1. Why did you start Raqs Sharqi?
I have always loved dancing ... I fell in love with Egyptian dance and the music at a very early age and this dance seems to hook people for life!!! Once I got into it, the interest just grew and I took it further and further then. It is a beautiful and soulful art form and very specialised for women and a dance that celebrates women as they are.
2. What is the most important thing to do when we dance in public?
Well, there are many important things of course but, when dancing to a public I believe the most important thing is to dance the music for THEM. The public love to be offered such artistic expression and appreciate the sharing , not only demonstration.
3. Could you tell about your Raqs Sharqi style?
Well... I dance the music as I understand it and feel it. According with the principle of translation the music, the philosophy Hossam developed of E=E and according to his article “Drumming 4 Dancers” on our website at this link: http://www.hossamramzy.com/dance/drumming4dancers.htm
I dance what I hear from the music and translate it into movement as I feel appropriate.
This is what dancing is, for me. And the style will change as the music changes...
4. Could you tell about the relationship between Raqs Sharqi and your background?
I entered the world of dance at about 5 or 6 years old when I started ballet and Jazz classes. I then got introduced to belly dance at the age of 8 through my sister Karima, she was already a professional Belly dancer at the time and with that I had a very close contact with the Belly Dance World that was just starting in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I started to perform professionally in 1991 at the age of 15, and have not stopped till now, 20 years later.
5. Could you give some advice for Raqs Sharqi dancers?
Listen to the music, understand your body, study the culture , be who You are and from wherever you are from, be ethical and honest. These are the priorities, then create your own game and play it. The least what will happen is that you will have some fun.
6. Who is your ideal dancer? Why do you like the dancer?
My favorite dancer of all times is Naima Akef, for her subtlety and grace, together with the precision and control of her technique , and for her simplicity in presentation, and the complexity and depth of her musical understanding. She makes watching dance enjoyable not intimidating.
7. What is your future plan with Raqs Sharqi?
My plan is to continue educating dancers and to continue to dance and create artistic presentations that contribute to the raising the profile of the dance. We are touring the world at the moment doing just that and we plan to continue to do so. We also have a course in our School in The UK that produces professional dancers and instructors who can teach others the same philosophy and we to have many dancers graduating from it. The results of the course have been astounding and we very much intend to bring it to the rest of the world. We welcome students from all over the world.
8. What is the most important thing to create choreography?
To Know your music and be able to analyze it. Once you understand what is required of you from the music you can then add the movements you would like to use to translate each sound. Understanding the layers of the music will facilitate the process of choreographing a lot. When you know what is asked of you , is easier to respond correctly.
9. How and/or with whom do you train?
I train by myself. I have help and guidance from Hossam in the music interpretation understanding and cultural and musical background. I work mostly by myself and get much inspiration from the Golden era Dancers and learn a lot from them. I take ballet classes next to my Egyptian dance training and I love jogging!
10. As a dancer, what special methods, or daily routines (beauty products, massage, etc.) do you use to maintain your beauty?
I would love to have a daily routine, but my touring schedule does not always allow me to have one. However, whenever I can, I like to wake up and go jogging for 30minutes then do ballet/Pilates for 1hr and then dace for another hour or 2. I think massages are the best thing for a full time dancer. It is the reward back to the body after using the body so much!
11.( Raqs Sharqi is said to be more relaxing and stress-free than other dances) which part of Raqs Sharqi is most relaxing for you?
Yes, I agree to some degree. Drum solos are not necessary relaxing or less demanding than any other style to dance. But the relaxing side of it as the fluid motions and the fact that you dance and get your mid into the dancing and nothing else. This is the most relaxing thing for me. To listen to a sound and just respond to it and not think of anything else is quite magic.
12. What suggestions do you have to make the belly dancing community grow? How do you think we can turn belly dancing into an industry?
I am not sure we should make belly dance into a industry. We can bring it to a higher status and positioning in the world of dance, but I like to think that we are dealing with an art form , not only a product to sell in mass and become in industry. We can grow as a community but working as community and educating the community and grow stronger as a group.
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