Interview with…Shona Hagan

Organiser of Miss Belly Dance UK

http://www.shonahagan.com

Shona Hagan is the organiser of Miss Belly Dance UK, a dance competition showcasing British talent in solo and group categories. The event took place on the 27^th March in Poole this year.

About Shona:

Shona is an International award winning belly dancer, teacher and choreographer of Egyptian belly dance and is based in Dorset, England. She runs a belly dance agency called Divaz which shares the same name as her newly formed dance troupe, who recently won an award in the groups category of Miss Bellydance UK 2011.

Where did your interest in belly dance ‘stem’ from?

I’ve always been a ‘dancer’ As a young girl I did lots of dancing its always been a passion, although I never had the discipline to succeed when I was younger. I watched a television programme on bellydance, can’t remember who was on it, it may have been Hilary Thacker. I just thought, I have to do that.

Where have you performed?

I performed lots when I lived in Spain, I had a contract to dance for a Norwegian tour company in a beautiful Moroccan restaurant in Altea , Spain. They used to bring bus loads of tourists up to see me and they had a crazy camp tour rep. who used to dress up in my costumes and come and dance with me it was fun.. I was also resident dancer at this restaurant at weekends. I danced at the Ritz, (not the actual Ritz) but it was a pretty glitzy champagne bar in Albir, Spain. Also five star hotels, weddings, many restaurants and many private functions and events in Spain. In the Uk I have mostly danced at belly dance events, Fantasia, Raqs Britannia, Planet Egypt, Aziza hafla, onstage with Mohamed Kazafy and Khaled Mahmoud, Miss Belly Dance UK and loads and loads of other events and festivals.

What do you enjoy most about performing?

I enjoy being in the music and presenting my own original and unique interpretation of that music, I also enjoy the audience reaction.

What are your tips as a belly dance teacher for ‘wanna be’ performers?

Get a good teacher preferably one who is also a good performer, stay humble, practice lots, get your body strong.

Why did you decide to set up Miss Belly Dance UK?

I believe Britain has many talented dancers who are completely undiscovered. To raise the standard of the dance, competition makes you train harder. I think British dancers are under-rated, especially within Britain.

What advice can you give to future applicants?

Train hard, try to be unique, remember just because you don’t win a prize it doesn’t mean you are not a great dancer, it just wasn’t your day.

Finally, who are your favourite belly dancers or people that have inspired you?

Fifi Abdu – An amazing performer and stage persona, Margaret Krause – A beautiful British dancer who influenced my dance loads, Maggie Caffrey – An amazing British teacher who is sadly now retired from the UK bellydance scene, Jo Wise for mentoring me and always believing in my dancing. Finally – Dina, Randa, Aziza, Jillina – All are amazing dancers and performers with their own style.

Interview: Miss Belly Dance UK 2010

In April this year, Delilah won the title of Miss Belly Dance UK 2010. She competed with 13 other participants in a nationwide competition for up and coming belly dancers. I wanted to find out more about this inspiring young woman so here’s what Delilah has to say:



How did you prepare for the competition?

After I picked the song I just danced. I let the music tell me what to do. It didn’t take me long to put it all together and indeed there were parts within my piece that were improvised. I just loved the song Salaam Ya Amm, and felt it went with my personality.

How did you celebrate your win?

I was very tempted to perform my victory dance on stage! However, I just settled on giving a hug to all of the judges.

Why did you become interested in belly dancing?

Truthfully, I didn’t know how to dance. I couldn’t connect my body to the music at all. Considering I am of Caribbean descent, for me it was very embarrassing. So I started learning belly dance to learn moves.

Who is your ‘Idol’ in the belly dancing world?

Although there are many dancers I admire for different reasons, I would say it would have to be Suheir Zaki. She dances beautifully and can hold an audience without props and no elaborate choreography. She exudes a wonderful presence.

How would you describe your belly dance style?

Warm and fluid with a good shimmy!

Where are you going to go with your belly dancing from here?

I plan to expand my repertoire and am learning saidi and shamadan. I would also like to start teaching soon. In the future, I hope to be dancing internationally.

What advice do you have for future ‘Miss Belly Dance UK’ competitors?

Pick a song that best shows your personality and style. Most importantly, pick something you love because it shows in your dancing. Also to show 2 people – someone who knows your style, such as your teacher, and another person who hasn’t seen you dance as much.


More About Delilah…

“I am an Egyptian style dancer whose warm, bubbly and at times quirky personality shines through the music.”

Delilah, otherwise known as Delia Lewis, is an Egyptian-style belly dancer from London who has been belly dancing since the tender age of 15. Apart from her passion for belly dancing, she is a self-confessed video game and anime geek, and is also a keen kitchen gardener.

At just 26 years of age, Delia has already started making her own belly dance costumes which she plans to sell in the near future. She studied anthropology at Oxford University and The School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS). Delia continues to enjoy learning about other cultures.