Zafirah has had a lifelong affinity with dance, music, creativity and entertainment. After a childhood of strict training, competing and performing as a classical musician, her belief is that dance should be an oasis of freedom for personal expression to music.

Zafirah first studied Persian and Egyptian dance with Medea Madhavi in 1994 and from there left to work in India where she was introduced to Kathak dance in Calcutta and was taught Rajasthani moves (similar to Persian) by village women in the Great Tar Desert.
Preferring the desert tradition of "feeling the music" rather than the strict discipline of classical Indian dance she was re-introduced to Arab dance by Bedouin women in the Sinai and then again in Jordan. Having a taste for this feminine dance and beautiful music she went on to learn exuberant cabaret Turkish dance whilst continuing to travel and absorb styles from North Africa and the Arabian peninsula. 

For nearly 10 yrs she has been performing regularly in the South West, in a number of restaurants, weddings, Arabic events, festivals and corporate events. Being a natural improviser and emanating a strong stage presence, Zafirah knows the value of being a true entertainer - not just a dancer.

Zafirah works regularly with Bristol based musicians such as Chas Whittaker, as well as having performed with bands such as Abdel Kader Sadooun and Celloman. Zafirah prides herself on maintaining a high standard of dance and developing new styles by continuing to learn from International Master Dance Teachers such as Yasmina Ramsy, Beata and Horacio Ciffuentes, Dondi from the Bellydance Superstars, and Yasmina of Cairo. A recent trip to Cairo involving lessons from professional Egyptian performers such as Rhanda Kamel, Samarsen, Dandash and Aida Noor, has inspired her favourite dance performance style. 

Zafirah also works as a midwife, and feels there is a strong connection between women's health, childbirth and this empowering ancient dance form. Her dual career was focused on recently in the Living TV series "Nurses". Zafirah beleives that this connection between The Dance and Childbirth demonstrates the power and spirituality of bellydance.

Click www.republicof.net to see a video clip of Zafirah dancing at the Bristol Community Festival (Ashton Court) with RePubliCof.

Zafirah is studying for her ASMED Teaching Diploma and is a fully insured member of Equity.