About Claire

About Claire...

Claire is a performer and teacher of Egyptian Belly Dance, based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

She is known for her musicality, expressive dancing and clear and warm teaching style.

...as a Dancer...

Claire first began belly dancing in 1999 and has since studied extensively with top dancers and choreographers in both the United Kingdom and Cairo, including Kay Taylor, Raqia Hassan, Aida Nour, Dina, Randa, Yasmina, Dandesh, Leila, Camelia, Josephine Wise, and Leila Haddad. In 2009 Claire went to stay in Cairo for two months to study dance in depth and improve her understanding of Egyptian culture.

Inspired by these influences and experiences, Claire has worked to develop her own dancing style. She is known most widely for the soft and expressive quality of her dancing, showing her emotional side whilst dancing to music such as that of Om Kalthoum. In contrast as the tempo builds, the music brings out Claire's strong, powerful and cheeky side! Claire also has a secret passion for dancing to western rock music, which she likes to indulge at appropriate events! Above all, Claire is well known for her musical interpretation.

"Fab...great stage presence!" - KT

(after watching Claire at a 2009 party

- check out her performance here)

Claire is an experienced performer, performing at restaurants, corporate events, parties and weddings. She is also a member of the Tarab Dance Company, one of only a few professional Arabic Dance troupes in the UK. As part of Tarab, Claire has performed shows at numerous locations around the North of England, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2004 and at the Hilton Hotel, Algiers for their 2007 New Year celebrations. She has also performed on stage with the headliners of the Avalon Stage, the Baghdaddies, at the 2008 Glastonbury Festival.

"You show such expression and have such a connection with the audience - I couldn't take my eyes of you" - Jane

(after watching Claire perform as

part of the Tarab Dance Company)

"I was totally

enthralled watching

you!" - SW

(after watching Claire at a 2009

NADA showcase - check out the

performance here)

"After your workshop I'm already starting to feel less like a Disney hippo ballerina and more like Tinkerbell!"- RW

(after a "Golden Era" workshop, with lots of focus on Arabesques and being exceptionally girly!)

...as a Teacher...

Claire has been teaching classes in the North East since 2003 and is a JWAAD qualified teacher. She has recently taken on the roll of Chair of the JTA, a new association dedicated to maintaining and promoting professional standards in bellydance teaching in the UK. Claire also teaches workshops around the UK, including at the Farha Festival, Scottish Arabic Dance residential at Largs, the Jewel of Yorkshire at Saltaire and on a regular basis at the Farida Ford Castle residential course, where she regularly receives great reviews.

"Fun and challenging...but you were gentle enough I never felt a victim!" - AN

(after a particularly technically demanding

Modern Egyptian choreography workshop)

Claire is a kind, warm and approachable teacher, who has a clear teaching style and way of breaking down new material, whether that be technique, musicality or performance skills.

"You're an inspiration - we're so lucky
to have you as a teacher - I'm missing classes already only 1 week into
the holidays!" - GL
(part of Claire's St George's Class - check her
out in this recent class choreography here)

For Claire, responding to the feeling of the music is the most important aspect of dance. She therefore tries to engender an appreciation of Arabic music in her students; by setting her lessons in cultural and musical context and encouraging students' personal responses to the music.

"I could never have done it without you - thank you so much, Claire!" - NH
(on her first full solo performance after an intensive
course of private lessons on choreographing, musicality and
performance skills)

Egyptian Belly Dance

Performance and Tuition