Summer School Teachers
This year is a little bit different. Not only do we have your favourite regular teachers back but we have new teachers too – and superstar Julia Farid joining us.
Teachers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name.
Abeer Will
Originally from Alexandria where she was part of an award winning folklore troupe at university, Abeer lives in Germany. Abeer is part of the BDN team and our folklore specialist. She is teaching a folklore course this year. You can sign up for the certified course – in which case you have to attend all the sessions to receive the certification. Or you can go to the classes that interest you and others in the main timetable.
Alanya
Abbie Mason (Alanya) is one of our JWAAD qualified teachers and her classes are always popular. She is a regular teacher at summer school. Abbie is based in Hereford where she teaches weekly classes.
Dorte Evelyn
Dorte runs her classes as ‘Ishtar Dance’. Based in Weybridge, she teaches regularly both in person and on Zoom. Dorte is part of the BDN team and the lead tutor on our Level One teaching certification. Take this opportunity to study with Dorte.
Elizabeth Aitken
Based in Ely, Elizabeth is also one of our JWAAD qualified teachers. Elizabeth runs regular classes and inspires all her students.
Ingunn Lyngstad
Joining us from Norway, Ingunn is a regular at summer school. Ingunn has a loyal following and teaches regularly in Norway. Her classes are always popular and we are delighted she is with us again this year.
Josephine Wise
Founder of JWAAD and Summer School, Jo has handed over the admin and organisation but still loves to come and catch up with belly buddies – and teach workshops. Jo continues to inspire students young and old and her classes are as popular as ever!! If you are a more experienced dancer, sign up for your 15 minutes of Fame with Jo. Individual feedback to help inform your development.
Julia Farid
Our international guest superstar. Originally from the Ukraine, Julia is now based in Italy. She travels the world teaching and performing at bellydance festivals. BDN brought her to London in 2021 and her workshops were really popular. She is an inspirational teacher, approachable, informative and encouraging. Her morning classes are limited to dancers signed up to her development project but she is teaching 2 classes on the afternoon open to anyone. We are delighted that Julia is joining us this year. She brings a whole new dynamic to the week.
Katie Alyce
Katie is one of Londons most sought after dancers. She teaches regular classes in London as well as workshops. Her classes last year received rave reviews and her workshop at Fantasia was sold out. Take this opportunity to try a class with Katie.
Kay Taylor
Kay has taken over the administration of and hosting of summer school aided by the BDN team. Kay teaches regular in person and hybrid classes. Kay qualified as a JWAAD teacher in the 80’s and has gone on to become one of the directors of the rebranded JWAAD or ‘BellyDance Now’. Based in the North East, Kay now manages both Summer School and Fantasia from afar! Kay had a break from teaching last year to focus on getting to grips with running summer school but this year she is back and teaching a choreography for the show.
Laurie Burnett
Laurie came to summer school for the first time in 2024. She is based in the USA so it is a bit of a trek!! Laurie loved it so much she signed up for this year. Laurie is studying Egyptian dance but is already experienced in the Fat Chance Belly Dance style. She is going to run an introductory session.
Leilah Isaac
Leilah runs regular classes at the prestigious Pineapple studio in London. She is a sought after teacher and performer so we are delighted that she is joining summer school this year. Leilah has an amazing energy which she brings to her class and inspires her student.
Naama Gelber
Naama has been a Pilates and Bellydance Teacher for the past 10 years with qualifications in Corrective Exercises, Senior Fitness, Nutrition and Pain Management. She uses all her expertise to inform her classes and help her students. Naama taught a sell out workshop at Fantasia and we are delighted she is joining us to teach at this years summer school.
Nyla
Debbie Phillips (Nyla) has studied both Egyptian style (JWAAD) and Tribal dance. A regular at summer school, Debbie always teaches a class or two and also brings her goodies to sell in the souk. You should check out her stall.
Raphaelle
A regular at summer school, Raphaelle is based in Paris. Raphaelle studied with JWAAD and has taught sections of our teacher training courses. Raphaelle brings great musicality, technique and clear precise instructions to all her classes. She takes no prisoners but you will come away inspired.
Sue Baker
Based in Cambridge, Sue teaches regular classes. She trained with JWAAD and is a great supporter of the bellydance community. Sue is one of the trustees for ‘Just Because’ a charity which raises funds to support women with breast cancer in Egypt.
Suzanne Walker
Based in the USA, Suzanne joined us at summer school for the first time last year. She wowed us with her isolations in her performance. Suzanne teaches in the States. She is back at summer school this year so we had to ask her to teach us those isolations ….
Yasmina of Cairo
Yasmina splits her time between Cairo and the UK. She is part of the BDN team and runs the ‘BellyDance Now International Challenge’ with Carmen Tormo. It was Yasminas brainchild – designed to challenge dancers in ways that would develop their dance and has become really popular. Yasmina worked as a professional dancer in Cairo of many years and brings her extensive knowledge of the music and culture to her workshops. Yasmina is running a 4 day certified music course. To get the certificate you need to register and attend all the classes that make up the music course. If you are signed up to the ‘Total Immersion’ option you can attend the sessions that interest you – and go to others in the main timetable too.