Middle Eastern dance is an art form both artistically and spiritually.
We will be happy to share your special occasions for events like birthdays,
graduations, weddings, cultural events, corporate events and fundraisers.
"Your choreographies were a breath of fresh air! I didn't want
the dance to end, it brought tears of joy to my eyes!". [after
a Hala Dance Company performance in San Jose, CA]
"That was exquisite! Thanks for the dance! AND that is
something certainly to aspire too!" Judia
"Thank you for your dancing. Very subtle and nicely understated. Precise
Arm movements are particularly attractive. A great dancer is a joy giver
and that describes you. Well done!" [RH of Palo Alto, CA]
"You are a very professional dancer. I thank you from all of us, we truely enjoyed your dancing" [DB after Hala's performance at her party. Nov 2012]
"Thanks for inviting us to your performance. It was wonderful.
I've never seen a truly professional 'Belly Dancer' and it was awesome. Laura
commented that you looked truly happy and radiated that to the audience. Congratulations
and keep up the good work!" [Bruce of San Ramon, CA]
"Your dancers are really good. It is so interesting to see your
authentic and very sweet style be imbued by these lovely dancers, whom you
taught. I have the highest respect, and most devotion to the Teachers
in belly dance. This is the source of all. I also wanted to personally thank-you
for dancing at my birthday, it was such an honor to have you there. Thank-you
so much for all you do for the dance Hala. Love and Light, Michael" Michael
Baxter after Hala Dance Company's performance at Rakkasah 2010
"Dear Hala: On behalf of the festival committee, I want to say "Thank
You" for participating in our festival. You and your troupe provided
lovely and tasteful entertainment.We appreciate your efforts
to engage the audience to dance along as well. We look forward to
having you perform in our future events. Until then, warm regards" [Melanie
of Orinda, CA after the Hala Dance performance at a Middle Eastern festival
Sept 2008]
"Your choreography is really awesome and lively, that's
what makes it real fun to watch!" [comment from Rakkasah 2010]
"I can't say enough what a great experience that was! Thank you so
much for including us. I also must say, your costume was especially gorgeous!
Loved the rhinestones! Thank you!" [Jenn C, May 2010]
"A Thousand THANKS for the excellent artistic performance! You
gave the wedding the life and the feeling that we are still in Egypt.
You are EXCELLENT" [Dr. El Naggar and his family, Dec 2005]
"Love the quintessentially Egyptian styling you have - a nice,
easy, fun approach that totally sweeps the viewer into the dance (even
though we dancers know you are working like crazy behind it all!). American
dancers seldom use that approach, and its refreshing to see." [Diana
of Company Mezza
in GA]
"I really love the music and the style of your dances. Your choreography
is always so energetic and lively! You and your troupe are really
wonderful to watch." [Sonja of San Jose, CA]
"Stunning! Oh, Hala, your performance on Saturday was indescribably
wonderful. First your costume--ah! so elegant, so somehow perfect
for you. I was stunned. Then as usual, the dancing, so graceful, and coordinated!
oh my, I was frustrated at not being able to watch all parts at one time,
somehow I would be drawn to hips then miss arms, and ... well, like that...
Oh MY! Watching you dance is like watching clouds move across the sky!"
[after Hala's performance with the George Lammam Ensemble in Feb 2008]
"I feel so fortunate that one of the few times I sat down in front
of the stage, you and your glorious ladies came on. I just have to tell you
that it was exceptional to me for many reasons. Belly Dancing has gone insane
in this world, and it shocks me that we have practically no local Belly Dancers
of Arabic descent in our entire community. I've been involved for some time
now, and as far as I know, you are the only Egyptian dancer I've heard of
in Northern California. It's not that I don't appreciate Western style Belly
Dance as a separate category altogether, but there is something very special
we clearly lack in our dance. Since I feel unable to actually capture that
thing myself, it is hard to describe. The closest I can come is that it has
to do with what's important while you're dancing. Nobody seems to be able
to capture the actual joy of dancing. We Westerners are always working too
hard when we're dancing. Just like Western Culture we are always in a rush
to get to the next spectacular move. It's exhausting to do & exhausting
to watch. Instead of doing this, you and your ladies were actually enjoying
& celebrating life while dancing! Whatever it is you are feeding
your students, they were the happiest dancers I've seen in a long time. Furthermore,
the Feminine aspect in Egyptian styling is a femininity that has been lost
in Western culture. I was so pleased at how calm & happy I felt
while watching your group. I feel lucky to have sat down at that moment,
and I'm so happy to have witnessed what a treasure you are bringing
to us." [Nanna
of San Francisco, CA after Hala Dance performance @ Tatseena's dance festival
in July 2006]
"When you dance, you make it flow effortlessly. Simply
beautiful!" [After Hala's performance in London]
"You redefined my perception of belly dance. What I saw was a beautiful
and very elegant art. It's the first time I see it in a non-sexual way. Thank
you for a beautiful performance!" [Audience member from Saudi Arabia
after Hala's performance in London, England]
"Hala, On behalf of the Kaiser Permanete Managers I would like
to thank you again for a wonderful evening of middle eastern dance. Your teaching
is superb! Everyone had such a good time. I hope to see you again and to take
lessons with you. Take care. Regards!" [After Hala's performance &
class @ Kaiser's women health retreat in Sept 2007]
"Your graceful movements were beautiful as your body flowed with the music." Dee Gustavson
"Thank you for coming to Knoxville to share your talents and your Egyptian
dance heritage ! It was a wonderful change for me to have a workshop without
the demands of a crash course in learning a full choreography. I loved getting
more of 'the big picture' about raks sharki. Your dance performance was delightful.
I've been holding my head higher and feeling more joyful about dance during
the past week" [Sandy Moore of Knoxville, TN after Hala's workshop &
performance there]
"Your new troupe Melaya dance was wonderful - definitely a bit
more non-traditional with that entrance dragging the Melaya and I loved that
slapping the floor with the hand, knee and forehead and that hip shimmy -
very cute and sassy! Of course, your troupe always looks great and I especially
love the first part in the Saidi dresses - very spirited and a great transition
when the troupe pulls them off backstage and returns in Melaya. You definitely
got great audience response and it was well-deserved!" [Lynn of Pacifica,
CA. After Hala Dance Troupe performance at DDF in Sept 2007]
"I wanted to thank you for the wonderful experience I had in Knoxville
on the 22nd of July. You are a treasure. Your gracefulness and happiness is
inspirational! Thank you again, look forward to another workshop with you"
[Laura Humphreys of Knoxville, TN after Hala's workshop there]
"Your show made everyone leave in a joyful mood - it was refreshing
to finally see something truly authentic and from the heart - what was communicated
was the joy and sweetness and a gift from your hometown! the saidi is always
a hit - you are like the sun and they radiate from you! thank you for reminding
us all about the joy and simplicity - we tend to take things too seriously
and too far in this culture" [Valerie of San Jose. After Hala Dance Troupe
performance at DDF in Sept 2007]
"Hala is an amazing dancer because every move she makes is propelled
by her love and deep passion for middle eastern music and dance. With her
unique ability to implement creative vision into concrete reality, we are
taken on a beautiful journey when we watch her carefully crafted choreographies.
Egypt's loss was the U.S.'s greatest asset!" (Sabrina, San Francisco,
CA)
"When I first began thinking of my career change, one of the key points
that validated my thinking was your feedback on a story I'd written, and your
own bio. I've met you just once in the studios but your influence was substantial"
(SJ, India)
"Thank you very much for sharing your incredible talent with us and
our guests. You were AMAZING! You made me feel like I was home. We really
appreciate your incredible gift!" [Dr. El-Etr after dancing at her wedding]
"Hala, You are a wonderful dancer and a great dance instructor. Thank
you for sharing your talent at my wedding" (Nedda & Jason, San Jose,
CA)
"Thanks so much for dancing with us. You were a wonderful addition
to the evening and I really appreciate it" (Matthew Montfort of Ancient
Future, Kentfield, CA)
"Just wanted to say thank you again very much for making our little
party special. Your performance was outstanding and I've heard nothing but
praise about you from our friends" [After Hala's performance at a a birthday
party in Woodside, CA]
"We had an awesome time having you & your group at the event !
We have been getting great feedback about your performance at the event -
everyone loved it" [After Hala Dance performance at the Sankara Eye Foundation
fund raiser in San Jose, CA]
"What a wonderful teacher you are! And the enthusiasm you instill in
others. I am so glad that so many of your students succeed -- not only in
dance -- but your teaching instills confidence in them for other things. I,
as still your student in so many ways, keep trying to reach the bar you have
set. Thank you so much for being my teacher, mentor, and friend". (Niran,
Knoxville, TN)
"I want you to know how much I appreciate all that I gained from the
short time I was studying with you. You are a lovely lady and a fine teacher."
(Genie Bernardini, San Jose, CA)
"We really appreciate your sharing your creativity, talent & love
of this artform with the Santa Cruz community" [BellyDanceOdyssey,
after Hala Dance performance @ Luna Gitana]
"The music was exceptional, the dancing was exceptional, everything
was superb. It was truly a gift to see you dance. Thank you!" [After
Hala's performance at Anastasia and Phaedra's showcase in Millbrae]
"Thank you, Hala. I have to comment that you have such an elegant carriage
and dance style, truly unique" [After Hala's performance at the Marrakech
dance event in San Francisco]
"You are AMAZING!! You are the real thing! I've been watching dance
here for over 20 years and never saw anything like that. Thank You!!"
[Audience member originally from the Middle East after Hala's performance
at Cuccini in San Jose]
"I enjoyed the show tremendously. You are a very talented person indeed"
[Egyptian audience member after Hala's performance at LACMA in Los Angeles,
CA]
"Seeing you dance with Hossam Ramzy and his band was the highlight
of the evening" [After performing at a private event in London, England]
"You dance beautifully, full of charm, elegance, and joy. It's wonderful
to see someone who can enchant the audience so wonderfully. Your costume was
perfection, your music selection worthy of stealing" [Thalia from Brentwood,
CA]
"The whole night was perfect from our point of view. Lots of people
have complimented your dancing in particular!" [host of Hala's performance
in London, England]
"Thank you so much for such an amazing performance! When Alicia relayed
the day to me she was nearly in tears - from joy! She said the professionalism
and the interaction with the families was exactly what we always strive for
in our programs" [Organizer of LACMA's
family day event in Los Angeles after Hala's performance at King Tut's exhibit]
"The dances were beautiful, I was amazed by how graceful they looked"
[After Stanford International Festival performance]
"There was a great atmosphere, the music and dance made you want to
join in and clap along" [After Stanford International Festival performance]
"Dear Hala: Thank you so much for dancing at my party. You looked absolutely
beautiful. My guests had a wonderful, authentic taste of Egypt. Your presence
complemented the world-tour experience we were trying to achieve at my party.
Thank you again so much" Mia