Performing Art – Wollongong
Virginia Keft-Kennedy is the artistic director, choreographer and principal of Cinnamon Twist Belly Dance, Wollongong’s premier dance company for the study of traditional Middle Eastern dance and contemporary belly dance. Virginia is an experienced and dynamic performer and a sought after instructor in her field. She is well known for her charismatic stage presence, fluency of style, and down to earth personality. Inspired by both the practical and theoretical aspects of the dance Virginia has dedicated the last 16 years to the study, performance, and teaching of belly dance both nationally and internationally. Virginia started her professional belly dance career while studying at University. After completing two Bachelor degrees at the University of Wollongong (Australia), she was awarded a prestigious scholarship to undertake her Doctorate of Philosophy which she completed in 2005. Virginia wrote her thesis on the history of belly dance in literature and culture and has since presented numerous papers and seminars on belly dance and has published a number of works on the topic.