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Anne has been dancing since the age of 5 and teaching classes and workshops since the age of 17. From dance to meditation, aerobic dance to fitness classes, she has managed a Golds Gym, owned and operated a huge dance fitness business and was one of the first female police officers in Canada. From Real Estate to 000 operator, private investigation to office temp, her love of dance, theatre and fitness kept her moving through 3 countries before settling here in Australia.

Dance was always a passionate hobby and give back to the community volunteer job until she started studying Middle Eastern Dance in the 1980s. Now, after many years experience in dancing and teaching in Canada, USA and Australia she offers her wide range of experience and styles in her own business “Eastern Spirit,and puts a unique and easy to learn formula into the teaching of the dance.

Anne's travels to Cairo and the Middle East continue to expand her repertoire and deep love and appreciation of "The Dance”.
Tours are now on the agenda, with trips to Egypt in December/January of each year.

Anne believes and teaches that all dance is fantastic for confidence, grace, self-esteem and fitness. Contemporary, tap, jazz, ballet, modern, gypsy, tribal, cabaret and everything in between will only add to the creative process that is Middle Eastern Dance.

This dance has been re-creating itself for thousands of years and continues to evolve today. It started in the Middle East and was influenced by gypsies, temple dancers, customs and the emotions of the times. After the U.S.A. and Hollywood became involved a more glamorous image started to be seen, veils were added and the nightclub dancer (cabaret style) started to be in vogue. Many changes have occurred and many more are happening now as this is an EVOLVING art form that people are making us as they go along.

Fat Chance Belly Dance and the ATS Tribal Style evolved from Bal Anats San Francisco group in the 1960s where a less glitzy style of costuming was preferred and more earthy moves were introduced.

Eastern Spirit will give you a taste of all of these styles and more. Anne uses zills, veils, sticks, and tambourines, poi weighted veils, capes, Latin skirts, swords, and fans to have fun and use whatever style and music that excites and motivates women to move and feel beautiful. Anne is constantly learning new moves – from Bollywood to Salsa, hip hop to contemporary to keep classes humming with change and drama and entertainment. She uses choreography to link moves together, create a mood and takes the hard work out of remembering with voice-over recordings calling out the moves and preparing you to dance like no-one is watching. Her fitness background ensures safety in the teaching and a good work-out as well.

Eastern Spirit has now added meditation classes, retreats and guest teacher workshops for your learning pleasure. On November 17th the end of year function will be held at Potters Brewery in the vineyards. For a night of food, fun, and a belly dance show to excite and entertain come along and join in the night.


Tickets are available from ANNE 02 49 916 716