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Riskallah Riyad CT Dance Oasis Center for Middle Eastern Dance
“Riskallah (Riyad) is a very gifted and talented …artist.
She’s worked very hard, not only
as a dancer, but as a spokeswoman for the dance. She’s a very special person, a beautiful talent…”
The
late – Ibrahim Farrah, NYC
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Middle Eastern dancer and choreographer Riskallah Riyad has performed and taught nationally for over fifty years.
From the time she was a young girl Riskallah Riyad aka Dolores wanted to be a dancer and a teacher, which goals she has fulfilled
for almost sixty years. But fifty years ago, she shifted her focus from Middle School English and modern dance to her Middle
Eastern heritage, teaching and performing Middle Eastern dance arts. Known for her graceful yet crisp style, impeccable technique, and energetic teaching, she
has inspired a dedicated professional and student following. Middle Eastern Dance New England called
her a “stellar performer and teacher.” Riskallah has been featured in Spotlight, Arabesque
and Zaghareet! magazines, gracing the cover of Spotlight in 1981 and Zaghareet! (photo above)
in 2013. Additionally, she distinguishes herself as an innovator, having originated and perfected the double veil technique
in the 1970s. Today this method is routinely imitated by other dancers and incorporated into belly dance canon. She also sets
herself apart from other artists with her versatility and knowledge. Her solo and ensemble choreographies in folk and classical
Oriental styles demonstrate a deep understanding of their cultural origins. “Her work always retains an authentic flavor
while being distinctly her own. Further, her contemporary fusion works succeed in expressing modern day reverence, mystery,
and appreciation for drama.” See performance videos
Mentors
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| Washington D.C. 1970's |
Riskallah’s creative skills attest to a rigorous and diverse background in dance. Formal classes
began in childhood and continued into adulthood with jazz, ballet, and modern, but her Arabic descent and love of Middle Eastern
rhythms eventually led her to focus on Oriental dance. She trained in New York City first with the late Serena Wilson and
for over ten years with the late Ibrahim Farrah. Other notable mentors were Elena Lentini, the late Valarie Camille, and Marta Zorina. In order to become more thoroughly versed in the many complex
Middle Eastern rhythms, she studied percussion with the late Hanna Mirhige, percussionist with Ibrahim Farrah's Near
East Dance Group.
Performance Highlights
Performance highlights include stage shows
throughout Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Cabaret work included Faizel's and Darvish in New York City, all major cabarets in
Boston, MA, Washington D.C., Richmond, VA, and CT. She has produced countless theatrical and cabaret events with students.,
the most recent (April, 2022) Celebrate! A Lifetime of Middle Eastern Dance at Ives Concert Hall in Danbury,
CT (see Celebrate Show for a video clip).
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| Performance in 2020 |
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Education
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| Riskallah Riyad Students |
A testimony to her reputation for excellence, she is the only instructor
invited by the popular Beach Blanket Beledi, Nags Head, NC 13 times.
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