Angela Mott
Angela first saw live belly dance in 1988 in its natural habitat in Turkey, along with the folkloric group, she felt a certain curiosity as the tall, slim blond performed her 20 min dance segment in one of the best dance arenas ever created!
After mingling with the Arab community in London, Angela took up the weekly study of belly dance with New Zealand teacher Sherrill Dickie in 1993. Angela later became a member of Diane James’ Habibi Dance Troupe.
Upon moving to Auckland's North Shore in 1997, Angela joined Jacqui Thorpe’s classes and dance troupe until 2003 when Angela was invited to teach beginners belly dance at Takapuna Grammar School Community Education. In addition to her private classes, Angela taught beginners & beyond at Takapuna Grammar Community Education between 2003-2008, as well as Beginners at Glenfield College Community Education between 2003-2007, and Beginners Belly Dance at City Dance in Auckland City in 2010. Angela has taught workshops at the MEDANZ Annual Festival for the past 5 years, in Wellington, Timaru, Auckland (2008/9) and Tauranga 2010 and 2011 as well as performing with her students in the Festival Shows and Haflas.
Angela currently offers classes in Takapuna on Wednesday evenings, with Group classes for beginners and skilled dancers, through to professional performance training with private lessons.
Angela considers the study and creativity of Middle Eastern Dance to be limitless, and where possible continues her studies with many visiting artists, as well as specialised workshops held by our multi talented New Zealand teachers. Recent workshops attended from 2006-11: Hossam & Serena Ramzy, Yasmina of Cairo, Lily (tribal fusion), Orit Maftsir, Hadia, Tina Hobin, Amera, Barbara Wolfkamp of Bellydance Kizmet in Melbourne, E-lysaah (Tribal & Tribal Fusion), Fern of the Lost Tribe - Dunedin, and Dallia of East Auckland, and Candice of Phoenix Belly Dance.
Angela has previously completed the Auckland Schools Community Education Association Basic Tutor Training, the Belyssa Academy of Danse Orientale Teachers' Professional Development Course in Danse Orientale Studies, and in 2009 completed Keti Sharif's A-Z Original Personal Techniques course.
Angela believes Middle Eastern Dance is suited to all shapes and sizes, all fitness levels, and takes considerable care to teach safe dance practice in a fun environment.