Sharifa dances with playful and effortless musicality, elegant technique and real passion! And her students say she teaches the same way! Her connection to the dance and music is such that audience members often address her in their native Arabic. While best known for her classic Egyptian style, her repertoire also includes Lebanese, Turkish, and Classic American.
A dynamic “teacher’s teacher”, Sharifa is committed to a strong foundation of Oriental dance technique for all levels - beginner through professional. Many ‘already dancers’ transiting through Fayetteville / Ft. Bragg aren't in the right place long enough to learn all they should know for their current level – so filling their skill gaps keeps Sharifa’s skills fresh and sharp.
Sharifa’s own studies are ongoing with the finest the Oriental dance world has to offer. Sharifa scored a few firsts for the NC Bellydance community when she performed twice for NC Dance Alliance Annual Showcase, and with her Qarisma Dance Co. at the inaugural Charlotte Dance Festival.
Ongoing projects include Oriental dance communities past and present, a narrative of 20th C Oriental dance and teaching dance online.
Sharifa is a history / political science professor in her “spare time”.
[Little known fact ] Sharifa’s very first performance was a Persian wedding and arranged by her first teacher - no preset music or choreo – leaving a special place in her heart for family celebrations and dancing by the “seat of your harems.” Couldn't have been that bad - they asked for Sharifa for their next event.
Here's what Sharifa had to say about NCBellydance.org:
NCBD is the go-to resource for anything bellydance in NC! It’s a great student-teacher connector and regional calendar!
I have so many students and clients call because they saw me on NCbellydance.org! Thanks for all your hard work and we'll keep that support coming...
Thank you, Sharifa!
