LEILA

Leila is of Greek background and has enjoyed growing up with Tsiftetelli Pop music. The Ottoman Empire also influenced Greek music and architecture as Leilas roots come from Constantine, which is present day Istanbul.

In history, belly dancing reached its peak in Constantine in the 17th century.

The dancers lived in the king's chambers and were revered. Leilas first name in Greek is Gharifalia, pronounced Gha-ri-fa-lia,which means the carnation flower and is used extensively in religious ceremonies throughout Greece. The Gypsy's wear carnations behind their ear when they dance and Greek celebrities are showered with them from their loving audiences. Leila recalls a funny story where she had to belly dance with a famous Greek singer who was singing about his love for a belly dancer.

As he was serenading her, the audience showered them with carnations. One landed perfectly in her cleavage and the audience was entertained immensely. When the singer asked her for her name he thought it was very uncanny.

Leilas surname "Vassilak-oglou"is half Turkish. ("Oglou" means "son of "in Turkish.) Leilas ancestors had to disguise themselves as Turks to get back through the border to re-migrate back into Greece therefore they added "oglou" to the end of their name.

Both of Leilas parents were born in a village called Saint Athanasios, 20km south of Thessalonica and 10km from Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia. Leila enjoys exploring the many flavours of Oriental dance including Classical and Modern Egyptian style, Turkish, Greek, Oriental Indian and Pop Fusion.

Leilas recent trip to India has made her a leading exponent of her latest creation called  "Bollywood Belly" which fuses Pop Hindi culture with Belly dance.

At 25, Leila is the artistic Director and founder of Belly Babes School of Belly Dance located at Warilla, Flinders, Dapto, Wollongong and Thirroul and has taught 3 of her star students to teach for her.

Leila finds this expression very natural as her background is Greek but she was born in the coastal region of Wollongong, located an hour's drive from Sydney CBD on the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales.

Leila has made four pilgrimages back to her homeland, Thessalonica and two trips to the Greek Islands, which she describes as the most romantic place on earth.The most spiritual place she has ever visited is the Sinai region of Egypt along the Bedouin encampments. Leila is a collector of Bedouin Jewellery and artefacts.

Leila has also travelled to California, Mexico, Singapore and India and plans to travel to South America in 2004. Leila will also revisit Greece to perform on the Greek islands in July 2004.

• In 1999, Leila performed with a live fusion band at The Woodford Folk Festival in
  Maleny, Nth Queensland in the Kazbah Tent.
• In 2000, Leila performed at The Novotel Northbeach Bachelor and Spinsters Ball for
  a crowd of 600 guests.
• Leila also performed exclusively for the Russian Olympic Games Delegation team and
  met Russia's Famous singing twins.
• On New Years Eve 2001, Leila was invited to perform at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold
  Coast in front of a huge crowd that included Australian singing sensation and Grammy
  Award winner Natalie Imbruglia.
• Leila also performed at WIN stadium for a delegation from Emirates Airlines as part
  of a civic reception hosted by the Wollongong Wolves and Wollongong City Council.
• Leila met Omar Faruk Tebilek, an accomplished Middle Eastern Musician at a Bellydance
  workshop in Byron Bay.
• In 2002, Leila and the Belly Babes performed for National Egyptian Day at Darling
  Harbour in front of a huge crowd, gaining much applause from the Middle Eastern Community.
• Leila was also featured at the 2002 Annual Belly dancers Ball in Dulwilch Hill hosted
  by Amera's Palace.
• Attended the Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival in May 2002.
• Attended the Annual Winter Warm-up in Brisbane with Egyptian choreographer, Aida Nour
  in July 2002.
• Attended Alf Leila Wa Leila, Melbourne's Bellydance Festival in October 2002.
• In 2003, Leila and the Belly Babes performed for an exclusive 3-day Indian Wedding
  by a prominent Doctor held at Villa Doro, Novotel North-beach and Kembla Grange
  Race-Course.
• Private Indian Party in Rose Bay, 2003
• Leila and Ferah, 2003 at The Sydney Town Hall for Johnny Warrens kick for cancer
  promotion where Leila met Bob Hawke, her favourite Australian Prime Minister.
• Inaugural Belly Babes Ball 2003, Portofino Lounge Four Seasons Ballroom.
• Leila and the Belly Babes Troupe, Jewish Bar Mitzvah Party held in Randwick.