Sarah Turner

Bellydance

Sarah Turner is one of the brightest stars of Australia's younger generation of bellydancers. After spending most of her life pursuing many forms of dance, she fell in love with Middle Eastern dance for its grace of movement, evocative music and compelling history. Sarah trained at Underbelly Dance Studio in Melbourne and has travelled through Turkey and Rajasthan researching local dance traditions. Sarah's unique dance style is influenced by Turkish oriental and folkloric dance, and Egyptian and American Tribal Style, incorporating sword work for dramatic effect. Sarah is an experienced dance teacher.

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Mark Planigale

Oud, alto saxophone, piano accordion, vocals, 6-string guitar, percussion

Mark Planigale is one of Australia's foremost musicians of Croatian origin, a skilled composer and arranger of Eastern European repertoire and an engaging live performer. Mark has developed his trademark fiery accordion and vocal style over the past ten years as a member of bands including Zarafa and BabaGanoush. Mark has a deep knowledge of South Slavic musical traditions; his playing shows strong Gypsy, Klezmer and Balkans influences. Mark's oud style has a distinct North African flavour, reflecting his long association with Moroccan master musician Brahim Benhim.

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Amela Ušanovic

Vocals, percussion, dance

Amela Ušanovic grew up in the heart of the Balkans, in the Bosnian town of Goražde, and from an early age she showed a gift for performance and an intense interest in the Slavic, Romani and Muslim cultural traditions that surrounded her. Since her arrival in Australia in the mid-90's, Amela has inspired many with her passionate and inviting approach to sharing the music and dance traditions of her native region. Amela is a powerful and unaffected singer, blessed with an outstanding voice and a rich repertoire. She also has many years' experience as a teacher of Balkans circle and line dances.

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Pin Rada

Baglama saz, ney flutes, Cretan lyra, 12-string guitar, hammer dulcimer

Pin Rada has 15 years' experience in composing and performing improvisational instrumental music. Pin's proficiency on a bewildering array of instruments reflects his passionate love affair with the music of Turkey and the Middle East; his haunting soloing reveals a deep spirituality underlying his music. Pin's calibre as a musician has been recognised by the award of several travelling grants, and he has studied with master musicians in Turkey, Greece and India. Pin has performed with many leading bands including Domingo, Camel Magic and Brahim Benhim's La Kasbah Moroccan Ensemble.

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Alistair Lord

Percussion

Alistair Lord is well-known in Melbourne bellydance circles as a powerful and grounded percussionist. His interest in Middle Eastern music was nurtured when he lived for a year in Dubai, absorbing local culture and being exposed to many fine Arabic musicians. Alistair's percussion style is based around Turkish finger-syle techniques on darabuka, bendir, req and daf; he also incorporates African and Indian influences in his playing. Alistair appears regularly with drum and bellydance ensembles including WassaWumba, Za'atar, Persian Pulse, and Raqs Gothique.

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Ashley Jones

Violin, vocals

Ashley Jones is an accomplished violinist with a strong technique and a flair for atmospheric, virtuosic solos that are a highlight of Zarafa's act. Ashley's extensive classical training culminated in study at the Hobart Conservatorium; his many festival appearances with bands including Zarafa, Sweet Painted Ladies and the Counterfeit Gypsies are a testament to his versatility as a folk and world musician. Ashley is in demand as a session musician and has a long string of recordings to his credit.

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Ben Last

Percussion, electronica

Ben Last is one of Melbourne's best-known world music percussionists. An inspirational and dynamic player, he is an innovator in combining kit and hand drumming techniques to produce an explosive live percussion sound. Ben has performed with many top-knotch ensembles and is a member of leading percussion trio Fingers of Fury. He performs regularly for Underbelly Dance Studio productions. Ben is also an experienced electronic music producer and provides the rhythmic drive for popular psy-trance duo Mantrix.

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