Helena Bellydancer

Got to agree with LizaJ and Caroline about Houda! Her joy in the dance and authentic expression have been a genuine inspiration for me and watching her helped me immeasurably with my own expression of the dance. You just can't help but want to join in when you see that smile! She is a kind and generous teacher too, I have learned a lot from her and we are lucky to have her here in Leeds.

I totally agree about Randa too, she is just so exciting to watch - and what a powerful stage presence! She has blown me away every time I have seen her.

Aida Noor - so feminine and sensual, subtle but in the music, Asmahan - her dramatic approach gave me a new perspective.

Tahia Carioca from the "Golden Age". I always prefered her to Samia, again it's that sensuality!

Got to add Khaled Mahmoud and Tito. Khaled brings the house down every time I see him perform and Tito was fabulous when I saw him at Egyptian Moonlight!

Finally, my students - their friendship, enjoyment and enthusiasm pushes me to teach better, to perform better and to constantly challenge myself as a dancer.

karena

You know call me silly but my inspirations are much closer to home. I am really lucky to have a good few great dancers where I live, and for me at the moment they are my inspiration. I have learnt from all sorts of people like Randa, and don't get me wrong, that is great too, but at the stage I am with the dance they are like celebrities to me, there is almost too much awe to convert into inspiration, if that makes sense. Whereas my teachers, and the people they dance with are my inspirations. They all have different talents and things to add and learn from, they are the most wonderful generous people and they create a great atmosphere in which to learn and be students together. I'm sure that my inspiration will change as I learn more and more, but that where I'm at at the moment.

__________________
"Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

Tracey

For me looking back not only can I lay my cap squarely at the open door documentry doorstep and say Fifi who blew me away then and even more so the few times I was lucky enough to see her live in Cairo. The music the music the voices of Halim Hafez Sabah Latifa etc etc is one of my ongoing inspirations.
The list

Monique my first teacher so new so Egyptian I know now my god she trained with Ibrahim Akeif !!!!!!!!
Naima Akeif
Samia Gamal
ok that there Sara the first teacher to really correct my technique
Rhanda
Fifi
Susie White who blew me and my husband away with her beautiful sharqi at her hafla
Khaled we go back a while and I love seeing his rise to fame
my girls all of them with the agency all beautiful people
my students the most demanding audience I have ever had
Eman Zaki
Raqia for changing the role of the foreign dancer
Dandesh at the Sunset 1999 amazing made me cry
Bozenka a true lady of the stage
Aida
urmm so many and more to come and ladies dont forget the music the crooners the pop stars the diva's without them where would we be.

Jet Phoenix

There is a dancer in the Dallas/Ft Worth (Texas) area, Vashti. When I watch her dance, my heart swells, and I feel like crying. I don't know what it is about her, but she is amazing.

janet

i love nour,she is amazing.she always do a great job .her dance is very elegant ,emotional,so perfect.i wanna dance like she does.but know ,i just do some basic movements.

Pirika Repun

I love Fifi. I like Aszmara in NY area. Her performance is dynamic and powerful.

I also love and get inspiration from male dancers. Of course my teacher Tarik... he is my motivator, and mentor and no question Tito!

da Sage

Actually, teaching in front of a mirror is pretty common - Jillina, Rachel B., and Michelle have videos shot in front of mirrors, too. I like it, because it's more like a real class.

Amri_

Before my inspiration was my aunt. She is the one who started teaching me when I was a teenager. Now it's Didem. When I saw her in Turkey on Ibo show for the 1st time, I felt the connection & similarity of style, plus I'm also very flexible, so it's never hard for me to copy her dance when I preform. I recorded this show & shown it to my aunt, saying:" See! And U said that I am the skinniest belly dancer ever! " Hahaha.. Didem is only 1 year older than me. Before I've never paid attention to someone of my age as to an example of smth. But Didem is really worth it. Hope when I'm back to Turkey I will have a chance to meet her one day.

samsoum

Didem Kinali! Stunning! Gorgeous and beautiful!

Shanazel

Karena's astute remark abut inspirations closer to home made me realize that I failed to credit two very important women in my dancing and teaching life. Anoush of Fresno, CA was the first live belly dancer I ever saw. She danced at the Fresno State University student union building in the mid-seventies and I never wanted anything more in my life than to be able to dance like she did. The other dancer who inspired me was Jacquie of Laramie, WY. If she hadn't placed her hand firmly in the middle of my back and forced me into dancing in public that first time, I never would've had all belly dance has given me through the years.

Here's to you, ladies, wherever you are now.