I emigrated from England in 1989 and began my bellydance journey in 1990. I started teaching in 1992. My passion for the dance and teaching culminated in the opening of Sheik to Sheik with Eva Cass in 2000, and as the popularity of bellydance increased, so did the popularity of the studio. I love teaching, especially beginners, and I get such a feeling of satisfaction when students 'get' a move they have been struggling with for so long. The look of pure enjoyment is priceless. I take my teaching seriously so am very careful to structure my classes so that each one has a percentage of exercise, stretching, technique and musicality, all covered with a big dollop of laughter. In 2005 I discovered Gypsy Tribal and became a convert, as did my bellydance class at that time. We have been together as Free Spirit Gypsy Tribal ever since, although I still teach Oriental dance. One of my other loves is hen's parties, I enjoy being part of these special evenings when all the women are together to celebrate a special event - just like in the Middle East. They are very satisfying and, of course, lots of fun. I am married, have one son, one daughter, one dog, one cat and one horse.