Melissa Gamal is an award-winning dancer, instructor, and event producer based in Toronto, Canada. As the director of the Ya Amar School of Dance, Melissa is dedicated to providing comprehensive training in Egyptian dance, blending refined technique with a strong awareness of history and cultural context. Her work has taken her across North America and to Egypt, where she continues her studies to bring the most authentic and up-to-date knowledge to her students. In recent years, she’s gained recognition for her elegant Golden Era style and her mastery of sagat—culminating in a remarkable performance at the Cairo Opera House in 2021.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The turning point that made her quit a stable 9-to-5 job to follow dance full time.

- The moment she decided to open her own studio instead of staying “comfortable” with already established organization.

- The story behind her performing as a zill player at the Cairo Opera House.

- The advice she’d give her younger self about self-doubt and body image.

- Why dancers must go beyond aesthetics and stand in solidarity with cultures of origin.

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Melissa Gamal on Instagram, FB, YouTube and website. Watch Melissa’s performance at Cairo Opera House HERE.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast