Born in Cambridge, England, Helené is now a resident of Northern California and lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Since 1984 Helené has been studying and teaching the Middle Eastern and North African Dance Arts.   Her travels in Europe, Asia and North Africa over the last twenty years have been a great source of inspiration for her work and Helené has continued to research the dance; most recently in Egypt in 1993 and Morocco in 1994 & 2004.

Helené teaches locally at her studio in Felton, as well as an ongoing series of workshops in other parts of the U.S.A., and has been teaching in Europe since 1990.  She is also a SPECTRA Artist and teaches Egyptian and Moroccan Folkloric Dance to children in elementary schools in San Benito and in Santa Cruz through the Cultural Council.

At Left, Helené performing traditional folkloric dance.   

Photographs by Paul Schraub

Helené is an international solo dance performer and is also director, performer and choreographer with her dance company, The Sisters of the Desert Sky.  Since 1986 Helené has been a producer of Near Eastern and North African Dance Events which have been received enthusiastically by the public and caught the eye of the media.  As one of the leading innovators in her area Helené works regularly with top local and international musicians and dancers, most recently with Amel Tasfout from Algeria and Salah Sidi Ben'mm, and popular band Sirocco. She has worked recently with Morocco from New York, Suzanna Del Vecchio and Eva Cernik from Colorado,  FatChanceBellyDance from San Francisco, and Cassandra from Minneapolis. 

At left with "Worlds Collide" Rich Walker and Gary Regina

In contrast, Helené has embarked on exciting new performances with the talented local band Worlds Collide, and has appeared with them in Santa Cruz at the Cabrillo Music Festival, The Catalyst club and Palookaville.  Since 1992 they have been performing their unique performances of Oriental Dance in combination with dynamic World Beat Music.  In collaboration with Helené, Gary Regina of Worlds Collide has recently composed inspirational new dance music called "Dance Meditations" to use in Helené's Workshop Series, "The Healing Art of Oriental Dance".   This audio tape is available for purchase with an accompanying video tape and Guidebook written by Helené.

Dance Meditations at left

Helené was a recipient of the Gail Rich Awards, 2002, for her significant contribution to the Arts in Santa Cruz County.  Joined by John Connell on Persian flute and percussion, she presents a journey along the ancient trade routes through dance and music, embracing such cultures as those of Afghanistan & Iran. With the local band Orient'al,  Helené  presents shows of Middle East music and dance regularly at Don Quixote's in Felton, CA. 

Orient'al plays popular and classical Arabic, Turkish and Armenian music, Band Leader Armondo Mafufo of Sirocco fame is a masterful percussionist, composer and teacher whose expertise has been recognized by numerous awards both locally and internationally.  He is joined by outstanding musicians Michael Gruber and Ganapati using traditional instruments ney and oud (flute and lute).

Helené's latest dance adventure is Rock 'N Belly Roll!  with the KOZ. Veteran singer, songwriter and guitarist Rory Koshlaychuk presents his original melodies, accompanied by bassist Marvin Labrie, drummer Erik Gunn and keyboardist Brian Chester.  Rock 'N Belly is a unique fusion of western and eastern styles and likely to become a global craze! 

CLASSES

8 Week series for each class, call for schedule dates and prices

For more info call: 831.335.4567

Felton Community Hall

Felton (Hwy 9, downtown Felton) 

MAP

Saturday, April 26

Helené Performance & Mini Workship

8 pm   at the Lupin Lodge

(408) 353 9200

Beginners Level:

Bellydance Essentials

Weekly, Saturday Brunch, 1:30 p.m.

Starting April 12th

At the Crepe Place

"Rock'nBellyRollers" entertain in the garden,

with special guest performers.

Call 429-6994

www.thecrepeplace.com

Intermediate Level

Masala Imports Studio

911 41st Ave. Santa Cruz

Bellydance Essentials  11:30 am - 12:30  SAT

Intermediate  12:30 - 1:30 p.m. SAT

Thursday June 5  8 - 10:30 pm

at Don Quixote's Felton with live music by Orient'al

with Helené , Sese, Miranda, and Tribal Moon.

$10 in advance $12 at the door

6275 HWY 9, Downtown Felton

831.335.2800

MAP

WEEKLY CLASSES

The Healing Art of Bellydance for Women

Starting Sunday, May 18th  11 a.m. - 12:30 pm.

6 Week series with Helené for beginners

www.LupinLodge.org

LOUDEN NELSON CENTER

Downtown Santa Cruz

Beginners' Level

Bellydance Essentials

6 - 7  PM  TUE

For more info see Mosaic Web Page

CLICK HERE

Helené with Sisters of the Desert Sky,

For more info about Amel, click HERE

831.335.4567  

Private lessons available. 

Call 831.335.4567

Advanced Level

Performance Class

7 - 8 PM   TUE

 

INTERNATIONAL DANCE WORKSHOPS WITH Helené  

 

SPANISH GYPSY (ZAMBRA STYLE) DANCE

1. Choreographyt using skirt and mantone.

2. Latin fantasy routine using fans. (Arab-Afro-Cuban fusion)

 

DRUM SOLO

1. Sizzling hot technique for classic rhythm patterns.

2. Choreography for Armenian style by RaJa adapted for group performance.

 

AMERICAN TRIBAL BELLYDANCE

1. Introduction to Philosophy and Technique, with Tribal Dance Circle & Finger Cymbals

2. Experience the magic of flowing improvised dance combinations with partners using secret signals

 

EGYPTIAN DANCE - ORIENTAL (Raks Sharqi)

1. Egyptian Rhythms and finger Cymbals

2. Dynamic Drum Solo Techniques

3. Shimmies with Basic Steps

4. Traveling Steps and Body Waves

5. Graceful Arm Movements in Combination with Hip Articulations

6. Outline Choreography for a Classical Solo Dance

 

FOLKLORIC (RAKS BALADI) for Adults or Children

1. Cane Dance.  Routine for Group or Solo (Egyptian)

2. Nubian Harvest Dance - Routine for Group

 

GHAWAZEE

1. Introduction and Basic Technique with Finger Cymbals

2. Short Choreography for Group Dance

3. Short Choreography for Duet or Trio

 

TURKISH DANCE

1. Introduction to Oriental Dance Rhythms and finger Cymbals

2. Karsilama, Folk and Romani Styles

3. 'Dere Dere' Short Choreography to Folk Song

4. "Magic of the Veil" Flowing Combinations

5. Veil Dance Choreography "Goddess Dance"

 

MOROCCAN DANCE

1. Introduction to Dances of the Desert and Mountain People

2. Shikhat Style Routine

3. North African Rhythms with Live Music

 

RAKS SHAABI DANCE

1. Traditional Tunisian style dance with balancing technique and choreography for solo or group performance.

 

WOMEN'S SOCIAL DANCE OF SAUDI ARABIA

1. Traditional style called Khaleegy for group dances

 

PERSIAN DANCE

1. Introduction to Arm Movements & Hand Gestures for Classical Style with Traditional Dance Steps

 

DANCE MEDITATIONS

1. The Healing Art of Oriental Dance

2. Guidebook and music used in workshop available for purchase