Catherine Barros

Catherine lives in Dallas, Texas with her 4 Maine Coon cats, Horatio, Lily, Rufus and Sylvia. She currently works as an Consultant Specialist (AKA computer programmer/analyst) for a major international provider of computer support and software services which has their world headquarters located in Plano, Texas. Her favorite project (so far) involved working in Sydney, Australia for six months (her favorite because of being in Sydney – not the project!) and where she just missed studying with Amera (of Amera’s Palace) by a few weeks as Amera was overseas the whole time she was in Sydney.

Catherine has been studying Middle Eastern dance for over 20 years. She started her dance studies with Rita Benner of Richardson, Texas, where she performed in Trup Oryntal and began performing solo. She then continued her studies with Vashti of Dallas, for nearly 10 years. In addition to Vashti, she considers Amaya of Nuevo Mexico and Cassandra of Minneapolis to be major influences, particularly in the areas of stage presence and interpretation of music. Through the years, she has been spurred on and inspired at workshops with Angelika Nemeth, Beata of Germany, Hadia of Calgary, Jalilah ( who produced the Raks Sharki music series and now lives in Vancouver), Suzanna del Vecchio, Morocco of New York (of course, ), Elena of New York, Nadia Hamdi of Egypt, Amani of Lebanon, and Khedi Megateli of Austin, Texas. With recent additions in the last year of Raqia Hassan of Cairo, Aida Nour of Cairo, Dina of Cairo (!!), Mona el Said, and Yasmina Ramzy of Toronto. This list will hopefully keep growing. She has also spent much time studying videos of various dancers including Mona el Said, Sohair Zaki, Nagwa Fouad, Fifi Abdo, Lucy, Dina, Shareen Al Safy, just to name a few.

Her latest effort to further her understanding of Middle Eastern music involves taking doumbek classes and the accordion. Her love of Egyptian accordion music has finally pushed her over the edge to attempt to learn accordion Western-style then, hopefully, on to the quarter tone version. She plans a trip to Cairo for more music and dance lessons in the near future.

Three years ago Catherine decided that she needed to do something with all the dance knowledge she has been accumulating so she decided to hang out her shingle as a dance instructor. As her long hours at work get in the way of too many commitments time-wise, she has opted for teaching on a private and semi-private basis. This has been a slow and gradual pursuit as she has much to learn and develop along the lines of teaching and lesson plans. What she has accomplished so far with her teaching has brought her more confidence as a performer and has become another source of inspiration as she has become more open to trying different styles while not abandoning her love of Egyptian style.

For further information about classes or anything else, contact Catherine at:

E-mail: cbarrosdallas@sbcglobal.net

Web site: www.catherinebarros.us

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Catherine Barros

8-27-12 A Dance Challenge in an Ancient Land, Farha Festival 2012 in Luxor, Egypt, by Catherine Barros
Besides, I needed a personal challenge this year and dancing an improvisation solo for the final night performance with the musicians seemed to fit the bill for me.
5-14-12 Egyptian Stars Shine in Los Angeles, Stars of Spring, March 9–11, 2012 in Los Angeles, Featuring Aida Nour, Khaled Mahmoud and Camelia report by Catherine Barros
When I decided to attend Stars of Spring, it wasn’t just to support my friend, Dee Dee Asad. I know this will appear to make me a bit biased in some people’s eyes if I am writing a review of a friend’s event. How can a person be a good reviewer if they are viewed as giving a slanted review in support of a friend?
12-17-11 A Whole Lot of Sax Going On! A Review of 2 CDs from Hossam Ramzy Featuring Saxophone Music, Afrah Baladi with Mostafa Sax, by Cathrine Barros
The saxophone was popularized in beledi music starting in the 1970s. Although I wasn’t introduced to Middle Eastern music until the ‘80s, I believe the first recordings I happened upon featured Samir Sourour.
4-15-09 Magnouna in Cairo, aka My Cairo Adventures in April 2008 by Catherine Barros
The tally of dance shows for this trip was 3 Nile dinner cruises (Lorna Gow, Basima and Leila), the Tannoura show, Dina (at the Semiramis) and the Opening Gala at the Nile Group Festival (Dalia, Liza Laziza, Leila, Hayem, and Asmahan).
11-6-08 "Aheb Masr, Music and Songs for Oriental Dance" CD Review by Catherine Barros
produced by Nader Zakaria, at Merryland Studio Heliopolis, Artistic direction by Yasmina. Depending on your mood and tastes, there should be something for just about everyone on this CD.
8-16-08 Dina: April 2008 by Catherine Barros
It was a late night as usual as we didn't even go out until midnight to have dinner and watch Dina at around 3am . . . but who was watching the time . . . It is CAIRO!
4-16-08 Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo, 2006, Review by Catherine Barros
I believe that any dancer who has the desire to go to Cairo to work will benefit from the experiences of Yasmina and the other working dancers whom she asked to contribute. One will come away having a better understanding of the Arabic culture and how the dance is viewed within that culture.
2-18-08 A Conversation with Dr. Mohamed Geddawi Ahlan Cairo Nights, August 4, 2007, Dallas, Texas by Catherine Barros
Dr. Mo is attentive to the workshop participants, giving a breakdown on each combination, and provides individual attention when someone has a difficulty. His no-nonsense style of teaching is informative, making you think about why you dance, how to dance, how to be a better dancer, and making you laugh.
11-21-07 Farida Dance presents Cairo Nights: 2005 and 2006 DVDs reviewed by Catherine Barros
There are so many nuggets packed into these 3 DVDs other than the 3 dancers for which I purchased them. I keep finding things that I really enjoy as I go back to watch them time after time.
7-16-07 Fifi Reloaded! Review of Fifi Abdo Workshop and Show by Catherine Barros photos by Monica Bereni
Sponsored by Little Egypt Holiday Inn Select, Dallas, Texas May 18-20, 2007
6-27-07 Outi's CD, "Al Amoura" Review by Catherine Barros
I think that there is something for everyone on this CD as it contains some very useable pieces of music for performing.
1-10-06 The Dina Show! Photos by Catherine Barros, Slideshow coding by Tammy Yee
Event sponsored by Little Egypt on May 28-30, 2005 at the Crowne Plaze in Miami, Florida
11-17-05 The Queen of Raks Sharqi Competition Ahlan Cairo Nights Dallas, Texas August 4, 2005 by Catherine Barros
A review and report from and observer's point of view!
12-8-04 Mona el Said in Dallas, Part 2 by Catherine E Barros
12-7-04 Mona el Said in Dallas, Part 1 by Catherine E Barros
Sponsored by Little Egypt at the Holiday Inn, Dallas Texas September 3 - 5, 2004.
It's always nice when you find that someone, whom you've put up on a big pedestal, is down to earth, just "folks" like the rest of us.
8-24-04 Dina in LA report and photos by Catherine Barros
May 14-16 of 2004, Nora, Dee Dee & Ahmad Asad of Little Egypt presented Dina of Cairo in a teaching workshop and show at the Radisson Hotel at the Los Angeles Airport.
7-21-04 Leila, An American Dancer in Cairo by Catherine Barros
She would walk into these huge ballrooms filled with thousands of people with a huge stage in the middle of the room while television cameras on cranes are taking note of everything.
3-11-04 Aida Nour & Magdy El-Leisy in Dallas, Texas, January 9-11, 2004, sponsored by Little Egypt Report on Workshops and Both Shows by Catherine Barros, photos by Ram