Dancing to the beat

It’s not often in Bahrain that you get the chance to really stretch yourself – literally stretch yourself that is, in both body and mind.

But this month you can. 
Natasha Trzebinski, 20, a dancing sensation from Essex, UK, is in Bahrain sharing her dance experience and enthusiasm with the kingdom.
For the last nine years, Natasha has visited Bahrain every year to spend time with her father, an executive who works in a reinsurance company. 
This summer, Natasha is teaching Contemporary Dance, Street Dance, Lyrical Dance and Jazz Dance at World Beat in Janabiya. 
For those who don’t know what the difference is, Natasha explained that “contemporary is a mix of dance techniques based on the study of mind and body interrelationships.”
If you’ve been watching So you think you can Dance on the television you’ll have a pretty good idea of what’s involved. 
She added: “Street dance is danced to hip hop music and is what you’re likely to see when watching music videos. 
“Jazz is the kind of dance you often see in musicals, usually using big or exaggerated movements, and Lyrical is a modern dance fusion of jazz, modern and ballet dance styles.”
But if you haven’t danced much before don’t panic, as there are classes for both beginner and intermediate dancers and Natasha’s bubbly personality puts everyone at ease.
Natasha started dancing at the age of three studying ballet, tap, Jazz and Irish dance.  She took GCSE and A-Level Dance and also did an AVCE in Performing Arts at the same time as performing in a dance company for four years.
Although still only 20, Natasha has performed in many shows and also teaches and choreographs. 
She is currently in her second year studying a BA Hons in Dance and Culture at The University of Surrey
Since starting her degree Natasha has also been part of a dance company called ‘T21 Dance’ which has performed on stages throughout Surrey, London and Brighton including a piece at ‘Resolutions’, a festival for new and upcoming companies at ‘The Place’ in London.
Natasha’s favourite dance styles are classical ballet and break dance.
She likes the contrast between the styles explaining, “that is why I like them best, because they are so different”.
The young dancer is set for stardom and has recently accepted a position to work at the internationally-renowned English National Ballet at the end of the summer.
Her dreams of one day dancing with the Ballet Rambert are firmly on track, but she still finds time for Bahrain in her busy schedule as she plans to return to the kingdom over Easter.

By Wendy Howarth