Fascinated by the enchanting movements and the beautiful Arabic music, I fell in love with the oriental dance at first sight. Here is my oriental story and like a true artist I will start from upside down.
My dance career in 7 sentences
- A certified oriental dance teacher from the two most prestigious Egyptian schools in the world – Ahlan Wa Sahlan and Mohamed Kazafy Certification Program
- Founder of Badriya Oriental Dance school
- Guest performer and teacher at international and national stages and festivals, and participant in television shows
- Founder of the professional belly dance show group Violeta Dance Company
- Finalist and judge at international oriental dance competitions.
- Author of Raqs Academy – an educational course on the history and styles of oriental dance
- Choreographer and organizer of oriental dance shows and parties
If you are intrigued below is how I got here…
My first meeting with the oriental dance
Even as a child, I had a passion for art and sports, but at the time, these areas were not considered “serious work.” Years later, my childhood passions intertwined into the most interesting profession I could have ever wished for – dancer, choreographer, and oriental dance teacher…
My first meeting with the oriental dance
In 2010, I was already a graduate teacher in geography and biology from Sofia University, I was actively involved in sports and studying business administration at NBU – in other words, I was looking for my calling, but none of the three options ignited a spark in me. At the same time, I came across a seminar on oriental dances with Evelina Papazova, my first teacher. The music, the movements and its interpretation grabbed me instantly and the magic I felt then is with me to this day.
How I started teaching
For a year I studied the basics of dance by attending Evelina Papazova’s seminars and the lessons of her assistant – Boyana Petrova.
My enthusiasm was enormous and in a short time I progressed quickly. I was lucky because I came across a teacher from whom I learned the correct technique and this saved me time and money in wandering around different schools (in 2010 in Bulgaria only gravitated around the topic of oriental dances). On the other hand, the two semesters of anatomy at the Sofia University and aerobics training paid off – the motor culture, coordination and knowledge of muscle groups helped me to master the movements more easily.
In 2011, at the invitation of Evelina Papazova, I started teaching at her school “Scheherazade”. The responsibility and trust they placed in me motivated me even more to develop my talent and skills. And oriental dances were shrouded in mystery, I wanted to know more about them and the culture. Thus began my travels to festivals and trainings in Europe and Egypt.
Searching for knowledge around the world
Over the years, I’ve attended dozens of oriental dance festivals, as well as hundreds of practical workshops and theoretical lectures with the world’s finest dancers and instructors. Artists who adhere to genuine Egyptian dance and shine with a bright personality have left the greatest imprint on my dancing style.
Among them are Mohamed Kazafy, Khaled Mahmoud, Mohamed Shahin, Lubna Emam, Gamal Seif, Tito Seif, Camelia (Egypt), Prince Kayammer (Greece), Shahrzade (USA), Leila (Serbia), Mayodi Sultan (Morocco), Mercedes Nieto (Hungary), Nesma (Spain).
During my travels, I studied not only technique but also the history and styles of oriental dances. Some of the courses I believe are particularly essential for my professional development are:
- Journey Through Egypt – Level 1 & 2 – a course on dance and traditions of different ethnic and social groups in Egypt.
- SHARQ – Symposium for Music, Dance and History of Egypt and the Arabian Gulf
- Mahmoud Reda Dance Legacy – Intensive Folklore Course with Nesma
- Mohamed Kazafy’s professional certification program for oriental dance and Egyptian folklore
- Ahlan Wa Sahlan teachers’ course
- Professional training for aerobics, callanetics and stretching instructor at the Bulgarian national sports academy – at first glance, it is not related to oriental dance, but in fact, dance is a low-intensity practice, which is conducted by certain rules and methodology.
My travels in search of knowledge, inspiration, and self–improvement continue to this day and take me to new and exciting places. They enabled me to acquire experience and knowledge that allowed me to establish myself as a dancer and teacher with my own school.
Oriental dance school
In 2014 I found my own dance school – Badriya Oriental Dance. I am pleased to share that this is one of my most successful projects. The school was established as a location where people can have fun while learning oriental dance technique, history, and styles.
Some of Bulgaria’s most successful dancers and teachers began their careers at the school, and my students and choreographies have received awards at different international oriental dance competitions.
How my hobby turned into a profession
In 2015, within a month, the company I worked for and the dance studio I taught at closed down. I had to choose whether to take the exciting and unclear path of art or the well-trodden corporate path. My love for dance gave me the courage to follow my heart and dedicate all my time to it. By then, I was already presenting solo shows in various venues in Sofia, guesting on various television channels and events, and despite advice to find a “secure” job, I chose to live my dream.
Teacher and choreographer
Teaching methodology
Oriental dance styles are part of their respective cultures. And this is why I believe I am responsible for portraying them in the most accurate and authentic manner. On the one hand, this entails correctly demonstrating and explaining the technique, and on the other – understanding the culture so I present oriental dance in its whole rather than isolated movements.
With this in mind, I’ve been improving my teaching skills and developing my own approach. It combines the best practices from my oriental dance training, methods from my university degree in pedagogy, and techniques I learned in the professional course for aerobics and stretching instructors.
Raqs Academy
In 2016, I started Raqs Academy – an educational course for students who want to go beyond the beautiful dance movements and learn more about oriental dance history and styles. The course expanded from only 2 themes in 2016 to nine theoretical and practical modules in 2022.
Violeta Dance Company
In 2018, I assembled a professional belly dance show group. The troupe consists of the most talented and devoted dancers from my school and together we present belly dance shows at different venues.
Badria Oriental Dance Studio
In 2020, another dream of mine came true and I opened an oriental dance studio. It’s our creative haven, where talented students from my school can grow and become professional dancers and instructors.
Currently, I am teaching regular oriental dance classes in Sofia to children and adults. I also give workshops at international events and judge oriental dance competitions in festivals and dance contests.
Performer
I won’t bore you with a long list of events I’ve participated in; instead, I’ll highlight some of the scenes that have given me the most interesting and valuable experience.
Belly dance festival
One of my favorite stages are international belly dance festivals. These are prestigious stages with the most demanding audience, which consists of other belly dance dancers and teachers. Festivals are the place where the authentic Egyptian style is best accepted and appreciated the most. Photos and videos from my performances at festivals around the world and in our country can be found here.
Belly dance show gigs
From 2013 to 2018, I performed as a dancer with a solo belly dance show in almost all Arabic restaurants and clubs in Sofia, and my performances at private events and corporate functions continue to this day. Such events are always fun because I become part of the most important life and holiday moments of my clients.
Mohamed Kazafy Troupe
I have been part of Mohamed Gadhafi’s Egyptian Folk Dance and Rax Patterns Troupe since 2019. This is a very valuable experience for me, as in the person of Mohamed Gadhafi I have the opportunity to work with the choreographer of one of Egypt’s national folklore troupes.
Events for cultural exchange
One of my main goals is to show that oriental dance is an art with interesting cultural roots, its own traditions and history. That’s why I like to participate in festivals and cultural exchange formats. Some of the events I have been a guest at are:
- “Africa Day” (organized jointly by the Embassies of Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Libya, Palestine and the Honorary Consuls of Seychelles and Uganda),
- “East in the Park – Festival of Languages and Cultures of Asia” (organized jointly with “Arabis” – Association for the Development of Arab-Bulgarian Initiatives and Cooperation)
- Belly dance workshops organized by IOM within the framework of the project “Raising the Awareness of
- Bulgarian Society and Migrant Communities in Bulgaria”, funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the “Asylum, Migration and Integration” Fund 2014-2020.
- Christmas Bazaar organized by the International Women’s Club
Tv shows and interviews
My participation in various television programs is a chance to present the beauty of oriental dances to a larger audience. Among them are BNT 1 (“Little Stories”, “Close Up with Mira”, “The Day Close Up”), BTV (“Change”, “Bulgaria Seeks Talent”, “Modern”), Nova Television (“Rest Station”), Bulgarian National Radio (“Night Horizon” with Maya Dancheva). See all media appearances.
Charity events
Giving a dance as a gift is the least we can do for a noble and humane cause. Art makes the world a better place in every way possible and I never refuse to be a part of such events.
Oriental dance competitions
Belly dance competitions are a great opportunity to perform in front of an audience and receive constructive feedback. I am the winner of the second prize in the professional category at the international belly dance festival Orient El Hob (2014); third prize in the professional category and second prize in the best group category, together with students from the Badria school at the international festival Magic World (2013).
What is the oriental dance for me
Oriental dance helped me gain self-confidence and taught me that I can achieve my goals. I learned a lot about Arab culture, music, language, and customs through belly dancing. Dancing daily keeps me in shape – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
My love for them motivates me to improve my skills in a variety of areas so that I can be the best dancer and instructor I can be.
But, most importantly, dance helps me to be creative, to visualize a concept, to transform an emotion, or to tell a story. The richness and variety of Arabic music, as well as the different oriental dance styles, allow me to express all aspects of individuality.
Visit Gallery to see my students and me in action.
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