Raqia Hassan

Raqia Hassan began her dance career in the Reda Troupe as a teenager. Although her own stage background was rooted in folklore, she ultimately became most influential as a teacher and choreographer of Raqs Sharqi. From the 1980s onward she coached numerous major Egyptian dancers, including stars whose work defined later Cairo style. Her teaching also became highly influential among international dancers travelling to Egypt for training. Through decades of coaching, choreography and festival activity, Hassan helped shape the technical vocabulary through which contemporary Egyptian Oriental dance is taught worldwide.