Bellydance Teachers
Amera
Amera is the principal and owner of Amera's Palace at Newtown and Parramatta. She is a dedicated teacher and has been teaching for over 20 years and performing even longer. After a long professional dance career in the Middle East and after nearly two decades of performing experience, Amera has become widely recognised as one of the country's leading exponents of Oriental Dance. As a teacher she is in demand for workshops at home and abroad. As a performer her knowledge is unrivalled. Specialising in many different Egyptian styles, her unique way of capturing the spirit of this sensuous and exciting dance form, as well as her strong and engaging stage personality, have made her the only choice for many seeking a truly authentic Oriental Dance experience. Amera has a Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace training, is a fully qualified aerobics, fitness instructor, the creator of the new Bellyrobics exercise program - an aerobic based workout incorporating simple bellydance techniques. She also has a Cert IV in personal training.
Despina
Despina is the principal owner of Dreaming of Jeannie in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, she comes to us for the Monday night classes this Term with a wealth of experience and knowledge spanning over a decade, for more information about Despina visit her webpage.
Angelina
Angelina has been dancing for twenty-two years, fourteen of which have been dedicated to the art of Oriental Dance. She studied at the McDonald College of the Performing Arts where she obtained a solid background in dance technique both classical and contemporary. From 1991 - 1999 Angelina performed in cabaret style venues for Oriental dance including Lebanese and Turkish Restaurants such as Pasha's Turkish Restaurant, Divans, Emad's, Emil's Golden Nights Arabic Night Club and Tony's Family Restaurant where she was the first resident bellydancer. She also taught classes at the Studio of Danse Orientale in CBD of Sydney and Sydney Community College. In 2000 she travelled to Chile South America where she taught Oriental Dance at the Sandra Claren Escuela de Baile Flamenco in Bellavista, Santiago, one of the only full time Flamenco Dance Schools in Chile and performed at El Teatro Universidad de Chile and for many charity functions. She also undertook Spanish Dance studies during her fourteen month stay there and is able to teach 'Flamenco Arabe' one of the most popular modern fusion styles of today. In 2002 she also performed a melange of dance and song with the Spanish Ladino group "Rivero" and her performances including the Basement in Circular Sydney and the Cat and Fiddle in Balmain. Angelina currently works as a high school teacher, having graduated with a Masters of Education in April 2004. She has incorporated her education background into her dance teaching, having an "Arabic Boys Drumming and Dance program" at Canterbury Boys High School which acheived success, being in an SBS advertisment and performing at Campsie Shopping Centre and for school Multicultural Days. Her classes offer a non-threatening atmosphere where fun and laughter is to be had and the dance steps that beginners can feel are so difficult are demystified. Angelina holds the belief that every woman has a dancer within them and will manage through laughter, mirth and a strong basis in dance technique to draw out the belly dance goddess in you!
Tia
Tia has been bellydancing for five years. Still an avid learner, she is also a qualified fitness instructor. Tia's focus is on the health aspects of the dance for all women.
Shiva
At the age of 25, Shiva is Sydney’s premier male oriental dancer. He began dancing professional at 23 and has already established himself as one of the most unique and technically skilled in this style. Having performed professionally for the past 3 years Shiva now finds himself in an interesting position. He is one of Australia’s few men to perform belly dance in public allowing him to take this art and expand it to minds that had laid dormant to the idea.
Arabic Tablah Teachers
Simon Nasa
Master percussionist Simon Nasa has been one of Australia's best kept secrets in the Arabic music scene! Exclusively to Amera's Palace in Parramatta! His amazing teaching skills will shine through and will deliver his 20 years of experience with the Tablah , clearly , concisely, and will have you drumming like a pro in no time!
Jamal Zraika
Master percussionist Jamal Zraika is known all over Australia for his technique, vibrant performances and outstanding teaching skills. He displays a unique musical sensitivity and ability to improvise and embellish the patterns familiar to Arabic music. He is one of the most acclaimed performers of the Sydney Arabic music scene.