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 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.  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 performing with members of the Light Rain Band who have been playing for bellydancers since the 1060's, and inspired performances by the Joffrey Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet.  Their unique hybrid of Arabic and American musical sensibilities create mysterious and romantic music which sings to the gypsy in our souls.

For more about the Light Rain Band.

Band Leader Doug Adamz, violins, guitar and recorder

CLASSES

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

For more info call: 831.335.4567

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please click on the thumbnails for larger images

Felton Community Hall

Felton (Hwy 9, downtown Felton) 

MAP

7 p.m. MON 

Bellydance Workout

7 p.m. Wednesday, intermediate Level

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

At the Crepe Place

Bellydance Community Showcase

with special guest performers.

Call 429-6994

www.thecrepeplace.com

Helené and Sisters of the Desert Sky Dance Company

LOUDEN NELSON CENTER

Downtown Santa Cruz

Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.

Tribal Bellydance with live Drumming

6 PM   Tuesdays

Beginning Level Bellydance

7 PM   Tuesdays

Intermediate Level Bellydance

The Backstage Lounge

Next to the Rio Theatre

Helené and Bellydance International Productions

SATURDAY  Feb. 18,  7:30 P.M.

Featuring soloists: Sharif, Desma, Amberlynn, Alina, Chandala, Parizade,

Rica and Catherine Cooper.......

RISING STARS OF BELLYDANCE 2012

SATURDAY  Feb. 25,  7:30 P.M.

BELLYDANCE CABARET featuring Crystal Silmi Student Showcase

$10 at the door. Performers call 831 335 4567 to sign up and for more information.

1209 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz

www.backstageloungerio.com

Don Quixote's International Music Hall

Helené and Bellydance International Productions

THURSDAY   MAY  10TH,  7:30 P.M.

Light Rain featuring performances

by Crystal Silmi and Raks Arabi, Sese, Janette Brenner, Siwa,

Helené and The Sisters of the Desert Sky Dance Company.

$15 at the door or $13 in advance.

6275 Highway 9, Felton

MAP & Directions

831.603.2294

http://www.donquixotesmusic.info/

Helené with Sisters of the Desert Sky,

For more info see Mosaic Web Page

CLICK HERE

831.335.4567  

Private lessons available. 

Call 831.335.4567

 

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