Based in Speyside, Scotland, I teach dance and perform as 'Areebah - Fatma' to promote my dance. I dance solo, in duets and with groups.
'I believe dance should be available to everyone, regardless of age, body shape or ability and that dance should be adapted to be inclusive to all. The joy of dancing is indescribable, but 'magic," "electrifying," and to be lost in music and the moment, come as close as I am able to describe it. To dance is a beautiful feeling and all people should be given a chance to experience it. My motto has to be 'Dance from the Heart.'

Diary of up and coming events

Photo gallery

Ladies 'Belly dance' group:

My regular ladies Arabic dance group 'Arabian Nights' currently meets on Thursday evenings. I also teach beginner and specialised workshops throughout Scotland when requested.

Children's youth dance:

I hold regular local lunch time and after school dance clubs, which are organised by The Moray Council active schools co-ordinators.
I use contemporary and popular music for children/young people and frequently use props.
I teach creative and fusion dance such as 'Hip-Hop-Scotch,' 'Funky pop-fusion' encouraging young people to use their own creativity for these very popular groups.

Senior and other groups:

I dance with senior citizen groups and young adults with learning difficulties when requested and can adapt any of my dance styles to suit these very rewarding groups.

'Circle' dance

I have studied ancient and folkloric dance styles for a number of years with internationally renowned ethnic dance teachers.
I perform and teach Gypsy (Roma) and other traditional and ethnic styles from the near and Middle East.
I also have a passion for playing the ethnic rhythms on the frame drum and Egyptian Req .
I am now able to offer a number of workshops featuring the traditional dances of a number of different cultures.

Choreography & performance:

I choreograph all my own dance pieces for performance and instruction (apart from traditional ethnic dances of course)!

'I see dance as art so also use improvisation to dance creatively and with emotion/attitude to wherever the music takes me. This produces some original dance material for creative performance,'

My main performance style is Arabic (also commonly known as Belly dance, Middle Eastern dance, Raks Sharqi & Oriental dance).
My dance is Egyptian based and I specialise in dancing with 'Segat (also known as zills or finger cymbals) a set of hand held percussion instruments with a very ancient tradition in dance (related to castanets).
Dancing with a veil is also a passion of mine, an American addition to the dance form originating in 'Hollywood movies'

Community performance:

I have designed and produced a number of community dance performance projects including:

Spey river dance- An outdoor performance in Aberlour, involving adults & young people at the May 2005 Spirit of Speyside whisky festival

SAY I 2 dance - performance by young people as a segment of the local youth group 'SAYIs Halloween extravaganza October 2005.
Speyside arts net (SPAN)
Midsummer arts festival 2006.
Running workshops designing and producing two dance segments for an outdoor performance as part of this project.

Christmas 2006-'Speyside Stars'
Performance by young people as a segment of local youth group 'SAYI' s Christmas performance.

(The Speyside Stars are now a regular dance group supported by Active Schools, and take part in local events)

Teaching experience:

Throughout my work career, in disciplines other than dance, I have had extensive experience both training and examining students in both practical and theoretical areas.
I have also externally verified courses for an awarding body.
I have experience of identifying training needs, setting objectives and putting together competence based courses of instruction.

I am a registered staff/group trainer and hold the Institute of Training and Development National certificate.
I have completed training as an external verifier and been employed as such. I have also been employed as a lecturer, national examiner and contributed to two core knowledge text books.

I now work in dance and bring all of the above experience to my dance instruction. I have regularly taught adults dance since 2004 and have taken an intensive training course organised by The Moray Council, successfully graduating in May 2005 in 'Youth Dance in the Community'.
I have therefore been employed freelance to teach young people since May 2005.
In 2007 I trained as a 'Circle' dance teacher and took the dance movement therapy foundation course with 'Dance voice' in Bristol .

My training motto is 'Its not what I can do that counts, its what I can help you to do!'

Continuing the study of dance

I continue to study dance and take regular courses / workshops in various dance styles.
I take study trips throughout the UK and abroad.
Two years ago my studies took me to Turkey and last year to the Sahara desert.
My next study trip will include the Istanbul Gypsy music and dance festival 2008.