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| Shema is an internationally acclaimed UK based professional Bellydance artist, Musician and Writer, in demand all over the world for her dynamic and authentic performances and exceptional teaching skills.
"Beautiful and delicately lovely...[her] versatility and
musicality...an absolute joy to behold"
"Delicately lovely", Shema is renowned for her elegant and feminine styling with a powerful and glamorous approach to Egyptian Bellydance. Always interested in the history and development of this art form, Shema also specialises in presenting traditional Folk dances from the Middle Eastern and Arabic World and exploring how they have influenced modern bellydance. These styles include Tannoura (Egyptian Whirling), Sai'idi (Northern Egypt), Khaleegy (Gulf region), and Moroccan Tanjaoua Sha'abi as well as fusion styles such as fire sword.
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 and devotion to this dance.
Since first discovering the dance, 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 winter 2009; European guest teacher/performer for the world-renowned Bellydance Superstars' event 'Raqs Britannia' in 2010; and lecturer and featured performer at the 'International Bellydance Conference of Canada' in 2010.
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, continuing to learn from many inspirational teachers such as Morocco of New York, Amel Tafsout, Ozgen Ozgec, Mira Betz, Raqia Hassan and local folk 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 Middle Eastern Dance & Music' was born with the aim of passing on Shema's knowledge and joy for the 'Elegant Art of Bellydance' through regular classes, workshops and themed events. The highlight for her students is 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 bellydance 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 in September 2010 this was realised as the UK's 1st dedicated permanent studio for Middle Eastern Dance and Music opened 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.tangerina.org)-
a professional dance company specialising in Middle Eastern, Arabic and Maghrebi Dance which launched at the Bristol Harbourside Festival July 2010 and is based at the Dar Tangerina Academy.
Contact Shema for more information
shema@shemabellydance.com
0044 (0)7805 354312
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