Biography

General | Dance



Image by Tracey Gibbs, 2010 Zafirah is a professional dancer who has been studying Middle Eastern Dance since 1998. She specialises in the subtle, yet strong and graceful Modern Egyptian Style of Bellydance. She is particularly known for her polished precision and wholehearted passion for the dance. Her commitment to the roots of the dance, while continuously studying with some of the greatest current dancers in Egypt, has allowed her continue developing her own ever-evolving style.

Zafirah is an experienced perfomer who has performed in a wide variety of settings, from regular restaurant work through to large stage shows with the prestigious Arabian Dance Theatre company. From performing sassy meleya leff and shaabi to expressing the soulfulness of Oum Kalthoum, she effortlessly becomes the essence of any style of music. Her range and adaptability allows her to prepare performances for any kind of event, and she has an incomparable reputation for reliability.

Zafirah's knowledge goes beyond oriental style (‘bellydance’) and she has breadth of knowledge in folk and folkloric dances of Egypt from the cheeky and beloved skanderani (Melaya Leff), through soulful baladi to majestic saiidi, as well as other popular dances of North Africa and the Middle East, including khaleegy (dance of Arabian gulf). In addition to more traditional dance styles, Zafirah has been known to include fun surprise elements, like dancing on a tabla.