Gamila El Masri for the Gilded Serpent

The Gilded Serpent presents
Gamila El Masri

Paramount among the darling divas of 1980’s Manhattan glorious and glamorous ‘Egyptian Era,’ Gamila began her dance journey in 1973 in the Ibrahim Farrah Method. She spent a brilliant decade on New York’s cabaret circuit performing the gamut of restaurants and supper clubs, but the legendary Club Ibis was her home 1978-1988.

In the early 80's she began Egyptian folkloric training with Ahmed Hussein, New York's first native Egyptian teacher. She also studied Lebanese Folkloric and story telling theater with Ramzi El Edlibi as a member of his company. The mid-80's found her studying with Yousry Sharif and a member of the Yousry Sharif Ensemble. Throughout the years she has taken workshops with Ibrahim Farrah, Elena Lentini, Yousry Sharif, Nadia Gamal, Mahmoud Reda, Nadia Hamdi, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Farida Fahmy and Raqia Hassan.

Gamila initiated ongoing classes at the venerable Fazil's Rehearsal Studio (NYC) in 1987. She established her first dance company Benat el Nessma (1990-97) debuting as a choreographer at New York’s prestigious Ethical Culture Society (1992). She continues to build her repertoire today with the NileSide Dancers and producing independent shows.

GamilaElMasri.com

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Gamila:
4-3-08 Dances along the Nile, Part 1: Raks Al Asaya by Gamila El Masri, Reprinted with permission, from Bennu, Issue Vol.6 #3
There is strength in the cane twirl but not aggression, extreme rapid twirling should be held as an additional sensational feat, less is more. Have your body of twirling be moderate so that you can vary from slow to climatic; always reflecting the music, it's mood and tempo. Get down without getting crazy.