Posted on 02/12/2024 by Kay Taylor
Meet Jamilah Aziz
I am delighted that Jamilah is joining us to teach at Fantasia 2025. Since moving to the UK she has supported Fantasia by coming to workshops and performing on our stage. Last year she wowed us with her Bolly Bellywood number. This year she is teaching a workshop.
Lets find out more about Jamilah Aziz
Kay: How did you start belly dancing?
Jamilah: I started belly dancing in China through a teacher training course, and after completing it, I immediately felt ready to begin teaching. My first teaching experience was with a classmate from the training program—she was already a yoga teacher and had more experience, so we teamed up to create our first belly dance course. It went incredibly well, and this collaboration gave me a strong foundation in teaching. Although I started teaching right after the course, I never stopped learning and expanding my skills.
Kay: What drew you to your first class?
Jamilah: Initially, I was drawn to belly dance out of curiosity, but as soon as I started, I felt deeply at home. Belly dance combines strength, rhythm, and expression—it allows you to be powerful yet graceful, and it celebrates femininity. As someone from Xinjiang, a region full of rich cultural traditions, music, and dance, I felt a natural connection with the Middle Eastern and Indian music and dance styles that are often interwoven with belly dance. This connection resonated with me and inspired me to continue this journey.
Kay: What are the top 3 biggest influences on your dance journey – and why?
Jamilah: 1. My Cultural Heritage: Being Uyghur, I grew up surrounded by dance and music, which are central to our cultural identity. The rhythmic, expressive qualities in our traditional dance helped me connect more deeply to Middle Eastern and Indian music and dance forms, making them feel like a natural extension of my roots.
2. Exploring Bollywood and Indian Classical Dance: While in China, I also developed a passion for Bollywood dance and began learning Indian classical dance. These styles gave me more creative freedom in choreography, allowing me to combine elements across genres. Choreographing brings me so much joy, especially when I’m inspired by the different dance styles I’ve learned.
3. International Teachers and Students: Working with students and learning from international dance masters has been incredibly inspiring. It keeps me motivated to evolve as a teacher and performer and reminds me that dance is a lifelong journey.
Kay: Tell us about your dance career before coming to the UK.
Jamilah: Before moving to the UK, I had established a dance training institute in China, focusing on belly dance, Bollywood, and Uyghur dance. I organized workshops and invited international dance masters to introduce students to different global styles, enriching the local dance community. This experience taught me a lot about building a community and running a successful program. I also had the honor of competing and performing at various national and international dance festivals, where I met inspiring dancers from around the world.
Kay: It must have been difficult trying to establish yourself in a new country. How did you go about this?
Jamilah: Yes, it was definitely a challenge to restart in a new country! The first thing I did was research the belly dance community in the UK. The very first connection I made was with Fantasia Festival—I remember reaching out to you, Kay, in February 2023. My performance at Fantasia was my first in the UK, and it marked the beginning of my dance career here. I truly appreciate the support you and Fantasia have given me; it made all the difference in helping me reconnect with the dance community and rebuild my career.
Kay: How do you keep yourself motivated?
Jamilah: I stay motivated by constantly learning and teaching. I attend workshops, study new techniques, and work with dancers from various cultural backgrounds. Also, my students inspire me every day. Seeing them progress and develop their passion for dance reminds me of why I started. Dance is a journey, and I believe that there is always more to explore.
Kay: What is your favourite part of your dancing life?
Jamilah: The best part of my dance life is the connection it brings. Dance is a universal language, and it’s incredible to see how it bridges cultural gaps and brings people together. Performing on stage and teaching in the studio both give me joy, especially when I can share the beauty of dance with others.
Kay: What advice would you give to other dancers at the start of their journey?
Jamilah: My advice would be: The beginning is always challenging, but be bold, keep experimenting, and view every experience as a learning opportunity. Accumulated experience is your greatest asset. Dance is an evolving art, and if dancers don’t keep learning, they risk falling behind. From my own experience, I understand the importance of continuous improvement. When I returned to dance after a hiatus, I was inspired by how my peers had grown, and I immediately dedicated myself to expanding my skills and exploring new directions. Now, I’m creating a style that’s uniquely my own and loving every moment of it!
Kay: What dance plans do you have for the next 5 years?
Jamilah: In the next five years, I hope to continue growing my dance community in the UK, hosting international workshops, and creating more opportunities for cultural exchange. I’d also like to develop performance groups to give students a platform to perform on stage. Additionally, I plan to explore more Middle Eastern and Central Asian dance styles to enrich my teaching and choreography further
Jamilah tells us about her workshop at Fantasia on Saturday 22nd Feb 2025.
Belly Bollywood with Jamilah
Saturday 23/2/24 3 – 5.30pm
‘At the next Fantasia Festival, I’m thrilled to be teaching a Bollywood fusion belly dance workshop. This style is becoming increasingly popular, not only in India but around the world. By combining Bollywood’s expressive hand gestures and rich facial expressions with the fluid movements of belly dance, this fusion creates a captivating dance style with an incredible visual effect. I highly recommend every belly dancer try this style for the unique energy and joy it brings!’
Limited numbers so book now, don’t miss out