Monia
The life of Monia has revolved around dance and movement since the age of five. From an early age, she took classes in classical ballet, gymnastics, disco dance, and jazz ballet. Inspired by the television series Anna and actress Sylvia Seidel, she created her very first choreography for a large stage as a child. From that moment on, she knew dance would play a central role in her future.
At the age of 14, she transitioned into ballroom and Latin dance, training intensively for competitions until the age of 21, while continuing weekly gymnastics training. One year later, she was invited to follow a one-year teacher training program in jazz ballet at the KNGB. Eventually, her passion for movement expanded into the worlds of aerobics, sports, and dance.
During her studies in Social Work (SPH/HBO), she continued training extensively and followed private lessons and workshops in both dance and sports. This combination resulted in a strong foundation in anatomy, kinesiology, movement techniques, exercise variation, physical limitations, and teaching skills.
In 2003, she discovered both belly dance and salsa. The enchanting atmosphere of belly dance especially inspired her to deepen her knowledge of this art form. During her training, she mastered the foundations of Middle Eastern dance while learning to blend them with various modern influences. She has occasionally taught at academies for modern and oriental dance and continues to attend workshops led by renowned classical and fusion dancers.
In October 2018, she obtained her diploma as a Choreographer in Middle Eastern Dance after completing additional studies in Brussels and Egypt.
Besides belly dance, Monia also teaches within the MBVO (Exercise and Sports for Older Adults) program as an instructor in senior movement and sports leadership. She is a certified senior folk dance teacher and currently teaches multiple classes each week for vulnerable target groups, both intramurally and extramurally. Her lessons vary from gymnastics and folk dance to movement activities on and around the chair, always focusing on accessibility, wellbeing, enjoyment, and social connection through movement. Monia's reatest passion lies in teaching and connecting people through dance and movement. She strongly believes that dance and movement should be accessible to everyone and creates an inclusive environment where every participant feels welcome, supported, and inspired.
Courses-Educations:
- 2022 & 2025, Switch2MoVe (Andrew Greenwood) Fonty's Hogeschool
- 2025, valpreventie In Balans (Veiligheid.nl)
- 2020 - 2021, Hamsa Oriental Map (Maria Aya)
- 2018 - 2020 , MBvO Folk World Dances (Huis voor de Sport)
- 2018, cultural dance-and study journey to ISOC Cairo and SIWA oases with prof. Dr. Hassan Khalil
- 2015 - 2018, ICODAC Brussel & ISOC Cairo: Oriental Dance & Folklore Dance Prof. Dr. Hassan Khalil
- 2014 -2015, more specialised courses MBvO, More Excersise for Older People (CIOS)
- 2005 - 2008, instructor and Performer Oriental and Modern Bellydance
- 2004 - 2005, Fitness Trainer A ( Fitvak !)
- 2003 - 2005 MBO, More Exercise for Older / Chronically ill (CIOS )
- 2000 - 2004 HBO, Bachelor-degree in Social Work
- 1997 - 1998, Professional Aerobics Steps and Education ( Jola Wilms )
- 1980 - 1981 Education Jazz gymnastics c.q. dance KNGB
Courses beside:
First Aid, Aerobics Instructor Steps, Zumba Instructor , Instructor Sport walking , Spinning Instructor, many specific dance- and movement workshops to catch up as a dancer & teacher.