Tascheleia
is a professional Middle Eastern Dance Artist. Since January 1999 she has
been performing and instructing Middle Eastern Dance in Edmonton and area.
Like many
children I began dance at the age of three and I discovered very quickly how
much I loved dance and I knew from a very young age that it would always be
part of my life. As a child I studied ballet, jazz, tap, highland and Ukrainian
dance. My favourite dance form then was always jazz, however Highland and
Ukrainian dance opened something in me that would grow exponentially. That
was the self discovery that my true passion lies with Ethnic Dance.
I continued
through the years trying every form of dance that was available to me. I pursued
it fervently, taking part in events, shows, benefits and competitions (for
which I won many gold and silver medals). I was also fortunate enough to have
the opportunity to instruct jazz - a great learning experience.
Throughout
my years of dance I was encouraged to try my hand at choreographing. The more
experience and insight I gained with choreography the greater my talent grew
for being able to breakdown and interpret music. I had found yet another passion
through dance, a form of creative expression even richer than the dance itself
and that was creating the dance.
Having been
intrigued by Belly Dance for a long time I took a class on a whim and I loved
it immediately. Fate was smiling on me because I was encouraged by my instructor
to work toward professional dancing. After a lot of hard work and preparation
I began performing Belly Dance professionally. Shortly after, I began instructing
Belly Dance and took the plunge into a full time career instructing and performing
Oriental Dance. I currently teach classes at Grant MacEwan Community College,
Downtown Edmonton and all outlying areas. I perform in many of the Greek restaurants
in Edmonton and have produced six large dance productions in the last few
years. I have also had the opportunity to appear on A channel on many occasions
and on Arts & Entertainment on CBC with Collin Maclean.
I have special
thanks for my first Belly Dance instructor SAMOURAH (Nancy Olthuis) who opened
my eyes to the world of Oriental Dance. I have also been fortunate to study
with HADIA on several occasions at workshops, DEVORAH from Spain and JALILAH.
I have spent countless hours with performance videos of BEATA & HORACIO
CIFUENTES, from whom I have learned a lot of what I perform and teach. I have
also spent a lot of my free time over the years researching Belly Dance, reading
every book and watching every video I could find. Over the course of two years
I studied Middle Eastern Drumming (as well as some singing in conjunction
with the Maqam) with MICHAEL FRISHKOPF, Assistant Director of THE ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA. In my continuing journey as a student
I have studied Indian Folk & Classical dance with USHA GUPTA, owner of
USHA KALA NIKETAN and Flamenco with LEANNE KOZIAK, Executive Director of VINOK
WORLDANCE. I have also had the opportunity to study Polynesian dance with
TRACEY THORNE, owner of DANCE WORKS OF EDMONTON.
I have
been dancing for 27 years and have studied over 12 forms of dance. My
personal dance style has been most heavily influenced by my training in ballet
as well as jazz. When I teach and perform I rely on all of my dance training
to be everything that I can be. My goals for the future include a more in
depth study of ethnic dance and continued study of Oriental Dance. My long
term goals are a secret!!!
The more I
think I know about dance, the more I realize I don't know. However, my passion
for dance keeps me hungry and always wanting more; so I embrace all that comes
my way.
Tascheleia
