Dance Company

Dance Artist Biographies

Director / Founder / Dancer

Please see Yasmina Ramzy's biography here.

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

Melissa Gamal

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 Tito Seif, Randa Kamel, Aida Nour, Nagua Fouad, Orit Maftsir, Sahra Saeeda, Leila Farid, Jillina, Hadia, Camelia and many others. In 2008 she had the honor of being 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 three stage productions, ASALA, EGYPT and OUM. Melissa instructs weekly classes at Arabesque Academy and is an established soloist in Toronto and the GTA.

Loulou

Lead Dancer

Loulou is a professional Middle Eastern dance artist and instructor known for her grace and elegance. Her passion for dance began with Latin ballroom training at the Dancing at Twilight studio and continued at the UFT dance club where she was an active member, regularly taking classes in several dance styles. She first discovered the enchanting art of belly dance in 2003. She quickly fell in love with the rich music, the complex movements and everything to do with this ancient and yet always evolving art form and it has been her passion ever since. She has studied extensively with master teacher Yasmina Ramzy in Toronto; she joined Arabesque Dance Company in 2006 and went on to become a lead dancer of the company in 2008 and a member of the teaching faculty at Arabesque Academy. She has performed in major productions Asala (2006 Arabesque production) and La Traviata in 2007 with the Canadian Opera Company. Loulou choreographed a dance piece for the talent portion of the Miss Kohinoor International Beauty Pageant for the 2009 winning contestant. In September 2009 Loulou moved to Barcelona, Spain where she spent the year studying dance under the tutelage of several master teachers and perfecting her third language. Loulou is committed to providing quality, artistic and passionate work as a performer and teacher.

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.

Nikki Gentles

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Nikki Gentles began her formal dance training in ballet dance at age five.Â 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.Â 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.Â Her performance credits include the CBCâs Dragonâs 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.

Claudia

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Claudia began her formal training in Bellydance at the Arabesque Academy in 2005, hoping to learn more about the culture and art of her Turkish ancestors. She developed a deep sense of appreciation for the technical skills required in this dance, as well as its raw and emotional nature. With this newfound perspective, she continued to pursue Bellydancing, training primarily with master teacher, Yasmina Ramzy. In 2008, Claudia was invited into Arabesque as an apprentice dancer, and shortly after took part in her first company production, Egypt. Claudia went on to perform at various events, shows, and venues with the company, including CBCâs The Dragonâs Den; CNE International Stage; BMO Soccer Stadium; Enwave Theatre; Robert Gill Theatre; Fleck Dance Theatre; Betty Oliphant Theatre; Dance Ontario Dance Weekend; and productions by Arabesque including Noor, semi-annual Student Galas, Al Khaima, âArabesque Unleashedâ, and the âBest of Arabesqueâs 30th Anniversary Gala. She has also had the opportunity to train with renowned artists such as Robert Desrosiers, Sashar Zarif, Ferda Bayazit, Valeria Scannura and Kranti. Their influence has allowed Claudia incorporate other dance styles and themes into her repertoire, such as classical ballet, modern dance, flamenco, Persian and Turkish folkore, and Egyptian folkore.

In 2011, Claudia was delighted to make her debut performance as a Lead Dancer in Arabesqueâs Noor production. She is currently rehearsing with the company for the upcoming Jamra production.

Yzza

Lead Dancer/Teacher

Yzza was born and grew up in France. Since an early age she has been exposed to the art of dance and music in her family environment. She started her dance training at the age of six with ballet. She has always felt a special attraction to dancing and thatâs why she studied various styles including modern, jazz, African dance, salsa, hip hopâ¦ Itâs when she started Middle Eastern dance that she really found a way to express herself and it quickly became a passion. Most of her formation was in France with teacher Farida Seidi, but she also completed her learning with internationally renowned professors like Momo Kadous, Gamal Seif, Randa Kamel, Hadia, Raquia Hassan, Amir Thaleb and others in France and in Egypt. In July 2008 she was invited to perform for the closing gala of the âAhlan wa Sahlan festivalâ in Cairo by Raquia Hassan, after winning a competition in her native country, France. Now she is delighted to study under Yasmina Ramzy, and honored to be in Arabesque Company, as well as a teacher of the Arabesque Academy.

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 ofÂ 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.

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.

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!

Shadia Saad

Apprentice Dancer

Shadia is of Peruvian-Egyptian descent and began exploring the beautiful art form of Bellydance and Egyptian folklore after returning from a trip to Egypt. At the start of 2009, Shadia began training intensely at Arabesque Academy with teachers Nikki, Sarah and Saba, as well as Yasmina Ramzy. She joined Arabesque Dance Company in January 2010 and has since performed with ADCO in Vancouver and Yellowknife for the production of Oum/Egypt, IBCC 2010, Arabesque Unleashed, Best of Arabesque 30th Anniversary Gala, Dance Ontario Dance Weekend, the 2011 production Noor and most recently, Jamra. Throughout training with renowned artists such as Robert Desrosiers, Ferda Bayazit, Sashar Zarif and Kranti, Shadia has integrated new realms of movement and various dance styles into her repertoire, which also includes several styles of Latin dance. Aside from working in the financial district, 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 & ChÃ©, which she launched in 2009. Shadiasâ deep-rooted passion for Bellydance is expressed simply in this belief: âYou either dance from the soul, or not at all.â

Shari

Apprentice Dancer/Teacher

Shari was first inspired to learn the art of Bellydance after seeing Arabesque Dance Company lead dancer, Mary, perform at a local restaurant in 2004. Shortly thereafter, she began taking classes at Arabesque Academy, without any prior dance training. At Arabesque, the enthusiasm and passion of the talented instructors encouraged her to continually challenge herself and improve her skills. In addition, during her post-graduate studies in Sociology and Equity Studies, she developed a deeper appreciation for Bellydance as a valuable expression of femininity, power, and resistance. Shari is thrilled to continue her training as an apprentice with the Arabesque Dance Company, and is excited to teach at Arabesque Academy.

Amy Leung

Apprentice Dancer

After watching a friend Bellydance in a student show, Amy was hooked. Having no formal dance training, she decided there was nothing to lose â and learned to shimmy. While studying at various schools, Amy always admired Yasmina Ramzy and her work with the Arabesque Dance Company. Years later, she finally gathered up the courage to try a class at the well respected Arabesque Academy. Amy is thrilled to be an apprentice with Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra and is excited to continue learning this beautiful art form.

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.

Camille

Apprentice Dancer

Camille fell in love with dance at the age of 3 when she began her training in ballet and baton twirling. After an initial taste she quickly moved on to include tap, jazz, and acrobatics. After stepping away from dance to focus on competitive soccer, Camille began studying acting, film and television production and eventually returned to take up Bellydance in 2006. Her past dance training includes various Latin dances including Salsa, Afro-Brazilian Samba and Salsa-Belly Fusion. Camille's essential Mid East dance training is received from Mayada and various teachers at Arabesque Academy. Camille has danced throughout the GTA at various venues and solo performances. Today Camille continues to broaden her dance experience as an apprentice of Arabesque Dance Company while balancing her career in the creative arts.

Iana Komarnytska

Apprentice Dancer

Iana started to learn dance art at the children's dance studio affiliated to Ukrainian State Folk Dance Ensemble Virsky at the age of four, then studied at the State Choreography School for almost 5 years. Since 2004, Iana Komarnytska has attended numerous international festivals in Egypt, Turkey and other countries and different workshops of world known dance masters of the Middle-Eastern dances. She has performed at many different Bellydance productions in Ukraine. In 2009, Iana became an absolute champion among the youth in Ukraine at Bellydance championship "Bastet". Currently she is obtaining the Bachelor degree in the Dance program at York University (Toronto).

Haifa

Apprentice Dancer

With eleven years of highland dance training behind her, Haifa discovered bellydancing with her Mother in 2002. In her home town of Kingston Ontario she studied with Kellye Crockette, founder of Oasis Dance Studio and eventually became a member of her troupe, the Veils Of Isis.
Since moving to Toronto in 2005, Haifa has been able to pursue her dance training with the various teachers of Arabesque Academy such as Yasmina Ramzy, Melissa Gamal, Mary Cabral and Denise Mireau. As well as taking advantage of many workshops and performance opportunities at Arabesque, Haifa has been fortunate enough to soak up Toronto's amazing bellydance scene.

As an accomplished harpist, trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Haifa's understanding of music gives her a unique approach to creating choreography, and teaching. Other notable accomplishments include, completing Yasmina Ramzy's Professional Course in 2008, travelling to Egypt on the Arabesque tour in 2009 and performing an original choreography on the Main Stage at the 2010 International Bellydance Conference of Canada.

Lindsay

Apprentice Dancer

Lindsay was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. She is a versatile dancer in Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Hip Hop, and many other forms. Lindsay began her love for dance at an early age by ample practicing on her own in the style of hip hop and whatever way her body moved her. She began Middle Eastern dance at age fourteen from Linda Yablonski. In July of 2009 she travelled to Toronto to continue her education with Middle Eastern dance where she studied with Yasmina Ramzy, founder of Arabesque Academy.
In February 2011, she competed in the BDUC in Long Beach, CA where she won the award for the PEOPLE'S choice in Egyptian dance, as well as 2nd place in Drum Solo. She successfully completed her training in the Egyptian dance certification provided by BDUC. Celebrity judges such as Jillina from the Belly Dance Super Stars was present at the BDUC 2011, and had commented, "Lindsay, you dance like me when I was your age ... "do not stop - you could be a star".