Here's a link to Dianne's website:
www.learnbellydancing.co.uk
www.learnbellydancing.co.uk
Dianne Davies:
"I hail from the North of England and you'll know that as soon as I open my mouth! Dance has always played a huge part in my life. My parents met whilst ballroom dancing, and I was always first on the floor when rocking out in my teens! I did folk dancing at University, and in the '80s I was part of the "Dancercise" movement spearheaded by the late Phyllis Greene-Morgan. We did exhibitions of contemporary, jazz, disco, showdance, and even had a taste of flamenco and bellydance.
When, 10 years ago, I walked into Chris Ogden's class, for some reason it felt to me like "coming home". She is now a prime mover in the huge JOY belly dance festival in Yorkshire. She holds a special place in my heart and mind as the first person to show me how to enjoy this most sensual of dance forms.
"I hail from the North of England and you'll know that as soon as I open my mouth! Dance has always played a huge part in my life. My parents met whilst ballroom dancing, and I was always first on the floor when rocking out in my teens! I did folk dancing at University, and in the '80s I was part of the "Dancercise" movement spearheaded by the late Phyllis Greene-Morgan. We did exhibitions of contemporary, jazz, disco, showdance, and even had a taste of flamenco and bellydance.
When, 10 years ago, I walked into Chris Ogden's class, for some reason it felt to me like "coming home". She is now a prime mover in the huge JOY belly dance festival in Yorkshire. She holds a special place in my heart and mind as the first person to show me how to enjoy this most sensual of dance forms.
Initially all the movements and positions seems very strange and indeed
alien to our usual way of moving or dancing in this country. For me though, this new form of womanly expression and gathering to dance with each other in friendship was a big attraction. Id tried various other forms of dance but to me many seemed very rigid and structured with little room for personal expression. Egyptian dance had all the right ingredients to keep me wanting to learn more whilst completely enjoying myself too !
After some searching ( this is around ten years ago with no internet! ) I eventually managed to find a Beginners class in Norwich run by the lovely Jane Webster ( Janai ) at Thorpe St Andrew School. Here I met like minded people eager to learn more and also made many lovely dancing friends who I still see at many events such as Haflas or workshops.
Eventually Jane said I was ready to progress on to more advanced classes. I have to admit I didnt really want to leave the safety net of those initial classes! Like letting go of one branch to reach for another is how it felt - and I wasnt completely sure I was ready, so I did linger for a couple more terms, I seem to remember!
Next I found myself at gorgeous Lorraine Theobolds classes quietly shaking in my bare feet and wondering what to expect!
Lorraine gives so much joy, passion and enthusiasm to those that come to her classes. Personally I feel extremely lucky to have had her as my mentor through many years of attending classes. I know I can always learn (or re-learn!) a new technique, step sequence or emotional connection to the music at Lorraines class and still love to attend whenever possible.
Since beginning to learn egyptian dance Ive attended many events to help me improve my technique and personal style. Workshops, Haflas and also two of the fabulous International Bellydance Congress weekends where you can choose from a vast selection of renown teachers.
I love to see the ladies who come to the classes progressing and letting themselves be expressive and relaxed about their dancing. Because thats the lovely thing about this dance form - yes you learn moves and dance steps but it really comes down to how you dance your feelings into the music!"
alien to our usual way of moving or dancing in this country. For me though, this new form of womanly expression and gathering to dance with each other in friendship was a big attraction. Id tried various other forms of dance but to me many seemed very rigid and structured with little room for personal expression. Egyptian dance had all the right ingredients to keep me wanting to learn more whilst completely enjoying myself too !
After some searching ( this is around ten years ago with no internet! ) I eventually managed to find a Beginners class in Norwich run by the lovely Jane Webster ( Janai ) at Thorpe St Andrew School. Here I met like minded people eager to learn more and also made many lovely dancing friends who I still see at many events such as Haflas or workshops.
Eventually Jane said I was ready to progress on to more advanced classes. I have to admit I didnt really want to leave the safety net of those initial classes! Like letting go of one branch to reach for another is how it felt - and I wasnt completely sure I was ready, so I did linger for a couple more terms, I seem to remember!
Next I found myself at gorgeous Lorraine Theobolds classes quietly shaking in my bare feet and wondering what to expect!
Lorraine gives so much joy, passion and enthusiasm to those that come to her classes. Personally I feel extremely lucky to have had her as my mentor through many years of attending classes. I know I can always learn (or re-learn!) a new technique, step sequence or emotional connection to the music at Lorraines class and still love to attend whenever possible.
Since beginning to learn egyptian dance Ive attended many events to help me improve my technique and personal style. Workshops, Haflas and also two of the fabulous International Bellydance Congress weekends where you can choose from a vast selection of renown teachers.
I love to see the ladies who come to the classes progressing and letting themselves be expressive and relaxed about their dancing. Because thats the lovely thing about this dance form - yes you learn moves and dance steps but it really comes down to how you dance your feelings into the music!"
Copyright 2010 © North Walsham Dance.
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Classes
Workshops
Haflas
Upcoming
Workshops/
Haflas
What's New
Egyptian Dance Teachers & Friends
Past Events
Fun
Find Venues
Contact Us
Any and all teachers and groups associated with North Walsham Dance are invited to submit biographies and/or photos to include on this page.
"I first observed belly dancing whilst on holiday in Turkey in 1992 and was hypnotised by the beauty of the dancer's fluid body movements and exquisite shimmies. This experience led me to walk into an Egyptian Belly Dancing class some years later. I have been dancing for 11 years and teaching for approximately 7.
I never tire of this beautiful dance form which certainly seems to enrich so many people's lives.
I never tire of this beautiful dance form which certainly seems to enrich so many people's lives.
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Jane Webster ("Janai"):
I have learnt from excellent teachers locally as well as from attending workshops with British and International teachers around the UK and whilst in Egypt. In fact, whatever level you are at, the learning never stops. I am grateful to be able to teach and to share the dance with ladies who have enriched my life too. I have a website: www.hipdrop.co.uk which gives a little bit of information on the dance and a small bazaar as well. Happy dancing!"
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Lorraine Theobald:
Lorraine is an experienced multicultural dance and ancient history specialist, and has taught in over 700 schools throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Herts, Cambs and Lincs.
She trained in ballet, tap and modern dance as a child through to her teens. Then she progressed to studying many ethnic styles, including Flamenco, ( with Liz Lee) African (with Adzido, Peter Badejo) Greek, Indian and Egyptian.
Lorraine is an experienced multicultural dance and ancient history specialist, and has taught in over 700 schools throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Herts, Cambs and Lincs.
She trained in ballet, tap and modern dance as a child through to her teens. Then she progressed to studying many ethnic styles, including Flamenco, ( with Liz Lee) African (with Adzido, Peter Badejo) Greek, Indian and Egyptian.
She studied Egyptian Dance with Suraya Hilal at the Raqs Sharqi school in London, and then with Zaza Hassan at the centre Artistique de ZaZa in Paris, gaining an advanced teaching certificate and joining the dance troupe Ramses to perform in Egypt, Oman, Morroco, Bahrein, and Europe.
She has also performed with Hossam Ramzy at the Shaw Theatre London, and assisted with a project for the Talawea Theatre company for their performance of Anthony and Cleopatra, the premier of which was attended by HRH Princess Anne.
She has performed as a solo artist at Park House Sandringham, Princess Theatre Hunstanton, on behalf of Amnesty International, Lions Club, Air UK, Radio Broadland, and also with her troupe at Bury St Edmunds Festival and Watton Festival.
She currently teaches Egyptian dance at the Oasis Health and Beauty Club Norwich.tel 01603425068, and also teaches occasionally at North Walsham Dance, Sacred Heart, North Walsham.
She has also performed with Hossam Ramzy at the Shaw Theatre London, and assisted with a project for the Talawea Theatre company for their performance of Anthony and Cleopatra, the premier of which was attended by HRH Princess Anne.
She has performed as a solo artist at Park House Sandringham, Princess Theatre Hunstanton, on behalf of Amnesty International, Lions Club, Air UK, Radio Broadland, and also with her troupe at Bury St Edmunds Festival and Watton Festival.
She currently teaches Egyptian dance at the Oasis Health and Beauty Club Norwich.tel 01603425068, and also teaches occasionally at North Walsham Dance, Sacred Heart, North Walsham.
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Our Teachers:
Our Friends:
Wendy Cook:
"I have been fascinated by all things Egyptian since visiting the Tutankhamun exhibition in London when I was 10years old.
Five years ago, I walked into a bellydance class and from then on, bellydance has taken over my life. Within a year, I was assisting my teacher to teach beginners.
I've attended workshops all over the country taught by teachers from all over the world and in May 2007 set up Phoenix Bellydance.
I teach workshops, courses and classes, as well as taking bellydance into the community to groups who want to learn, who otherwise might not be able to have the opportunity: youth groups, clubs and ladies and gentlemen with learning difficulties.
Check out www.phoenixbellydance.co.uk to see what we've been up to!"
"I have been fascinated by all things Egyptian since visiting the Tutankhamun exhibition in London when I was 10years old.
Five years ago, I walked into a bellydance class and from then on, bellydance has taken over my life. Within a year, I was assisting my teacher to teach beginners.
I've attended workshops all over the country taught by teachers from all over the world and in May 2007 set up Phoenix Bellydance.
I teach workshops, courses and classes, as well as taking bellydance into the community to groups who want to learn, who otherwise might not be able to have the opportunity: youth groups, clubs and ladies and gentlemen with learning difficulties.
Check out www.phoenixbellydance.co.uk to see what we've been up to!"
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Check out a short video of Lorraine right here:
Lorraine Theobald Multicultural Dance
Or see her website: www.multiculturaldance.co.uk
Lorraine Theobald Multicultural Dance
Or see her website: www.multiculturaldance.co.uk
Here's a link to Jenny Levin's site (The Daughters of the East (Anglia!) ( I so love that name, don't you?).
Here's a link to Jane's website hipdrop.co.uk
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Maria D'Silva:
We have twice enjoyed workshop ahd Hafla weekends with the effervescent Maria D'Silva. Here 's a link to her website: Maria D'Silva bellydance.
Also have a look at the page about the March 2008 bellydancing weekend with Maria, which was a great success.
We have twice enjoyed workshop ahd Hafla weekends with the effervescent Maria D'Silva. Here 's a link to her website: Maria D'Silva bellydance.
Also have a look at the page about the March 2008 bellydancing weekend with Maria, which was a great success.
Lorraine's style of teaching is exuberant, informative and fun.
She recently enjoyed the honour of dancing in a restaurant in Aleppo, Syria, the original home of much of the art form we now appreciate as Arabic dance.
She recently enjoyed the honour of dancing in a restaurant in Aleppo, Syria, the original home of much of the art form we now appreciate as Arabic dance.
Helen Hymans:
Helen first encountered belly dancing when she lived in Cornwall in 1983. With great reluctance and a good deal of kicking and screaming she was dragged along to her first workshop. Needless to say it was love at first sight and the rest, as they say, is history.
She set up her classes in Norwich in 1985 and has been teaching almost continuously since then, marking 25 wonderful years, this year.
In 1994 Helen began working for Adult Education, where she continues to offer weekly classes.
Her boundless enthusiasm, knowledge and clear teaching methods have established her as a firm favourite with her loyal and dedicated students.
Helen has studied with so many of the great teachers and performers of Egyptian dance since 1983 that it would be impossible to mention them all! She has always sought to retain her uniqueness of style and independence which she values greatly.
The beautiful paintings of Helen shown on the right here are by Norwich artist Gareth Hawker.
Helen first encountered belly dancing when she lived in Cornwall in 1983. With great reluctance and a good deal of kicking and screaming she was dragged along to her first workshop. Needless to say it was love at first sight and the rest, as they say, is history.
She set up her classes in Norwich in 1985 and has been teaching almost continuously since then, marking 25 wonderful years, this year.
In 1994 Helen began working for Adult Education, where she continues to offer weekly classes.
Her boundless enthusiasm, knowledge and clear teaching methods have established her as a firm favourite with her loyal and dedicated students.
Helen has studied with so many of the great teachers and performers of Egyptian dance since 1983 that it would be impossible to mention them all! She has always sought to retain her uniqueness of style and independence which she values greatly.
The beautiful paintings of Helen shown on the right here are by Norwich artist Gareth Hawker.
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Eceni:
Eceni were formed in 2006 after 5 ladies living in and around Norwich and attending local bellydance classes discovered a shared interest in Tribal Style.
Since then, due to being the only Tribal group in the
area (and with no local teachers) they have travelled all over the country to study with a variety of well-respected teachers such as Carolena Nericcio, Megha Gavin, Paulette Rees-Denis, Deirdre Macdonald, Rachel Brice and many others.
They enjoy performing both group improvisation and fusion choreographies and have over 35 years of bellydance experience between them.
Eceni's website is here: http://www.eceni.co.uk
Eceni were formed in 2006 after 5 ladies living in and around Norwich and attending local bellydance classes discovered a shared interest in Tribal Style.
Since then, due to being the only Tribal group in the
area (and with no local teachers) they have travelled all over the country to study with a variety of well-respected teachers such as Carolena Nericcio, Megha Gavin, Paulette Rees-Denis, Deirdre Macdonald, Rachel Brice and many others.
They enjoy performing both group improvisation and fusion choreographies and have over 35 years of bellydance experience between them.
Eceni's website is here: http://www.eceni.co.uk
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Later, in Lancashire, I was lucky enough to be taught by the lovely Anne Kingston, JWAAD teacher-trainer and member of the Tarab Dance Group. Both Chris and Anne advised me that I should take up teaching some years ago, but only now for me does the time feel right. I have attended classes by all the special ladies on this website and taken different elements from each of them.
I am an "arch communicator" with a real need to explain, so I am very much enjoying teaching the expressive dance form I love to other ladies and bringing to them the sheer pleasure and confidence belly dance has given me."
I also specialise in classes for hen weekends, and other one-off private hire classes. You can check this out here: www.hennightidea.com
My other classes are at East Runton and Letheringsett.
I am an "arch communicator" with a real need to explain, so I am very much enjoying teaching the expressive dance form I love to other ladies and bringing to them the sheer pleasure and confidence belly dance has given me."
I also specialise in classes for hen weekends, and other one-off private hire classes. You can check this out here: www.hennightidea.com
My other classes are at East Runton and Letheringsett.
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Bridget Warns:
Bridget is an inspirational, energetic, lively and fun teacher.
Bridget is an inspirational, energetic, lively and fun teacher.
Nicola Snow
Nicola has always had a passion for dance, and from a young age studied ballet, until in her late teens became frustrated with the restrictions related to having the wrong body shape (despite being a lot thinner than she is now!) Her dreams of dancing never went away, and in the mid nineties stumbled across Egyptian dance, as away of looking to get fitter and a need to fulfil her dance cravings with a dance class in Nottingham with Rita Barker, a Raq Sharqi Society affiliate teacher who gave her an excellent foundation in Egyptian dance. Immediately hooked, she studied at every available opportunity, including classes with the inspirational Lisa Wedgewood, and started performing a local haflas, leading to a short spell dancing at the Blue Nile restaurant in Nottingham.
Having moved back home to North Essex for work, she eventually ended up starting her own classes, whilst taking workshops around the country to improve and find her own style. She especially enjoys traditional styles, including Baladi and folk styles including Bedouin.
She now teaches in Colchester, and with groups of her students, dances as Light of the Nile at local haflas. She continues to improve her own techniques, including completing the JAWWAD foundation course, various workshops with Hossam and Serena Ramsy as well as Ford Castle JAWWAD dance weekend, and has recently enjoyed the International Belly dance congress, where she took classes in Moroccan Shaabi and Andalucian court dance, amongst other more modern styles.
More info @ www.lightofthenile.webs.com
Nicola has always had a passion for dance, and from a young age studied ballet, until in her late teens became frustrated with the restrictions related to having the wrong body shape (despite being a lot thinner than she is now!) Her dreams of dancing never went away, and in the mid nineties stumbled across Egyptian dance, as away of looking to get fitter and a need to fulfil her dance cravings with a dance class in Nottingham with Rita Barker, a Raq Sharqi Society affiliate teacher who gave her an excellent foundation in Egyptian dance. Immediately hooked, she studied at every available opportunity, including classes with the inspirational Lisa Wedgewood, and started performing a local haflas, leading to a short spell dancing at the Blue Nile restaurant in Nottingham.
Having moved back home to North Essex for work, she eventually ended up starting her own classes, whilst taking workshops around the country to improve and find her own style. She especially enjoys traditional styles, including Baladi and folk styles including Bedouin.
She now teaches in Colchester, and with groups of her students, dances as Light of the Nile at local haflas. She continues to improve her own techniques, including completing the JAWWAD foundation course, various workshops with Hossam and Serena Ramsy as well as Ford Castle JAWWAD dance weekend, and has recently enjoyed the International Belly dance congress, where she took classes in Moroccan Shaabi and Andalucian court dance, amongst other more modern styles.
More info @ www.lightofthenile.webs.com
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"A very good friend of my mother - in -laws first introduced me to the addictive rhythms of raks sharki or egyptian dance. This was around twelve years ago when both my children were still under my feet but at last able to be left with Dad for a couple of hours peace!
As we used to see a lot of this lovely lady and knew shed done many dance forms including egyptian wed always ask her to bring along some music and show us a few moves which, fortunately for me she did and I was hooked!
As we used to see a lot of this lovely lady and knew shed done many dance forms including egyptian wed always ask her to bring along some music and show us a few moves which, fortunately for me she did and I was hooked!