Musician · Percussionist · Dancer · Choreographer · Educator
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Anna is a US-born, Bristol-based multidisciplinary artist working across music, percussion, dance, choreography and creative learning. Specialising in the musical and dance traditions of Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) and the wider Mediterranean, her practice explores how music and movement can create connection across cultures, communities and generations.
With more than 30 years of professional performance experience and nearly three decades of teaching, Anna works as a performer, teacher, choreographer, creative learning practitioner and collaborator. Her work encompasses live performance, improvisation, percussion, dance, workshops, private tuition and artist-led projects for schools, community groups and cultural organisations. Drawing on her own mixed migratory heritage, with family roots spanning Central and Southwest Asia, across Eastern and Western Europe, Anna is particularly interested in the spaces between borders, labels and identities. Her practice is grounded in deep study of living traditions, artistic exchange and a commitment to approaching them with respect, curiosity and joy. |
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Music, Percussion & Dance
Anna is known for her expressive improvisational dance style and masterful integration of finger cymbals into performance. Her cymbal practice draws on Turkish and American approaches and is further informed by ongoing study of Egyptian Toura cymbals with Egyptian percussionist Hany Morgan.
Her percussion practice is now developing as an increasingly significant part of her artistic work. In 2026 she was awarded funding from the Dance Professionals Fund to undertake an extensive programme of one-to-one darbuka training with internationally renowned percussionist and teacher April Centrone, running from September 2026 to April 2027.
Anna's work brings together rhythm, movement and musicality, with a particular interest in improvisation, ensemble playing and the relationship between live music and dance.
Anna is known for her expressive improvisational dance style and masterful integration of finger cymbals into performance. Her cymbal practice draws on Turkish and American approaches and is further informed by ongoing study of Egyptian Toura cymbals with Egyptian percussionist Hany Morgan.
Her percussion practice is now developing as an increasingly significant part of her artistic work. In 2026 she was awarded funding from the Dance Professionals Fund to undertake an extensive programme of one-to-one darbuka training with internationally renowned percussionist and teacher April Centrone, running from September 2026 to April 2027.
Anna's work brings together rhythm, movement and musicality, with a particular interest in improvisation, ensemble playing and the relationship between live music and dance.
Performance & Artistic Practice
Anna has performed, taught and collaborated across the UK, Europe, India and the United States. Her work has included touring with Oojami, performing with the internationally influential ensemble Bal Anat, and collaborating 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 SWANA dance schools, alongside a dedicated South London studio supporting Global Majority dance artists and communities. She taught on the dance faculty at Morley College from 2008–2021.
Anna is 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 storytelling. Between 2017 and 2022, her artistic projects received four Arts Council England awards supporting choreography, research, development and national touring.
She has delivered performances, workshops and creative projects for organisations and festivals including the Southbank Centre, WOMAD, DIASPORA! Festival, Bristol Harbour Festival, CRISIS UK, Lambeth Council and the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Anna has performed, taught and collaborated across the UK, Europe, India and the United States. Her work has included touring with Oojami, performing with the internationally influential ensemble Bal Anat, and collaborating 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 SWANA dance schools, alongside a dedicated South London studio supporting Global Majority dance artists and communities. She taught on the dance faculty at Morley College from 2008–2021.
Anna is 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 storytelling. Between 2017 and 2022, her artistic projects received four Arts Council England awards supporting choreography, research, development and national touring.
She has delivered performances, workshops and creative projects for organisations and festivals including the Southbank Centre, WOMAD, DIASPORA! Festival, Bristol Harbour Festival, CRISIS UK, Lambeth Council and the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Teaching & Creative Learning
Anna has nearly three decades of teaching experience and has worked with thousands of students internationally, from New York to Mumbai. Her teaching combines technical foundations with musicality, rhythm studies, improvisation, anatomical awareness and contextual understanding.
She teaches students from beginner to advanced levels and is particularly interested in helping dancers develop musicality, rhythmic awareness, confidence, joy and a deeper relationship with the traditions they are studying.
Alongside dance teaching, Anna is developing new creative learning work centred on percussion and shared music-making.
Anna has nearly three decades of teaching experience and has worked with thousands of students internationally, from New York to Mumbai. Her teaching combines technical foundations with musicality, rhythm studies, improvisation, anatomical awareness and contextual understanding.
She teaches students from beginner to advanced levels and is particularly interested in helping dancers develop musicality, rhythmic awareness, confidence, joy and a deeper relationship with the traditions they are studying.
Alongside dance teaching, Anna is developing new creative learning work centred on percussion and shared music-making.
Work With Anna
Anna is available for:
She particularly welcomes enquiries from artists, musicians, teachers, schools, commissioners and organisations interested in developing thoughtful, collaborative projects involving SWANA music, percussion, dance and creative learning.
Anna is available for:
- Private dance and percussion tuition
- Dance and percussion workshops
- Performance and choreography
- Creative learning projects for schools
- Artist development and mentoring
- Community and participatory projects
- Creative commissions
- Collaborations with musicians, dancers and other artists
- Projects with cultural organisations, festivals and educational institutions
She particularly welcomes enquiries from artists, musicians, teachers, schools, commissioners and organisations interested in developing thoughtful, collaborative projects involving SWANA music, percussion, dance and creative learning.
Education & Training
Anna holds a BA in Dance and Film Production from Bard College. She holds Level 4 certification in Suhaila Salimpour Format and Level 3 certification in Jamila Salimpour Format.
Anna holds a BA in Dance and Film Production from Bard College. She holds Level 4 certification in Suhaila Salimpour Format and Level 3 certification in Jamila Salimpour Format.
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