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AMEL
T A FSOUT
Amel Tafsout (means ‘Hope of Spring’) is among the most charismatic international
master dance teacher of our time and has mesmerized audiences in the Middle East and
North Africa as well in Europe und the U.S.A. with her expressive and stunning stage
presence.
She is an acclaimed choreographer, instructor and performer of North African Maghreb
Dance as well as a storyteller, a singer, a linguist and dance anthropologist.
Brought up in Algeria, Tafsout was fascinated by dance and music since childhood; and
much of her research has focused on ritual traditional dances from the Maghreb, the
Middle East
(Reflecting the dual Berber-Arabic personality of Algeria), Africa and Cuba.
She has been able to look at the ways in which spirituality is part of daily life and her
work is characterized by a search for harmony between Body, Mind and Spirit.
‘ Amel will seem to you like a voyager between countries, cultures and languages
(…). Her technique of teaching focuses on sharing the spiritual energies (…).
Each of Amel’s movements come from inside her and is charged with pure
energies.
While Amel, the Berber woman, moves closer to the souls of the women, they in
turn become more aware of their own strength and are able to recover their
spiritual balance through dance. The word ‘healing’ is not mentioned but what
happens here is nothing less than that.’ Gizella Hartmann, in ‘Orient Magazine’,
Germany nr.1,2002
In her early twenties Tafsout moved to Germany where she founded the Pan Arabic
company called ‘Banat As Sahra’ (Daughters of the Sahara Desert), a company which
instrumental was in dismissing Eastern prejudices about Arab women as well as working
to bring Arabic dance culture to the West.
In the late 80s Tafsout moved to London, U.K, where she performed at various dance
and music festivals and was an important member of Chakchouka, a Latin–Jazz band,
Mambo Duniya, Noor Shimaal.
‘Always graceful, she nevertheless reflected the enormous energy and excitement
of the strongly percussive music to add an extra dimension to a truly remarkable
Evening’, P.Rush, ‘The Stage’, Nov.1997, London, U.K.
‘Amel Tafsout, accompanied on drum by Salah-Dawson Miller, provided us with
a third contrast in dance styles, the earthy rhythms of the drums and Amel’s
mesmeric hips and arms made you feel as though you were in a Berber tent’,
Afra Al Kahira, 1999, U.K.
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VENUES , CITIES & COUNTRIES
In London: Chisenhale Dance Space, Jackson’s Lane, The I.C.A, The Commonwealth Institute, The
French Institute, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The South Bank, The Barbican, SOAS, The Oval House,
The British Museum, etc.
In Europe: Germany, Swizerland, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Spain, Italy, Swizterland, Belgium, etc.
In the U.S.A.: Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Misouri, Arkansas,California, Eleanor, North Carolina,
Florida, Oregon, Washington, Texas, New York, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Silver Spring,
Colorado, Atlanta, etc.…
New Zealand, Canada, Morocco., Mexico, Tafsout has been invited to Chile and Brazil.
FESTIVALS
Tafsout has lectured, danced, taught, sung, and conducted anthropological research in
many countries; in the UK alone, she has performed at international festivals, such as
HARAMBEE AFRICA, WOMAD in the UK and Spain, “Die Orientale” in Dusseldorf,
Germany, ORIENTALIA 2004 in Miami, “Spirit of the Tribes”, Florida, “Tribal Quest”
in Portland, OR, Breitenbush Dance retreat, OR, RAKS BRITANIA in the U.K. THIRD
COAST TRIBAL in Texas, TRIBAL REVOLUTION in Chicago, ELEVATION in
Gold, Colorado, BLACKORCHID festival in Las Vegas, THE ARAB DANCE
SEMINAR
(For many years) in many U.S cities, TRIBAL FEST in CA, the first Arab Dance
festival in Minneapolis, TAPESTRY in Rhodes Island, The Arab Festival in San
Francisco.
Amel speaks 5 languages and has published articles in academic and popular magazines.
Having worked and lived all over the world, unsurprisingly, migration has been a
constant theme in Tafsout’s work.
Amel Tafsout is currently using her expertise to lead highly successful master classes for students
from different backgrounds such as Arab, European and Latin American and American women and
children, disabled children, elderly people, dance and music students, actors, singers and performers.
Amel Tafsout is living in California, U.S.A, still performing and teaching in the U.S.
and worldwide.
In 2006 she has been invited to join Andy Kershaw, the BBC 3 radio presenter of World
Music, to travel to Algeria in order to record a programme on Algerian music.
In July 2006 Amel performed with Cheb I Sabbah at Central Park New York City and
has been featured at the television “Bridge TV”.
“And yet, when you meet her, Tafsout is also tremendous fun, and infects
everyone she meets with huge enthusiasm for North African dance.” Mira
Katbamna, 2003
“ Strong woman, passionate, formidable cultural ambassador, internationally
acclaimed, spiritual, Medicine woman, [patient, gentle, academic, linguist,
powerful ambience surrounding her’ - All true. But there is the rest: the
humour!”
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Marian Watson, in ‘Mosaic, Winter 2001/2
“ Watching a performance by Amel Tafsout is a cathartic experience. (…) She
dances from the very core of herself. Sensuality is expressed as power and
generosity. She has a direct stare, a presence that can only come from the true
knowledge of herself and her art. She is a unique performer and there is no one
else who dances like her.” Beatrice Parvin, in Habibi Magazine, Vol.18, no 1,
1999, Santa Barbara, USA.
“ Her ( Amel) teaching comes from the heart and soul and, she reaches out and
touches her students in their heart and soul. (…) Her deep sense of spirituality
permeates her every aspect of her expression as a teacher. At dance workshops, you
don’t just learn dance steps; you learn about the people behind the dance, it’s
history, culture and spirituality.”
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About her Sacred Sufi dance workshops:
During the workshop, she ( Amel) innates intuition that guides her from person yo
person just when they seem to need her help as they undergo a profound personal
healing, and yet she also fosters a safe and nurturing group environment among the
attendees who all leave feeling not only healed, but also bonded to each other in a
sacred way.” Mezdulene, in Jareeda magazine, March/April 2009, Sutherlin, U.S.A.
Amel Tafsout is a rare gem on the Middle Eastern and Tribal Dance Circuit! She is
professor of the history and dances of The Maghreb. I encourage any dancer or
sponsor to experience the artistry of this prolific master dancer and teacher from
North Africa! Dalia Carella, 2013
DANCE & MUSIC
Tafsout has worked with various well-known performers and bands: Die DISSENTENTEN,
3MUSTAPHA3, HASSAN ERRAJI, CHAKCHOUKA, MAMBO DUNIYA, NOOR SHIMAAL,
ORCHESTRE Z’MAAN, and lately SALADIN’S ORCHESTRA, ALI SLIMANI, CHEB
ABDELKADER, the very well know Algerian piano player: Maurice EL MEDIONI, Georges
LAMMAM, ISHMAEL, Vince DELGADO’s music ensemble, ASWATT, CalPoly Arabic Music
Ensemble of San Luis Obispo, directed by Ken HABIB, The Algerian Andalusian singer NASSIMA,
Suren BARONIAN and Haig MANOUKIAN, Michael Beach and the Brothers of the Baladi, and
Karim NAGUI, Fella ODAME.
Tafsout also published many articles related to dance and Maghreb women in academic
and popular magazines. Her latest article ,”The Passage of Times” has been published at
the online Dance magazine called “The Gilded Serpent” in Sept.2007.
She translated songs for the recording company ’World Circuit and did some
interpreting work for West African singers such as Jali Mussa Jawara and Ali Farkha
Toure (May his soul rest in peace) the Moroccan Gnawa singer Mustapha Bakbou and
the Algerian Rai super stars such as Cheikha Rimitti (may her sould rest in peace),
Bellemou as well as Khaled.
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She contributed to the first ‘Rough Guide of Belly Dance music compilation’
In 2006 she was invited by the BBC radio 3 to accompany Andy Kershaw to Algeria in order to
do a program on Algerian music.
MEDIA
Amel TAFSOUT has been featured in ‘THE LATE SHOW’’ (BBC2), 01 LONDON’, ‘OPEN SPACE'
(BBC), MBC (Middle Eastern Broadcasting), LWT, CHANNEL 4 in PER4MANCE and a variety of
European TV programs.
2001 started for Amel with a feature on the first page of THE INDEPENDENT of Sunday
DANCE ROOTS AND MEANINGS
The Maghreb (North Africa) has always been a crossroad of different cultures, a gate between the
West and the East, the North and the South: Where Africa meets the Orient.
North African people are ARABO-BERBER people with various backgrounds including Amazigh
(Berber), Arabic, African and Mediterranean elements.
Music and dance are associated partly with Middle Eastern culture as well as Arabo-Andalusian
elements of Medieval Spain and partly with Berber and African elements.
The dance is both a public and personal expression, rich in symbolic dimensions that deal with
universal constants in nature: planetary movements and their influence; fertility of Mother Earth; and
the Communication between the Earthly and the Divine. Maghreb Dance is about contact with Life
and Nature, where the woman represents Nature and the man the Human being.
In Berber Amazigh regions women’s singing accompanies any kind of work, such as the Harvest.
Festivals provide the opportunity to see dance and singing as a Unity. Traditional Berber dances are
mostly ritual dances. Originally they were a magical act, in order to obtain the fertility of the Mother
Earth or the rain .The worshiping of a Divinity or a Spirit of Nature was used in order to gain its
protection.
City dances have existed since the Moslem Moors were expelled from Andalusia. The dance and
singing focuses on Improvisation. They are associated with Andalusian elements of medieval Spain.
DANCE & CREATIVITY
Tafsout’s performance ‘AS SAFAR’ (The Journey) composed by the Master Drummer and ethnomusicologist SALAH-DAWSON MILLER dealt with the theme of Immigration.
Her dance performance: ‘MIFTAH AL KAHINA’ was a tribute to the Amazigh-Berber warrior queen
and to Algerian women.
She performed her piece ‘AR-RIYAH’ (Winds) in the USA and the U.K. as an expression of the
ancient and contemporary.
Her performance ‘KHAMSA’ (The Hand of Fatima) was about dance as a healing form.
Her other pieces are ‘NUR EL AIN’ (Seeing the Light), ‘SILENCE’, ‘THE GARDENS OF LIGHT’
and ‘The BLUE FLAME’ were a tribute to the Mysticism of SUFI masters and KHALIL GIBRAN.
‘NAWAR’
‘ FEMMES D’ALGER DANS LEURS APPARTEMENTS’ was about Orientalism using the painting
of Delacroix to give Algerian women a body to express their dance and lives.
‘ USSUL EL ANDALUS’ is a production in collaboration with the master dance artist Cassandra
taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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LECTURES
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‘AL KAHINA, THE BERBER QUEEN OF THE VII THE CENTURY’, at S.O.A.S. (School of
African and Oriental Studies in London) for The SOCIETY OF ALGERIAN STUDIES, at the
School of Oriental Studies, Oxford University and At the Berber conference at the University of
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
‘ALGERIAN WOMEN’, in Europe and the U.S.A.
‘SUFISM AND SUFI MASTERS’ in Germany and Switzerland
‘SYMBOLS AND TATTOOS’ in Europe and the U.S.A.
‘COSTUMES’ in Europe and the U.S.A.
‘WOMEN WITHOUT MEN’ (about professional female performers) in Europe and the U.S.A.
‘NAYLIYAT, THE DESERT DANCERS’ in Europe and the U.S.A.
BEAUTY CARE IN THE MAGHREB, Louisiana, U.S
ARABIC SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANING, Chicago, U.S.
PUBLICATIONS
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‘North African WOMEN’S WRITING’ in the ‘Guide to Women’s Literature’ (Bloomsberry Press,
London, 1992).
‘Les Femmes Algeriennes’ and ‘The schooling of Algerian girls’ (Bulletin of Francophone
Studies, Westminster University, London)
‘Nayliyat Taenzerinnen’ and ‘Azriyat: Women without Men’ in TanzOriental Magazine, Germany
‘Cheikha Remitti’ in Habibi Magazine, U.S.A.
‘Oasis of Discovery’ and ‘Healing Hands’ in Mosaic Dance Magazine, U.K.
Introduction to the Middle Eastern dance and music for the Rough Guide, 2002, UK
The Passage of Time in the Gilded Serpent 2006
SHOWS AND WORKSHOPS
1977-86 Amel started teaching bedouin Dances in Frankfurt, Germany, she founded her first dance company
Banat As Sahra and worked with the ethnobeat band Die Dissidenten, she perfomed with her own company
went on tour with the Dissenten in Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Austria.
1987
Amel’s arrival in London: teaching and performances in the U.K, Europe and the U.S.A., at various festivals
W.O.M.A.D.)
1988-1989Collaboration with the Latin Jazz band ‘CHAKCHOUKA’
1989-1993Active member of ORCHESTRE MAMBO DUNIYA
1990
HARAMBE-AFRICA African Festival in New Castle, U.K.
1991
SANS ETIQUETTE Festival, as part ‘the Arabic Women’s week, at the I.C.A (London), and the 3rd Orienta
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Festival Frankfurt/M (Germany)
1992
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Pontadarwe Folk Festival with NOOR SHIMAAL
1994
Oriental Dance Festival (Finland)
1995
‘AFRICA 95’ (London)
Active member of the Music Band NOOR SHIMAAL (Northern Lights) as a dancer and singer
Dance Festival, Copenhagen (Denmark)
1995-2002On going performances and workshops at ‘Die Orientale’ Festival in Dusseldorf (Germany)
1997
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1998
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‘SALAM’ first festival of Islamic culture in Glasgow and first ‘Algerian Carnival’ in October 1997 at T
Watermann’s Arts Centre, London, with SALADIN’S ORCHESTRA
Festival ’WOMEN AND TRADITION’ (Multi-Culti) with the legendary Queen of RAI Music: Cheikha
the Queen Elizabeth Hall (London)
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Performance at the Pashas and Poets Gala at the British Museum, London, in presence of Her Excellenc
KHAN
Dance collaboration (DUENDE) with the well known Flamenco dancer Rosario and the Indian Kathak
Jayashree in the U.K.
1999
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Performance of ‘SILENCE’ and Master Classes at the GLASTONBURY DANCE FESTIVAL
‘ Nur El ‘Ain’ (Seeing the Light) in Zurich (Switzerland)
Coinstreet African festival WOZA in London
2000
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Performances and workshops for WOMAD in Reading (U.K.), Las Palmas (Canary Islands) and at The
SPIRIT, at the Barbican (London)
2 months tour in the U.S.A. and shows, workshops, lectures, story telling at the well known American O
DANCE CAMPS
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2004
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Performance of "NOUWAR" (Blossom) with SALADIN'S ORCHESTRA and her company "THE
TAFSOUTETTES" in Germany
Special guest at MENDOCINO MIDDLE EAST MUSIC AND DANCE CAMP in California, U.S.A.
International Week in Kiel, Germany, and in Vienna, Austria
"MEETING THE TRIBES" Festival in Florida
Special Guest in Texas, and at MENDOCINO MIDDLE EAST MUSIC AND DANCE CAMP
“Femmes d’Alger dans leurs Appartement” show at “DIE ORIENTALE” Dusseldorf,Germany
“MAJMA’ Dance festival in Glastonbury, UK
MADN 10th Anniversary in Buckingham, UK
Shows in San Diego and Arizona, U.S.A.
Shows at the “ARAB HORSE festival” in Wellington,U.K.
Conference “CULTURE, ART AND IMMIGRATION” at the “Haus der Kultur”, Berlin, Germany
Show and workshops at MENDOCINO MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC AND DANCE CAMP,
California, U.S.A.
DIE ORIENTALE , Dusseldorf, Germany
ORIENTALIA, Festival in Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
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Work as a choreographer in PEACE IN THE HOUSE show, Minneapolis, Minnesota,U.S.A
MENDOCINO MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC AND DANCE CAMP, CA, U.SA
Workshops in Austria, Germany, the UK and the U.S.A.
Majma’ Dance festival , Glastonbury, U.K.
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2005
DIE ORIENTALE, Dusseldorf, Germany
NORTH AFRICAN DANCE CONFERENCE, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A.
TRIBAL EXPERIENCE, Bavaria, Germany
Work in the UK, Germany and Ireland
BERBER CONFERENCE, University of Portland, Oregon, U.S.A
CENTRAL ASIAN DANCE CAMP and show at the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC,
Washington DC, U.S.A.
USUL AL ANDALUS (Roots of El Andalus), Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
MENDOCINO MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC AND DANCE CAMP, CA, U.S.A
TRIBES OF DORIS, Devon, U.K.
OASIS DANCE CAMP North and West, U.S.A.
ARAB DANCE SEMINAR, New Heaven, Connecticut, U.S.A.
Shows with the Pan-Arabic choir ASWAT
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2006
New York, Portland, Roseburg, OR, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, CA, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, Seattle, WA, Miami, Florida,US,Mendocino Midle Eastern Music and Dance
Camp, Europe tour, Trip
to Algeria with Andy Kershaw and the BBC to record
Algerian musicians.
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2007
Amazigh (Berber) Festival in Santa Cruz, CA: contact:
Workshops and Show in Mexico City, Mexico, contact
Drum & Dance Camp in Dorset, U.K.
Symposium in Near & Middle Eastern Dance in New England, CO, U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, U.S., Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Tribal Quest North West, Portland, OR,
Tribe of Doris Drum and Dance Camp, Devon, U.K.
Baraka dance production at the Tanzhaus, Dusseldorf, Germany
Workshops & show in St. Louis, WI, U.S.
Show with the Algerian singer Nassima at the Concert Hall
of Ethical Culture Institute in NYC, U.S.
Sterling, Scotland, UK
Arab Dance Seminar in New Haven, CO,U.S.
Oasis Dance Camp in Aeteoroa, New Zealand.
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2008 Dance festival in Litte Rock, AR,
Arab Dance Seminar in Chicago, IL
Show in Dayton Ohio, Saint Louis, MI
Tribe of Doris, Devon, UK.
Breitenbush Dance retreat with Paulette Rees-Denis, OR, U.S.
Middle Eastern Dance Dorset, U.K.
North African Dance week end, New Jersey, U.S
Raks Britania, Blackpool, UK
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Workshops and shows in London, Manchester, Bristol,UK.
Die Orientale, Dusseldorf, Germany
Shows and workshops in Vienna , Austria
Shows & workshops in Mexico City, Mexico
2009 Amazigh Berber Festival in Fes, Morocco
Workshops & Shows in London, Sterling, Manchester, UK.
Tribal Quest, Portland, OR, Workshops and shows in various U.S. cities, Saint
Louis,
Postcards: From the Mediterranean Gala Show, Seattle, WA.
Kalamazoo, Portand, Arab Dance Seminar in new York City.
Raks Britania, UK,
2010 Belly Dance Conferenc in Toronto, Canada
Tour in Europe
Thirs Coast Tribal, Texas, U.S,
BOCA, Silver Springs, U.S.
201 Majma’ in Glastonbury, U.K.
Elevation Festival, Colorado
Tribal Revolution, Chicago
Jamballah Festival, Portland
Workshops in Baltimore
Tapestry, Rhodes Island
Show at the University of Oregon, Eugene
Tribal Original, North Carolina
Oasis Dance Camp in Morocco.
Oriental Dance Festival , Minneapolis
2012 Black Orchid Dance festival, Las Vegas
Dance workshops in NYC, Baltimore, Eugene and other cities
Tour in Europe.
Study trip to Egypt for the Journey Through Egypt programme
Arab Dance Seminar in L.A. CA
2013 Third Coast Tribal, Texas,
Tour in Europe: U.K.: London, Bristol Maidstone and Cornwal
Vienna, Austria
Study trip in Algeria
Tribal Fest, U.S.
Shows and Workshops in New Orleans, Louisiana
Anahata Festival, Portland
Tribal Revolution, Chicago
Cross Roads and Origins, Atlanta
Workshops in San Francisco, Fresno, CA
Workshops for Children at Danceversity, Berkeley, CA
Workshops in Blatimore, Silver Springs
Sacred Dance workshops at the Sofia Wellness Center, Sutter Creek
Arab Festival, San Franscisco
Arab Dance Seminar, Las Vegas
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