About Kashmir

Any web site is bound to reflect the biases and limitations of its author as well as her strengths and passions. So, you are asking – "who is Kashmir"?

Before Kashmir

Kashmir is built upon a woman who was born in the deep south of New Zealand; nurtured on a mix of Scottish bagpipes and country and western music. Escaping at an early age to study electrical engineering, she was captured by the power of dance that didn’t require a kilt – initially jazz and modern. It was after many years that she found an even more perfect dance form - raqs.

Kashmir Appears

Kashmir began studying Middle Eastern Dance in 1991 from a wide range of instructors both local and International. In addition to attending workshops in NZ and the Sydney Festival, she is a regular attendee to the Brisbane Winter Warm Up (an 8-day intensive in June/July with a single Egyptian master teacher). This has allowed Kashmir to build up her knowledge in a number of styles, but in particular Egyptian folkloric, Urban Beledi and Oriental.

There's more details at the end of this.

For more photos, click here

Officially Kashmir began performing solo in 1995. But it was an earlier debut that gave her her name. Standing backstage at amateur night, the MC asked how he was to introduce her. A total blank – then the track that had been pounding on her stereo in the car came to mind "Kashmir" she said and it was hard to stop giggling. For "Cashmere" is one of the plutier suburbs in Christchurch and one of the least likely to be associated with a "belly dancer". (Much later, the gaff of using the name of a non-Middle Eastern country - and one that is usually a man's name became apparent - but by then it was too late to go back.)

A touch of class
from Madame Abla

Kashmir
Oriental -
with attitude

It was several years later that Kashmir finally performed to her namesake (the version with Hossam Ramzy of course) – as a very non-traditional sword. Throughout her performances, Kashmir brings her sense of theatre and the absurd with her, whether it is as a sultry beledi bint working the audience or the annoying belly dancer who gets blown up, whether it is the precision of oriental or uniqueness of veil in blackout under a UV spot – she aims to be entertaining. (Kashmir is still performing - for the right event - such as Hens' Nights. Contact Kashmir if you think your event is the right kind.)

It therefore surprises some people that she is so passionate about the origins of the dance, about what costumes and moves are appropriate with what music, and is interested in Arabic music and language. But the reality is most people want entertainment more than a cultural experience and the western sound bite culture rarely wants a long piece to unfamiliar music. The compromise is truth in advertising and a little education along the way.

Kashmir was a founding member of the troupe Kamar and created much of their choreography. Kamar had a folk and fun focus.

Teaching

Kashmir began teaching MED regularly in 1997, initially with Gendi in the School of Contemporary Belly Dance. She brought to the school, not only her love of MED but her training and experience of several years secondary teaching.

In 2001 Kashmir began her own studio.

In 2002 Kashmir engaged in specific dance teacher training with the Queensland University of Technology. This involved not only a 6-month unit brushing up teaching methodology with a focus on teaching dance, but also units in Safe Dance Practice, Dance Assessment Procedures, and Dance Analysis and History. more details

MEDANZ Middle Eastern Dance Association of New Zealand

MEDANZ was founded in 1992 as an umbrella group for those involved in Middle Eastern Dance - including belly dance.

Kashmir was elected onto the MEDANZ committee in 1998. She served two terms as President (1999-2000) and one as Treasurer (2001). In addition she has been responsible for automating the membership, the Newsletter, the MEDANZ Web Site, and organizing parts of the three Middle Eastern Dance Festivals held in Christchurch (2000-2002). She then foolishly agreed to another term in 2003-04.

Opinions

Kashmir has plenty of those. Some are scattered through this website (along with factual articles). And some can be found on Kashmir's Blog

Kashmir's Training

Dance Study

Momo Kadous, Frankfurt (ex Egypt)	Winter Warm Up 2011 (4 days)
Tais	Christchurch 2010 (1/2 day)
Aida Nour, Egypt	Winter Warm Up 2010 (4 days) Winter Warm Up 2007 (8 days) Winter Warm Up 2004 (6 days) Winter Warm Up 2002 (8 days)
Caroline (Evanoff), Cairo/Australia	Christchurch 2009 (2 days) Christchurch 2007 (2 days)
Yasmina, Cairo/UK	Cairo 2009 (private lessons) Sydney 2008 - (Farha Tour) workshops
Lubna Emam, Cairo	Winter Warm Up 2009 (2 days)
Mohamed Kazafy, Cairo	Winter Warm Up 2009 (2 days) Sydney 2008 - (Farha Tour) workshop
Randa Kamel, Cairo	Sydney 2008 - (Farha Tour) workshop
Belyssa, Perth	Sydney 2008 (Farha Tour) lecture Auckland 2003 (2 days) Sydney Festival (various 2-3 hour workshops)
Amera, Sydney	Christchurch 2008 (2 days) Auckland/Tauranga 2006 (4 days)
Denise Enan, Ottawa (ex Egypt)	Winter Warm Up 2008 (8 days) Winter Warm Up 2005 (8 days) Oasis NZ 2004 (5 half days) Winter Warm Up 1998 (8 days)
Tanya, Tauranga	Christchurch Workshop 2008 (2 days)
Dr Mo Geddawi, Berlin (ex Egypt)	Winter Warm Up 2006 (8 days) Winter Warm Up 2003 (4 days) Winter Warm Up 1999 (8 days)
Cassandra, Minneapolis	Oasis NZ 2004 (5 half days) New Zealand Tour 1997 (5 days) & private lessons Casual classes 1996
Yousry Sharif, NY (ex Egypt)	Winter Warm Up 2000 (8 days) Winter Warm Up 1997 (8 days)
Elenie, Gold Coast	Christchurch Workshop 1999 (3 days) Study from video, casual classes & private lessons
Shareen el Safy	New Zealand Tour 1998 (6 days) Study from videos & private lessons
Shamira, Adelaide	Christchurch Workshop 1997 (2 days)
Raqia Hassan, Cairo	Minneapolis Workshop 1996 (1 day) Study from video
Vashti of Vashon, Bint al Waha	Classes 1996
Hadia, Calgary	Christchurch Workshop 1995 (2 days)
Aisha Ali	Wellington Workshop 1993 (2 days)
Leonie, Sydney	Christchurch Workshop 2002 (1 day)
Various (2-3 hour workshops) including Amera, Azziza, Belyssa, Desiree, Elenie, Gina, Judith Lees, Leonie, Lyndall, Margot McManus, Saffire, Terezka	Sydney Festival 1995, 1996, 1999
Various (1-2 hour workshops) including Azziza, Fatina, Gendi, Paivi, Sahara, Shamira, Suher, Tanya, Yasmina	MEDANZ Festival 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
Azziza, Brisbane	Casual classes & private lessons
Bairbre Aston, Sydney	Casual classes
Gendi, Christchurch	Classes & private lessons 1996-1999
Farida, Christchurch	Classes 1991, 1993-1997
Dance Corporate, Christchurch	Classes in Jazz dance, modern, contemporary 1979-1987

Safe Dance Practice

2011	Workshops by CatchFitness; Active Canterbury
2002	Achieved high distinction in Safe Dance Practices unit with QUT
1997-2011	Workshops, lectures, hand-on and private consultations with Michael Dalgleish (APA Sports Physiotherapist (BHMS, BAppSci(Phty), MPhtySt(Sports)), and Mark Shoring, Brisbane. (5-12 hours per year)

Teaching Background

2010	Teaching and lectures with Attar 2010
2009, 2006, 1999-2004	Teaching workshops at MEDANZ Festival
2003	awarded Certificate in Dance Teaching (Queensland University of Technology)
2001-	Independent studio - Belly Raqs™ with Kashmir (initially Middle Eastern Belly Dance with Kashmir)
1997-2001	Teaching at the School of Contemporary Belly Dance
1984-1987	High School teaching – including extra-curricula classes in jazz dance

Mundane Education Highlights

1992	Certificate in Horticulture (CPIT)
1991-1993	Various BA papers - including sociology, philosophy, religious studies (University of Canterbury)
1985	awarded Diploma in Teaching
1983	gained Teachers College Diploma with Distinction (Christchurch Teachers College)
1980	BE (electrical) (University of Canterbury)

Other

2007, 2001-2002	Arabic for Beginners (University of Canterbury)
2003, 1998-2002	MEDANZ committee (President from 1999-2001)
2003	Researcher and presenter for BellyBeat radio program
2002-2003	Studying for Certificate in Dance Teaching (QUT)
2000-2001	Student at Christchurch Drama Centre
1999-	Web-mistress, researcher and copy writer for Raqs with Kashmir
1999-2002	MEDANZ web-mistress
1997	Founding member of Kamar

Return to www.bellyraqs.co.nz
for those with a general interest in the dance

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