Faye has studied with most of Sydney’s  top belly dance teachers and was part of the Cabaret Arabia performance troupe for seven years, but these days she prefers to focus on teaching rather than performing.

I still struggle with balancing a sword, so I was taken aback when I saw Faye balancing not just one sword, but two in this clip!

Faye is multi-talented – as well as being a qualified teacher, she’s also an accomplished artist and a writer/illustrator of children’s books (for more information, visit her website).

*

Interview with belly dance teacher Faye

How did you get started with belly dancing?
I don’t think I had ever seen belly dancing before; it was just one of those strange things – I woke up one morning and decided I wanted to learn to belly dance, so I did.

What is your favourite belly dancing style and/or prop?
My favourite style is Cabaret or Fusion and I have a preference for modern music – contemporary, fusion or good Arabic, Turkish or Greek pop. My favourite prop is a sword or two.

Who or what has had the greatest influence on your belly dance style?
Having a variety of teachers – Jrisi, Shiva, Sureya, Terezka and Georgette.

What advice would you offer an aspiring belly dancer?
Find a class you enjoy and a teacher whose style you like and feel comfortable with (dance style, music and teaching method), as they are all very different. Stay with the same teacher for a while, and get involved in performing with students at haflas and festivals as this gives you great experience.