Jade Belly Dance
​When you think of belly dance, do you only think of women in sequins and heels? I invite you to look further, because this dynamic style of dance embraces a wide range of styles from the nightclub type cabaret, through to the street dances of Egypt, to the hypnotic American tribal style and so much more. Suitable for all ages, sizes and .. yes, though uncommon in the west, even men dance in this style.
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Jade provides private and public classes for all ages and stages, performs, creates pieces for the bellydance community, makes dancer focused flower essences and provides kids belly dance teacher training .
Jade's Story
While always a lover of dance, Jade did not pluck up the courage to have ago until after the birth of her first child. When she finally took a belly dance class in 1999, she was hooked! She was so taken with the style that she took every class that was on offer. She began teaching adult classes in 2003 and children’s classes in 2004.
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“I was always mesmerised by danced but thought it was the exclusive domain of those that started when they were little kids, plus I was painfully self-conscious!” says Jade.
Because of the personal growth she has experienced through dancing, Jade is passionate about helping and encouraging others to have a go.
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“What I love most about this style of dance is that it allows dancers a great range of artistic freedom and is suitable for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. You can use it simply as a form of exercise to keep fit and healthy, a way of picking up a few moves to use on the dance floor or as a device to express yourself creatively” .
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She has a great love of the folk style of the dance but also enjoys Baladi, classical and American Tribal style. To further her knowledge, Jade has also taken workshops with accomplished belly dancers such as Liza Laziza, Yasmina of Cairo, Khariya Maazin, Caroline, Mohamed Kazafy and Lubna Emam (Egypt), Paulette Rees Denis (America) and Alessandro El Bascioni (Europe) Nahari (Tamsin Murray), Michelle Joyce (US), Gamze (Turkey) and Australian dancers including Amera Eid, Ayelet Ashkar, Leonie Sukan, Elenie, Shekhinah Morgan, Ruth Maitland, Karen Tolan and Catherine McCormick. She has been to Egypt several times to take classes and to absorb a more authentic and emotive aspect of Belly Dance. She has also taken private belly dance classes in Istanbul, Turkey; Balinese dance in Ubud, Bali and for Polynesian dance in the Cook Islands.
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Jade also enjoys playing the Egyptian Tabla (drum) and her specialities include finger cymbals, bellynesian and sword dancing. Her Earthy style has seen her performing at various events up and down the east coast of Australia and has regularly appeared in the Coffs Harbour area with dance troupe The Jade Mirage.
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Jade has been the recipient of the “World’s Most Caring Organiser’ Award for her work with the local dance schools creating the first World Belly Dance day event on the North Coast of NSW in 2009. In 2012 she has been awarded a gold scholarship for the Western Australian Middle Eastern Dance Festival as well as being the recipient of a Regional Arts Grant from the Australian Government in recognition of her dedication to the art of Middle Eastern dance and her extensive work with charities and community groups. In 2016 she was an Australian cast member in BellyQueen’ s world class show ‘Journey along the Silk road’.
Jade has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Certificate IV in Naturopathy, and she uses her knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology to help dancers improve their technique and body awareness. She also combines the counselling skills learnt with her own experiences in overcoming stage –fright and self-confidence issues. She also makes and uses flower essences for dancers.
Kids Classes
As a mother, Jade has particular interest in teaching children and teenagers and has taught both girls and boys at schools in NSW and Victoria. She holds an Australian Leadership – working with youth qualification and was an authorised Active After-school Coach with the Australian Sports Commission for several years. She also studied culturally relevant pedagogy (among other things!) as a part of studies towards a Masters of Teaching and has completed the Certificate IV TAE Workplace training and assessment course making her qualified to teach nationally accredited programs. She has held a valid Working with Children Check (for child safety) for all children’s classes during this time.
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Her kids class won a prize in 2010 for World Bellydance Day (International award) and she has been sought out and booked by school principals and teachers after seeing her dedication to age appropriateness and improving self-confidence in children.
About the Blog
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At first Jade wanted a website not a blog and only started it because she started on wordpress and it seemed kind of expected. The regular blogging only really began from 2011 to 2017 but she has many topics that she still wants to write about and is working on at the moment. Jade endeavours to write about all the information she wishes she had when she started out belly dancing. Sharing the advice that proved true and the advice that hasn’t been helpful. Topics range from info for beginner belly dancers to stuff for teachers and performers. She has a particular interest in kids dance, self – esteem and health. She welcomes other opinions and submissions.
