A bellydancer from Earlsfield has become a full time dance teacher after winning international competition.
Itziar Ortiz de Landazuri beating dancers from around the world to win the Cleopatra award at the International Bellydance Congress.
The competition, held in Surrey, was part of the biggest bellydance event in Europe and judged by top international bellydancers from Egypt, Turkey, Europe and the USA.
The success prompted Itziar, 28, to become a full-time professional dancer and teacher, and she has just set up classes in Wandsworth Town, Battersea and Wimbledon.
She said: “Women love bellydancing because it’s such a great, fun way to keep fit.
"And it doesn’t matter what age or shape or size you are, everyone can bellydance.”
“I don’t think people realise how professional the bellydance world is becoming.
"Hipsinc demands really high standards of its teachers.
"We are all fully trained and insured, and we have ongoing professional development to ensure our skills are kept up-to-date.”
Itziar said she had been training as a bellydancer for 10 years and has undergone demanding teacher’s training with Hipsinc, the UK’s largest bellydance organisation.
Classes are held on Mondays at the National Opera Studio, off Wandsworth High St.
At the William Morris House, Wimbledon Broadway, on Tuesday, and the Ethelburga Clubroom on the Ethelburga Estate, Battersea, on Wednesday.
All classes start at 7pm and are suitable for beginners.
For more visit hipsinc.com or call 01342 850 423.
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