Author | Dancer | Visionary
About Shareen El Safy
Early Studies and the Egyptian Connection Shareen began her studies with Diane Webber and Jamila 
Salimpour in 1967, and later Ibrahim Farrah and Feiruz Aram. She began teaching in 1972 and was the first belly dancer on California’s Central Coast. She acquired a renewed interest in both performance and instruction during many extended stays in Egypt, beginning in 1985 when she danced and studied in Cairo. During the 1988-1992 summer seasons she performed raks al sharqi at Parisianna, opening for Lucy; El Leil, the largest nightclub in the Middle East; the five-star Sunset Nightclub, opening for Sohair Zeki; and Siag Pyramids Hotel. Observing Egyptian dancers, especially Nagwa Fouad and Sohair Zeki, for literally hundreds of performances, has provided Shareen with a unique perspective on current Egyptian movement. She has also benefited from both group class and private study with Mohammed Khalil, Mahmoud Reda, Nagwa Fouad, Mona el Said, Dina, Ibrahim Akef, Hala El Safy (who gave Shareen her name), Raqia Hassan, Nadia Hamdi, Aida Nour, Dandesh, Amani, Randa, Tito, Lubna Eman, and the Benat Maazin of Luxor. Acknowledging Egypt as the current source of raks al sharqi, she has conducted her Dance/Study Tours to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria, studying with the top performers and choreographers to the stars. read more
Salimpour in 1967, and later Ibrahim Farrah and Feiruz Aram. She began teaching in 1972 and was the first belly dancer on California’s Central Coast. She acquired a renewed interest in both performance and instruction during many extended stays in Egypt, beginning in 1985 when she danced and studied in Cairo. During the 1988-1992 summer seasons she performed raks al sharqi at Parisianna, opening for Lucy; El Leil, the largest nightclub in the Middle East; the five-star Sunset Nightclub, opening for Sohair Zeki; and Siag Pyramids Hotel. Observing Egyptian dancers, especially Nagwa Fouad and Sohair Zeki, for literally hundreds of performances, has provided Shareen with a unique perspective on current Egyptian movement. She has also benefited from both group class and private study with Mohammed Khalil, Mahmoud Reda, Nagwa Fouad, Mona el Said, Dina, Ibrahim Akef, Hala El Safy (who gave Shareen her name), Raqia Hassan, Nadia Hamdi, Aida Nour, Dandesh, Amani, Randa, Tito, Lubna Eman, and the Benat Maazin of Luxor. Acknowledging Egypt as the current source of raks al sharqi, she has conducted her Dance/Study Tours to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria, studying with the top performers and choreographers to the stars. read more