Rakkasah - Middle Eastern Folk Festival and Fantasy Bazaar

Aneena
Aneena has been dancing for 30+ years and teaching workshops all across the US for 25+ years. Aneena owns Aneena's Silk Veils, selling 3yd., circular silk veils with the special rolled edge for easier handling. And she has 10+ videos and DVDs on the market including her specialties: Double Veil, Single Veil, Props, and Arms & Hands.

Web: www.dancersofthedesert.shutterfly.com Phone: 415-892-2027

Asharah
Asharah is best known for her dramatic fusion of tribal and cabaret styles, but also has extensive experience in Turkish, Egyptian, and American bellydance. She is currently a faculty member of two of Washington DC's finest dance studios: Saffron Dance and Joy of Motion Dance Center. She recently released her first instructional DVD, Modern Tribal Bellydance with Asharah and is featured on the groundbreaking DVD Gothic Bellydance: The Darker Side of Fusion, both produced by World Dance New York . As a student of Middle Eastern history, she believes that every belly dancer must know the history and culture of this dance, whether she is performing it in its traditional forms or fusing it with others.
Email: Asharah@asharah.com Web: www.asharah.com

Chellcy

Chellcy is an international Mid-East dance artist and producer. She has performed and taught workshops all over Europe, Canada, and the U.S. and is the artistic director and choreographer for Fringe Benefits International Dance Company. Chellcy has nineteen years of classical dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, and many more styles. In addition, Chellcy holds three degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago & teaches belly dance there. Chellcy's broad studies on dance and art have enriched her belly dancing and given her dancing a creative and innovative edge through the fusion of some of these dance forms with Raqs Sharqi. Since 1994 she has studied Raqs Sharqi extensively with many teachers from around the world including renowned Egyptian dancers such as Tito, Aida Nour, Khaled Mahmoud, Mahmoud Reda, & Lubna Emam. In 2007 Chellcy became a proud affiliate of Arabesque International based in Toronto, Canada and sponsored by Yasmina Ramzy (one of her mentors). In January, 2010 Chellcy is releasing her first teaching video "Sa-Rumb-A-rabic: Samba, Rumberous, Egyptian Fusion". In 2009 Chellcy produced a professional performance compilation DVD, Cairo Raks Chicago, starring Aida Nour and Karim Nagi of Egypt including many more star performers. Action Video Productions will be releasing a documentary series in 2009, “Inside the Belly Dancer” the first DVD will feature Chellcy with dance and teaching demonstrations, interviews and performances clips of her and her company. Performances by Chellcy and her dance company can also be seen on these compilation videos: First International Belly Dance Conference of Canada 2007 “BDCC Best of 07/08”, “Stockholm Belly Dance Festival” (SBDF) volumes 2004-2008 produced by Suzanne and Mohamed Abou Shebika , and “Where the Mid-East Meets the Mid-West” 2007-2008 produced by Arabesque Chicago LLC. Chellcy is a featured instructor and performer for Belly Dance Malta in the E.U. She has been teaching and performing extensively in Malta since 2005. Chellcy and her company were featured in May, 2008 on SuperOne TV in Malta and on Family TV-Malta in December of 2008 and January of 2009! In addition Chellcy has been seen on Channel 11 in Malta, “Check Please” in Chicago, and commercials for the hit reality show “So You Think You Can Dance"

Email: c.reitsma@sbcglobal.net Web: www.chellcyraks.com

Fahtiem

Fahtiem is a Multi-Award Winning Choreographer, Master Instructor, and International Superstar Performer, highly renowned in the world of Middle Eastern Dance, for her magical style and elegance. Fahtiem has many publication, T.V. and video credits. She is the director and choreographer of the Sultan’s Delites. She produces and is the director of an annual, convention and highly acclaimed stage production “Oasis Dance Magic”. Fahtiem has produced 5 CDs: in which she does the vocals. Fahtiem’s new DVD series “BellyDance Bootcamp with Fahtiem” is shaping up the dance world! Listed in International Who’s Who of Professional & Business Women, she is highly recognized in her field. Some of her awards include: International Cultural Diploma of Honor, Woman of the Year . The International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance awards: Dancer of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Nominated, Choreographer of the Year, Teacher of the Year. Dance Magazine awards: Teacher of the Year, Dancer of the Year. American Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (New York) award: Hall of Fame-Lifetime Achievement, MECDA Hall of Fame.

Fahtiem is in great demand traveling extensively worldwide sharing her vast knowledge and passion for this beautiful art form while maintaining a full teaching schedule in Los Angeles Ca. including collage level dance courses. Fahtiem has been honored to teach and perform globally throughout her career, including Egypt at Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival,China,UK,Belgium just to name a few.

Email: fahtiem@fahtiem.com Web: www.Fahtiem.com Phone: 626-810-9470

Fatima Al Wahid
Fatima is a prominent Middle Eastern Dance instructor, sponsor and vendor. Born In Africa, Fatima has always had the dance in her heart, being introduced to the dance by her father's native home, the Sudan. After over 20 years in the medical field, Fatima retired and decided to teach, travel and vend. She planted her feet in Sacramento and opened Fatima's Bazaar & Cultural Dance Studio. Fatima travels the world teaching and vending, and manages to spread heartfelt feeling for the dance wherever she goes.

Email: fatima@fatimasbazaar.com Web: www.FatimasBazaar.com Phone: 916-482-3568

Heidi Alexander
Heidi Alexander is one of the founders of the high-energy dance troupe Domba! – world famous for their African Fusion, moving at the speed of light, and their infectious energy! Heidi and Domba! have taught workshops throughout the United States , including Rakkasah West and Rakkasah East, TribalQuestNorthWest, Tribal Fest, Spirit of the Tribes, Tribal Revolution and many other belly dance festivals. In 2005, Domba traveled to the U.K. and Japan as featured teachers at Maharajan ( Tokyo ) and Tribal Ford (UK). Domba was asked back for another month-long tour of the UK and Ireland in 2006.
Email: domba@cox.net Web: www.domba.com

Jamilla Salimpour
A pioneer in the belly dance scene on the west coast. Through Jamilla's teachings she has inspired three generations of dancers, performers and teachers. A woman with more amazing accomplishments than can be put into a paragraph! Please go to her web site to read about this fantastic lady.

Email: suhaila@therealsuhaila.com Web: www.TheRealSuhaila.com Phone: (510) 526 - 4344

Jamilla al Wahid
Jamilla Al Wahid was born in Ely, England and moved to Sacramento California when she was young. Her mother Fatima Al Wahid introduced her to Middle Eastern Dancing by taking classes from a local teacher. Watching her mom and the other students in class, Jamilla soon grew interested in the art form. Teaching her first workshop at sixteen, Jamilla was in a league of her own. Jamilla’s creative style of teaching has dancers and sponsors interest in having as well as attending her dynamic workshops. Jamilla continues to travel around the world performing and teaching. Jamilla has put out a performance video by the help of her family; that contains hot drum solos, folkloric, modern, and classical Egyptian pieces. This performance video has Middle Eastern Dance at it’s best leaving you captivated as well as entertained.

Email: jamilla@email.com Web: www.fatimasbazaar.com Phone: 323-931-6781

Leila Haddad
Paris (France) based, choreographer, dancer and teacher in Oriental dances, (sharqi, baladi, saidi etc...) and in North African dances (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco), teaches and performs all over the world in theaters, works on the rehabilitation and recognition of this art form. Classes are given in english, italian, arabic or french.

Email: hadleila@noos.fr Web: www.LeilaHaddad.com Phone: 011-33-1-43-56-61-64

Ma'Shuqa Mira Murjan
For 34 years, Ma*Shuqa has been known as the “elegant” performer with a unique style of dancing which blends the music and dance into a compelling art form. Ma*Shuqa is recognized as the performing dancer’s instructor and provides style and performance coaching to assist dancers create unique performance signatures. At her studio in Los Gatos, California and in national seminars, she teaches an easy-to-learn method for finger cymbals and improvisational dance, and develops personal performance style.

Email: Ma_Shuqa@hotmail.com Web: www.Mashuqa.com Phone: 408-356-9473

Michelle De Vine
Having grown up in the belly dance community as an appreciative observer, dancer, instructor and promoter, gives her a unique perspective on belly dance as an art, outlet and industry. Having had (and continuing) to study the many faucets of belly dance, combining this training with person visualization and life experience allows her to bring to life her version of this dancing art form. Originally from teh SF Bay area she is currently residing in NJ where she teaches weekly classes and directs Spring Caravan, she also travels instructing workshops and performing with her troupe Mahalat.

Email: michelledevine@att.net Web: www.MichelleDevine.org Phone: 908-996-0269

Naheda
Ludwigsstadt, Germany.Master instructor and choreographer for oriental dance... international award winner and event producer, Naheda does it all. Naheda has been active for many years teaching workshops and performing internationally. Naheda has a tremendous amount of knowledge and is a wonderful communicator of the dance. Her tremendous creativity inspires her students to find the special and exceptional in themselves.

Email: info@naheda.de Web:www.naheda.de

Natica Angilly

Natica is Artistic Director as well as choreographer and a dancer for the Poetic Dance Theatre. She studied with Hanya Hol and other legendary figures in dance. Using artistry and movement inspired by ancient cultures, as well as contemporary innovations, she has created dance of visual and verbal unity. Natica has made her mark in national dance history as having the only company founded solely for "trance translations" of poetry, using as music the cadence and rhythm of voice.

In the world setting, where in many countries, poetry, dance, and music have never been separated, she combines pageantry, costuming, unique props, and multimedia effects -- and extends poetry's role in the life of American culture.

Email: richardaei@aol.com Web: www.DancingPoetry.org Phone: 510-235-0361

Oreet

Oreet, creator of SharQui —The bellydance workout™, is an award winning performer and a sought after choreographer and teacher. Her dance specialty is Modern Egyptian which is a contemporary and innovative twist on the traditional Egyptian style. It fuses modern dance, ballet and her Yemenite/Israeli roots to create her high energy bellydance style. As a performer and teacher Oreet combines passion, grace, athleticism and hip precision in order to give a refined performance. Along with teaching, Oreet certifies dancers and fitness professionals in the SharQui™ method nationally. She recently received the title Bellydancer of the Year 2007 and also holds the titles Entertainer of the Year 2006, Jewel of the Nile 2006, Bellydance Diva 2005 and is the reigning Middle Eastern Dance Champion of North America.

Web: www.sharqui.com

Ranya Renee
RANYA is one of New York City’s leading Egyptian-style dancers, began her career as a young actress and theater director, and has been bellydancing for nearly 20 years. A protégée of master Yousry Sharif, Ranya specializes in holistic Oriental and beledi dance, and performance skills. She tours internationally, produces live events in NYC and conducts research in the Middle East. Ranya’s signature “Breathwork for Performance” method has enabled thousands of artists worldwide to more effectively connect with their own art, and with their audiences. She strives to create a supportive atmosphere in her workshops for both technical precision and artistic growth. Ranya has three new instructional DVDs available as well as her own performance DVDs.

Email: ranya@ranya.net Web: www.ranya.net

Warning: include(/home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/teachers/renyaalcla.html) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/west/teachers.php on line 63

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/teachers/renyaalcla.html' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php') in /home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/west/teachers.php on line 63

Reda Darwish

Reda started drumming at a very young age in Egypt where he performed with famous dancers and also for many of the most famous singers. He started being a professional drummer, specializing in the bongos at a very young age (7 years old), performing weekly on Cairo TV. While adding other percussion instruments to his repertoire he later performed at many night clubs mostly for dancers in many different musical groups. He then began working with singers which led to recording sessions at the TV building recording studios.

He performed at first with many famous dancers such as Fifi Abdou, Aza Sharif, Mona Said, Nahed Sabri and Neli Fouad. His first recording with Neli Fouad with the Orchestra featuring Hassan Abu Saoud, the famous accordionist, was when he was just 11 years old! The recording was called “Cairo By Night” which was done as a live recording.

At the recording studios he performed with Hani Mehana’s orchestra which played with many famous singers such as Fayza Ahmed, Hani Shaker and Moharam Fouad. He traveled internationally with this group performing orchestral music for singers.

When he arrived in the United States , he performed in Florida , Los Angeles , San Francisco and the Bay Area. It was here that he decided to make his home. He now teaches and performs only at exclusive engagements

e-mail: redadarwish@msn.com Web: www.redadarwish.net

Saqra
Saqra from Seattle is a 30 year veteran of oriental dance, an internationally sponsored master instructor and award-winning performer. She has over 14 instructional DVDs, teacher's aides, and is director of severaldance troupes, plus produces CDs and sheet music and plays keyboard with RaqsBand. She was voted Zaghareet Magazine's "Best Kept Secret" of '05...something she is hoping to change! Visit her web site for tips, articles, a free book of dancer names and more.

Email: saqra@saqra.net Web: www.Saqra.net Phone: 253-813-8580

Shukriya
Instructor and Performer of belly dance for over 35 years. Shukriya has taught in the Untied States as well as Europe. She is renowned for her cymbal and sword work. She is also the director and creator of the Rakkasah Festivals.

Email: rakkasah@comcast.net Web: www.rakkasah.com Phone: 510-724-0214

Warning: include(/home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/teachers/suhaliasalimpour.html) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/west/teachers.php on line 79

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/teachers/suhaliasalimpour.html' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php') in /home/content/r/a/k/rakk4775/html/text/west/teachers.php on line 79