Katie Holland

KATIE'S BIOGRAPHY

Nameste!
Dancing from the age of three and having studied Ballet, Tap, Modern, African, Samba, Bollywood, Classical Indian, Sacred Nepalese, Tribal Fusion and Egyptian. Katie's love of, dedication and commitment to her dance shines through and is evident to all who see. Combining traditional with her own unique interpretations - fusing herself to an ancient culture whilst dancing forth into the new. Katie enthuses and inspires this magical energy to all she meets.

On her quest for deeper understanding and precision of movement Katie constantly pushes herself into the unknown and onto higher levels, keen to share her knowledge and expertise on her journey. This includes studying to be a Reiki Master and being one of  just twenty currently studying on an advanced dance training course with Hossam and Serena Ramzy and performing with them at Planet Egypt and the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.
She is also working closely with Simon Webster (drummer with Abdullah Chhadeh) running dance and drum holidays in Morocco and a teaching dvd is expected in the near future.

Katie is in high demand as a teacher and performer at all kinds of events, with musicians at festivals, weddings, parties, holistic, corporate, river cruises and as a film extra. She is also founder and organiser of Bodies and Beats World Music and Dance events featuring experienced teachers and performers from around the globe.

Katie is currently having the time of her life living between the UK and Goa, performing, teaching regular classes, workshops and organising dance and Tai Chi holidays whilst studying dance across India and Nepal with her Tai Chi Instructor husband Glen and two children, Xavier and Tai Willow.  
 
Katie is available to teach all aspects of Egyptian dance specialising and incorporating understanding of rhythms, interpreting the music, Isis wings, veil, sword, stick, fusion (mix of African, Bollywood, Samba, Flamenco, Nepalese), Sacred, Nepalese, Buddhist Dance and the martial art of Tai Chi.
The well known Northern Poet John Barton Watson has written and dedicated a poem to Katie titled 'Katie Bonny Katie' featuring it in his first book of poetry (see articles page). She can be seen dancing on Channel 4's 'How to look good Naked' Oct 2007 with Storm (see links) and is regularly interviewed for radio shows.

Katie encourages dancers to achieve their highest potential without compromising the quality or interpretation of the dance. Her methods of teaching and performing have evolved over the years and are influenced by the teachers who have inspired and encouraged her most: Sylvia Canetti, Anji Jackson-Main, Leila Haddad, Hossam and Serena Ramzy.
 
Working from the philosophy that all you have experienced in this life good or bad is what has brought you to the place you are now. Whatever you take from these experiences and the dance, pass it on, use it within your dance and let it develop from there.
 

Shanti, Shanti.

Katie performing her funky veil dance at Planet Egypt, Darbuka club, London. Stunning photos courtesy of Anne White and Derek Lee.