Ep 300. Saida: How Everything Started

Ep 300. Saida: How Everything Started

Author: Iana Komarnytska August 7, 2024 Duration: 50:38

Saida, born to Syrian parents in Buenos Aires, Argentina, immersed herself in classical dance from 1983 to 1991, training with esteemed masters like Olga Ferri and Ricardo Rivas. In 1991, she embraced Arabic dance, studying under Amir Thaleb’s guidance and performing with the Arabian Dance Company, where she became the principal dancer for over a decade. In 1994, Saida established her own belly dance school. By 2004, she joined the Bellydance Superstars for a major U.S. tour, thanks to an invitation from producer Miles Copeland. Collaborating with Mario Kirlis, she released two acclaimed instructional DVDs in 2005 and 2007. In 2008, UNESCO's International Dance Council honored her as Argentina's best Arabic dance performer.

In this episode you will learn about:

- How she met Amir Thaleb

- Starting her teaching career by hosting classes at her mom’s house

- Incredible collaboration with Mario Kirlis

- Saida’s experience at Bellydance Superstars

- Dealing with criticism and negative feedback

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Saida on Instagram, FB, and website.

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast


Iana Komarnytska hosts Belly Dance Life, a podcast that goes far beyond the stage to explore the rich, textured world surrounding this ancient art form. This isn't just about steps and technique; it's a deep, personal conversation about the culture, history, and community that give the dance its soul. Each episode feels like a candid journal entry, weaving together the performing arts with honest discussions on health, body image, and personal growth. You'll hear from dancers, historians, and artists about how this practice intersects with modern society and individual identity. The Belly Dance Life podcast delves into the lifestyle in its entirety-the triumphs, the creative struggles, the cultural appreciation, and the quiet moments of practice that never see the spotlight. It's for anyone curious about the stories woven into the music and movement, offering a nuanced perspective that celebrates belly dance as a living, evolving form of human expression. Tune in for thoughtful reflections that connect the art to the broader tapestry of life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 302

Belly Dance Life
Podcast Episodes
Ep 278. How to Analyze & Improve Your Dance Mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:49
In today's episode, we're diving into a fascinating topic – using dance videos not just for social media posts, but as a powerful training tool. We'll explore why simply repeating choreography isn't enough and how to pin…
Ep 277. Sonya of Cairo: Performance Stories From Cairo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:41
Sonya of Cairo is a professional dancer and choreographer. She has been immersed in oriental dance since childhood. Her mother, Marianne DS, founded The Sun Dance School 17 years ago in Paris, the largest association in…
Ep 276. Arielle: Dancing Despite Health Limitations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:58
Arielle is a passionately dedicated dancer from the USA who currently performs daily in Cairo, Egypt. She teaches and performs bellydance, samba, folklore, fusion, burlesque, hip hop and many other styles of dance full-t…
Ep 275. Alla Kushnir: Building Lifestyle That Fulfills You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:14
A well-known choreographer and dancer, Alla Kushnir has won many prizes and awards. She was a finalist at the TV show “Ukraine has talent“, silver medalist of the Lebanese TV show “Hizzi Ya Nawaem”, winner of Egyptian TV…
Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:34
This is a best of episode! You will hear a collection of tips and practices from the belly dance stars. Find out how they approach their own training, and see what you can implement it in your life too.You will hear from…
Ep 273. How to Achieve Amazing Dance Growth in 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:21
Improve those couple things in your dance habits, and unlock an amazing growth in your dance skills throughout 2024!January is time of planning and building hopes for the New Year. But often we make grand plans , and fai…
Ep 272. Chudney: Conquering Anxiety In Class & On Stage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:18
Chudney is a professional oriental dance artist who has competed and danced around the world. She opened her own oriental dance school in 2017, to give students easier access to her weekly in person classes, and share he…
Ep 271. Hayal: Functional Training For Belly Dancers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:51
Originally from Brazil, Hayal is a professional dancer who has been passionate about oriental dance since she was 17. She taught and danced all over the world, as a soloist and in collaboration with other dancers. She wo…
Ep 269. Iana & Pedro: Music & Dance Discoveries in Cairo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:30
Pedro Bonatto is an internationally acclaimed photographer and drummer. Born in Brazil and based in Canada, Pedro works in fine art and fashion photography, with works published in Elle Arabia, Fashion Canada and a numbe…