JWAAD TRAINING - Key Persons
Costume designer to some of Cairo's top dancers. Eman runs her own atelier in Cairo and has a worldwide clientele of dancers. Eman was a dancer herself in the 80's so completely supports JWAADs mission to provide top class training courses for dancers and dance teachers.
Whenever her schedule permits, Eman joins us at JWAAD events like Fantasia or the JWAAD Summer School.
Performing and teaching bellydance for over two decades, Gwen is known for her Egyptian dance and her sophisticated and graceful theatrical fusion bellydance. Audiences praise her elegance, poise, expressivity and musicality. She loves to use props including sword, finger cymbals, stick, veils, fans and shamadan.
Gwen is known for her inventive and dramatic style, has performed and taught across the UK and Europe, and is a principal soloist with Johara Dance Company. Students and dance colleagues describe her as a gifted and inspirational teacher with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. Gwen is based in Oxford, and is available for workshops, performance and private tuition throughout the UK and abroad.
Joelle Barker is a master percussionist. She loves all forms of percussion and plays with bands and orchestras of all genres. A professional musician she has also featured on several albums and helped create the JWAAD CD ‘Belly Dance Rhythms for Practice and Performance'. Joelle composed and recorded 3 tabla solos for dancers on this CD.
Her mother is a dancer and Joelle learnt to belly dance at a young age but then found her real passion was music. This gives her an empathy with dancers which is truly amazing. Joelle not only explains Middle Eastern rhythms in an accessible way but also loves to play for dancers and explore movement possibilities with them.
We are delighted that Joelle has joined the faculty and teaches on our accredited courses when she is able.
A dancer in the 80's, Nadia established a worldwide reputation for her inclusive teaching style and encouraging nature. When Nadia became a grandmother, she retired from the belly dance world but keeps in touch with director, Kay Taylor and still supports JWAADs aims. Nadia's daughter in law, Nibal, works with Kay when she takes groups to Cairo on her ‘Farida Adventures'.