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Melissa began her formal dance training in Ballet with six years of study at the Canadian Conservatory of Dance in Toronto. She began training in Middle Eastern dance at the age of 16 with instructor Raven Crow and has since continued to refine her technique at Arabesque Academy with master instructor Yasmina Ramzy, and senior teachers Mary Cabral and Emese Dosa.
Her passion for the dance has led her to travel to Egypt, as well as study with many world-renowned dancers such as Momo Kadous, Tito Seif, Randa Kamel, Aida Nour, Nagua Fouad, Orit Maftsir, Sahra Saeeda, Leila Farid, Bozenka, Amir Thaleb, Hadia, Camelia and many others. In 2008 she was invited to perform in the gala show for dancer Leila of Cairo, held in Montreal.
Her newest venture in Middle Eastern arts is learning to play the Dumbek with instructor Suleiman Warwar, and she recently completed her level 1 teacher training with Hadia.
Melissa started her apprenticeship with Arabesque Dance Company in 2005, and became a lead dancer in 2007. She is proud to have been a part of their last three stage productions, ASALA, EGYPT, and OUM.
Melissa instructs weekly classes at Arabesque Academy and is an established soloist in Toronto and the GTA.
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