Natalie has been studying oriental dance with JWAAD qualified teacher (and Natalie's mentor) Krystina http://www.bellydance.me.uk/ since 12/01/08. After a New Years Resolution to do something for herself, Natalie discovered her true passion in the bellydance world and felt like she had come home to where she belonged.
Natalie is a JWAAD Egyptian Bellydance teacher which means she has successfully completed the JWAAD Diploma Course (Josephine Wise Academy of Arabic Dance.) The JWAAD teaching diploma is recognised as being the most thorough and comprehensive course available for those interested in teaching Bellydance. It focuses on the Egyptian style, covering: rhythms, musical styles and instruments, history and culture, costuming, course planning, teaching methods, personal technique, teaching technique, interpretation and choreography, analysis of technique and includes two practical teaching assessments. Various Middle Eastern and other styles are also touched upon. The course includes over 100 hours of tuition, to qualify to register for this course, you must have completed the Foundation Course with assessment, and must have at least two years’ dance experience and be of intermediate or higher standard. Natalie's educational background has also included a Cert.TEFL qualification and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and English. For more information on Jwaad click on the link below. http://www.jwaad.com/teacher_training.htm
She teaches in the 'Egyptian Style' of bellydance but considers herself a British Bellydancer, she comes from a mixed Scottish and Greek heritage and has lived in England all her life.
She has attended many workshops to improve her knowledge of the dance and travels to Egypt when she has the opportunity to study and absorb the culture - favourite teachers have included Outi, Yasmina of Cairo, Cammelia Tarek, Heather Burby and Eman Zaki.
In April 2010 Natalie launched West London's Bellydance Showcase 'Arabesque Nights' which continues to grow in popularity with over 75 different bellydancers performing at the show in 2010 alone. She hosts the show on the first thursday of every month. http://www.arabesquenights.com/
Natalie has posed as a Bellydance model for the Rankin Live Exhibition in London and Richmond and Twickenham Photography Society as well as studio photo shoots for photographers Martin Pearson and Don Bax and an Art for Dance Photo Shoot with Maani Vadgama and directed by Sonia Ochoa from The Bellydance Superstars. She has also modelled for a painting by local artist Gary Chatfield which can be viewed on the galley pages.
