Belinda began studying, competing, and performing dance around 15 years ago. Most recently, she has focussed on Middle Eastern dance, more commonly known as belly dance.

Why bellydance? "I love Middle Eastern music - it's so emotive. Also, the complex rhythms and time signatures really appeal to me." But music's not the only reason why Belinda is passionate about Middle Eastern dance... "People always look at me like I'm an alien or something when I tell them I have a degree in Maths. [shrugs] I've always been good at it, even in primary [elementary] school. During high school I was a double Maths/Art major. I had to choose between music and maths and the logical side of me won. [laughs]" So, what's Maths got to do with Dance? "Actually, it's the connection between Maths & Music, and Maths & Art ... You see Maths, Music and Art are all universal languages, and, in a sense, Music is Math. I determine patterns pretty quickly (remembering them is another matter! [laughs]). With Middle Eastern dance you need to be able to count music in 7 and 9, for example, rather than 4. Also, the rhythms and accents are very different to that found in Western music. For example, a common 9/8 rhythm (karsilama) is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 with accents on 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9." Ahhhhhhhh, I see. So, if I can count to 9 then I should be able to bellydance? "Anyone can bellydance! But the dancers who can feel the music and dance with emotion are the best in my opinion." [smiles] "Egyptian dancers are a prime example of this which is why I prefer to study with them."

"Recently, Miles Copeland and the Bellydance Superstars have been raising the profile of belly dance worldwide, which is great, but there is still a long way to go. The general public is largely misinformed and ignorant about Middle Eastern dance, and culture."

"I love all Middle Eastern dance - from ethnic folkloric to glitzy cabaret - but my favourite is Egyptian raqs sharqi. My dream is to travel to Egypt to study ... "

Belinda continually studies dance and regularly attends workshops with world renown master dancers, such as: Beba, Essam Mounir, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Randa, Kamellia, Tamalyn Dallal, Jillina, Ansuya, and Kaeshi.

For more info visit Belinda's dance website.