When were you born? in 1997

I am an Early Childhood Educator. I really enjoy my work, it is incredibly rewarding and fun.

I read a lot, and in my opinion any day spent at the beach is a good day.  Travel is something I enjoy also, I dream of experiencing as many cultures and ways of life as possible. But more than anything I love to dance.  I come from a very large family, most of whom are based in the Blue Mountains. I love my family, they are all incredibly supportive of me, I’m quite lucky.

My father would tell you I’ve been dancing since I could walk…

But I have been bellydancing since I was 6 years old.

I originally wanted to be a ballerina (who didn’t) I used to choreograph dances and make my brother dance with me (we both wore sparkly tutus) but before I could start ballet classes my aunt took me to a Lebanese restaurant in Sydney.

It was there I saw a belly dancer for the first time, she was using a sword as a prop and I can still remember her costume. As soon as I got home I told my parents that that was what I wanted to do. My stepmother found classes in Wollongong (with Jacqueline Peperkamp) and we started going together. That was it. I fell in love with bellydancing. I was six. It was a year after that I began dancing with Devi.

To me, ATS is a language, a beautiful, intriguing language that allows you to connect with those around you in a way that is completely different to other dance styles. It is a strong and proud dance style.

The women I dance with. The always gorgeous members of Ghawazi. They inspire me and always have, they are strong, talented and beautiful people, to dance with them is to dance with family. Their individual dance styles and identities shine through in their movements and I learn something new each time the music plays.

A few dancers that have inspired me are Colleena Shakti, Zoe Jakes, Deb Rubin, Jacqueline Peperkamp and Devi Mamak.

I look forward to the continuous development of my dance, I know that there will always be another move, combination, technique or variation to be learned. And I am honoured to be learning and dancing as a part of the Ghawazi Caravan family.