As far as defining my personal style, it’s hard to say. Whatever
creative endeavor I take, I try to incorporate a good balance
of technique, artistry, and emotion, to share something
authentic with my audience. I strive to be genuine and a
little vulnerable when I dance so the audience and I connect
through nonverbal communication. I like to improvise many
of my performances and I feel that’s one of my strengths. I
really stress the importance of improvisational dance to my
students, as I think it’s at the heart of belly dance. I like being
versatile and flexible, and I’m not interested in being labeled
with an exclusive style, unless it’s “Sa’diyya Style!”
Virginia
What special techniques, styling, and dancing, differentiates
you from other professionals? What sort of feedback have you
received in competitions?
I have a flashy, yet relaxed, style of belly dance that I’ve tried
to develop to be unique. I’m always thinking of ways to
be innovative in order to interpret music as an individual
instead of using copy-cat movements, yet still honoring
all the valuable influences that have shaped my dancing
for twenty years. I feel that I’m a versatile performer and
instructor who offers quite a variety of belly dance styles
including Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, American Cabaret,
Tabla Solos, Beledi, Street Shaabi, Andalusian, folkloric; and
ceremonial dances like Saidi, Khaleeji, and Zaar; Persian
dances including classical, Baba Karam, and Bandari; fusing
belly dance with Bollywood, Samba, and Flamenco; and
being proficient with finger cymbals and props such as veils,
wings, shamadan, sword, tambourine, and fan veils. Being
a performer for almost twenty years has forced me to learn
many styles and props in order to cater my shows to the
particular cultures for which I’m performing.
Dallas. I’ve also hosted numerous belly dance competitions,
showcases, and “improv nights” for local and regional dancers.
Some of the professional instructors I’ve sponsored were
Vanessa of Cairo, Christine Yaven of Indonesia, Gina of Atlanta,
and Nadirah Johara and Kata Maya of Texas. And my most
recent project is an annual event I’m starting, called, “Ahlam
Al Raks” which will be a unique weekend of workshops, black
box theater shows and an improvisational dance competition.
I feel very honored and lucky to have all the support and help
throughout the years from my teachers and mentors, the dance
community, and my family. Nobody can achieve all they do
without a support system and encouragement. So I credit so
much of my successes to all the loving people who saw potential
in me and who continue to do so.