The WADA Committee - Who we are.. what we do..
.. and your chance to get in touch with us!
SANDRA ALLEN
Chair
Sandra Allen lives in Ferndown in Dorset, and has been dancing in its various forms since the age of five. She discovered Arabic dance 'belly dancing' 9 years ago after attending a local class and has been a follower of this beautiful and fun dance ever since. She attends regular classes with Shona Hagan and as many Haflas and workshops that time and money will allow. Recently Sandra has become Choreographer and lead dancer for Bellyfusion, a local Bournemouth and Poole dance group who dance to raise money for local charities. This year, as chair of WADA, she aims to promote it as an association that runs events which are accessible to everyone who is interested in this lovely dance at any level.
You can contact Sandra about anything to do with WADA
luisa taylor
Event Organiser
Luisa has been dancing for over 18 years, has trained with some of the best teachers in the dance world, including Wendy Buonaventura, Karine Butchart, Liza Wedgewood, Juliana Brustick, Beatrice, Aziza, Yasmina of Cairo Dandesh and many more. Her passion is gypsy dance and Beledi. Luisa has performed at weddings in Egypt,Turkey and Europe. Luisa has been organising workshops and events for many years in her hometown of Warminster where she liaised and brought over some of the best teachers in the area, therefore giving students the opportunity to dance different styles including Raqs Sharqi. While a WADA member Luisa is best known by the members as a WADA events organiser. She is not only a passionate dancer, but a passionate WADA committee member. She took on the role of Publicity Officer and together with the rest of the committee produced The Desert Caravan show.
Her aim is to create events and workshops to be envied and offer the services of professional teachers to members that they can be proud of and most of all to give every member a chance to take part in this new venture and shine.
You can contact Luisa about any WADA Events
KATHY WHITELEY
Secretary
Kathy Whiteley is a mum of three originally from London, having moved to the Bournemouth area in 1997. She has had a love of all things dance for most of her life but only discovered the beauty and fun of Bellydancing some 6 years ago, since when she has totally immersed herself in the whole genre. Having attended classes and workshops with several local teachers, Kathy has embraced many different styles of Bellydancing and loved them all. This eventually led to her becoming a founder member and event coordinator for Bellyfusion, a group of ladies who dance for fun and to raise money for charity and with her long employment history in administration and organisation Kathy would hope to give WADA all the benefit of her experience and enthusiasm.
You can contact Kathy about admin enquiries
Helené Willson
Membership Secretary
Helené lives in the New Forest with her partner. "My interests are in gardening, floristry photography, costume making, and since young a passion for dancing; Scottish, ballroom & sequence, American square dancing and over the last four years belly dancing.
Last year I was bitten by the Tribal bug and now dance in The Tribe of The Honeybadgers having performed on stage at Majma and Gothla UK. My first WADA hafla was brilliant experience, meeting dancers from different areas, opened up a new world to me".
You can contact Helené about Newsletter contributions, and membership issues.
Paul traies
Membership Secretary/ Chat Group Moderator
Paul is a graphic artworker/illustrator. "Having a like for things artistic, dance is naturally something I enjoy. Helené and I run a weekly ballroom sequence dance and I have been a square dancer for many years. I¹m now
enjoying various belly dance workshops and learning to play Darabuka and Frame Drum. I would like to see more dancers aware of WADA, see it progress and be given the recognition it deserves".
You can contact Paul about Newsletter contributions, and membership issues or the Chat Group.
Tracey Jones
WADA Webmistress
Tracey is a qualified Marketing Professional with over 15 years experience working in the media, PR and in marketing consultancy. She has worked for both television and Radio stations running their regional PR campaigns. She holds a CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) Advanced Dimploma in Marketing Communications (since 1997). She is an Adobe Certified website designer and currently runs her own websites, in addition to others including this Site.
She is a professional Arabic Dance performer and teacher, having won the UK National Belly Dance Competition in 2006. She is in demand as a teacher and performer at festivals throughout the UK and teaches weekly classes and regular workshops in Wiltshire. She is a below knee amputee and is deeply committed to making Arabic Dance accessible for anyone who wants to try it. She has a keen interest in each dancer's unique style.
You can contact Tracey about listings and photographic contributions for this website. Or if you are interested in promoting WADA membership.
gary taylor
Treasurer - (Photo Pending)
Gary has been a close follower of the Arabic/belly dance scene in the Southwest region, supporting Luisa, his wife. He regularly attends haflas and other events throughout the WADA region and has gained a good understanding and knowledge of the various Arabic music and dance forms, and knows many of the teachers and groups in the region. He has extensive eperience in roles on committees, especially with his fencing activities; as Secretary and Treasurer of both Warminster's Wessex Blades fencing club, and for Wiltshire's County Fencing Union. Not being a dancer or dance teacher, Gary brings a neutral pragmatism to the WADA committee.
You can contact Gary to find out about what funding is available to put on a WADA event.