CAREER PATH / C.V. FARIDA Farida Seidi has been teaching the sublime art of Egyptian Middle Eastern dance since 1989. Born in Algeria, her childhood was bathed in the enchanting vocal sounds of Oum Kelthoum, Farid El Atrache,… She later studied dance techniques under some of the greatest Egyptian masters, most especially with Raquia Hassan, who continues to share her know-how with Farida today. Thanks to the experience gleaned from her regular study trips to Egypt, Farida is able to teach a range of different styles (e.g. Sharqui, Baladi, Saidi, Ghawazi) in the pure Egyptian tradition, using a personalised method which can be adapted to each & every individual. In July 2004, Farida was invited by Raquia Hassan to stage a session of Algerian dance at the 5th Raks El Sharki festival in Cairo. The event also provided the opportunity to present four of her Middle Eastern dance creations. The invitation represents a real show of recognition from her peers and Farida was once again a standard bearer of both France and Algeria in Egypt. Her motto : "Such is the wealth of Egyptian dances, you just never cease to learn". Her very soul is enamoured with Egyptian dance and music... her students cannot fail to be enchanted by her knowledge and love of the this essence of the Egyptian state of mind. Farida's experience and her sense of professionalism make her today a renowned teacher and choreographer, both in France and abroad. Her reputation is such that she has provided valuable training to others who have become teachers in turn. She is a member of an elite group of teachers who wish to ensure that Egyptian dance be afforded the recognition it deserves as a performance art form. She pursues this goal unceasingly, making regular study trips to Egypt in order to perfect her craft so as to be able to pass on the best possible knowledge and know-how to her students. It is also important to mention that Farida Seidi is a pioneer amongst the teaching profession of the Rhone-Alps region, having successfully taken up the challenge of introducing Middle Eastern dance into the academic world, at the Academy of Dance (Conservatoire de Danse).
	Each year, Farida makes two study trips to Egypt during which she is the recipient of private dance lessons from the leading choreographer Madame Raquia Hassan. This year she was a participant at the 5th International Festival of Middle Eastern dance in Cairo, at which she provided group tuition in the following folklore styles : Gawazi Assaya Bedoui Melaya Saïdi Nubien 2004 was a very special year for Farida at the 5th Festival of Middle Eastern Dance, since she was highly honoured in being invited to represent Algeria by running a training session in Algerian dance, sharing her knowledge of two styles : Staifi (from Eastern Algeria) and Chaoui (from the Ores plateau). She concluded her contribution by donning a magnificent traditional Setifian costume and performing this dance from the East with the accompaniment of a scarf. It was truly a wonderful moment for Farida to present this element of folklore to dance students from all over the world. An outright success!!! Each year the festival provides Farida with the chance to meet some of the major dance stars from the world of Egyptian cinema, personalities such as Ms Souhair Saki, Ms Nagwa Fouad, Mona Saïd … She has also seized the opportunity to continue her research into Egyptian music and to be a spectator at a large number of shows with star performers such as Dina and Rwanda Kamal along with folklore troupes from Upper Egypt. A delectable experience !!
		Farida at the 5th “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” Festival in Cairo, performing Eiz El Habeyb.			Farida and Laurent performing Msafer Wahdek, a choreographic creation by Farida.