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| Yasmina, sometimes known as 'The English Rose of Cairo', has over
twenty-five years of experience in the field of Egyptian oriental dance as a
performer, teacher and choreographer. Originally from the UK she spent many
years travelling and dancing her way around the Middle East before settling in
Cairo in 1995. Here she performed for many years with her orchestra, becoming
one of the city's best-loved dancers. Cairo is till Yasmina's home, where she
hosts dancers and dance groups from around the world and provides services
ranging from accommodation, choreography, training and coaching in oriental
dance, to publicity photography and music production. |
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Tel: +2012-7465185
Email: yasmina@yasminaofcairo.com
Web Site: www.yasminaofcairo.com
You can reach us on Facebook !
Facebook contact: Yasmina Cairo |
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Workshops & Performances |
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 Yasmina is available for
workshops world-wide, offering a wide variety of oriental dance styles:
Basic to advanced Modern Egyptian technique Choreography for all levels,
including interpretation of songs Interpretation and understanding of oriental
music Baladi, shaabi and modern Egyptian pop Assaya (stick), Saeedi or baladi
style Khaleegi (Gulf dance) Shamadan Sagat (finger cymbals) Performance
presentation and audience skills
Workshop schedule 2010
March 20th/21st
Raqs Congress, Brussels
www.raqscongress.com
April 6th/17th/18th
JOY Festival, UK
www.jewelofyorkshire.co.uk
April 29th/30th
Turkish Delight Festival, Turkey
www.turkishdelightfestival.com
June 27th
Ahlan wa Sahlan Festival, Cairo
www.raqiahassan.net
July 24th/25th Swansea, Wales, UK
Workshops and performance with Turkish star Ozgen
Contact: alifrancis@hotmail.co.uk
August 28th/29th
Workshops and show, Denmark
Contact: Tine Valois,
tinevalois@hotmail.com
tinecorrie@yahoo.co.uk
September 4th
London UK
Contact: Charlotte Desorgher,
charlotte@hipsinc.com
October 22nd/23rd/24th
Bordeaux, France
Workshops and show
Contact: chatelcaroline@hotmail.com
October 29th/30th/31st
Celebrating Dance Festival, Devon, UK
Contact: afradancer@live.co.uk
www.afraalkahira.com
Fri 12th November
Performance at Les Beaux Arts, Brussels
Sun 14th November,
Workshop, Brussels
Contact: Rakiya el Maaza
rakia@scarlet.be
April 2011
1st/2nd/3rd Jewel of Yorkshire Festival, UK
June 2011
South Africa
18th/19th Workshops and performance, Durban
25th/26th Workshops and performance Cape Town
Contact: senta@mayadance.co.za
Workshop Review
They say that as long as you leave a workshop or training session with three
things you can use then it’s been worth it. By that test, a workshop with
Yasmina must be the best value going. I always come away with a virtual
portfolio of new steps and combinations which I can immediately incorporate
into my own dancing or teaching.
Yasmina is a British dancer who has made her career dancing professionally in
the middle east and for the last ten years has been based in Cairo where she
lives with her Egyptian husband and their young son. She has her own orchestra
with whom she has performed regularly at the city’s top venues and for
hundreds of weddings and private parties.
For the British student of oriental dance this provides an unbeatable
combination. There is probably no-one else in the world who can convey to
British belly dancers the essence of Egyptian dance with the clarity of a
native English speaker. And Yasmina’s teaching is indeed clear; she breaks
down moves and explains them in a way the Egyptian master-teachers never really
manage.
Yet another thing that sets Yasmina apart is her openness to share her
experiences and her knowledge. With some teachers you have the feeling they are
holding information back so that they keep their edge over you. Not so Yasmina;
she will gladly pass on tips and tricks that are as fascinating as they are
useful.
The core of Yasmina’s teaching is Modern Cairo style. She is a student and
close colleague of Raqia Hassan, the leading choreographer in Cairo and
arguably the creator of the Modern Cairo style of dancing. This could be said
to be characterised by crisp, precise moves with a straight legged stance. And
if you attend a Modern Cairo technique class with Yasmina you know you will be
learning the very latest moves from an acknowledged expert.
Yet Yasmina also teaches fascinating workshops based on the art of some of
Egypt’s great legends. In 2005 she taught an utterly absorbing workshop
dedicated to interpreting the songs of the immortal singer Om Khalsoum.
Another, on the styles of great dancers of the past such as Samia Gamal, was a
real eye opener. Previous such workshops I’ve attended have been very
superficial, whereas Yasmina went deep into Samia’s technique and
demonstrated to us just how demanding her style is when it is done properly. I
ached for days after.
But possibly the unique insight Yasmina can give us is what it is like to be a
dancer today in Cairo. She is full of fascinating stories of life in the
capital city of oriental dance. She gladly discusses the latest costume styles,
modern restrictions on dancers, current gossip and the earning power (or not)
of a professional dancer.
Yasmina is a fascinating mix of contradictions – a quintessentially
English woman who has been one of the best loved bellydancers in Egypt. A calm,
disciplined dancer who lives in the chaos and noise of Cairo. But every summer,
when the heat of Cairo gets too much, English dancers can drink from the
fountain created by that wonderful mixture. We are very lucky indeed.
Charlotte Desorgher, London UK
More comments:
‘It was one of the best workshops I’ve ever been to! Having learnt so
much in such a short space of time, the only downfall is that now, practicing
at home, I’ve forgotten most of the moves!’
Sophia Karim, London
‘A big thankyou for such a great session. Hard work but really
enjoyable.”
‘In all the years I have been learning this dance, that one lesson from
you showed me what it is all about”
Maria Persenitis, Sydney
‘Just a note to tell you how much I enjoyed your workshops in Melbourne. I
learned a lot and I think you are a wonderful dancer and teacher.”
Suzy El-Alo, Melbourne
'At the risk of sounding over the top, the Saiidi workshop I did with you was a
major turning point for me in my understanding of this dance and music, and I
thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
Soirse Flanagan, Melbourne Australia
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