The "tanz raum" is a dynamic "collective" working together and individually on many projects contributing to the diffusion, formation and creation of Egyptian Dance and music, traditional and modern.

Claudia Heinle

As she was studying politics and management at the universities of Constance, Copenhagen and Jerusalem, Claudia developed a special interest in Middle Eastern culture and discovered her passion for Egyptian dance.

In 1992 she met the choreographer S. Hilal with who she trained 12 years to become a fully qualified dancer and teacher. During those years, as she became the manager of S. Hilal, she produced two major stage programmes, touring all over Europe with the dance company and the musicians. She has collaborated actively in establishing a unique esthetique rooted in the authenticity of Egypt´s rich dance and music culture. Under the label of Hilal Art she has produced numerous CDs and dance videos.

Simultaneously, she set up the dance school tanz raum that today has developed into an international platform and label for dance music and culture of Egypt. She continously nourishes herself in order to further develop her dance, teaching and creative projects with visits to Egypts, and through the collaboration with Marie al Fajr in numerous projects and as part of her dance company. She regularly trains qi gong, yoga and other forms of bodywork, and is currently undergoing training with the Chinese doctor Wu Runjin.

She is known for her spontaneous and professional manner, loves working with students, and teaches at an international level. Claudia´s dance productions, which include Aluaan, Voices from Egypt and Abyad, are characterized by her personal style and passionate commitment. They have been performed in Germany, Switzerland and in France.

Caroline Chevat

Caroline has loved dance and music since her early youth. Since completing her studies in landscape engineering and geography at the universities of Lyon, Annecy, Mannheim and Constance, she has dedicated herself to music, dance and photography.

Since 1996, she has trained with Claudia Heinle at the tanz raum and has gained further experience through international workshops with Marie al Fajr and S. Hilal. Caroline dances with the Company of Claudia Heinle and teaches in the tanz raum.

She is an accomplished student of the tablah under Ibrahim el Minyawi since 1995. The beauty and sophistication of Egyptian music inspired her to produce her first CD with Ibrahim, and today she is travelling regularly to Egypt to bring together skilled musicians, and record and produce the traditional repertoire as well as innovative, high-quality music. Through the structure of the tanz raum she is producing, editing and distributing CDs worldwide and makes an invaluable contribution to the preservation of a rich musical heritage in danger of dying out.

Karin Schemmann-Schoernack

Since childhood, Karin has learnt various forms of dance from ballet to modern dance. In 1994, she discovered her passion for Egyptian dance. She has worked closely with Claudia Heinle from the start, and has honed her skills in international workshops. She has helped choreograph many of the stage productions of the “tanz raum“.

Karin dances with the Company Claudia Heinle and teaches in the “tanz raum“, in Markdorf and around lake Constance.

Marie al Fajr

Marie has been dancing since her early youth and has learnt various dance techniques and forms of physical training. After studying Egyptian dance with S. Hilal from 1989 to 2004 and subsequently working closely with her, Marie al Fajr is a highly qualified dancer and teacher (diploma from the Hilal School in London, licenced teacher of the Hilal Art Foundation, dancer with the Hilal Dance Company.)

Today, she has her own company and contributes to creating a modern form of Egyptian dance still rooted in the aesthetic of the traditonal dance movement in Egypt. Her current performance project is called Schemm en Nassim and has been performed in Germany and France.

Since the age of 15 she has travelled extensively in Middle Eastern countries and has developed a double cultural sensibility. She gained her in-depth understanding of Arabian art and culture through her academic studies (diploma in Arabic language and aesthetics of Arabic art). For several years now, she has established a second home in Cairo where she gets inspiration always searching for the authentic forms of the tradition still found in the country: tahtib, sufi-zhikr and other popular expressions including music. All this feeds her research and the process of establishing a contemporary expression in her creations and pedagogy.

Her talent, knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm take her on extensive travels throughout Europe for international workshops.

Ainhoa Izagirre

Born in the north of Spain, in the Basque country, Ainhoa studied the folk dance traditions of her country from early childhood. Later she studied jazz, contemporary dance, new dance, release, contact and improvisation with various teachers and at times in the School of New Dance Development in Amsterdam. Ainhoa met S. Hilal 1999 and started to train regularly, several times a year with her and Marie Al-Fajr. In 2002 she was choosen to be part of the professional trainees and has attended several courses in Europe. Today Ainhoa trains regularly with Marie and is one of the main dancers in her Company. Beyond this, Ainhoa has been practicing yoga for 16 years, and has completed her teacher certificate in the Sadhana School, member of the European Union of Yoga Schools and is since this year certified Gyrokinesis Teacher. She has her own school in Irun, Spain where she teaches Egyptian dance, yoga and Gyrokinesis and is extending her classes in Spain and Europe. Last year and this year she premiered two programmes "EL KHAYALI" and "VISITA HACIA MAAT", experimental work on different dance and movement techniques. Apart from her talent as dancer and her passionate and lively expression, Ainhoa is known for her skills and her wealth of knowledge in different forms of bodywork.

Carina Westling

Carina has danced since 1980, and has engaged in research of other cultures through music and dance since 1985. From a base in contemporary dance she studied African, Latinamerican, Spanish, and Balinese dance before focusing Egyptian dance. She moved to the UK from Sweden in 1991, and soon after began studies with Anne Ashcroft, and in 1992, Suraya Hilal.

She completed the RSS Teacher Training programme in 2000, and enjoyed ongoing mentorship and training with S. Hilal until 2004 as a professional licencee of the Hilal Art Foundation. In 2003, she completed a BA in Fine Art Sculpture. She has enriched her understanding of the body through studies of Alexander Technique and, currently, Gyrotonics. She is active in the arts as a member of events production teams, dancer, performer, choreographer and teacher.

As a teacher, she strives to lay bare clarity and strength of line to her students, as well as conveying enthusiasm and passion. The contemporary expression of Egyptian dance, based on the inherent structure of traditional forms, excites and moves her, as it brings together all the core elements of beauty she has found in her wider research.

Juliet Le Page

Juliet has trained in many dance forms including Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz, and Flamenco and Middle Eastern Dance.
In 1995 Juliet was introduced to the work of Suraya Hilal and has since traveled the world in pursuit of excellence in the art of teaching and performing Egyptian Dance.
Her dedication was rewarded in 2000 when she was invited to become an Applicant for teacher training by the Hilal Art Foundation. Juliet was awarded her full licence in 2004.

She has lectured in universities and to arts groups and has also been interviewed on National radio and for documentaries. She has performed for Arabic festivals, television and in theaters at the invitation of arts bodies. She has completed studies in psychology, anatomy and physiology and is also a qualified and registered fitness instructor. Her research on functional alignment and physical form is an important and distinctive component of her teaching. She is regularly invited to sit as a panel examiner for professional dance academies including the Australian Ballet School - (Spanish Dance 2001-2005). Juliet’s passion for her chosen genre is evident in her teaching and performance. Her objective is to bring to students an awareness of the intricate and rich cultural heritage of Egypt through the beauty and benefits of the dance art form.

Jane Manze

A classical dance background as a child, martial arts training, and an exploration of the music of Spain and North Africa led Jane Manze to the music and dance of Egypt. She first started studying Egyptian Dance with Suraya Hilal in 1990. She qualified as a teacher with the Raqs Sharqi Society and was later invited to train as a licensed teacher with the Hilal Art Foundation. Time spent in Egypt and Morocco with an ethnomusicologist meanwhile, deepened her love and knowledge of Middle Eastern, especially Egyptian, traditional music. Jane teaches Egyptian Dance and Scaravelli-Inspired Hatha Yoga - weekly classes, workshops and international retreats. Bodywork and her yoga practice, which 'awakens the spine', inspire her fascination for the movement and energy of the body. She performed in 'Schemm en Nassim' at the Institut du Monde Arabe with Compagnie Al Fajr and continues to study with Marie Al Fajr.

Ibrahim el Minyawi

Ibrahim el Minyawi is one of the best tablah players in Egypt, and embodies tremendous talent and outstanding percussion technique.

He lives in London and Cairo and has played solo and with other musicians and dancers, in particular S. Hilal, in the best venues to enthusiastic audiences worldwide for over 40 years. His concerts and workshops help keep alive a music genre whose identity is in danger of being lost.

Ibrahim works closely with the tanz raum in teaching, music research, recordings and creating new stage productions. As one of the rare musicians still belonging to the original “school” of baladi, Ibrahim is one of the key people making possible the numerous Tanz Raum music productions. Despite the commercial climate the musicians in Egypt are working in today, Ibrahim has succeeded in bringing to life authentic Baladi music.

His knowledge of the tradition and his sensibility as a musician has contributed greatly to the development of the dance technique we are teaching today (traditional and modern), and continues to promote a better understanding of the essence of movement in Egyptian tradition. His CD Daqat il Qualb is a masterpiece of solo Egyptian tablah.

Ali el Minyawi

Ali el Minyawi is Ibrahim el Minyawi’s son. From his early childhood he has been surrounded by music. His father met up with other musicians in their home and rehearsals took place there. Aly was actively involved in music from an early age and has played drums ever since he was 4 years old. He taught himself the tablah. His father gave him tips on how to perfect his touch. However, he always says that every player has a different relationship to his instrument and should therefore try to develop his own style. He has accompanied his father to many concerts all over Europe.