Bellydance Oasis Magazine

Our People
Alma Sarhan - Director Originally from Ireland, Alma learned to dance over 16 years ago with a wonderful Iranian woman called Moti. That was the beginning of a long journey into what she believes is an artform which requires skill, dedicated training and passion. Over the years she has taken classes with many dance greats but is most inspired by legends like Naima Akef and Fifi Abdou. Alma has been in the advertising industry for 20 years and this magazine allows her to combine her skills as a designer and her passion for bellydance. After performing for many years, she now teaches occasionally and conducts a variety of workshops. Alma also produces The Harissa Club, with Rose, to showcase new Middle Eastern Dance music and new dance talent. She is passionate about portraying bellydance as a 'proper' dance form.
Ayesha - Editor I emigrated from England in 1989 and began my bellydance journey in 1990. I started teaching in 1992. My passion for the dance and teaching culminated in the opening of Sheik to Sheik with Eva Cass in 2000, and as the popularity of bellydance increased, so did the popularity of the studio. I love teaching, especially beginners, and I get such a feeling of satisfaction when students 'get' a move they have been struggling with for so long. The look of pure enjoyment is priceless. I take my teaching seriously so am very careful to structure my classes so that each one has a percentage of exercise, stretching, technique and musicality, all covered with a big dollop of laughter. In 2005 I discovered Gypsy Tribal and became a convert, as did my bellydance class at that time. We have been together as Free Spirit Gypsy Tribal ever since, although I still teach Oriental dance. One of my other loves is hen's parties, I enjoy being part of these special evenings when all the women are together to celebrate a special event - just like in the Middle East. They are very satisfying and, of course, lots of fun. I am married, have one son, one daughter, one dog, one cat and one horse.
Kerry Stewart - Senior Writer Kerry's goal is to inspire, educate and enrich others as she has been enriched by Middle Eastern Dance. Kerry has been bellydancing seriously since 2000, and has been a teacher at and principal of Oasis Dance Studio since September 2002. Her special interests are Egyptian baladi (including milaya) and the mesmerising Gulf dance, Khaleegy. Kerry was the choreographer for the Adani Dancers Khaleegy troupe from 2002- 2005 and is currently reforming this troupe. She has sought out world class teachers in Perth, Sydney and in Egypt to expand and enrich her knowledge of Middle Eastern Dance, and her interviews with many of these teachers can be read in Bellydance Oasis magazine.
Devi Mamak - Tribal Corner Devi Mamak is troupe member and artistic director of the award winning Ghawazi Caravan, based in the Blue Mountains in NSW and is one of Australia's premier American Tribal Style dancers, teachers and choreographers having studied a variety of Middle Eastern dance styles for over a decade as well as Flamenco, Classical Indian & Ballet. She has also traveled to San Francisco several times to study with the masters of ATS including FCBD, Gypsy Caravan, Ultra Gypsy & has dedicated herself to ATS since 1999. The only person in Australia to be accepted into Carolena Nericcio's intensive Teacher Training Course, Devi has now received her teaching accreditation in the highly regarded FCBD format, with several of Ghawazi Caravan movements being accepted into the FCBD format. In 2006 she hosted the first Australian Tribal & Trance Festival which was a huge success with participants attending from all over Australia, N.Z & the U.S.A. Awards include [Troupe of the Year 2006 & Runner up “Best Troupe” in The First Belly Dance Competition 2003] Devi holds weekly classes in ATS for all levels and ages in the Blue Mountains & also directs two student troupes, Ghaziya & Ghawazi Girls [for 12 years & under]. She regularly sponsors major proponents of ATS from the U.S.A. She is also a classically trained, conservatorium accredited piano teacher with 24 years teaching experience and is a mother of 2.
Anne Ramsden - Web Mistress I began bellydancing in 2001, discovered American Tribal Style in 2002 and was hooked! I was one of the founding members of The Kismet Tribe and enjoyed performing with them for 5 years. I am now delighted to be a member of Free Spirit Gypsy Tribal. I am married with 2 kids, work part time as a medical scientist, enjoy all kinds of crafty things, am a member of a Medieval recreation group, and I am also a slightly obsessive webpage writer ... which, I guess, is why you've found me here as webmistress! Amongst many other webpages, I have also created Australian Bellydance - an ever growing directory of our wonderful Aussie Bellydance community, and Turbans, Tassels & Tattoos! - a site dedicated to Aussie (and Kiwi) tribal style bellydancers.