Afra started her dance career over 30 years ago and during that time she has seen the UK grow and evolve into something very different from when she was just a novice dancer. Afra has built up a strong reputation as both a teacher and performer in the UK as well as internationally, where recent foreign engagements have included two very successful teaching/performing trips to the USA. Afra has had an exciting and varied career outside of the belly dance community with performances ranging from private functions and celebrations, to large corporate events. She has danced for top politicians, members of the royal family and many other VIPs and dignitaries, most recently receiving praise from the Turkish Consul General for her authentic presentation of the dance. Afra is a very popular performer at Arabic weddings and other cultural events in the South West of England (She is based in North Devon) where her dancing has won admiration and praise for its warmth, grace and authenticity.
Within the dance community Afra is much in demand as both an instructor & performer. She is known not just for her knowledgeable and approachable teaching style, but also for grace and elegance on the stage. She is an accomplished performer in a wide range of styles but she is particularly known for her own personal interpretation of modern Cairo style, gypsy fantasy fusion and the dramatic cutting edge world of experimental dance, along of course with all the fun she has with props (silk veils and silk veil fans, double swords/finger cymbals, & shammodan to name but a few!). Afra was the first UK dancer to use wings/double wings and she has studied this prop intensively over the years including many hours of private tuition with top US wings innovator Ayshe of NYC. Afra is also a fully trained and experienced make-up artist - her workshops on performance make-up are a lot of fun!
Afra runs her own training school (ASMED) which offers lifelong learning for dancers in a mentoring and teacher training programme, which has successfully produced a number of talented dancers and instructors over its 15 years of operation. When she is not teaching or performing Afra likes to spend her time researching the history and culture of her art form and has an award winning blog where she writes about her breast cancer experiences. She has had articles published in many international dance periodicals and has just finished a 3 year tenure as Chairman of Britain's largest Arabic dance organization; the Mosaic Arabic Dance Network.
Afra is the founder and creative director of Celebrating Dance Festival and a member of Equity.
In October 2010 Afra was diagnosed with a serious type of breast cancer and after a mastectomy in November 2010, she has been receiving an intensive course of treatment throughout 2011. Afra and John are hugely grateful for all the support they have received from the dance community both here in the UK and abroad during these difficult times - thank you!