ISHRA

Ishra is a nation-wide performer and instructor. Since beginning her bellydance training in 1994, she has been a member of several innovative dance companies across Canada, including internationally acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company.  She currently teaches in Guelph, Ontario, where she encourages positive self body image, women empowerment as well as the mind, body soul connection.  Her professional approach and undying thirst for movement and knowledge makes her a sought after workshop leader and dance instructor, as well as a traditional and pioneering performer.

She is also a well respected dancer in the Guelph arts community, teaching her regular classes, specialty workshops, troupe classes and instructs at local high schools. She has performed numerous times on the main stage at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, the Great Lakes Bellydance Convention in Michigan, and was a featured dancer in Guelph Jazz Festival's Opera, Quebicité, as well as with Guelph's Concert Band (a 50 member orchestra).  She has also been featured on the cover of Mid-Bits magazine.  In 2010, she wrote her first bellydance children's book, My Mom Has a Dancing Belly, which was also illustrated by her sister Grace. She is currently the Founder and Artistic Director of Invoketress Dance Theatre.

Ishra is a lover of dance and has studied many different styles of Middle Eastern dance and drum with world-renowned masters. She has studied in Jazz, Latin, Flamenco, Kathak, Hip hop, Modern, Tai Chi and Capoeira to name a few. Her artistic background also includes theatre from York University. She is also a painter, a poet, a costume designer, an author, an event organizer, a musician and a proud mother of four.

Ishra's multifaceted talents and professional approach combined with her ever-growing spiritual awareness of the mind, body, soul connection make her a sought after dance instructor and performer.

"I started my love affair with Middle Eastern dance after I had my first child. I was looking for a physical artistic outlet to keep my sanity. Bellydance wiggled its way into my heart. I find Bellydance an empowering, passionate and sacred form of expression. I love guiding women back to their feminine roots, to feel confident and secure in their bodies as well as truly appreciating the strength and beauty in other women.  This creates a very open, safe and joyful experience and allows us to feel the strength of Middle Eastern movement from deep within.

"I cherish the women I teach and celebrate their diversity. I encourage positive self-body image and nurture a supportive and caring environment. My dance troupe, Invoketress Dance Theatre, literally embodies this philosophy, embracing members of all ages and of all body types, from the slinky slim to the bold and brazen."

- Ishra

INVOKETRESS DANCE THEATRE

Invoketress Dance Theatre is a group of beautiful and talented women who embody Ishra's philosophy of celebrating individual diversity and beauty in all ages and body types.  They have performed at a variety of events all over southern Ontario including the International Bellydance Conference of Canada and at the Great Lakes Bellydance Convention in Michigan.  They are a frequently sought after group of performers, often as the headlining act.  Invoketress have also danced with numerous musicians including Juno award-winning Eccodek, Cuneyt Yetkiner, Bhadra Collective and Light of East Ensemble. Each member brings her own personal strengths and personality to the group which come together to offer rich, dynamic, enchanting performances. 

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