BellydanceRS FROM SINGAPORE
Abby & Justina –The Bellydance Duet
The rising and aptly named “Bellydance Duet” of Abby Chew and Justina Tong brings a fresh and vibrant style to the Singapore dancing scene. Influenced by freedom movement expression sweetened with the natural feminine influence of bellydancing, Ms. Chew and Ms. Tong create unique and memorable performances by combining traditional belly dancing with different dance forms.
The two young professionals also draw inspiration from their varied day jobs. Ms. Chew, a designer, brings an artistic eye to the collaboration, while Ms. Tong, a scientist, shows a particular interest in technique.
The team began dancing in 2005, and has performed publicly since early 2008. Highlights include a performance for The Royalties of Brunei Darrusalam and a part in “The Journey of Cleopatra” at the Victoria Theatre.
Fatema
Fatema had studied closely with and learned from many masters and teachers from all over the world, including Russya Otto, Nayima Hassan, Maria Masselos, Terezka, Aida Nour, Raqia Hassan, Tamalyn Dallal, Dr Mo Geddawi, Serena and Hossam Ramzy, Kamellia, Sylvia Rochemont, Yonina, Nasser Selimi, Prof Hassan Khalil, Nuriyya, Aziza, Nour, Hassan Afifi, Yousry Sharif, Magdy El-Leisy, Hadia, Sandra, Khaled Mahmoud, Zahra and Saad Ismael to name a few. She has been under the tutelage of Samra Ozturk, the Principal and Founder of Pyramid Dancers for few years and then ventured out on her own. Fatema also studied from books and videos and plans to travel to Egypt regularly to gain and broaden her knowledge of the middle eastern dance as well as to keep up to date with the latest dance trends.
Fatema is currently one of the resident dancers at Shiraz, Persian restaurant at Clarke Quay. You can catch her live show every Monday and Friday evenings. She was also featured in various local papers and local television programme. The best memories she has, is performing for the Queen of Pahang and Queen of Perlis in Malaysia. It was such a great honour to be able to perform for such honourable and respected people in Malaysia. She was also invited to dance in haflas in Malaysia and held workshops there. Fatema also did some performances for the high society families in KL. Recently, she gave workshop of her winning veil dance in Brussels, Belgium and performed alongside with Magdy El-Leisy, Ava Fleming, Nuriyya, Lia Verra, Apsara Habiba, Maya Szekely and more.
Her authentic style and captivating performances has made her a favourite within the middle eastern dance communities in Singapore. A requested performer at weddings, anniversaries, galas, openings, cultural and educational events, parties, restaurants and nightclubs. She always represents middle eastern dance and culture with dignity and pride. Her deep connection, commitment, passion and grace to the dance are apparent both on and off stage.
Lastly, Fatema hopes to bring awareness and acceptance of the powerful strength of this feminine dance to audiences throughout the world.
Hala Hala Girls
Hala Hala group is formed in 2007 when we had our first performance at Tiong Bahru Plaza for Clap event. We call ourselves Hala Hala as that is the first performance song we ever danced to. We have grown to love bellydance apart from the new friendship bond we have developed through the dance.
With the great interest and new found love towards bellydance, we have progressed to learning more of it, taking a variety of classes such as drum solo, cane, veil, tambourine dance in the past 2 years to improve on our techniques.
We decided we should do something to show the spirit of Belly Dance in a COMPETITION this year, even though we may not have the experience or expertise.
Inessa Kalabekova
Belly dancer Inessa Kalabekova is an international artist originated from Russia, currently based in Singapore.
Inessa studied belly dancing under such international luminaries as Raqia Hassan ( Egypt ), Dr Mo Geddawi ( Egypt ), Natalie Becker ( Russia ), Tamalyn Dallal (USA), and Magdy El-Leisy ( Egypt ).
Performing at numerous high profile events with ministers and presidents attending, she was featured in Singapore media, such as The Straights Times, Today, Singapore Tatler, Extraordinary Lives Magazine, Channel U and Channel 8. Besides performing, she also choreographed dance items for Singapore TV shows, e.g. ‘Arabic dance’ at THK Charity Show’07 featured Asian celebrity artists Fann Wong, Apple Hong, Nick Shen and others.
JAM
JAM is a collaboration of 3 professional freelance soloists with varied styles and experiences. As previous troupe and solo winners of the Asia Global bellydance competitions, JAM is stepping into 2009 competition to give support to the community.
They have performed in many dance shows and festivals in Singapore and have been a familiar faces in the bellydance community. Taking the Middle Eastern art form seriously, they have studied with international master teachers.
Middle Eastern dance is a very individualized dance, which is growing in Singapore. It will be their first time coming together as a trio to compete. Most importantly, it is their intention to raise awareness of Middle Eastern dance and to showcase different interpretation of the art.
Kéta
Energetic and vibrant belly dancer, Kéta has been in this line as a performer and instructor since the age of 16. Keta’s hobby became a passion and belly dancing for leisure subsequently turned into stage performances.
Being exposed to the various forms of belly dance thought by international belly dance professional performers, Kéta has developed her own unique, energetic, yet soft and gentle style of dancing. Her sweet and unique dance intrigues almost every audience. Keta has been instructed by several international artiste such as Katty- from France, Laziza Layal- from Australia, Abdulah- from France, Jenna- From USA, Nancy- From Iran, Nuria- From Belgium and recently she participated in the certified American Tribal Belly Dance (ATS) conducted by Nigma. Keta has now started to be an international performer herself concentrating on her performances in Sinagpore, Malaysia and Europe.
Keta has since become a popular professional performer since then and she often does shows at private functions, restaurants, hotels, and at events such as corporate Dinner and Dance, corporate events and other festivals. Keta also instructs her students in the art of this Middle Eastern Dance on a daily basis. Keta truly enjoys the art of belly dancing and performances. Her aim is to spread the knowledge that belly dancing is an oriental dance, has its own beauty, elegance and is a part of the Middle-Eastern Culture.
Nadia
Nadia started dancing since she was teens. After learning Street Jazz, Girls Hip-Hop and Latin Dance, she was captivated by Bellydancing in 2006. She went on to pursue the dance with Yuki Chua of Bellydance Discovery, and became a member of studio's official dance troupe, The Orientales. With the troupe, she has been invited to perform at various gigs, charitable showcases and concerts. She is looking to continue sharing her passion and joy with all the people who relate to such beautiful arts.
Nailah
An earnest learner, Nailah has been faithfully studying all types of dance genres since her very first step into the world of Bellydancing. She has performed at parties, theme shows and other events. Nailah is also proud to have studied under world renown Bellydance master, Hadia, who is not only a accomplished Bellydancer, but also a great Flamenco Dancer for the past 22 years. Thus besides Bellydancing, Nailah also shares the master’s love for the passionate and explosive form of the art of Flamenco.
When Nailah is not dancing, she loves to sew. Having graduated from the School of Fashion Studies at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Nailah had created some of her own costumes and props herself.
Sharizad
Jenny loves the creative, playful and joyful magic in life. It is no surprise that belly dancing found her. As a dancer, Jenny expresses the power and privilege of a woman’s spirit.
In 2005, Jenny’s enthusiasm led her to Cairo – the ancient source of belly dancing. At Cairo’s world renowned festival, Jenny was inspired by dance legends, such as Dina, Mona Said, Raqia Hassan and Magdy.
Jenny is developing her own style under the stage name Sharizad, short for Scheherazade - the story teller in Richard Burton’s Arabic tale “One Thousand and One Nights”.
In the spirit of Sharizad, Jenny will dance a story for you. Woven from the passion and mystery of ancient days.
S.Narayanee
S.Narayanee is currently pursuing her final year in Diploma in New Media in Republic Polytechnic. Since young, she have been move and inspired by the ancient Egyptian practice and culture, which over time led her to the growing passion for Belly dance. She have been dancing and learning since 2004.
She started her belly-dancing journey firstly in Pyramid Dancer where she picked up the dance foundation and basics. After that, Darren Ho, who is one of the most professional male belly dancer, taught her.
Apart from belly dancing, S.Narayanee has a keen interest in percussion. She has been studying percussive rhythms for the last 2 years. Through this study, she gained a better perceptive of rhythms and drums.
S.Narayanee would really love to go forth in her belly-dancing journey and inspire others the beauty of this incredible art.
Q
An amateur dancer who loves the friendships and bonds that were formed while learning how to belly dance, Q have been dancing for close to 4 years.
Q has also tried other forms of dancing, for example Salsa, Bachate, Merengue, Hip-Hop and Jazz. But her passion lies in Belly Dancing.
In the past, Q has tried different kinds of fusion dances like Hip-hop Belly fusion, Salsa Belly fusion, Bolly Belly fusion and Flamingo Belly fusion. Makes one wonder what other kinds of fusion can there be with belly dance? The answer is unlimited and Q intends to explore as many as she possibility can. What kind of fusion will she be bringing out in this competition, stay tune to find out.
Ruby
Ruby consists of 2 talented dancers who believe in putting in their most passionate best for bellydance. With more than 4 years of bellydance experience together, Ruby hopes to continue to grow and develop as professional dancers, bringing entertainment and good fun to all their audiences.
Aniqa discovered her flair and love for performing since the age of 7, when she was first introduced by her mother to Chinese cultural dance. She continued to pursue her love of performance in the form of bellydance years later as a hobby, which later grew to become a passion of her life.
Talented from a young age, Asma has been learning up performance arts in almost all forms – ballet, exotic dance, latin and jazz – but she eventually still found her way to bellydancing. Her love for dancing stems from her enjoyment of sharing her dazzle and joy with the audience when she is on stage.
BellydanceRS FROM asia
Farah
Farah from Indonesia
