Dance Company

Dance Artist Biographies

Director / Founder / Dancer

Please see Yasmina Ramzy's biography here.

Samara

Lead Dancer

Samara is a graduate of Ryerson University's Dance Program in the teaching stream. This follows a long history of dance training, having studied various dance forms such as ballet, modern, tap and jazz since the age of seven. Samara began studying Middle Eastern dance with Yasmina Ramzy in 1998 and became a member of Arabesque Dance Company in 2000. She also enjoys choreographing and teaches hip-hop, jazz and creative dance, as well at art classes.

Karima

Lead Dancer

Karima is a Toronto based belly dancer. Karima's passion for performing started with Latin and Brazilian dance, which she studied with various teachers in Toronto, Chicago and Paris. Karima began her Middle Eastern dance training with Yasmina Ramzy in 1999 and has performed with the Arabesque Dance Company at corporate galas, events such as fFIDA, the Dance Ontario Dance Weekend, and the CNE, and ADC theatre productions such as "Egypt". Karima continues to explore different creative styles by participating in workshops with noted artists such as Hadia, Magdy El Leisy, Rachel Brice, Momo Kadous, Aziza, Amir Thaleb, Randa Kamel, Tito Seif, Aida Nour, Orit Maftsir and many others. She has also taught technique and variety classes such as Drum Solo Combos and Salsa Bellydance at Arabesque Academy.

Tim Spronk

Lead Dancer

Tim is a dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor. He began training at the Alberta Ballet School and received his Bachelor of Arts at the York University as a Dance Major. Having since joined the Newton Moraes Dance Company, Tim has performed in Montreal, Toronto, Germany, and Brazil. He has danced with the Free Flow Dance Company, William Yong Dance Company, Kaeja d' Dance and is a prominent member of Arabesque Dance Company. Tim is a founding member of The Chimera Project and has appeared in all of it's productions. Tim's choreographic work was performed in fFida 1998 and 1999, ResiDance, and the Launch Pad.

Mary Petsoulas

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Mary's interest in bellydancing began at a young age while attending Greek bellydance dinner theatre performances with her family. Mary has studied Middle Eastern dance exclusively at Arabesque Academy with teachers Audra Simmons and Mayada. Mary trained intensively with Yasmina Ramzy, participating in classes, workshops and Teacher Instructional programs. Mary is a member of Arabesque Dance Company and fulfills her passion for teaching Middle Eastern dance at Arabesque Academy. See clip here

Saba Alemayehu Asfaw

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Hailing from Ethiopia, Saba is a versatile and innovative dancer, choreographer and teacher. She is known for her uniqueness in both traditional and fusion styles of African, Middle Eastern and related dance forms. Her background being Ethiopian dance, Saba has further training and performing experience in styles such as Congolese Soukous, West African, Hip Hop and Belly Dance. Other than spending ample time teaching herself and practicing on her own, Saba studied and performed West African dance with Franklin & Marshall College African Dance Group (USA) and Imani Edu-tainers (USA). She studied Belly Dance with Yasmina Ramzy and Denise Mireau of Arabesque Academy as well as numerous workshops with Egyptian artists like Randa Kamal, Tito, Aida Nour, Momo Kodus, etc. Teachers of DLM, National Dance of Canada, and DoDat have shaped her Hip Hop skills. She is a teacher, dancer and choreographer with her African dance troupe Jaivah a.k.a Nouvel Expose. Saba has been teaching Belly Dance and Belly Dance Fusion at Arabesque Academy for a number of years and is a lead dancer with Arabesque Dance Company. She can also be seen performing solo and collaborations on many stages and music videos. See clip here

Voula Zisis

Lead Dancer

Voula's solid background in Greek dance inspired her to explore music, dance and culture of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Her journey began in 1998 with her focus on different styles of Bellydance. Since then, Voula has had the privilege to study with renowned dancers in Egypt, Turkey, Greece and mainly with Canada's Yasmina Ramzy. Becoming a member of Arabesque Dance Company in early 2004 and an established soloist in Toronto, Voula continues on her path in the pursuit of endless dance experiences.

Melissa Reber

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Melissa began her formal dance training in Ballet with six years of study at the Canadian Conservatory of Dance in Toronto. She began training in Middle Eastern dance at the age of 16 with instructor Raven Crow and has since continued to refine her technique at Arabesque Academy with master instructor Yasmina Ramzy, and senior teachers Mary Cabral and Emese Dosa. Her passion for the dance has led her to study with many world-renowned dancers such as Momo Kadous, Tito Seif, Randa Kamel, Aida Nour, Orit Maftsir, Sahra Saeeda, Leila Farid, Bozenka, Amir Thaleb, and many others. In 2008 she was invited to perform in the gala show for dancer Leila of Cairo, held in Montreal. Her newest venture in Middle Eastern arts is learning to play the Dumbek with instructor Suleiman Warwar. Melissa started her apprenticeship with Arabesque Dance Company in 2005, and became a lead dancer in 2007. She is proud to have been a part of their last two major productions, "Asala" and "EGYPT". Melissa instructs weekly classes at Arabesque Academy and is an established soloist in Toronto and the GTA.

Valizan

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Valizan began his journey in Middle Eastern dance in 1995 when he joined The Society For Creative Anachronism. Teachers included Rayah Blackstar, Moria The Black, Roula Said, Yasmina Ramzy, FatChance Bellydance, Jillina, Rachel Brice and Francisco Carranza. He has become a sought after solo performer and teacher for his powerful style and energy. He also directs the tribal troupe, Shades Of Araby. Local appearances include Arabesque Dance Company's Asala, The International Bellydance Conference Of Canada, Tribally Inspired, Northern Migration, The Dark Side and Face Zenna at the Royal Ontario Museum. He also headlined In The Heat Of The Hafla in Milwaukee, Belly Boo Bash in Dayton, Ohio and appeared at Cabin Fever and The Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo, NY. He was featured in the 2007 Men Of Middle Eastern Dance Calendar. Valizan flourishes in a wide range of dance worlds teaching American Tribal Style in Canada and the U.S., performing Egyptian Folklore with Arabesque Dance Company and Bellydancing with the Righteous Rogues of Raqs Sharqi.

Robert Halley

Lead Dancer

Robert was born in Toronto but raised in Unionville. He is very happy to be in Canada as he has worked abroad for 5 years. His American credits include, Ailey II, the Fred Benjamin Dance Company, Adams Company Dance, Copacabanna (Mill Mountain Theatre), and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Denver Cast). More recently he has been performing as animals with the renown productions of THE LION KING on the Westend (London, UK) and this summer with a production of CATS (Drayton entertainment). Robert is also an avid practitioner of various holistic arts, personally and professionally.

Laura Selenzi

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Laura Selenzi is a lead dancer in Arabesque as well as co-founder of world fusion group Cabaret Serpentine. Inspired by traditional Middle Eastern dances as well as spanish, hip-hop, tribal fusion, Indian dance and circus arts, she is committed to exploring the ancient roots as well as the exciting modern potential of Bellydance. Having performed in Turkey, India, and all over Canada, Laura has over twelve years of training in this art form. Learning from some of the world's best including Aziza, Rachel Brice, Suhaila Salimpour, Aida Nour, Sahra Saeeda, Tito and Hadia, she credits her current teacher Yasmina Ramzy for the majority of her professional training. Laura has released an instructional bellydance DVD and loves to teach; she strives to create a safe, fun and transformative dance experience. In addition to her dance education, Laura holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is a Registered Massage Therapist. . See clip here

Sarah Brawley

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Sarah began her formal dance training at the age of 4 in ballet. Throughout the years she has also trained in jazz, hip hop, and modern. She has had the opportunity to study with amazing instructors such as Siona Jackson, Shawn Byfield and Ingrid Abbot. Once Sarah discovered Middle Eastern dance one evening at a restaurant she was hooked. Soon after she began studying the art of Bellydance with Yasmina Ramzy, Denise Mireau and Saba Alemayehu. Throughout her training she has been lucky to study with Randa Kamal, Amir Thaleb and Sahra Saeeda as well. She is currently teaching Bellydance at Arabesque Academy and is a Lead Dance with Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra.

Ingrid Schossler

Lead Dancer

With an extensive dance background beginning at the early age of four, Ingrid has studied a wide range of dance forms including Ballet and Rhythmic Gymnastics. In 2000, she was formally introduced to Middle Eastern dance in her native country, Brazil. She has been performing and teaching since 2005, most recently in Toronto. Pursuing endless development, Ingrid has studied under internationally renowned artists such as Lulu Sabongi, Randa Kamel, Amir Thaleb, Sahra Saeeda, Aida Nour, and Tito. She has completed Hadia's Teacher Training Levels 1 and 2 and the Arabesque Intensive Professional Course with Yasmina Ramzy. In 2008, Ingrid had the honour of joining Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra and since, has performed in several venues such as the International Bellydance Conference Gala and Layali Arabesque.

Nikki Gentles

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Nikki Gentles began her formal dance training in ballet dance at age five. Although her love of sports soon drew her away from ballet towards more than two decades of competitive soccer, she dabbled in various performance dance styles often including Caribbean folklore. Nikki was introduced to Bellydance at a corporate gym and began studying the art form seriously at Arabesque Academy in 2005 with teachers such as Yasmina Ramzy, Denise Mireau and Saba Alemayehu Asfaw. She has furthered her technique in workshops with Egyptian masters Randa Kamal, Aida Nour and Tito. In 2008, she auditioned for the prestigious and internationally renowned Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra and has since trained and performed with the troupe as a Lead Dancer. Her performance credits include the CBC’s Dragon’s Den, the Canadian National Exhibition, Zidane and Friends Soccer Tour Toronto half-time show and major productions like world premiere of Egypt at Fleck Dance Theatre.

Nikki is a Bellydance instructor with Arabesque Academy. She is also a certified soccer coach with the Ontario Soccer Association, a certified fitness instructor specialist with Can-Fit-Pro and a Reebok University certified Indoor Cycle instructor. Nikki works full-time as a senior public relations consultant with Media Profile.

Maryfer

Apprentice Dancer

Well-known for her vibrant stage presence and charisma, Maryfer is exceptionally talented and artfully blends grace, musicality and creativity into her authentic style. Maryfer has appeared in a number of Theatre Productions all over North and South America and has toured internationally, both as a bellydancer and as a Fusion dance artist. She is a 4th generation artist and holds a Bachelor Degree in Interior Design. Her passion for the stage started at early childhood and has been nourished by her experience as an actress, singer, model, dancer, choreographer, designer and costumer. Her Bellydance career started in 1997 and her dance background includes ballet, flamenco, Mexican folklore, salsa, tango, bellydance and tribal fusion. Maryfer is the official bellydancer of the Lebanese Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico and the exclusive bellydancer for private events with the Health Minister of Toronto and also a member of the internationally renowned Arabesque Dance Company. Maryfer continues developing her own dance style and projects. Currently promoting her “Story telling-bellydance“. She is a passionate and outstanding creative artist who lives her dreams and loves to share her joy for life. See clip here

Claudia Rios

Apprentice Dancer

Throughout her secondary school education Claudia worked as an 'anti-violence against women' workshop facilitator in the GTA on behalf of the United Way and M.E.T.R.A.C. After four years of working in the field of women's rights and issues, both academically and informally, she became interested in Bellydance for its expressive qualities and 'by women, for women' demeanor. In addition, she wanted to integrate her Bolivian-Turkish background into her life in a meaningful and artistic way. Middle Eastern dance did exactly this. In 2006, Claudia began her formal dance training at Arabesque. With the guidance of such renowned dance artists and a background in classical music (violin) Claudia developed fine-tuned isolations and an overall elegant technique, highlighted by Arabic musicality and nuance. In 2008, Claudia was honoured to join the Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra as an Apprentice.
Claudia is currently pursuing a Specialist (B.Sc.) degree in Psychology: Behavioral Disorders, and hopes to one day give counsel to those enduring bereavement, trauma, and psychopathy.

Amy LeBlanc-Parkinson

Apprentice Dancer

Amy is thrilled to be an Apprentice Dancer and part of the artistically dynamic world of Arabesque Dance Company. She discovered Bellydance by taking classes at the local community centre, and it has since become one of her greatest passions. Since 2006 Amy has studied most intensively with accomplished ADC instructors Melissa, Mary, Saba and Yasmina, but continues to work on improving her technique and artistry with the help of these teachers, as well as many talented others at Arabesque. Amy is a graduate of York University's theatre program, and has spent several years performing as an actor/singer in and around the Toronto area. She has performed in many musical theatre productions, concerts, and plays, and has also written, directed, and produced a few of her own musicals: The Landed Transcendent, Requiem, and The Book. Amy has musical experience as well, having reached a grade ten Conservatory level playing piano as a child. After finally making the long-awaited leap into the dance world, Amy is very happy to have had such a beautiful art form touch her life; what an exquisite expression of individuality!

Leigh Clarke

Apprentice Dancer

Leigh began her dance training as a young child with the Ontario School of Ballet. She continued to train in ballet and then in modern dance as a sideline to her major interest at the time which was figure skating. Leigh devoted herself to figure skating for several years achieving all the highest tests of proficiency from the Canadian figure skating association as well as performing in several high level variety skating shows. Leigh found herself attracted to the idea of bellydance after having been asked to create a bellydance inspired figure skating choreography. Leigh found Arabesque academy and after a few years of deliberating between skating and dance she finally decided to focus exclusively on bellydance in 2007 and it has become her passion and obsession since then. Leigh has trained exclusively at Arabesque academy under Yasmina Ramzy, Denise Mireau, Saba Alemayehu Asfaw and Mary Cabral. She has been fortunate enough to have taken workshops with bellydance artists such as Aida Nour, Tito, Bozenka. Leigh is very happy to be an apprentice dancer with Arabesque Dance Company.

Katrina Kukurs

Apprentice Dancer/Teacher

Katrina was first introduced to Bellydance at a local gym. Upon discovering her love of this dance she immediately wanted to dive as deep into the world of Bellydance as she could, and so began to train at Arabesque. She has since studied intensely with Yasmina Ramzy,and Arabesque dance artists Saba, Melissa, Mary, Voula and Denise. Through attending IBCC in 2008 Katrina was able to take workshops with Aida Nour and Tito of Egypt, and Bozenka. Katrina was thrilled to be a part of Arabesque's 2009 performance of EGYPT and to be able to apprentice with the company. When she is not dancing or teaching at Arabesque, Katrina enjoys teaching Yoga as a certified instructor, and has recently begun to study Flamenco and Ballet.

Kwasi McKnight

Lead Dancer

Born in Trinidad, Kwasi McKnight came to Canada at the age of seven. Being from a country that celebrates music and dance so abundantly, music was an art that always moved him and rhythm was always a close friend of his. Believe it or not, he started his dancing as a child with line dancing at his community school. Since then Kwasi has been trained in modern, swing, cha cha cha, cumbia, buchatta, hip hop, and African. Apart from performing with Nouvel Expose and Bollywood Grooves, Kwasi is extremely excited and enthused to be a part of Arabesque Dance Company, which brings diversity and culture to his dance styles and lifestyle. This is an opportunity that Kwasi relishes and appreciates a great deal.

Anjelica Scannura

Apprentice Dancer

Anjelica Scannura is a dancer, choreographer and actress. She began her dance training in ballet at The National Ballet School of Canada and her training in Flamenco at the family operated school of Ritmo Flamenco. Since the age of ten, she took an interest in Irish dancing and continued on to become a four-time Canadian and World Champion and a touring member of Riverdance. Her modern dance training blossomed during her attendance at Etobicoke School of the Arts, where she had the privilege of studying with Danny Grossman and Milton Myers, leading to an acceptance at Alvin Ailey. In the past few years, Anjelica has embarked in an acting career, leading her to land roles in National Commercials (Scotiabank, Swiss Chalet) and Camp Rock, alongside the Jonas Brothers. Recently, she landed the supporting lead role of Sadie in the feature film Leslie, My Name is Evil, which headlined 2009's Toronto International Film Festival. In the past year, Anjelica was promoted to co-artistic director of Ritmo Flamenco dance school and company. She has toured and competed in Toronto, the United States, Malta, Spain, Ireland, England and Mexico. As of 2009, Anjelica developed a passion for belly dance and has since been studying intensively at Arabesque under Yasmina Ramzy, Saba, Melissa and Sarah. She is overjoyed to be considered to apprentice with ADC!

Tatiana Kaptchinskaia

Apprentice Dancer

Tatiana has been involved in the world of dance since the age of six and has received extensive training in classical ballet. Along with classical repertoire, she has also studied and performed a variety of character dances, focusing her attention on Ukrainian and Russian folk styles. She loves performing on stage and learning the intricacies of different styles of dance. Tatiana was inspired to start belly dancing after attending the Belly Dance Superstars performance in Toronto in 2008. She immediately became addicted to the unique movement, technique, and femininity of the dance and wanted to become a part of the culture. She trained with many of Arabesque teachers and is ecstatic to have joined the company as an apprentice dancer.

Erika Zuniga

Apprentice Dancer

Erika began the beautiful art of Belly dance in 2000 in her hometown Guadalajara where she studied with one of the most renowned dancers of the country, Shara. In 2005 Erika's interest took her to Buenos Aires, Argentina where she attended the Arabian Dance School of the renowned dancer, Amir Thaleb. Erika also attended The Arabian Dance School with the Dancer Saida, and Bedouin Sarat Who taught her different arabic dance styles. She has studied choreographic composition, arabic rhythm, and various workshops with artists such as Nourhan Sharif, Aziza, Ansuya, Maiada and Maraia. Erika currently applies some of these theories to her dance. Erika danced for 3 years at "La Medica de Fez" in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she had shared stage with dancer as Aziza (Canada), Maraia (Argentina) and drumer Amir Sofy before coming to Canada. Erika is honoured to be an Apprentice Dancer with Arabesque Dance Company.

Rommel Delos Reyes

Apprentice Dancer

Rommels love for the Arts, especially dance, has taken him on a great journey of discovery. If movement is the rhythm of his life; dance is an expression of his personal experiences, what words can only explain. He began dancing at the age of 8 with Karilagan Filipino Dance troupe in Winnipeg, continuing to dance with the company for 10 years. While attending university, Rommel trained in Ballroom, having taken dance classes at the Ted Motyka Dance studio. He soon after discovered Salsa dancing and was captivated by its style and flavour. He trained with Salsa Explosion Dance Company, under the tutelage of Leonardo Lopez, and later with Virage Dance Company with Sergei and Natasha, and has gained training in many other Latin techniques since. Rommel has also taken courses and workshops in other dance disciplines such as Bollywood, Hip Hop, African & Cuban Tribal, Modern and Ballet.

Now residing in Toronto, and interested in learning the ancient artform of bellydance, Rommel attended several classes at Arabesque and was fascinated by its beauty and its challenge. His passion for dance is what gained him an audience with Yasmina Ramzy to be a part of the troupe. Rommel feels very blessed and privileged to be a part of this prestigious and distinguished group of dancers and musicians, and is very excited to continue his journey of discovery with Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra for many years to come. His motto: Live, love, laugh... and dance!

Grace Wu

Apprentice Dancer

Grace is excited and honoured to be an Understudy Dancer with Arabesque Dance Company. She was first introduced to the art of belly dance through listening to classical and traditional Arabic music and watching old recordings of Oum Kalthoum's concerts. In the spring of 2008, Grace began studying belly dance at Arabesque Academy and has studied under Yasmina Ramzy, Sarah, Saba, Melissa, Mary and Nikki. Since then, belly dance has become Grace's passion and she continues to improve her technique and artistry with classes and workshops under the tutelage of the Academy's wonderful dance artists. Grace is endlessly amazed at how belly dancing and Arabic music can evoke passion, sorrow and joy.

Shadia Saad

Apprentice Dancer

Shadia is of Peruvian-Egyptian background and grew up dancing to salsa, merengue and bachata amongst family and friends. She first discovered Bellydance at an Arabesque performance in the summer of 2007. She was intrigued, but it wasn’t until she travelled to Egypt for the first time the following year that she really felt a connection to her Egyptian roots. Having never been exposed to her Egyptian culture until then, she finally decided to explore the beautiful art form of Bellydance and Egyptian folklore. At the start of 2009, Shadia began training intensely at Arabesque with teachers Nikki, Sarah and Saba, and since then continues to learn the various techniques and nuances of Bellydance, exploring emotions that no other music or dance ever sparked in her before. Aside from working in the financial district 9 to 5, Shadia has a background in Fashion Design and is also a freelance wardrobe stylist in Toronto. She is currently working on expanding her jewellery line, Zena & Ché, which she recently launched in 2009. She is learning to speak Arabic and eager to share her passion for Bellydance as an Apprentice Dancer!