ZAHARA

Artistic Director (Tabetha Vagliviello)

I have danced constantly since I was about 5 years old, learning Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary Dance.
My Middle Eastern Dance Training began in 2002, with Belyssa from the Belyssa Academy of Dance Orientale. Training with Belyssa’s 30 years of dance experience and research has given me diversity and a broad knowledge of Middle Eastern Dance and culture.

Dance styles I have studied with her include Classical Egyptian, Pop, Folkloric (Saidi, Beledi, Khaleegy, Bedouin, Nubian), Turkish and Greek to name a few.

2003 Join the school troupe The Flames of Araby, where I learnt costuming, how to apply stage make up and other elements of stage craft. The Flames performed at a lot of festivals/fetes and other occasions. For bigger performances we supported the professional troupe Desert Fire.

2004 Saw my initiation into Desert Fire, at which we would perform for Arabic Weddings, Birthdays, The Annual Oz Concert (televised on SBS) and various other professional events.

2004 Teaching for Belyssa, TAFE and continued as the belly dance instructor for Orphean’s dance studio’s until 2011 when it closed.

2006 Completed my teachers training course with Belyssa. This course is an in depth study of teaching belly dance from different styles and techniques of belly dance and teaching through to performing, choreography and musicality.

I have also attended workshops with the likes of Liza Laziza, Tito and Kazafy, Randa Kamel, Hossam Abdel Ghany, Farida Fahmy (to name a few) all from Egypt, Jillina Carlino (Bellydance Evolution) Ozgen (Turkish Romany International sensation) Rose Ottiviano, Alma Sarhan Jrisi Belyssa and many more.

2007 to Present has seen myself and my troupe perform in performances such as Darlington Arts Festival, Canning ton Show, Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, Midland Comes Together show, Swan Festival of lights and WAMED. I have Choreographed and performed Oz Concerts 2010 2011 and 2013 (Televised on SBS), Australia Day Perth Foreshore, Perth Festival Stage 2010, 2011 and 2013

TRAVELS

• RAMADAN 2006 I TRAVELED TO EGYPT, MOROCCO AND TO THE BAHARIYA OASIS IN THE DESERT. The cultural celebrations were amazing, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the original Tanoura and other shows at Saida Zaineb including the Reda Group.

• SYDNEY FOR THE FARHA TOUR IN NOVEMBER - an international and national cast of professional Middle Eastern dancers, musicians and instructors.

• SYDNEY DECEMBER 2012 AND 2014 – Jillina Carlano and the Bellydance Evolution Dance Company. Advanced/Master workshops for skills improvement and Classical Egyptian technique review/choreography – Jillina is one of the best Dancers/Workshop facilitators in the world, and I would encourage anyone

  with the opportunity to attend to do so!

  PERSONAL DANCE AND TEACHING ETHOS
  Good technique is imperative to become a better dancer, coupled with knowledge of the style and feeling behind the music - as there is more to dance than just movement.
  I always want to remain open to learning no matter the source of information (from a beginner to a professional dancer), as there are an infinite amount of possibilities within dance...

  IN THE PURSUIT OF GAINING SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUE I ENCOURAGE MY STUDENTS TO ASK QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME. 

Dance Position Held Brief

2014

• Dancer/Choreographer/Soloist Sydney Jillina BDE - Red Carpet Event
• Dancer/Choreographer Bassendean International Food Fest
• Dancer/Choreographer WAMED Soloist, Troupe Leader
• Teacher WAMED Workshop presenter
• Dancer/Choreographer International Cultural Fair

2013

• Performer One day in Istanbul (By Ozgen)
• Dancer/Choreographer WAMED
• Soloist, Troupe Leader
• Teacher WAMED Workshop presenter
• Dancer/Choreographer Oz ConcertDancer/Choreographer International Cultural FairTeacher Workshop presenter for Free Spirit

2012

• Dancer/Choreographer Bassendean International Food Fest
• Dancer/Choreographer Darlington Arts Festival
• Teacher Workshops
• Teacher RAQS ZAHARA
• Dancer Buddha’s Light International Festival
• Dancer Parties/Festivals
• Dancer/Choreographer WAMED Soloist, Troupe LeaderTeacher WAMED Workshop presenter

2011

• Dancer/Choreographer Darlington Arts Festival
• Teacher Workshops York
• Teacher Swan View High School (Troubled Teens)
• Dancer Nile Spices Perth/Margaret River
• Dancer Parties/Festivals
• Dancer/Choreographer Oz Concert
• Dancer/Choreographer Bassendean International Food FestDancer/Choreographer Perth Festival - Australia Day

2010

• Dancer/Choreographer Bassendean International Food Fest
• Dancer/Choreographer Darlington Arts Festival
• Teacher WorkshopsRAQS ZAHARA
• Dancer Buddha’s Light International Festival
• Dancer Parties/Festivals
• Dancer Solo In The Spot light
• Dancer Harissa Club
• Dancer/Choreographer Oz Concert
• Dancer/Choreographer Perth Festival - Australia Day2013rts Festival

2009

• Dancer/Choreographer Buddha’s Light International Festival
• Dancer Private Parties/Festivals
• Dancer/Choreographer Darlington Arts Festival

2008

• DancerTeacher RAQS ZAHARA
• Dancer Moroccan Wedding
• Dancer/Choreographer Buddha’s Light International Festival
• Dancer PrivateDancer/Choreographer Oakover Wines
• Dancer Parties/Festivals
• Dancer Love, Life, Death and Rebirth Concert

2007  

• Dancer/Choreographer Buddha’s Light International Festival
• Dancer/Choreographer Midland Comes Together Celebration
• Dancer Parties/FestivalsTeacher RAQS ZAHARA
• Dancer The West Australian Art Gallery
• Dancer The Arabic Chamber Of Commerce

2006  

• Dancer/Choreographer Darlington Arts Festival
• Teacher RAQS ZAHARA
• Teacher Workshops York
• Teacher Swan View High School (Troubled Teens)
• Dancer Nile Spices Perth/Margaret River
• Dancer Parties/Festivals
• Dancer Oz Concert
• Dancer/Choreographer Bassendean International Food Fest