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 268. The Importance of Studying The Roots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:38
We fall in love with belly dance for many different reasons. One of those reasons is freedom, and vast opportunities for creativity. But we may get carry away with dance experiments. Let’s listen to the stories of Jillin…
Ep 267. Farah Nasri: Different Types Of Performance Venues In Cairo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:36
Farah Nasri is a UK qualified teacher in dance and foreign languages. She began her belly dance career when she was a college student in London, and in 2014 she moved to Cairo. Today her Farah Nasri Dance Labs is the pla…
Ep 265. Shining: Documenting Dance & Life of Legendary Khyria Mazin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:12
Shining is a performer, instructor and researcher of Egyptian traditional dances, whose work emphasizes the cultural and historical influences on the medium of dance in and from Egypt. She is the founder of http://www.ba…
Ep 264 - What Is Egyptian Belly Dance Style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:05
This episode includes Iana’s lecture that was recorded specifically for the upcoming intensive at the Iana Dance Club “Cairo Dance Guide”.You will hear about Iana’s experience of attending a bunch of dance festivals in C…
Ep 263. Charafe of Morocco: Pursuing Dance Career in Morocco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:48
Charafe is not just a dancer, he is one of the few, if not the only, male belly dancer in Morocco. He tries to lead a life as normal as possible in Casablanca. He teaches dance, makes choreographies for belly dancers, an…
Ep 262. Inspired By The Folklore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:27
We all love belly dance. But there is so much beyond oriental, in the field of folklore dances. Let’s listen to the stories of Apsara Afsanesara, Nada El Masriya , Samantha Burnstein and Gigi Dilsah, who found joy in exp…
Ep 261. Zara: Fighting For Her Identity As Egyptian Belly Dancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:38
Zara is an Egyptian dancer currently based in Cairo. She has worked professionally as a dancer for over 17 years, including last 6 years specifically in Egypt. Zara has stared in various music videos and Bollywood films.…