Belly dance classes, shows and performance troupes with a difference
The School
Hipnotic School of Belly Dance is a cooperative of local dancers who teach, host events and run performance groups throughout the Reading area.Between us we teach a range of styles of belly dance across the Reading area for students of different levels and with a variety of dance aspirations.In addition to regular classes we run a regular dance showcase event at the Jazz Cafe at the Madejski Stadium, host workshops and other dance events in Reading. We are also all part of the local performance troupe Covert Bling, as well as accomplished solo performers.All teachers are well-connected professionals, fully insured and competent with many years dance experience and expertise in several dance styles and the use of a variety of props. We are dedicated to giving our students a positive dance experience, and a variety of performance opportunities.Please see the class schedule page for details of classes. The Teachers
Emma Pyke
Emma is a teacher and performer based in
Reading, Berkshire, UK. She has been dancing since 1993, initially
under the tutelage of Afra Al Kahira and has been teaching since 1998.
She works nationally both as a performer and workshop teacher
and s available for private tuition in a range of subjects.
Emma
teaches workshops for all levels and in many styles and is a
regular teacher at the annual Celebrating Dance Festival. She prefers
to teach technique based workshops as she feels that a strong grounding
in basic principles nurtures a more confident dancer.
Emma
likes to inspire and develop her students’ individual dance styles and
encourages them to perform at every opportunity. She currently only
teaches weekly classes in Reading at intermediate/advanced level.
She also has been closely involved in the running of two troupes –
Mersin, who she co-founded in 2002 with Sara Shrapnell and more
recently in 2007 with Covert Bling.
Emma is also involved in the editing and proof reading of Taqasim and
Mosaic magazines and writes regular articles for publication nationally
and internationally. For more information please see Emma's website.
Deborah Fox
Deborah has been obsessed with Middle Eastern Dance for more than eight years and Improvised Tribal Style dance for 3 years. She is an ASMED student and strives to offer the best information and tuition that she can, and takes workshops with professionals from the UK and abroad in order to add to her skills. She has been been a student of Emma Pyke's for the last 8 years, and was a member of professional troupe Mersin.
Deborah teaches regular classes in Middle Eastern Dance and Improvised
Tribal Style Belly Dance, as well as offering specialist tuition to adults with learning disabilities. She performs with the troupe Covert Bling and
as a soloist in various styles. She also runs a successful tribal costuming business and has had her work featured in fashion shoots as well as worn by dancers across the country. Please see her website for more information.
Kathryn Whittington
Kathryn has been dancing for six years and has studied ATS, Tribal Fusion and Oriental styles with some of the best known dancers in the world. She has recently starting teaching beginners bellydance and Tribal Fusion classes. She is also a member of the troupe Covert Bling.
She regularly performs professionally in cabaret and variety shows, and nightclubs in Reading and London, and can be seen performing at dance festivals across the country. Please see Kathryn's website for more information.