Meet the Roses

Sitara

Sitara comes from a Hungarian background and is an experienced instructor, performer and choreographer of Middle Eastern dance. She is also the founder and director of the thriving dance troupe the Eastern Roses (formerly the Desert Rose Dancers) and she continues to work with pure dedication in the dance. Sitara’s passion for dance began at a very early age with training in classical ballet, tap and jazz. She has studied many different dance forms from the continent and has worked as a professional dancer for many years. Sitara’s training is ongoing, and she continues to work with many international teachers of Middle Eastern Dance. She has an exquisite and memorable stage presence which always delights her audience and she is a master of both choreography and improvisation. Sitara can appear as a solo artist or with her dance troupe, the Eastern Roses. Sitara has been featured on BBC Television and is frequently in the press.

Shella

Shella originates from Jamaica. She has been studying dance from childhood. At the age of nine she had already achieved a Gold Medal in Disco Dancing and was performing regularly in a dance troupe. She appreciates many different styles of music and has a very strong and precise interpretation skills. As an adult she was also involved in a line dancing group and later went on to be trained in Salsa. Shella enjoys the affinity and harmony of performing within the troupe and is particularly inspired by creating group formations. She is passionate about dancing with finger symbols and dedicated to her training.

Alix

Alix has been intensely trained in gymnastics having started dancing at the age of just four, and has also studied ballet, tap and modern. She did exceptionally well at ballet and went on to audition with the Royal London Ballet. This explains her amazing fluidity to her undulations and belly dance movements. She is a very focused and confident dancer with a captivating stage presence. Alix is a very fast learner and creates a magical atmosphere with her double veil performance. She enjoys both choreography and improvisation.

Cate

Cate is of Norwegian descent and has been studying dance since the age of three. Her dance background includes ballet as a child and she later went on to study Latin, ballroom and Jazz. She has been learning belly dance with Sitara for two years and is passionate about the mystique that surrounds Middle Eastern Dance. Cate has developed a beautiful elegant style. She has a rich artistic sense and is a very graceful dancer as a result of her Ballet history. Cate is a mesmerising dancer who captures her audience with her beauty and style.

Sabina

Sabina joined the Eastern Roses in January 2007. She originates from Germany and has been studying belly dancing with Sitara for 2 years. She has always loved the art of belly dance and performed alongside Sitara and the Eastern Roses at the Town gate Theatre production ‘The Emerging Journey’ in August 2006. She also accompanied the Eastern Roses as a film extra when they were featured in a music video. She has been trained in both Tribal and Cabaret and has a beautiful, sensual and flowing style. Sabina is a passionate and dedicated dancer and has been gifted with excellent music interpretation skills. She enjoys both choreography and improvisation and creates a captivating and enchanting stage presence.

Gerry-Rae

Gerry-Rae is our youngest member of the troupe, joining the troupe in early 2008. She has a huge passion for Egyptology which she has studied since childhood. Gerry-Rae initially trained in tap at the age of seven and has been involved in acting and theatre. She has danced and acted in various theatre productions such as Moulin Rouge and Cabaret.
Gerry Rae is a talented and creative dancer with excellent technique and a delightful stage presence. She has been dancing with Sitara for nearly three years.

Lyndsey

Lyndsey has been attending classes and dancing with Sitara for 3 years. She is an experienced performer who has a background of dance and has previously taken part in several shows at the Town gate and Empire Theatre. Lyndsey is passionate about belly dance and has attended workshops with many of the biggest names in Belly dance such as Aziza, Sadie, the Belly Dance superstars and Hossam and Serena Ramzy.
Lyndsey delivers her performances with seamless fluidity and with breathtaking elegance, beauty and style. Her stunning and exotic appearance is captivating and her gentleness and personality shine through her dancing. Gorgeous femininity and a glamorous and exciting dancer.

Roberta

Roberta’s dark and exotic appearance is down to her Sri-Lankan and Scottish roots. She studied classical dance as a child. At the tender age of 11 she became involved with a Youth Dance Troupe. At the age of 14 she auditioned and was accepted into the Essex Contemporary youth Dance company Essance. She worked with various choreographers specialising in contemporary dance training which opened up opportunities for Roberta to perform in London, Midlands, Essex and Copenhagen in Denmark.
Roberta has been learning belly dance for over 4 years. She started dancing with Sitara in November 2006. Roberta has also attended workshops with many of the biggest names in Belly dance such as Aziza and the Belly Dance Superstars. She is an experienced performer and has appeared in several Belly dance shows previously and most recently in our Shimmy-Licious shows. She has a creative flair for creating new and exciting choreographies. With her experienced background in dance, and history of intensive training it is no wonder that Roberta always delivers such spectacular performances that captivate and enthral her audience. Her style is full of elegance and charm with a graceful fluidity. An outstanding performer and always a delight to watch.