ma'isah's bio
Ma'isah is the founder of Raqs Gothique.
Gothic fusion belly dance pioneer in Melbourne Australia.
Ma'isah's Bio:
My belly dance journey began in 1999 in New York with my beloved first teacher Safiya. Her gift to me was a strong foundation of Classical Egyptian Beledi and fiery Turkish Style. Her teacher was/is the revered New York dancer Anahid.
From this foundation, I continue to explore Gothic and Dark dance fusions with formatting and cues inspired by the tribal style of dance. I'm also very inspired by community and uniting women to dance, connect innovate and explore.
My contribution to Australian gothic fusion dance art is Elysium, a gothic fusion belly dance format for teaching and performing improvised and choreographed performances. My aim with this is to define my own style of dance in a way the is easy to learn and teach and share, that is compatible with ATS and its fusions, and allows the dancer to perform solo, duet or in groups while exploring the darker fusion styles.
My reason for developing Elysium, as well as projects such as PseudoSkirt, is to create amazing dances with dues and groups with ease. As much as I love the freedom to improvise as a solo dancer, there is the joy and purity of spirit when dancing with others that no solo performance can replace. It's hard work, compromise, but there is nothing else in the world quite like it.
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Painting of Ma'isah by Suzi J. Notini. Please email maisah@raqsgothique.com for prints.
testimonials:
Ma'isah is an extraordinary teacher, as well as a sublime dark angel of dance. She taught several workshops at WAMED 2009 and the girls were all enraptured by her comprehensive and easy to understand teaching style, her gift of expression and imagery and her glorious technique.
Ma'isah is a wonderful person with such a sweet, yet menacing energy - which is the most delicious dichotomy! I am so excited about the evolution of Elysium - the first-ever format of Gothic Bellydance, and I can't WAIT to learn more from this strong, glorious woman.
Princess Fee - WA.
Past gigs for Ma'isah include:
Soloist and workshop presenter at Evernight2, 2010 in NSW
Founder of TranscenDance together with Goddess Belly Dance, 2010.
Soloist, duet with Cin, workshop instructor, PseudoSkirt and troupe leader at TranscenDance, VIC July 2010
2010 Australian Tour Manager for Sashi of Ascend Tribal USA
Soloist, Workshop presenter and PseudoSkirt leader at WAMED festival 2010
Soloist at World Belly Dance Day 2010
Soloist and Elysium student group "Dark Djinn" at Ruby's Hafla 2010
International Guest artist, soloist and workshop presenter at the Gothla USA 2010 in California
Beginners Cairo Style dance students and Elysium student group "Dark Djinn" at The Goddess Belly Dance end of year concert December 09
Solo performer at the Melbourne Fringe Festival "VnV Boudoir" October 09
Solo performer and Elysium group performance leader for students at The Goddess Belly Dance "Night of the Goddesses" July 09
Workshop presenter at Club Rakkasah August 09
Solo performer and workshop presenter at Club Rakkasah "Cirque Du Rakkasah" June 09
Solo performer, troupe leader for PseudoSkirt Steampunk choreography "Contraption" and workshop presenter at the 10th annual WAMED festival "Ashra 2009"
Solo performance at the 2009 OMEDA Gala fundraiser for the Red Cross, supporting survivors of the Victorian Bush Fires.
Solo performance at the 2009 Worn Wild Alternative Fashion Market, as guest artist for PanGaia
Solo and SerpentSkirt performance for the 2009 Sugar Kitten Cabaret
Solo and Troupe Steampunk fusion performance for the 2008/2009 NYE Euchronia ball http://www.euchronia.com
Support act for the 2008 Australian tour for Jeff Martin and the Armada in Melbourne
The 2008 Bizarre Music Festival, Melbourne VIC : Solo Performances with guest drummers Florish and Xoreth, with Double Swords
The 2008 Ballarat Belly Dance Bazaar Concert: Solo Double Sword dance and two Troupe Performances + Workshop Presenter
The 2008 W.A.M.E.D festival: Solo and Troupe Performances + Workshop Presenter (+ PseudoSkirt)
The 2008 Sugar Kitten Cabaret Burlesque event: Solo Performances with guests BellySlap drumming ensemble
The 2008 East Meets West concert: Solo Performance
The 2007 West Afsana concert: Solo and Troupe Performances
The 2008 Shimmy into the Sunset Concert: Solo and Troupe Performances
The 2007 & 2008 Ballarat Belly Dance Bazaar Concert: Solo Performances
The 2007 Masquerade Ball for the Williamstown Hospital: Solo and Troupe Performances
The 2007 Solace Concert: Solo and Troupe Performances
The 2007 Belly Dance Extravaganza Concert: Solo Performance
The 2006 Rachel Brice and Keisha Chai Concert: Solo Performance
The 2005 Wendy Rule Summer Solstice Show: Troupe Performance
2005 - 2007 - Club Rakkasah: several Solo and Troupe Performances
The Annual Kismet Festival: Solo and Troupe Performances for 2007 and 2008 + Workshop Presenter 2007. Sword performance as guest of BellySlap drumming ensemble.
The Annual OMEDA Festival: Solo and Troupe Performances for 2007 and 2008 + Workshop Presenter 2007 and 2008
The Annual Halloween Ball: Solo and Troupe Performances 2006, 2007 and 2008
the official stuff:
* Middle Eastern and Gothique Fusion dancer since 1999
* Honorary member of BellySlap! - Arabic Drumming Ensemble.
* O.M.E.D.A. member - Organization for Middle Eastern Dance in Australia
* Respected and sought after dance workshop presenter in Fusion belly dance
* Certified Level 1 First Aid & insured dance instructor
* Qualified (Vocational) educator specialising in adult education
* Registered Victorian Business Owner, Raqs Gothique ABN: 57 893 107 151
Wishing you many delicious dark dance days
Blessings,
Ma'isah Site Design : Midnight Sun Design