Munique Neith

Photo by Rebeca Sarai y Gala Martinez

1. Why did you start Raqs Sharqi?

I'm Brazilian, but I'm arabic descendent and I think I have the dance and the culture in my blood. But I realy start because one time while I'm in the University one friend did one bellydance moviment, and I ask her about it, and she told me about the classes and I went to try, and never stop…this dance is amazing…

2. What is the most important thing to do when we dance in public?

For sure, enjoy...if you enjoy the audiencie enjoy with you. Of course you need to train a lot before, understand the type of music you dance... then enjoy it...and connect with the audience, this is very important.

3. Could you tell about your dancing style?

I learn a lot egiptian style, I travel every year to egypt since 2002, to learn with the best egytpian teachers, and I love this style. For me the best compliment I received in my career was from Madame Farida Fahmy, after she sow my show in Colombia, She told me: if I didn't know you, I will think you are a Egiptian dancer...for me is the best compliment because is a recognition from many years learning this culture, not just the dance technique, but the language, play darbouka and travel around the Egypt to know more and more about the people,etc...Of course, each style reflects the personalilty of the artist and I'm brazilian and sometimes I like to put some moviments from samba, but just a touch of Latin passion in my dance.

4. Could you tell about the relationship between Raqs Sharqi and your background?

I always loved dancing, but really all my base is of oriental dance, I did jazz Brazilian folk dances, when I was a child,... but the Bellydance is what gave me all the discipline that I have.

5. Could you give some advice for dancers?

Never stop to learn...and have a lot of discipline. Today many dancers want to be a Bellydance Star, but they are not patient, or don't want to work for it, and they need understand, there is not posible to have success without work very hard before. Is also very important to be honest and ethic this should be things that they should not forget.

6. Who is your ideal dancer? Why do you like the dancer?

One mix between Fifi Abdou, Lucy and Farida Fahmy, natural and fresh as Fifi dancing, Lucy's power and elegance of Farida.

7. What is your future plan with dancing?

I travel a lot teaching bellydance (only this year, Japan, China, USA, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Egypt, Germany, Mexico,Argentina and more), working in the best bellydancers festival in the world, and have things on my agenda untill 2014...besides that I have my school with more then 800 students, and I'm preparing my new show with my professional group...it's a lot of work, but I realy love it...

8. What is the most important thing to create choreography?

Listen the music and understand it, for me my best inpiration from it is Momo Kadous (Egypt), he taught me for many years and really appreciate his work as choreographer, the secret is hearing the music, harmony, rhythm, singer, instruments ... and so do you have your guides for do it.

9. How and/or with whom do you train?

I train by myself 1 or 2 hours a day, plus 4 or 5 hours class a day…and great teachears also always give me a inspirations like Fifi Abou, Lucy, Momo Kadous, Mo Geddawi, Gamal Seif, Lulu Sabongi and more!

10. As a dancer, what special methods, or daily routines (beauty products, massage, etc.) do you use to maintain your beauty? 

Creams, creams and creams every day, never sleep with makeup, and only use makeup on stage at my shows, not every day to avoid damaging the skin. I go to the hairdresser at least once a week to take care of my hair . Other than that I do isometric exercises regularly to keep strong muscles to hold out many hours dancing.

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?

I think what relaxes us is get in touch with ourselves and everything nice reveal within us and express dancing ... sometimes after a stressful day when I enter to my class with my students, I forget everything and I feel much better after the first few minutes ... This is the magic bellydance...

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 think is very important to the dance community, people working seriously and respectfully with this art, unfortunately there is a lot of prejudice about this dance, yet, and few are those who understand that this art represents a millennial culture, rich and moves thousands of women and men around the globe. It is very important to have qualified professionals to teach, and many dancers bringing this art to the big stages and teaching all about Arab culture, I think this is a good way for oriental dance grows up .