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Ellysia is a performer/teacher living near Longview, Alberta, Canada. She has been dancing for over twenty-five years and has studied with a number of wonderful teachers: Urmilla Das, Leyla, Sahbra, Hadia, Sahra Saeeda, Usri Sharif, Nourhan Sharif, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Jalilah, Sabura, Denise Enan, Yasmina Ramzy, Horatio and Beatta, Venus, Sarita, Aziza, Amir Thaleb, Aradia, Tamra Henna, Petite Jamila, Tito, among others. Specializing in the Egyptian Oriental style, and a gifted choreographer, Ellysia has entertained audiences throughout her native Western Canada, as well as in the birthplace of this dance, Egypt. Ellysia loves playing the finger cymbals, the Egyptian tabla, and the riqq, and is the composer of 4 CD's of original Bellydance music. Currently available are two classical Belly Dance CD’s “Bellydance With Ellysia, Egyptian Moods”, and “Starfire, Bellydance With Ellysia Volume 2”, and two CD's with the Arabic Pop sound, "Windswept" and "Smooth Moves". Ellysia currently performs and teaches in Southern Alberta, running regular classes in High River, Okotoks, and Longview. Solo, and as leader of her troupe, “The Jewels of the Foothills”, Ellysia performs regularly at special events, dance shows, and private functions all over Southern Alberta, working to promote the image of Bellydance as an acceptable art form. It is Ellysia’s dream to make this dance accessible to the ordinary person, as an entertainment and as a wonderful form of exercise and spiritual development.
Click on image
for larger version.
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Class Schedules:
Would you enjoy the
company of an interesting bunch of women?
Do you want to get fit by having fun?
Perhaps you yearn to express yourself and you enjoy music and
rhythm. Bellydance may be just the
thing to improve that posture, tighten those abs, sculpt and tone the body, and boost your
self-confidence. It is also great for
rehabilitating long-standing body pain, especially in the back, neck and
shoulders. Join Ellysia for a
break from your busy routine, putting aside your daily stresses and
rediscovering your body in the visceral rhythms and mesmerizing melodies of the
most ancient form of dance. Relaxing
and stimulating at the same time, Bellydance is the ideal exercise for a
woman’s body, any women’s body, of any age or size. It can also be experienced in a spiritual sense, as you centre
yourself and explore not just your body, but your soul as well. Bellydance enables you to free yourself and
rediscover the joy of movement.
2012 Winter and Spring Classes
Winter
Classes will be mixed
level running Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm starting February 1st and
ending April 18th, 10 classes, no class Feb. 22nd. Spring Classes will be
mixed level running Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm starting April 25th and running
until June 27th, 10 classes. For
information call Ellysia, 403-558-2445, and for registration call the Recreation
Programmer for the Town of High River , Cynthia Farrow at
403-652-4042. Check your Foothills Continuing Education flyer for details.
Ellysia is also
available for private lessons and workshops.
Phone 403-558-2445 for details.
For performance
information, or to hire Ellysia for your next party or celebration, call 403-558-2445. Ellysia does bellygrams,
parties and special events.
Yonisha Productions
has put out a wonderful anthology of Bellydance stories in book form. What could be a better read? Ellysia is honoured that they have accepted
her story, “A Belly Dancer in Cattle Country” as part of the collection. The book is out now, so check the
website below for details.
If you missed Ellysia’s
program on CBC’s “Outfront” , you can get it in the “Outfront” archives on the
CBC website. The program aired in May
2003. It is about a Bellydancer’s
struggle to make it in the cattle country of Southern Alberta.
Ellysia composes music for Bellydance, and has 4 CD's available for purchase. The first two CD’s, “Bellydance With Ellysia, Egyptian Moods”, and “Starfire, Bellydance With Ellysia Volume 2”, feature a very classical sound. “Bellydance With Ellysia, Egyptian Moods” has two full dance routines, and several stand-alone songs. The music flows gracefully through wide ranging tempos, and exotic melodies, and is great to dance to, and lovely for just listening. “Starfire”, the second CD, also has two complete dance routines and a selection of other musical numbers sized to fit a mix and match dance routine. It is similar to the first CD, but in addition to some great basic beats, this CD has some more complicated rhythms taken from Andalusian times. In this production, Ellysia has overlain her catchy tunes and authentic percussion with more of a “pop” sound. This one should appeal to the more advanced dancer. Both of Ellysia’s first CD’s are classical recordings, trying for the feel of the old ensembles with only five or six musicians and a dancer. Her third CD, “Windswept”, which has become very popular, mixes her strong, moody melodies with the full “Arabic Pop” sound that has recently become the preference of many dancers. As with the first two CD’s, there are two complete dance routines, broken up into convenient parts for mixing and matching, plus 5 standalone songs. CD number 4, "Smooth Moves", is now available. It is along the lines of "Windswept", upbeat and sinuous. It has the usual two dynamite full routines as well as many mix and match tracks to play with. To order from this website, or for more information, phone Ellysia at 403-558-2445, or email to bastet@xplornet.com, or shop at the Son of the Pharaoh in Calgary (see friends and links).
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Egyptian Moods, Bellydance
With Ellysia Volume 1: Ellysia weaves
her powerful and haunting melodies into the authentic rhythms and maqamat
that give this music its distinctive character. This cd has a flowing, classical feel and should please dancers
of any level, and anyone who enjoys music. |
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Starfire, Bellydance
With Ellysia Volume 2: “There is a definite
marriage of melody and percussion, the beats are rich, and the melodies have depth... The music tracks have one thing in common,
warmth and inspiring.” Aboudi
Badawi, well-known composer of Arabic Music |
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Windswept, Dynamic
Dance Music: With the help of
rhythmical stylings from Jimmy Kanza, Ellysia has created a less classical,
more “pop” sound to this recording.
This should especially please those dancers who have come to prefer
the modern Arabic Pop style. |
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Smooth Moves This new cd is similar in style to Windswept, again using Jimmy Kanza's wonderful rhythmical stylings. It has the Arabic Pop sound melded with Ellysia's sweeping melodies. This compelling compilation of tunes will get you dancing for sure!
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Order information: Each cd is $15 Canadian, plus appropriate postage. You get a great deal if you order 3 for $40 Canadian, or 4 for $50 plus appropriate postage. Contact Ellysia to place an order at 403-558-2445, or email: bastet@xplornet.com |
You can contact Ellysia at 403-558-2445, or email
to: bastet@xplornet.com
Ahlena is an
up-and-coming dancer from Okotoks, Alberta.
A mother of two young boys, she is taking all the classes she can, and
hopes one day to teach this wonderful art.
She is Zillah’s granddaughter, and performs with the Jewels of the
Foothills.
Anemone is the
proprietor of Isis Belly Dance, and is located in Edmonton. Her skill with the sword is amazing. She performs, teaches, and designs and makes
lovely costumes.
Ariellah, of Lotus
Productions Studios, is a performer/teacher based in Calgary. She also does a wide range of ethnic dances,
as well as Oriental, and has a troupe of dancers. Ariellah is a pillar of the dance community, often organizing
workshops and shows, and working to promote our dance form. She makes costumes and does costume
workshops. She is elegant and a joy to
watch. She and Jamilee often team up
for a duet, which is usually impressive and amusing at the same time!
Asmira based in
Victoria, is very successful performer/teacher. She has performed internationally and has her own troupe. She is a lovely person and an amazing dancer.
Aziza Habib is a
performer/teacher, often known to teach over Christmas and during the summer,
if you are looking for classes when the main bunch of us shuts down for the
year. Aziza is full of fun and
personality.
Dafne, of Arabia
Adorned, is very active in the dance community, always working in cooperation
with other dancers for the good of us all.
She runs a dance school and performs regularly. She has both energy and dedication.
Delilah is a member of Ellysia's troupe, the "Jewels of the Foothills", and is teaching Belly Dance in Vulcan, Nanton, and Claresholm. She shares Ellysia's love of the old style of slow, sensual, and graceful movement, and is a competent maker of costumes as well.
Hadia is a world famous
performer/teacher based now in Montreal.
Winner of international awards for her choreography skills, and producer
of many fine videos and dvd’s, she performs and does workshops all over the
world. If you ever get the chance to
study with her, do it!
Jamilee Abir, proprietor
of Abir’s Casbah and editor of her own Internet magazine and wonderful dance
information website, is a performer/teacher based in Calgary. She does all kinds of ethnic dances, as well
as the usual Oriental performances. You
should see her candelabra dance! She is
the glue that holds the Calgary Bellydance scene together. She organizes many events and wonderful
bazaars.
Karla is a very talented
dancer/teacher also in the Foothills region.
She has an energetic style and was a member of the troupe “Adelpha”.
Nath Keo is based in
Victoria and is a great performer and teacher.
He also teaches and performs Cambodian dance, and is releasing two music
cd’s, one in December 2002, and one in June 2003. He is an accomplished poet as well.
Nya Zen brings a whole new dynamic force to the art of Bellydance. She hails from High River and is a talent to watch closely in the years to come. A real mover and shaker, she is dynamite with the cane and brings a freshness to this ancient art.
Son of the
Pharaoh, the
dynamic duo of Carol Card and Emad Adly, are a great couple! They supply us dancers with all the stuff we
could imagine or desire, and they are always there to give a helping hand as
friends. Carol is a wonderful tour organizer
and guide for those of you who hanker to see the “Mother Country”. She and Emad made Ellysia’s trip to Egypt an
amazing one! Check out their big store
at 1512, 17th Ave. SW Calgary, or their smaller one in Eau Claire
Market. They sell collectables,
clothing, furniture, you name it, as well as the dance supplies. It’s well worth a visit to their store! They have something for every level of
dancer, and something for every dancer’s budget!
Suzy, based in Calgary
is a very popular dancer and has really put her all into this art form. She puts on a great show every year and is
very active in the dance community.
Zillah, a dancing granny,
has plenty of style and grace. Often
partnering with Ellysia in various Bellydance events, she is a much-loved and
elegant lady. She is also a wonderful
costume designer and creator of Bellydance jewelry, and a member of the Jewels
of the Foothills dance troupe.
Visit the Middle Eastern
Dance Association’s site and find links to wonderful teachers all over
Canada. They put out a monthly
magazine, “Sahda” that is well worth reading if you love Bellydance!
Anemone, Isis Dance Productions, http://www.isisdance.com/
Ariellah:
http://www.bellydancetoo.com/
Asmira:
http://www.asmiradance.com/
Dafne: http://www.bellydance.ca/
Hadia: http://www.hadia.com/
Jamilee
Abir, Abir’s Casbah: www.abirscasbah.com
Middle Eastern Dance Association: http://www.medabellydance.com/
Nath
Keo: http://www.nathkeo.com/
Son of the
Pharaoh: http://www.sonofthepharaoh.com/
Suzy: http://www.shimmywithsuzy.com/
Yonisha Productions: http://www.yonisha.com/
Please
report any bad links to: Ellysia bastet@xplornet.com
Last revised: January 1st, 2012
