On July 22, 2006 dancers from though out the mid-west gathered in Sedalia, MO for a day long workshop with Raffa sponsored by Judy Cunningham. Eighty-six participants enjoyed Raffa’s humor and dance skills in a wide ranging class covering a drum solo, saidi combinations and practical pointers on the many common mistakes beginning dancers (male and female) make with posture, facial expressions and movement interpretation.

Raffa is a “dancer’s dancer” with a background in dance since early childhood.

He began studying belly dance in 1996 with Aziz. He teaches at the Aziz School of Dance Oriental in Salt Lake City, Utah. A native of Venezuela he studied dance and musical theater at Brigham Young University in Utah. Undoubtedly his years of experience with Latin-American dance, the rigors of touring and performing have given depth to his interpretation of Middle Eastern Dance.

The evening performance was very entertaining with a prominent atmosphere of intense enjoyment of the dance. In the 2 decades Judy has been sponsoring quality workshops 3 times a year so many friendships and ties have been formed that the workshops feel more like family reunions than formal seminars. This effect was heightened at the end of the first half when Raffa pulled Siham Ali of Kansas City on stage for a birthday dance and Judy brought her out a cake.

Dance highlights of the evening were Raffa’s two performances. The first a fluid Latin fusion (he reminded Gita of Gene Kelly) and his finale incorporating all he had taught that day in a passionate and joyful interpretation of the Egyptian Style.

Home Contact Us Biographies Class Meet Up Links

Events Archives Gallery Reviews Articles Gita

Contents, Materials, Images © 2005-2007 © Jemina Kathaleen Shikany
Site Created and Maintained by Jemina Shikany
P.O. Box 4581, Springfield, MO, 65808-4581
Questions or Comments please Contact Us
Last Updated on December 15, 2007