Miles Copeland

The Gilded Serpent presents...

Miles Copeland

One of the music industry’s most influential figures, Miles Copeland’s career in management stretches back almost 40 years to when he put together a group of go-go dancers in Beirut. In London in the 1970s, he represented Wishbone Ash, Joan Armatrading and all sides of progressive rock until he jumped ship, landed in the turbulent ocean of punk, and worked with the Sex Pistols, The Clash, Blondie, etc. In 1978, he became agent for his brother Stewart’s band, The Police, one of the biggest bands of the 1980s. He went on to manage Sting (solo) through seven blockbuster albums in the late 1980s, and introduced Sting to Algerian Raï singer, Cheb Mami, in 1999. Their collaboration bloomed with “Desert Rose,” a breakthrough for Arab music that crossed over into mainstream American music and became a phenomenal hit.

Instead of sitting back on the millions he has earned as a music industry mogul, Miles is out to acquaint Americans with Middle Eastern music- even if he doesn’t earn a dime. His affinity for Arab music and culture comes from a youth spent growing up in the Middle East and since September 11, 2001, he has been on a mission to introduce the arts and culture of the region to the West.

Miles Copeland is now the leading US distributor of labels carrying the songs of Hakim, Cheb Mami, Rachid Taha and Amr Diab, to name a few. He is the mastermind behind the Bellydance Superstars, the world’s premier touring bellydance troupe taking this ancient art into the mainstream. Hailed as the next big dance show phenomenon to follow Riverdance by none other than the Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, and Daily Express, the Bellydance Superstars have performed in over 300 concerts in 16 countries with countless television appearances and impressive press coverage.

Miles Copeland has been involved in just about every aspect of the entertainment industry, from music and radio to TV and movies.

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Miles Copeland

  • Making Superstars out of Top Dancers, BDSS Tour 2012
    From the beginning, the Bellydance Superstars troupe has had the great fortune to attract the top dancers in the field even though, at first, we were criticized within the bellydance community for “having no stars”; so how dare we call the troupe the Bellydance Superstars?
  • Are You Breaking the Law? Dance Workshops with Foreign Nationals
    It is the sponsor’s obligation to deduct this; if it is not deducted and the full fee paid to the foreign teacher and discovered several years later in an audit or investigation, the sponsor will be forced to pay the taxes then and may even be fined.
  • Certifications & Contests: Are They Meaningful?
    Its as if the contest win were a diploma, her ticket to teach!
  • BDSS Update: New Choreographers contribute to 2009 Show
    I will admit that I have never been a big fan of the more ‘folkloric’ approach to Bellydance, but then again I have to be open to try something new with each show.
  • Carl's Raqs LA Photos, Best from the Stage on the Lower Level
    Photos by Carl Sermon text by Carl Sermon, Ma*Shuqa and Marta Schill
  • Divorcing Belly Dance From Burlesque
    As it is traditionally understood, I do not find Burlesque, (meaning nudity-no matter how hard one pretends it does not) amusing or creative in the slightest when it comes to including Belly dance, an art that has suffered too long with such unfortunate associations. I find it completely irresponsible and detrimental.
  • Western Dancer's Guilt, a Response to Naajidah,
    People have occasionally suggested Arabs would be “horrified” by the inclusion of the Tribal style in our show but I can tell you that this style is extremely popular with Middle Easterners who come to our show.
  • The Bellydance Superstars Show In Perspective
    There are many factors to balance, and ANY show can be improved. The point is to also know the limitations that one faces in doing all the things one would like to do.
  • Belly Dance Super Stars Video Review
    Produced and Directed by Jonathan Brandeis Executive Producer: Miles Copeland. "... However, as there is no audience, most of the dancers have a difficult time conveying the emotions of the dance to the video viewer. Only Jillina and Dondi seem to overcome this obstacle. "
  • The BDSS Experience and Miles Copeland; Doing What He Does Best
    Even though Miles Copeland’s vision is similar to that of mine and the majority of belly dancers I have canvassed in my lifetime, he and I differ in our mission approach to elevating the dance, and this is where the discussion became a heated debate.
  • Taking Good Care of our Stars
    Most of all, as we now need them consistently; we have to free them from financial worries by giving them job security including such things as health insurance.
  • Comments On American Bellydancer
    A documentary film or video is made up of "real" images constructed in such a way to reflect the point of view of its maker. So a documentary film is a fiction, especially when financed by its key subject.
  • Intruder, BEWARE!
    "How dare they pollute our pond!"
  • BDSS Auditions January 14-15, 2005, North Hollywood, CA
    Inside the Bellydance Superstars Final Auditions
    "What have I got to lose?"
  • Unchained!
    Who the hell is Miles Copeland? And, what is he doing in our ancient and sacred world of Middle Eastern dance?
  • Miles Copeland responds to Horacio
  • Belly Dance Superstars at DNA Lounge page 2
    More eye candy! Performing in one of the most trendy clubs in San Francisco!
  • Belly Dance Superstars at DNA Lounge
    Saturday, April 17, 2004 San Francisco, CA. Yes, that is Petite Jamilla playing a bagpipe!
  • Miles Copeland Responds to Questions from GS Readers
    If we are to dominate the world let’s try to understand and appreciate the good in other cultures as we are trying to mitigate the bad.