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Anna is a US-born, Bristol-based dancer, percussionist, educator, choreographer and producer specialising in the dance and music traditions of the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) and Mediterranean regions.
Drawing inspiration from her own diverse migratory ancestral roots across Central and Southwest Asia, North Africa, Eastern and Western Europe, Anna’s work celebrates the rich cultural intersections of the SWANA and Mediterranean regions, with a particular focus on traditions and communities that exist between — and at the edges of — borders, labels and identities. Her practice combines performance, choreography, live music collaboration, education and community engagement rooted in deep cultural study and exchange. |
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With more than 30 years of professional performance experience and nearly three decades of teaching, Anna is recognised internationally for her expressive improvisational style and is particularly known for her masterful integration of finger cymbals within dance performance. Passionate about preserving and evolving this ancient artform, her finger cymbal technique draws from Turkish and American styles and is deeply influenced by her ongoing studies in Egyptian Toura cymbals with renowned Egyptian percussionist Hany Morgan. She is widely regarded as one of the leading specialists in finger cymbal performance in the UK and Europe.
Anna has trained and travelled extensively throughout the SWANA region and has performed, taught and collaborated across the UK, Europe, India and the United States. Her work includes touring with Oojami, performing with the internationally influential ensemble Bal Anat, and collaborations with artists, musicians and organisations including The Salimpour School and Beledi Blues.
From 2002–2021 she founded and directed Small World Bellydance, one of London’s pioneering and most respected SWANA dance schools, alongside a dedicated South London studio space supporting Global Majority dance artists and communities. She taught on the dance faculty at Morley College from 2008–2021 and has delivered performances, workshops and outreach projects for festivals, schools, local authorities and community organisations including the CRISIS UK, Lambeth Council, the London 2012 Cultural Olympics, Bristol Harbour Festival and DIASPORA! Festival.
Anna is the founder, choreographer and co-producer of Chalguh Chengi, an Arts Council England-supported SWANA and Mediterranean music and dance ensemble bringing together live traditional music, dance, improvisation and cultural storytelling in vibrant community-centred performances. Between 2017 and 2022, her artistic projects received four Arts Council England awards supporting choreography, research, development and national touring.
Her teaching combines strong technical foundations with musicality, rhythm studies, cultural context and anatomical awareness, creating inclusive and accessible learning environments for students of all backgrounds and experience levels. She has taught thousands of students internationally, from New York to Mumbai, and remains deeply committed to ethical, informed and joyful approaches to SWANA dance education.
Anna holds a BA in Dance and Film Production from Bard College and in 2017 achieved Level 4 certification in Suhaila Salimpour Format and Level 3 certification in Jamila Salimpour Format — at the time the highest performance-level certification available within the school.
Anna has trained and travelled extensively throughout the SWANA region and has performed, taught and collaborated across the UK, Europe, India and the United States. Her work includes touring with Oojami, performing with the internationally influential ensemble Bal Anat, and collaborations with artists, musicians and organisations including The Salimpour School and Beledi Blues.
From 2002–2021 she founded and directed Small World Bellydance, one of London’s pioneering and most respected SWANA dance schools, alongside a dedicated South London studio space supporting Global Majority dance artists and communities. She taught on the dance faculty at Morley College from 2008–2021 and has delivered performances, workshops and outreach projects for festivals, schools, local authorities and community organisations including the CRISIS UK, Lambeth Council, the London 2012 Cultural Olympics, Bristol Harbour Festival and DIASPORA! Festival.
Anna is the founder, choreographer and co-producer of Chalguh Chengi, an Arts Council England-supported SWANA and Mediterranean music and dance ensemble bringing together live traditional music, dance, improvisation and cultural storytelling in vibrant community-centred performances. Between 2017 and 2022, her artistic projects received four Arts Council England awards supporting choreography, research, development and national touring.
Her teaching combines strong technical foundations with musicality, rhythm studies, cultural context and anatomical awareness, creating inclusive and accessible learning environments for students of all backgrounds and experience levels. She has taught thousands of students internationally, from New York to Mumbai, and remains deeply committed to ethical, informed and joyful approaches to SWANA dance education.
Anna holds a BA in Dance and Film Production from Bard College and in 2017 achieved Level 4 certification in Suhaila Salimpour Format and Level 3 certification in Jamila Salimpour Format — at the time the highest performance-level certification available within the school.
For most recent video visit Anna's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annakdancer/
Useful Links
SWANA Music
- Lyrics & translations of Arabic songs: www.arabicmusictranslation.com
"If I can't dance, I don't want your revolution" -- Emma Goldman