Interview with…Shona Hagan
Organiser of Miss Belly Dance UK
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 27th 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.
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