Rose Hafla Interview Sessions - Kay Taylor
- Natalie Borg
- Feb 3, 2024
- 2 min read
The Rose Hafla asks members of the Scottish Bellydance Community in 'The Interview Sessions.' We find out how they started bellydancing, highlights of their dance journey so far, inspirations and top tips!
Name: Kay Taylor
Based: Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Dance Teacher
Dance Student - we never stop learning
Professional performer
Director / choreographer to Helwa Dance Company
Event organiser
Specialist Bellydance trips to Cairo / Egypt
Links and Contact Info
email: faridadance@mac.com
Tel: 0191 2451570
How did you start bellydancing?
I started bellydancing by accident... I went to a fancy dress part dressed as a bellydancer.
My friends tried to get me to dance but I didn’t have a clue. I realised I wanted to learn and my mum saw classes advertised in Leeds. A group of women led by the indomitable Margaret Reddyhoff. I joined them and fell in love with bellydance. The more I learned, the more I realised there was to learn.
I wrote and choreographed my dance journey for Helwa Dance Company to perform. We brought it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - and took it to London too. The show is called 'Bellydance: A True Story’.
Top 3 highlights of your dance journey to date?
Dancing at a wedding in Luxor when I knew nothing … but realised I wanted to be a bellydancer
Touring with Helwa Dance Company
Mentoring my dance students and giving them the wings to fly
What inspires you to keep dancing?
My students
The bellydance community
Trips to Cairo, Summer school and my residential course ’Shimmy Up North’ at Borwick feed my dance mojo…….
Name 3 dancers (past or present) that inspire you and why?
Impossible to pick only three. At different times, different people inspire me.
Fifi Abdou, Josephine Wise and Sara Farouk were early inspirations.
Fifi …. just because!! No explanation needed.
Jo and Sara each influenced me differently and are still a part of my life. Jo: the teacher training course and summer school. Sara is a great friend and a great help in Cairo and her unique approach to our dance is inspiring.
Yasmina of Cairo …. we do a lot of work together and I really rate her in depth knowledge and creativity.
I love watching the old black and white movies and the dancers of that era. Not just the well known names but others too.
Every time I go to Cairo, I take inspiration from the dancers I see.
Share a 'Top Tip' for bellydancers just starting out or ongoing:
Aspire to be the best that you can be.
Dream big …… put the work in and you will get there …….
Be true to yourself.
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