Kirsty is an established Canberra dance artist specialising in performing arts of the Near East. She is recognised within the Canberra region as an expert in her field and a dynamic and versatile dancer. Kirsty’s dance tuition first began in her teens with Western theatrical styles including ballet and contemporary dance. Her passion for dance that has led her to dedicate her academic study to the history, culture, languages, and politics of the dance. After travelling to Turkey in 2008, Kirsty majored in Turkish language at the Australian National University and dedicated her Honours thesis to impact of colonialism and globalisation on belly dance in Egypt and the United States. As her dancing progressed she undertook training with national master belly dance instructors including, Jrisi, Rose and Seda as well as international masters Dina, Bozenka, Hale Sultan, Jillina, Caroline of Cairo, Sabrina and Hadia. In 2010 Kirsty secured a place as a finalist in Amera’s Palace Belly Dance Star Awards, she danced alongside Turkish pop starts Fatih Urek and Tanyeli (2011), and has appeared as a guest artist with the prestigious Hathor Dance Theatre numerous times including the Bozenka Show (2011), Hadia Showcase (2014) and Aziza (2015).
Kirsty’s teaching style places a strong emphasis on feeling, musical interpretation and having fun. By combining various techniques learnt from master teachers and Kirsty’s knowledge of Middle-Eastern culture and politics, students are equipped with a solid grasp of belly dance basics and safe dance principles allowing them to progress to a more complex movement repertoire.
Kirsty is a certified OPAcize™ Greek dance fitness instructor and member of Raks Zahirah Dance Troupe, a professional belly dance troupe founded by Canberra belly dance expert and owner of Bedazzled Bellydance, Jacqui Princi.