jane wass
Finding this dance changed my life. It brought me closer to the cultures which I felt so connected to, it improved my physical and emotional well being, and helped me develop confidence and creativity to live my life the way I was meant to.
It's why I also established Mazazik, to pass on that learning to others.
After a career which spanned the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the BBC and Granada Television, I took the plunge to go professional in the dance in 2002 when I established Mazazik.
After graduating from the Raqs Sharqi Society teacher training course, I studied with many other dancers with different approaches to the dance, but it was my developing relationship with Egypt itself which have really helped me evolve my own way.
After graduating from the Raqs Sharqi Society teacher training course, I studied with many other dancers with different approaches to the dance, but it was my developing relationship with Egypt itself which have really helped me evolve my own way.
My aim in teaching and presenting dance is not to reproduce ethnographically, or to mimic, but to try to find the essence of the dance and express what it means to me personally.
INSPIRATION 1 - EGYPTIAN DANCE
Cultural Appreciation
This is a very special dance form in my opinion - low impact, adaptable, naturally fluid, excitingly percussive,
inclusive and expressive.
Re-educate your body and mind into a state of wellbeing focussed on the principles of the dances of the East;
centred, grounded, strong and supple.
And of course Egypt - as anybody who has been there will know, it's a special place.
Through learning this dance with me, you'll also learn more about Egypt,
and how the dance and music fits into the culture of the country.
INSPIRATION 2 - TRAVEL & THE NATURAL WORLD
Balance and being
In the same way that every place we go to teaches us something, or brings out a different quality in us, so it does with our dance.
Some places inspire us actually through their dance.
Some charge us with their energy, some relax us with their open spaces.
Some places draw us to them because of their people, some places because of their landscape.
There are so many places that inspire me ..... dance with me to find out more, and also to start connecting in a different way to your places.
My love of Travel can be seen in some of my dance themes -
Luxor Love, Cairo Nights, Into The East.
As can my love of The Natural World -
This Is The Sea, Reach for the Sky, Elegantly Earthy.
INSPIRATION 3 - MUSIC
"Dance is music made visible"
Like many people - I love music and listen to it constantly.
And, like travel, my eclectic approach to music listening also informs my dance.
From traditional Egyptian music to Arabic pop, from jazz to Celtic songs, from Portuguese fado to the latest hits.
I don't just use Arabic music.
I think it's important not to.
My dance is universal, like music. The real impulse to dance comes from everywhere.
To only be able to dance to Egyptian music often creates a pastiche of the dance, and that's not something which I want to do.
For in depth work with music - check out my Dancer Be The Music strand.
INSPIRATION 1 - EGYPTIAN DANCE
Cultural Appreciation
This is a very special dance form in my opinion - low impact, adaptable, naturally fluid, excitingly percussive,
inclusive and expressive.
Re-educate your body and mind into a state of wellbeing focussed on the principles of the dances of the East;
centred, grounded, strong and supple.
And of course Egypt - as anybody who has been there will know, it's a special place.
Through learning this dance with me, you'll also learn more about Egypt,
and how the dance and music fits into the culture of the country.
INSPIRATION 2 - TRAVEL & THE NATURAL WORLD
Balance and being
In the same way that every place we go to teaches us something, or brings out a different quality in us, so it does with our dance.
Some places inspire us actually through their dance.
Some charge us with their energy, some relax us with their open spaces.
Some places draw us to them because of their people, some places because of their landscape.
There are so many places that inspire me ..... dance with me to find out more, and also to start connecting in a different way to your places.
My love of Travel can be seen in some of my dance themes -
Luxor Love, Cairo Nights, Into The East.
As can my love of The Natural World -
This Is The Sea, Reach for the Sky, Elegantly Earthy.
INSPIRATION 3 - MUSIC
"Dance is music made visible"
Like many people - I love music and listen to it constantly.
And, like travel, my eclectic approach to music listening also informs my dance.
From traditional Egyptian music to Arabic pop, from jazz to Celtic songs, from Portuguese fado to the latest hits.
I don't just use Arabic music.
I think it's important not to.
My dance is universal, like music. The real impulse to dance comes from everywhere.
To only be able to dance to Egyptian music often creates a pastiche of the dance, and that's not something which I want to do.
For in depth work with music - check out my Dancer Be The Music strand.
PAST GUEST PROJECTS INCLUDE
Guy Schalom's Baladi Blues CD launch (Tribute to the Masters) performance with the band at St Ethelberga's, London (2011)
Dancing from the Heart Residential. Ridley Hall (2009/2010/2011)
Middle Eastern Music and Damp Camp, nr Bath {2010/2011)
Tanssiva Aurinko, Finland - baladi with live music {2007 2008)
PAST APPEARANCES include:
An Sanctoir, West Cork, Ireland
Waterside Arts Centre, Manchester
Tribe of Doris Festival, Somerset
Bellydance Superstars Raqs Britannia, Blackpool Winter Gardens
Steiner Theatre, London
Karakalio Theatre, Finland
Teaterrivantaa, Finland
Manchester Mardi Gras
Z-Arts, Manchester
Amnesty International AGM
Planet Egypt, London
Unity Theatre, Liverpool
Guy Schalom's Baladi Blues CD launch (Tribute to the Masters) performance with the band at St Ethelberga's, London (2011)
Dancing from the Heart Residential. Ridley Hall (2009/2010/2011)
Middle Eastern Music and Damp Camp, nr Bath {2010/2011)
Tanssiva Aurinko, Finland - baladi with live music {2007 2008)
PAST APPEARANCES include:
An Sanctoir, West Cork, Ireland
Waterside Arts Centre, Manchester
Tribe of Doris Festival, Somerset
Bellydance Superstars Raqs Britannia, Blackpool Winter Gardens
Steiner Theatre, London
Karakalio Theatre, Finland
Teaterrivantaa, Finland
Manchester Mardi Gras
Z-Arts, Manchester
Amnesty International AGM
Planet Egypt, London
Unity Theatre, Liverpool