Who is Nada El Masriya?

Nada El Masriya is the owner of the Egyptian Dance Academy where I study Egyptian Belly Dance.
She is also the Artistic Director of the Egyptian Dance Company which will be performing The Egyptian Panorama, this Saturday March 31st at the Betty Oliphant Theatre.

People may wonder why did I, Miss Totally Average White Canadian Woman choose this particular dance academy to learn Egyptian dance.  

My first reason was that the owner of the Academy and the Artistic Director of the dance company is native Egyptian Nada El Masriya. 

To begin with, look at how gorgeous she is! Wow. No wonder I now work out so regularly at the gym, and stick to my "Eating Clean" diet. This lady provides me with some serious motivation. I know that I've got one tough act to follow with this Egyptian dance-diety at the helm of this school. 

I remember when I first started out with Introductory level classes at this academy thinking that Nada had the figure of a mythical Egyptian Queen and I would never, ever, be able to even imagine having a figure close to hers. I weighed a whopping 200lbs when I started out two years ago. Yes. I really did.  No, I no longer do. You can ask my doctor if you want to. And no, I don't believe Nada ever struggled with her weight like I did before I took up belly dancing. She's danced her whole life on a professional level, and it shows. 

You can go follow the link to Nada's complete bio site if you want to, or you can read my

much shorter summary of her det's here:

* Nada was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. 

* She grew up belly dancing as part of her culture. 

* She studied it seriously as part of her native culture's art and history and folklore in depth at the University of Cairo (while also earning a degree in Egyptian law). Wow! 

* She was a member of the Reda Troupe for several years. 

* She's been performing Egyptian dance professionally for well over 17 years to date. 

* She keeps up to date and current in the latest developments and styles in Egyptian dance

by constantly returning to Egypt, studying under the greats, and bringing them

to Canada as well (e.g.: She brought Randa Kamel to Toronto last year in 2011...Hello?! Rrrrranda!!!) 

* So Nada is the real deal folks. She's got "it" like nobody else here does. Her dance style is deeply experienced and soaked through with true training in authentic Egyptian history, tradition and folklore, yet it's also exciting, pulse-pounding and fresh, mesmerizing, subtle, complex, nuanced and incredibly intricate and elegant. Dr. George Sawa Phd, the respected Egyptian Musical Scholar from Alexandria has compared her dancing to the ever-golden Samia Gamal's. And, Fifi Abdou has called Nada "The Ambassador of Egyptian Dance in Canada". Now, if that's not high praise, and honestly-earned, I don't know what is. 

Maybe you haven't heard much about her yet. If you haven't, I think that needs to change. She's comparatively new to Canada,  so she is still one of Canada's "hidden jewels" (to borrow a recent phrase from someone who knows her personally). 

As a neophyte of only two years so far, I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate and blessed to be studying under Nada. I'm also hoping that people will start to realize and appreciate what an exquisite and rare treasure they have from Egypt sitting right here in the middle of Toronto waiting for them to see her shine. 

So here is your chance to come out and see not only Nada herself, but also some of the dancers that she has been training, and the most recent and revolutionary dance production that she has created for the stage, Egyptian Panorama 2012! 

What is the Egyptian Panorama - The Potential for Change!

The Egyptian Panorama is being billed as a: "Belly Dance Journey through Egypt at a Time of Change" 

To translate this into everyday-average-people terms, this means that the production is a story that is narrated and enacted through dance and song.  The main theme is the by-now-famous "Egyptian Spring".  Hopefully you have been following the recent and ongoing Middle Eastern revolution in the media and online and are well aware of exactly how world-rocking and not just hip-shaking this story is. 

I don't know about you, but it strikes me that having a cast of all women performing this story makes it all the more poignant and powerful. 

But wait you say, these women don't look like the belly dancers I see in my favourite Greek/Turkish/Moroccan/Egyptian restaurant...

Well that's because this production isn't just about a bunch of women's "gyrating hips" as the popular press so often loves to grind out over and over (Le Grande Sigh), and which makes so many true Middle Eastern Dance artists cringe when they read it (again and again and again, infinitum, sort of like a figure 8...) 

No. It has a real message, a meaning and a story to tell (but more about that in detail later). 

It is true that it is "Magical * Revolutionary * Sensational"!  - just like the professional publicity bills say.

That sounds pretty exciting doesn't it? I think so. But then perhaps I'm biased because I get to actually study under some of the artists in The Egyptian Dance Company, and as a result I think they are pretty amazing. As a student of just two years so far, I'm starting to get some sense of how many years, how many classes, how many extra workshops, how many extra days and nights of practice, rehearsal, passion, dedication, sweat and study, (and personal financial expense) actually goes into learning this incredibly intricate and ancient art of dance. To take it up for fun and fitness is one thing, but to become a serious professional is a  majorly impressive commitment, commanding my sober and awe-filled respect. 


These are the hard-working dancers of the Egyptian Dance Company:

You can read their individual bios here. 

The Egyptian Panorama that they will be performing in, is in the real tradition of Egyptian dance -- meaning that it includes authentic Egyptian dance, theatre, and singing. There is true human story and real pathos  that any human being can relate to, connect to and take seriously. An evening with the Egyptian Panorama is an evening of true entertainment performance, not something flighty and easily dismissed with the toss of a few flimsy, gold-veneered coins.  

This is not the typical belly dancing that you can see in just any club or restaurant, and it doesn't conform to any common, superficial stereotypes. While it's rooted in ancient traditional authenticity, it's not stuck on replay on scratched vinyl way back in the past. This latest production is perched right on the breaking edge of the future wave of Egyptian belly dance as it spills out across the world, bringing an irresistable surge of change along in its wake this spring 2012. 

Rise up from the roots of all humanity! Take action from the core! Feel renewed, energized,  inspired and transformed by the latest surge in passionate, artistic, revolution in belly dance innovation right here in Toronto on March 31st at the Betty Oliphant Theatre! 

I think Egyptians, Egyptian-Canadians, and Canadians from all walks of life and all origins should be proud and excited to have such an amazing artistic and cultural event happening right here in Toronto, Canada this spring. I believe that its message is to give hope to all humans that all of us can make positive change happen, if we truly want it. 


For me personally, this message of hope and change resonates powerfully. It is in great part due to my involvement with this studio, and it's positive influence that I was able to lose 80lbs, build lean muscle, tone and flexibility, heal damage done to my sense of self-esteem as a feminine being, reduce anti-depressants I was prescribed, and begin to come back from the depths of a terrible depression. I can see the proof within myself and my own life, that great change is possible when you work with people who truly care and support you. If one belly dance studio can help change one person's life, what else can it do for others? 

Details Follow: 

March 31, 2012

Betty Oliphant Theatre 400 Jarvis Street Toronto tickets: $30 to $45

Phone: 416-462-3498

Email: egyptiandanceacademy@gmail.com

To buy tickets online: http://hannandance.com/store/index.php?cPath=27 

To see the theatre seating plan: http://www.discoverbellydance.com/Seating.html

I can hardly wait to see the dance company wow the audience this Saturday, March 31st at the Betty Oliphant Theatre, here in Toronto! 

Nada and Layali El Sharq talking about Egyptian Panorama coming March 31, 2012!

Here is a link to a recent interview Nada, the owner of the dance academy I study at did with Rogers TV. She does a little demo of how to do some simple moves with the interviewers. 


She and the live band Layali El Sharq do a very brief and spirited Baladi demo. 
Nada also talks about the upcoming production Egyptian Panorama here in Toronto. I can't believe it's only this Saturday, March 31st! Time is really flying! If I'm feeling butterflies, I can only imagine what the performers are feeling! 

Nada on CBC Radio - Here and Now Toronto - This Friday, March 30, 2012!

Today I was very excited and pleased to hear that the owner of my dance studio will be on CBC Radio's "Here and Now Toronto" this coming Friday afternoon,

March 30 about 15 to 10 minutes before 6pm. Information from the website is as follows:

"It all starts at 3pm and continues until 6pm on 99.1 FM in Toronto. Join us!

We also like hearing from you.
Here and Now Listener Line: 416-205-2700
Email: hereandnow(at)cbc.ca
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

You can purchase copies of the program through Cision. Please note that prices and the length of time programs are kept varies. 416-750-2220 or 1-800-363-1530."

Nada El Masriya the owner of The Egyptian Dance Academy/Hannan's Belly Dance Studio will be talking about our dance company's upcoming production, "Egyptian Panorama" which will be in the Betty Oliphant Theatre this Saturday March 31st. Here's a Utube preview: 

From what I understand, our dance company only puts on a major production like this once every two years. I do hope a lot of people come out to see the show, enjoy it, and come away from the production feeling as if they have learned something new about Egyptian Belly Dance.

The Egyptian Panorama! March 31, 2012 (Betty Oliphant Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

As a Continuing Beginner Level student of Hannan's Belly Dance Studio/Egyptian Dance Academy (I started in September 2010), I am now counting down the days and nights to the upcoming big theatre/dance/song production that the Egyptian Dance Company associated with my school will be putting on next week: March 31st 2012, at the Betty Oliphant Theatre, right downtown, here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

Well to be absolutely honest, I won't get to see much of it in person (I will have to be patient and watch it on DVD afterwards) because I will be volunteering backstage for most of it. This means I will be frantically running back and forth, helping the dancers in and out of their costumes ensuring that they look just as glamorous, exotic, alluring, and polished as they deserve to on-stage, while also running around doing various other mysterious and exciting assorted things to help the production fly from behind the stage. 

Also, because I'm just a Continuing Beginner student, and not a member of the company, I will be volunteering to be an extra as part of the last scene. Obviously with only two years of classes under my jingly student hip-scarf, I'm not nearly anywhere good enough to be dancing with the professional company! I also can't tell you exactly what the last scene is about, or exactly what I will be doing. So, my friends, I'm afraid that you will have to come and see it in person to find out all the details, and have the full 3D experience for yourself! I can truly attest that it's so much better live, in full colour, and in person. 

Just in case I've caught your interest, I *am* allowed to share some associated promotional things for your enjoyment. All this week I will be posting some approved-for-release video links and photos for the Egyptian Panorama show. They will give you a small taste - hopefully just enough to entice you into seriously wanting more: