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 firery 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 formating and cues inspired by the tribal style of dance. I'm also very inspired by and constantly playing with new and fun dance innovations inspired by the Steampunk movement.
My ongoing contribution to Australian gothic fusion dance art is ELYSIUM. Elysium is gothic fusion belly dance format for teaching and performing improvised and choreographed performances, based on my own style of goth fusion and the way I like to respond to music. 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, and at times it is frustrating, but there is nothing else in the world quite like it. I am a dancer, a teacher and an explorer.
I became a dancer after a serious car accident left me with injuries that nearly cost me my career as a hairdresser. During 14 months of intense physical therapy I had to learn to use my back, core stability, balance, right hand and arm again, hold a pen and eventually a pair of scissors; and I fought my way back to the career I have loved for the past 22 plus years and counting. Dance gave me the confidence and the belief that I could learn and grow and indeed face just abut anything, and that knowing has lead me to a teaching career, a continued salon career and eventually a dance career as well.
Dance found me when I had lost one identity, and help me find my true self. It is a journey that is never ending and often challenging and raw, but I would not change a thing; not a step or a note. I've been honoured to dance in wonderful places and for and with wonderful people, and I am very lucky that I can continue to do so, and hope to do so as long as my hips will let me!
Elysium is available as weekly classes in two locations based in Melbourne, or as a once a month course of workshops in Geelong and Ballarat.
Check our workshops page for more information on Elysium including classes and workshop locations, dates, course content and booking info.
image taken at Halloween Hafla 2009 by Nathanael Out
image taken 2009 by Midnight Sun Design
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/Raqs Gothique include:
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