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MISSION
Venus is committed to furthering Middle Eastern dance in its many forms (folk, modern, interpretive) by improving isntructional and traiing programs and increasing public awareness, appreciation and education through performances, classes and writing and research.
BIOGRAPHY
Venus has devoted herself to the study of dance and physical development since she took her first bellydance class in 1981.
In February of 1982 she joined the Mirage Dance Company, a Victoria-based troupe specializing in group and solo dances in Middle Eastern folk, cabaret and interpretive styles.
Venus, host of Workout, Nov, 2007
While continuing to study Middle Eastern dance intensively, Venus also began classes in Western contemporary dance and ballet, enjoying these forms for their systematic approach to physical training as well as for their range of movement expression.
During a hiatus from bellydancing from 1986-91, Venus focussed on Western dance, taking studio and lecture courses in the Fine Performing Arts Major program at Simon Fraser University, and later the Main Dance Projects Performance Training Intensive. From 1989-91 she also studied ballet and Pilates intensively.
In 1991 Venus again turned her focus to Middle Eastern dance, both as instructor and performer. Today, based in Vancouver, BC, she devotes herself full-time to the dissemination and development of the art form with ongoing classes for beginner to advanced students and a busy weekly performance schedule. From 1994-1998, Venus served on the Vancouver based Middle Eastern Dance Association's Board of Directors as President, librarian, newsletter editor and publisher, and event organizer.
In September, 2001 Venus returned to Simon Fraser University to pursue dual interests in art and physical function, through two programs of study: Venus received her BA in Art & Cutlure Studies in 2005 and a BSc in Kinesiology in 2006. In November, 2007 she filmed the 20-episode "Bellydance Workout with Venus" series produced by Channel M, which will air in Spring 2008.
Performance Credits
Venus has made over 2000 professional appearance in a 25-year professional career. Venus choreographs and produces the bi-annual Venus Bellydance Student Recitals. In addition to regular weekly shows in ethnic restaurants and nightclubs she performs as a soloist, with co-professionals or with students at corporate and special events, festivals and theatre shows.
Venus also performed in Seattle, Calgary, Toronto and Ireland, and has been featured with her students in Dance Allsorts - Middle Eastern Dance and Music and 12 Minutes Max XVIII.
A particular highlight was being invited to perform as guests in the 2004 Bellydance Superstars show at the Commodore Ballroom, where Venus and advanced students performed her Techno choreography in front of an audience of 1000.
Photos from an Aug 2005 show on Granville Island sponsored by the Perfromance Works series: "All Over the Map"
REVIEWS on Workshops With Venus
Post Secondary Education
BA in Art & Culture - SFU School for the Contemporary Arts
BSC Kinesiology - SFU School of Appied Science.
Main areas of interest:
- Biomechanics
- Motor Learning
- Exercise Physiology
SHIMMY LAB - Original research in bellydance movement
TRAINING: MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE 1982 - Present
- Sahra Kent
- Amir Thaleb
- Jillina
- Farida Fahmy & Mahmoud Reda
- Nagwa Fouad & Mohammed Khalil
- Hadia
- Yasmina Ramzy (Arabesque Academy), Toronto
- Raqia Hassan of Egypt
- Yousry Sharif of New York
- Badawia
- Denise Enan
TRAINING: WESTERN DANCE 1986-1991
Studio:
- Contemporary (various styles)
- Ballet
- Movement Analysis Dance
- Composition
- Pilates
Theory:
- Dance Critique
- Art Culture Critique
- History of Western Dance
- Teaching Dance