CLAIRE NAFFAH

Claire has captivated audiences with her skill and professionalism in the many styles she masters very fluently: classical, folk and modern. She displays versatility, vitality, colour and excitement in her performances as well as thorough technical qualities in her teaching.

 

Claire Naffah (Cert. & Grad. Dip. Movement and Dance The University of Melbourne) is a Master Teacher and a Dance Educator. Her performances portray beauty and elegance in the traditional styles of Oriental and reflect her lineage in her rich repertoire. Her improvisational style draws on many forms of dances that she has learned over the years.

 

 Claire has captivated audiences with her skill and professionalism in the many styles she masters very fluently: classical, folk and modern. She displays versatility, vitality, colour and excitement in her performances as well as thorough technical qualities in her teaching. Claire produces and directs her own theatrical shows and assists other producers and choreographers in their productions. To name but a few: Training Ballerinas from Opera Australia (Sydney) in M.E. dance for their production "Italians in Algiers", choreographing dances for "OASIS" a play based on the stories of "the Arabian Nights" produced by the Student Theatre at Monash University. She workshopped kindergarten teachers at the PACKTA Conference (Frankston Cultural Centre), and also performed and workshopped for the Endometriosis Association of Victoria.

 

Claire conceived and co-produced the idea of a Multi­Cultural "In The Same Place" work using the Middle East as a metaphorical bridge between India and Africa.

 

Claire’s performances range from the Victorian ArtCentre, Melbourne Concert Hall, The National Gallery of Victoria, La Boite World Music, St. Kilda Writer's Festival, Myer Music Bowl, S.B.S. Radio and Television, Palladium Theatre (Crown), The Forum Theatre, Kingston Arts Centre, C.U.B. Malthouse, Museum of Victoria, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, etc. She travels interstate to give workshops in Oriental dance to professional dancers.

 

Claire has toured around Victorian Schools in Education programs performing and workshopping at Primary and Secondary Schools. Her programs also include populations like: Post-natal women, elderly people, mentally and physically disabled people (ages 5 to 18 years), and pre-school children. In addition she runs professional development workshops for scholle Teachers.

                                                                                                               

Primary Schools

Claire has participated in training 40 Secondary Students for the production "Quest of the Birds" organised by the Department of Education performed at Melbourne Park (Rod Laver Arena). In July 1997, Claire participated in the 8th International Conference for the Asian Pacific Confederation for Arts Education "ASPACEA 97" Every year, Claire runs Educational Summer School Workshops about Middle Eastern Dance and Culture. Her workshops are highly regarded by dancers from all over Australia.