Orientale dance, "belly dance", or "raks sharqi" is a wonderful, soulful way to explore and experience dance movement for all ages, shapes, and sizes. Bellydance offers many health and fitness benefits to its practitioners and is a more accessible dance form for those who want to move, groove, shake, and undulate!
Nicola specializes in Egyptian Orientale and folkloric dance. A dynamic, graceful, and enchanting performer as well as a dedicated, inspiring, and effective teacher, Nicola has graced the stage and studio since 1999. Nicola soars above the rest as an experienced and in-demand performer as well as professionally trained and certified dance teacher.
~Group, semi-private, and private lessons from introductory to advanced levels.
~Workshops, performances, and demonstrations for bachelorettes, blessing ways, weddings, restaurants, parties, festival, cultural events, and more.
~Coaching, custom choreography, and performance-track training through Spice Road Belly Dance
~Structured, progressive levels based on proven approaches and techniques, for recreational and aspiring dancers.
~Gift certificates available.
~Multiple class locations.
~Daily and weekend workshops in and out of town for dancers of all levels.
~Available for travel to accommodate your booking.
~Middle Eastern theme dance events and showcases, including the annual Smarty Pants Belly Dance "Raks into Summer" recital.
~Dance workshop host to visiting master performers and teachers.
~Consulting and collaboration for dance professionals in other fields for authentic fusion choreographies, dance theatre, and costuming.

~Teacher Training with Hadia of Canada, Level 1 and 2.
~Journey through Egypt, Level 1, with Sahra Saeeda Kent, M.A.. Level 2 pending.
~B.Ed.(U of M) and B.A.H. Anthropology (U of W); 1994-1998 Ph.D. program, U of A
~member, Dance Manitoba, 1999-present; feature instructor at Dance MB Gala, medal-holding competitor, Dance MB Festival; performer, Dance MB Member Showcases
~Feedback for Learning, Inner City Arts Instruction, Brain Gym
~MB Fitness Council Fitness Leader (in progress)
~apprenticeship with local professional, Shayera, 1998-2006
~co-directed Gamaal Rawhany and Ahlan Dance Company 1999-2006
~directs and choreographs Spice Road Belly Dance
~private and workshop training with Cassandra Shore, Hadia, Sabah; workshops with Dina, Sahra Saeeda, Nath Keo, Suzie, Yasmina Ramzy, Roula Said, Jalilah Zamora, Suzanna del Vecchio, DancEgypt, Delilah, Sherezade, Ariellah, Jamilee Abir, Yousry and Nourhan Sharif.

For full dance CV please visit NIcola's website.

Nicola enacts a strong work ethic of integrity, collegiality, lifelong learning. She honours the spirit of Egyptian dance and music through authentic representations and honest, respectful teaching of both classical and contemporary Egyptian dance techniques.
Fun and frolic have their place right beside focus, fitness, and a firm foundation of movements and steps. Students can be guided right from introductory levels to performance with support, detailed feedback, guided musicality and improvisational, and encouragement of professional standards. Recreational dancers can have a blast while they get their groove and shimmy into wellness. Nicola's ability to break down and explain complex ideas and movements have lead many students to a greater understanding and appreciation of this most womanly and divine art form.
Nicola's classes draw a wide variety of women, from all walks of life. Come join the fun and find out why so many women fall head over heels in love with bellydance.
Nicola's performances are renowned for their musicality, humour, and elegance.

Class and workshop schedules may be viewed at http://www.nicola-bellydance.com.
Registration forms and links,including options to pay by Paypal are there, too.

Performances are best booked at least 2 weeks in advance. Holiday bookings in December and in the months of May and June are popular, so book at your earliest convenience. Booking information may be found under "Performance" at the above site.

Nicola charges the current standard rates for classes and performances.

~feature dancer, Fat Angel Bistro
~event producer, participant and performer: Orient Express 1 (2007) and 2 (2008) with Hadia, Journey Through Egypt course and show with Sahra Saeeda (2009), Orient Express 3 with Cassandra and Jawaahir Dance Company (2010), Night of Love Bellydance for the Cure (2006) fundraiser for Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
~collaborating choreographer and guest performer in the 2009 production Alhambra, with Pedro Aurelio and Bolero Dance Theatre
~founding member and Secretary of former EDCOM (Eastern Dance Circle of MB)
~gold honours, gold, silver medal winner in several Dance MB Provinical Dance Festivals
~feature performer, Tut Exhibit at Forks Market and National Historic Park