Keti Sharif's Vision - Bellydance Author, Performer, Teacher & Somatic Instructor

Hello, I'm Keti. I began bellydancing at 17. After a life-threatening car accident at 18, bellydancing helped my body and mind heal. 'The Healing Power of Bellydance' has been a path I have followed for my entire adult life, and it underpins everything I do, that is dance or movement related.

I fell in love with the art as a teenager, embracing it with all my heart, and was lucky to be performing professionally in Cairo by my early 20's to live Egyptian bands. At the same time, I was studying Islamic Art History for my University degree, which enriched my immersion in Egyptian and Turkish dance culture. It was in my early 20's when I met and began to study with the legendary Egyptian theatre dance pioneer, Mahmud Reda. I brought him out to Australia twice, along with many other talented Egyptian artists, musicians and trainers.

My own teaching & performance continued to grow with A-Z Bellydance; a methodology developed in Egypt which continues to expand in content every year. My teaching and particularly Teacher Training, has actively spanned many countries with over 6000 students partaking in my courses. Performances included seasonal 5 Star hotel contracts in Egypt, Malaysia & Singapore. Ultimately, my vision is to facilitate the communal and healing aspect of the dance, and it's cultural content - this is what I find most inspiring. My courses are on the A-Z Teachable academy.

Inspired by wonderful mentors - Farida Fahmy & Mahmoud Reda

My wonderful mentors, Farida Fahmy & pioneering choreographer Mahmoud Reda have influenced me greatly. Their friendship & support has given my artistic vision deep roots. This year I produced Farida's Book - Farida; a memoir, a beautiful and valuable resource for dancers worldwide. It is now translated into 13 languages and available as a collector's item (hard copy in English) or in 13 languages as e-books. We have also worked together for 18 years, as I maintain Farida's website, which serves the global Egyptian dance community with free articles in multiple languages. www.faridafahmy.com

A Somatic, Musical Approach for Wellbeing & Artistry

I enjoy teaching Bellydance with a somatic, musical approach & supporting our A-Z dance community worldwide. We've been dancing, creating & sharing our art through the lens of the flexible A-Z methodology for over 20 years, which is now taught in 40 countries. Documenting live Egyptian music and integrating this into my courses, as well as running musical cultural dance festivals and tours in Egypt and abroad, has enriched my view of Egyptian dance. The aim of A-Z is to improve the dancer's musicality, technique and awareness of cultural nuances, whilst finding 'pathways' in the body for improvisation, wellbeing and choreography. A-Z Bellydance distills 30 years of research, artistic work with Egyptian artists.

Life & Work in Egypt

In Egypt, I lived between Cairo & the Red Sea for many years - 20 years of my life in fact! I resided in both Cairo (Zamalek) and el Gouna on the Red Sea, where I had studios in both places. Hosting festivals, cultural tours & documenting the work of talented artists including Farida Fahmy, Mahmoud Reda & Dr. Shahira Mehrez was very fulfilling. The deeper levels within Egyptian dancing will always fascinate me. I enjoy exploring Somatics and how it shapes various cultural stylings and informs musical connectivity in Arabic dance. I continue this work in Australia at my new studio and have recently acquired Pilates Certification and am training in Qi Gong; two Somatic, healing arts that balance and blend well with bellydancing. If you're in Perth, I teach at my studio, Blue Lotus Room with percussionist Sam Nascimento. I love being actively involved in the positive dance community, one which supports the health, wellbeing and artistry of fellow dancers. Occasionally, I tour and teach workshops around the world. Updates can be seen at www.bluelotusroom.com