya Dance Troupe, and her audience.

Performance Description: Song Title & Artist:  Feinoh by Hisham Abbas
Get swept away in this enchanting Egyptian Love Story that transcends time and cultures.

RAFIQA SA'DAH

NEW YORK, USA

Rafiqa Sa'dah has been active in other musical and theatrical projects her whole life, but it is bellydancing that captured her heart like no other artistic expression. Her favorite style of dancing is Egyptian, especially baladi and shaabi. Based in Rochester, NY she started dancing in 2001, and currently studies with Sabra and Zahrah of Goddess Hour Studio.

ROSARIO

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

RUYA

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Ruya got her first taste of bellydance in August 2008 when she attended a Cabaret Serpentine show in Halifax and was immediately taken in by the beautiful art form.  Zahira has been her instructor, key inspiration and mentor throughout her bellydance life.  She studies intensively with her at Dragonfly and has taken workshops with many notable instructors along the way.  She is member of  Dragonfly Student Troupe, a founding member of the Dragonfly steampunk fusion group The Dragonettes and collaborates in the Airship Pirate Project. 

With her partner Zahira she is owner of Dragonfly Bellydance. 

www.dragonflydance.ca

Ruya will perform a beautiful classical oriental entrance piece with veil.

SABBI

NEW YORK, U.S.A

Sabbi has been studying middle eastern dance since 2009 and has performed in venues in and around New York and Boston. She has trained with master teachers including Ranya Renee and Mahmoud Reda (Cairo 2010 and 2011). She has performed with Groovefit (director Jannelle Cortes) in NYC and works with Ranya Renee and Company (NYC), as well as the Boston-based groups Snake Dance Theater (director Johara) and Sheila Eghbali’s Iranian Dance Artists. Photo by Najmat of Boston.

SABRINA

ILLINOIS, U.S.A.

Sabrina has led a life filled with dance. At age three she began taking classes in Ballet and over time her desire to move drove her to expand her study to Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Tap, and Middle Eastern dance extensively. Sabrina began choreographing at age twelve. By thirteen she was placing first in choreography competitions in which she competed against professional dance instructors.  Sabrina received her Bachelors of Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University. Her energy and enthusiasm are absolutely contagious. She strives to share her love for dance with everyone she meets. 
Though currently based in Michigan, Sabrina spent two years performing and teaching Middle Eastern Dance in New Orleans Louisiana and the surrounding region. Sabrina was a regular performer both as a soloist and as a member of the Sisters Of Salome at many of the restaurants and stage shows throughout the New Orleans area. In March of 2007, Sabrina traveled to Egypt. There she studied immersed herself in the culture and the history of the country. Sabrina also studied Belly Dance while there with such legends as Aida Nour and Randa Kamal.

Performance Description:

www.sabrinaraks.com

SHIRAZ

DELAWARE, U.S.A.

Shiraz is a full-time multi-award winning belly dancer from Delaware, USA. She performs weekly at the top tri-state venues, and teaches locally. In just weeks she'll complete her B.A. degree in cultural anthropology with a Middle Eastern concentration and a minor in Arab studies at the University of Delaware.

Performance Description:

www.ShirazRaqs.com

THE ART OF BELLYDANCE

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

Ohwiya Wa Jamilah started out as The Art of Bellydance’s senior level class. The troupe is comprised of Robyn Lee, Irma Kesmarki, Alice Liu and Rebecca Flook (teacher.) These four women come from many walks of life and different worlds but all love the strength and beauty of Bellydance. 

Performance Description: Song: Ancient Ruins by Issam Houshan
This Choreography has been a labor of love for us during this past year. We hope you enjoy it.

UNDERWORLD

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

The Underworld was created by Deborah Shaw from a long held interest in theatre. Deborah wanted to fuse theatre and Bellydance to create a new highly dramatized dance experience. Deborah graduated with Honours from Theatre Humber where she studied, drama, comedy, improv, clowning, mime, ballet, modern and historical dancing. The Underworld is a collaborative group of ten talented and imaginative dance artists, each being a student of Arabesque Academy and a member of either Arabesque Allspice or Arabesque Earthshakers.

Performance Description:Victorian Era: Secret Societies or Salons were all the rage; you are invited to the worship of Osiris and Isis, believed to be the first vampires.

VIAN STETCH

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

Arabella Middle Eastern Dance Academy, Started in 2009, under the direction of Vian stetch. This troupe is composed of seven dedicated women that preform at events in the U.S. , a variety of local fundraises , community events and private functions. Vibration is very excited to have the opportunity to preform at IBCC in Toronto.

VIBRATIONS 

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

Arabella Middle Eastern Dance Academy, Started in 2009, under the direction of Vian stetch. This troupe is composed of seven dedicated women that preform at events in the U.S. , a variety of local fundraises , community events and private functions. Vibration is very excited to have the opportunity to preform at IBCC in Toronto.

Performance Description:

W.O.W.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

“W.O.W.” stands for “Women of the World”. It is geared towards empowering women to
maximize their passion for dance through performing and camaraderie. Living up to its name,W.O.W. dancers are not only encouraged to learn Egyptian Raq Sharki but also some fusionvariation such as Hip Hop Bellydance, Reggaeton, Belly-nesian and other style. Honing the useof props (i.e. Fan Veil, Silk Veil, Hand Candles, etc.) to enhance their dance skills is another feature of their dances.
Egyptian Dance Studio (Hannan’s Bellydance Studio) is the home of W.O.W. Troupe. The creative brain behind all their choreographies is Emilia, one of the longest serving faculty members at the said studio.

www.hannandance.com

Performance Description: Fan Veil piece

ZAHIRA

MEXICO/CANADA

ZAHRA AND THE ZAHRA DANCE COMPANY

AJAX, ONTARIO, CANADA

Zahra and the Zahra Dance Company is situated in Ajax, Ontario and specializes in different genres of bellydance including Egyptian oriental, Bellydance and Hip Hop, American belly dance, folkloric, Indian and other fusions of bellydance styles.  The Dance Company is made up of five professional belly dance member who possesses years of specialized training and experience; Mahfouza, Tahira, LuuLuu, Quatr-Al-Nar and Zahra.  The members work collaboratively to develop choreographies that reflect traditional styles as well as modern influences of bellydance. Their dance is possesses passion and grace, and their love for belly dance is evident in their performances.

Performance Description: Zahra and the Zahra Dance Company will be dancing to a Bellydance Superstar song, Pharonic Odyessey with their veils, swords and isis wings.  The dance is mesmerizing from start to finish.

www.zahras.ca