My teacher

Sara Farouk.

I have had many teachers in the years I have been dancing. Most of the technique I have has been inspired from lessons with Raqia, Rhanda, Dina, and other notable and famous teachers and dancers.

However- Sara is the one I come back to over and over again. She is fabulous at helping me get into the heads of my Egyptian audiences, and really understand what the songs and music are about. As a professional actress she has a huge wealth of ideas and advice about performance skills, how to manage your audience- how to put suspense and flavour into your performance. She is able to explain everything in a very clear, straight manner.

When I organise holidays to Cairo I usually get Sara to teach a workshop with my 'girls' and every time she has evoked an emotional response.... usually ' ahhhhhhhh- NOW i understand what its all about!'. Dance is about feeling and Sara is the best teacher I have found who can explain how to best demonstrate this 'feeling' in my dance.

So why all this building up of her? partly as a 'thank you' to her from me- she has been my major support and guidence here in Cairo. Personally I would love to keep her to myself.... of course... but I feel her talents should be more widely recognised. She lives in Cairo, but she does occasionally visit UK to do workshops..... in fact If you are going to Raqs Britannia in June this year she will be teaching there too...... I recommend you go to her workshop if you are going to be there!!!!!!!!!