Here are a few questions and answers about Hadia and about this website:
Q: What is it that you love about Middle Eastern Dance?
I love the softness and fluidity of its movements, the abundance of time within which these movements are allowed to grow and evolve, and the endless potential for individual expression and creation.
. . . Flamenco?
I love its rugged, raw, soul-searing power and gutsy connection to the earth. I love the endless challenges and opportunity for growth and exploration. I love the precise mathematical clarity balanced by the internal tension and struggle to get past the struggle.
. . . Massage Therapy?
The honour of being able to spend completely focussed and dedicated time with another human being and by using the
techniques that I have participate in the many mysteries of their healing process.
Q: What has been the most exciting thing you have accomplished in your dance career?
Being able to find myself in a room full of students, teaching them what I know and suddenly seeing the lights go on inside their eyes.
Q: What is it that you would like to accomplish in future?
I would like to pursue a vision I have presenting flamenco, oriental and fusion on stage. It is in my head and down on paper, but I have not been able to get funding as of yet.
On the other hand, I just may want to quit working so hard, have a boat in Turkey so I can cruise around the Mediterranean and maybe a small house in a really warm climate where I can grow and eat tropical fruits in my own garden.
Q: What would be the most important advice/tip you could give to a new dancer?
To love and respect themselves and their teacher and remember that all good things come to those who work
hard, pay their dues and remain true their values and integrity.
Q: Who are YOUR favourite Middle Eastern Dancers?
Dina, Mona Said and Azra Sharif are my all time favourites, although I greatly admire Zohair Zeki and always enjoy Fifi.
. . . favourite Flamenco Dancers?
Eva la Yerbaguena, Maria Bermudez (alias Chach), La Tati, Christina Hoyos and Ciro are my flamenco favourites.
Q: What do you think it is that makes a truly great dancer?
Work work and more hard work to develop an existing natural talent, coupled with sincere love, great teachers
and role models.
Q: What are your thoughts on the movement to gain acceptance of Middle Eastern Dance as a true classical dance form?
I think that this dance form should start to be recognized as a legitimate, perhaps not classical, art form.
Do you think that this is possible, given the attitudes of a general population that really knows very little except for what they've learned from Hollywood?
I think that the change in attitude must come from the dancers themselves and not the general population. If the
majority of dancers start to approach this dance as an art from and are willing to work hard, maintain their artistic and professional integrity and continue to grow and develop, then they can start to produce and present the type of performances that will inevitable result in the education and acceptance of the general public.
Unfortunately, there are always too many young girls who can and do get work because they are attractive and have a nice figure, regardless of their dance ability or knowledge. There are also far too many "teachers" out there today, that know very little about the dance itself, the culture that it comes from and virtually nothing about anatomy, teaching techniques etc. It is very unfortunate that most are not even aware of this fact.So, the solution lies IN the dance community, not outside.
Q: Who put together the great website?
Faith LaFave, a dancer/nerd from Nanaimo and a huge fan of Hadia's, put this website together with input and information from Hadia.