Arabesque

Specialties

Arabian Dance and Music.

Bellydance, Middle Eastern music, drumming, folklore dance.

Founded in 1987 by Yasmina Ramzy, Arabesque is your source for profound Arabian art. The warm and vibrant Arabesque studios house a dance and music school, an entertainment agency and performance company, all in the heart of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

For the Bellydance enthusiast, Egyptian, Lebanese or North African folk arts, Arabian music lover, the novice dance student or professional and for the aspiring Dumbek (Arab drum) player, there are over 40 classes a week to choose from. You can attend an internationally acclaimed performance or hire artists to dazzle guests at your next event. As well, you can shop for costumes, CDs, DVDs, hip scarves, drums, veils, all Belly Dance accessories and many kinds of Arabian musical instruments. Arabesque is the source and answer for all your Arabian dance and music aspirations.

Directors: Yasmina Ramzy, Bassam Bishara, Suleiman Warwar

History

Established in 1987.

Arabesque Academy began at corner of Davenport & Bay in 1987 with an 800 sq. ft studio. Today Arabesque represents, 3000 sq. ft of studios near Yonge & Bloor nuturing Arabian dance and music, an international touring company (Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra) of 17 male and female dance artists and 9 musicians, an entertainment agency, and a boutique. Founder Yasmina Ramzy teaches and performs regularly in 60 cities on 5 continents. Arabesque has produced 7 CDs, 8 instructional DVDs, and 9 performance DVDs. The Arabesque Academy curriculum was created with the help of Ontario Arts Council. Arabesque is the recipient of the Arab Heritage Award.

Meet the Business Owner

Yasmina R.

Business Owner

Yasmina Ramzy is a visionary and a highly acclaimed choreographer committed to the presentation of Bellydance as high art. Since 1981, she has performed over 10,000 times often for royalty and heads of state and throughout the Middle East. Yasmina has had the unique priviledge of performing for several years in Syria with the famous master musicians of Allepo. As well as creating the renowned standardized Arabesque Academy curriculum, she teaches in over 60 cities on five continents. She founded Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra, Arabesque Academy and the International Bellydance Conference of Canada (IBCC).

Yasmina received her key training from leading masters in Egypt and Syria including Aida Nour of the Reda Troupe and Mohammed Khalil, director of the National Folklore Troupe of Egypt. Her unique and highly creative choreographies have won numerous awards and commissioned by many dance ensembles internationally including the Bellydance Superstars.