Instructor:
Amina (Wendellyn Ladapo) Director of Zazzua Dance Company has studied belly dance technique for 10 years and 18 years of dance studies within the North African Diaspora. She has studied Classical/Modern Oriental, Folkoric Egyptian, Turkish and American Tribal Style (ATS) belly dance. Amina has studied and received certification under Carolina Nerricio within the American Tribal Style-Fat Chance Belly Dance format (Jan 2010). She has trained under Megha of Devyani, Yousry Sharif Prodigy- Mary Gaston, Anasma of World Citizen Dance/ Co-Director of New York Theatrical Belly Dance Conference, Samara Choreographer and New York Raqs Sharqi Artist; Aszmara co-founder/co-director of SaZ Dance Theatre of AMMED an Award Winning Middle Eastern Dance Company; Yousry Sharif, Mohammed Shahin and many more.
Amina began studying belly dance under the instruction of Julie Downum of Urban Tribal and Andrea Perkins at Zanzibar Studio in Chattanooga, TN in 2004. She took a Mother/Daughter belly dance class at the invitation of a friend since she was unable to continue with Modern dance classes due to lack of adult classes. Amina instantly fell in love with the art form and has studied extensively ever since. Amina has expanded her knowledge of the belly dance art form known as Raqs Sharqi under the direction of Mary Gaston of Love Lotus. These forms include Classical and Modern Oriental, traditional Egyptian and Turkish.
She will be teaching Oriental and American Tribal style® in 2013. Use of veils, canes, sword and fire will be introduced as students gain experience. If desired, students will have the opportunity to perform at various venues.
*Additional biography available upon request
Zazzua Dance Company:
Zazzua under the direction of Amina offers the unique ability to combine singing, dancing and theater for special events. Performances include public and private venues throughout the Southeast/Eastern United States. We have been featured on stage in Chattanooga's annual 14 day event "Riverbend", "Skyfest Regional Show & Expo" in Rockmart, GA, West Kentucky Rootsworker Festival, Chattanooga Culturefest, the Chattanooga Zoo annual fundraiser the "Banana Ball", Bessie Smith Cultural Holiday Event and the University of Tennessee Culturefest. Zazzua has also produced and participated in other theatrical productions most recently "The Silk Road", "Cairo Blues Yesterday and Today", "Night of the Oasis", "Collaboration and Creation: The Edge of Music and Dance".
.
