Based in Egypt Egyptian Mobile: 0115 372 2042 shema@shemaraqs.com Facebook: Shema Raqs YouTube: Shema Raqs
Shema
Raqs Sharqi & Raqs Maghrebi
Dance Research and Egypt Travel Blog '12
"Delicately lovely", Shema is renowned for her elegant and feminine styling with a powerful yet sensitive approach to Middle Eastern, Arabic and North African dance. Always interested in the history and development of this art form, Shema specialises in presenting Egyptian and Moroccan dance styles as well as traditional Folk dances from the Middle Eastern and Arabic World and exploring how they have influenced modern styles.
These include Tannoura (Egyptian Whirling), Sai'idi (Upper Egypt), Khaleegy (Gulf region), and Moroccan Tanjaoua Sha'abi. She is also expanding into using styles such as Debke and Moroccan Gnawa rhythms and she regularly works with live musicians across the world. She is currently living in a Bedouin village and researching the dance, music and culture of the Tarrabin Tribe in South Sinai, whilst continuing to perform and teach in Egypt and internationally.
Performances
Shema performs constantly, including at corporate events, private parties, weddings, shows, community festivals, ME dance festivals and more. She is a lively and mesmerizing addition to any event and will tailor her performance to suit your needs. Please see here for gallery.
Tuition and Dance Events
Shema maintains an integrity within the dance - her authenticity, musical interpretation and approachability make her a sought after artist and teacher and she is passionate about encouraging students and other professionals to share in her absolute love of and devotion to this art form.
Since first discovering the art, Shema has progressed to a stage where she is now invited to perform and teach at prestigious events all across the world. She has been a regular guest artiste at Planet Egypt in London since 2006; Artist in Residence at Silk Route in London during 2009 and 2011; European guest teacher/performer for the world-renowned Bellydance Superstars' event 'Raqs Britannia' in 2010; lecturer and featured performer at the 'International Bellydance Conference of Canada' in 2010 and guest speaker/performer at MassRaqs in Boston USA in 2011.
Full Biography... Originally from the UK, Shema's great-grandfather was Romany and the gypsy blood still flows through her, driving her to travel and explore aspects of other cultures which constantly inform her art, such as language, visual art, music and social environment. She began her studies in 2001 with Aliya Burch, an accredited 'Raqs Sharqi Society' teacher in the UK whilst studying for a BA degree and continues to learn from many inspirational teachers such as Morocco of New York, Amel Tafsout, Ozgen Ozgec, Khaled Seif and local dancers in Egypt and Morocco. She launched her performance career early on, dancing in restaurants and private events across the south of England and traveling to Morocco regularly to stay with a family and learn about the local culture. After graduation, the 'Dar Tangerina Academy of Dance & Music' was born with the aim of passing on Shema's knowledge and joy for Arabic and Moroccan dances through regular classes, workshops and themed events. The highlight for her students was a chance to perform for thousands of visitors at the Bristol Harbourside Festival in 2008 and Shema is proud to have enabled students across the UK to progress to teaching and performing themselves. In 2008, Shema was so inspired after studying on the 'pro-course' with Yasmina Ramzy in Toronto that she returned to Canada, auditioned, and was offered a place as a member of the prestigious Arabesque Dance Company where she also played violin in the orchestra (Directed by Prof. Bassam Bishara) and instructed in the Arabesque Academy. She also used this time to design and copyright 2 unique classes, 'Flexibelly' (c) and 'BellyDRILLS' (c) aimed at increasing dancers' fitness and flexibility for dance and drilling the basic moves for muscle memory. After returning to the UK in 2009, Shema began work on re-launching the Dar Tangerina Academy and from 2010-11 this was realised as the UK's 1st dedicated permanent studio for Arabic Dance and Music based in Bristol, UK. As a teacher Shema is positive and encouraging, ensuring that students feel safe and comfortable while they learn and adding a healthy dose of fun too! Tuition focuses on correct posture, accurate movements and understanding the connection between music, dance and culture. She currently runs classes, workshops and private lessons (in person and online) as well as running a mentor program for professional dancers who are striving to improve their knowledge, technique, props, folklore and etiquette. In May 2010, Shema ran auditions for the Tangerina Dance Company (www.tangerinadancecompany.com)- a professional dance company specialising in Middle Eastern, Arabic and Maghrebi Dance which launched at the Bristol Harbourside Festival July 2010 and now specialises in creating artistic projects and collaborations for events and festivals across the world. Shema is currently living in Nuweiba, Egypt, where she has a small studio and teaches and studyies the local Bedouin dance forms. She also works across the area as a professional dance artist, musician and henna artist, in between travelling to international festivals to perform and instruct.
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