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.

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: en-ca Episodes: 100

Belly Dance Life
Podcast Episodes
Ep 295. André Elbing: Doing Belly Dance Photography Since 1989 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:44
André Elbing, a renowned belly dance photographer from Germany, developed an interest in oriental dance in 1989 when he began organizing and producing shows with his long-time friend, Shahrazad. As he started photographi…
Ep 294. Pierre Khoury: Combining Two Careers: Dance & Psychology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:46
Pierre Khoury, a Syrian-Canadian male belly dancer from Montreal, is renowned for his expertise in Syrian/Lebanese Dabke, Raqs Sharqi, and Whirling. His talents have graced prestigious stages, including the Theatrical Be…
Ep 293. Nath Keo: Bringing His Cambodian Heritage Into Belly Dance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:59
Nath Keo is the artistic director and choreographer of the Sacred Centre Dance Company based in Victoria, B.C., Canada. Nath is a belly dancer who has performed in over 51 cities with more than 1,000 performances during…
Ep 292. Fusion Between Different Styles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:54
This is a best of episode! You will hear a collection of tips and practices from the belly dance stars regarding their experience of creating fusion between belly dance and other dance genres. You will hear from Meher Ma…
Ep 290. Typical Archetypes in Baladi Dance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
In order to find emotional connection with Baladi, you need to understand its cultural environment, and typical archetypes that are often associated with Baladi women. Let’s dive into this topic in this solo episode with…
Ep 289. Randa Kamel: Finding Happiness & Freedom on Stage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:45
Randa Kamel is one of the most famous Egyptian dancers with her own unique style full of energy, as well as a teacher who has shared her knowledge with thousand of students all around the world. At the age of 15, she beg…
Ep 288. Sylvia Yssei: Kundalini Energy & Dance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:58
Sylvia Yssei began her dance training in 2000 with Jazz, and throughout the years she included Flamenco, Spanish, Classical and Contemporary dances in her training. Later she discovered bellydance, and eventually Tribal…
Ep 287. Izel Kirana: Exploring Tribal Fusion & Indian Kalbelia Dance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:01
Izel Kirana started her dance journey almost 15 years ago. Originally from Barcelona, she fell in love with belly dance, tribal fusion style, and eventually Indian culture and art. 5 years ago she embarked on multiple jo…