Carrin

Carrin, our poster girl for this edition of Belly Quarter, has captivated us with her extraordinary talent. Hailing from Hong Kong, she made the journey from Birmingham to grace our stage with a mesmerizing veil dance. With eight years of dedicated belly dancing experience under her belt, Carrin has honed her skills as a student of the renowned Maggie Wong at Maggie Oriental Hong Kong. Her passion and commitment to the art form shine through in every movement, enchanting the audience and bringing a unique blend of cultural richness and elegance to her performance. We are thrilled to have her as part of our event, celebrating the artistry and beauty of belly dancing.

Ariya

Ariya is a London-based professional performer who is known for her captivating performances at various events and venues. In addition to her performances, she is also dedicated to sharing her love for dance through teaching in her local community. Ariya's dance journey began during her time at university, and she has been committed to it ever since. Her passion for dance is rooted in spreading joy, and she is eager to share some of that joy with her audience tonight. Having studied in the UK and travelled extensively abroad, Ariya has worked hard to develop her unique dance style.

Ariya's performance tonight is truly a special one, she's currently 8 months pregnant and it is a great honour for us to witness her grace the stage with her special guest. This performance is a true celebration of life, love and the incredible power of women.

Katrina

Katrina, a student of Ariya, is new to the bellydance scene after her lifelong desire for dancing was reignited. Despite being steered away from dance in her younger years, the pandemic led her to join Ariya's classes and rediscover her passion for dance. With a background as a public health lecturer specialised in sports and fitness, Katrina is driven to dance in order to inspire women to prioritise their health and to highlight the numerous benefits of dance. Her journey into bellydancing is not only a personal one, but also a mission to encourage and empower others to embrace the joy and wellness that dance can bring into their lives.

Ariya's Students

Tonight, we are excited to present a group performance by Ariya's students who have been studying with her for a short period of time. For some of them, this will be their very first performance in front of a live audience. Their dedication and passion for dance has been evident as they have spent the past 8 weeks mastering the choreography. It's amazing to see how far they have come in such a short amount of time, and we are proud to showcase their hard work and talent. This performance is a testament to their commitment and love for dance, and we can't wait to see them shine on stage tonight.

Latifah

Latifah, originally from Brazil, has made her mark in London as an esteemed belly dance teacher with over ten years of experience. Celebrating her 20th year in the art, she has dedicated her career to preparing dancers for various events and competitions. Having successfully run her own companies, Isa and Latifah's, in Brazil for two years, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her craft. This year, she is thrilled to co-create a new group in London designed for advanced and professional dancers eager to showcase their talents in competitions and events. Excitingly, starting in September, Latifah will announce a series of courses and workshops in the Essex area, providing opportunities for dancers to refine their skills and connect with the vibrant belly dancing community.

Jenny Madeleine

Originally from Hong Kong, Jenny Madeleine has been dancing and performing belly dance for over 12 years. Her passion for dance was inspired by her mother, a professional belly dancer and teacher who runs the Oasis Dance Centre in Hong Kong. For Jenny, dance has always been a central part of her life, and she considers herself a lifelong student of the art of Raqs Sharqi. She now teaches beginner classes in Oval and Camberwell, sharing her love and knowledge of belly dance with others who are just starting their own dance journey.

Dominique V. Flook

Dominique V. Flook is an award-winning, international performer and belly dance artist, renowned for her captivating and dynamic stage presence. As a performer, Dominique has graced stages across Europe, from intimate gatherings to grand theatrical productions, her performances leave a lasting impression, transporting audiences to a world of dark beauty and wonder.

Salimpour UK Collective

The Salimpour Collective UK embodies the dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation in the world of belly dance. Rooted in the renowned Salimpour School of Dance founded by the legendary Jamila Salimpour and continued by her daughter Suhaila Salimpour, the collective represents a legacy of excellence and innovation in belly dance education.

Composed of talented dancers trained in the Salimpour methodology, the ensemble showcases the intricate choreographies, expressive movements, and cultural richness of belly dance. Drawing inspiration from the SWANA dance forms and culture, while incorporating contemporary elements, the collective captivates audiences with its mesmerizing performances that reflect both the heritage and evolution of belly dance.

As ambassadors of the Salimpour legacy, the ensemble continues to push the boundaries of belly dance, while honoring the traditions of this ancient art form. With each performance, the Salimpour Collective UK invites audiences on a transformative journey, celebrating the beauty, power, and cultural significance of belly dance.

Nafiseh

Belly dance has been a constant joyful companion to Nafiseh’s for over 20 years. From learning the art form, through starting to perform and teach, running monthly hafla Saqarah for 4 years with her best belly buddy Eshta, to helping organise The Bellydance Trophies Competition for 2 years with Cairo performer Farah Nasri, Nafiseh has always held a deep passion for belly dance and Egyptian dance in particular. In 2022 Nafiseh and her wonderful students were invited to perform as part of a large, ambitious stage show at the Epsom Playhouse.

Very few things compare to the authentic, raw connection that occurs during live performances, and it is with gratitude for this opportunity that Nafiseh performs at Belly Quarter.

www.nafisehbellydance.co.uk

Kus

Kus is a Sri Lankan Kiwi, who started her belly dance journey in New Zealand. She has been dancing for about 7 years, properly engaging in dance classes since moving to London. Where she has had the privilege of learning from some amazing teachers like Maelle, Tevec and Sureya. She is currently a student of Charlotte Desorgher's. This dance piece is called Griselda. It's a special piece being the first time kus is doing a folkloric dance piece.