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Meet Z-Helene
Middle Eastern dance performance artist Z-Helene (aka Helene Christopher, aka Sophia Agapedis) believes that art at its best inspires and transforms.
With this philosophy, she draws upon her expansive movement vocabulary and unbridled creativity to deliver uplifting and meaningful experiences to her audiences.
Known as the Jimmy Hendrix/Buddy Rich of zills (finger cymbals), she continually explores the frontiers of what this instrument can do, delivering many virtuoso zill solos. Her hottest-selling DVD since 1999 Zills for the Intermediate and Advanced Dancer, is touted as one of the best in the field for those wanting superior professional finger cymbal instruction. She also has a Comprehensive Beginner to Intermediate Instructional 4-part DVD set entitled Belly Dance! with Z-Helene —Slow Moves, Fast Moves, Zills, Drum/Zill Choreography.
Besides being renowned for zills, Z-Helene’s love of belly dance performance art has included her playing various other hand- percussion instruments (doumbek, riq, tar, castanets, Turkish spoons), poetry, song, improvisational prose, and the rolling of 10 quarters on her belly (up and down twice and then every other one!). For over ten years, she and her percussionist husband Rick Fink hosted a popular monthly drum and dance improvisational show at Kick Butt Coffee and Bar in Austin, TX. Additionally, for six years they sponsored the The Annual Middle Eastern Dance Troupe Choreography Competition in which troupes came from all over to deliver their most innovative and cutting- edge belly dance choreographies. For the first three years, Mahmoud Reda (famed for his Egyptian Folkloric Dance Company) was the esteemed guest instructor and judge at this event.
Holding a BA in Theatre Arts from Franklin & Marshall College (1977), Z-Helene has been and continues to be a professor in the Health and Kinesiology Department at Austin Community College (since 1988), teaching courses in Middle Eastern belly dance, yoga, and aerobic conditioning. She is proud that she has taught thousands of students in over 90 semesters at the college! Her other past dance influences include African, East Indian, and contemporary modern dance. As a teacher, she has a deep regard and ability to communicate immense amounts of knowledge and wisdom to each student. Winner of the 2000 IAMED (International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance) Teacher of the Year Award, her dynamic group improvisations and detailed full-length choreographies enable her to bring the rich beauty of Middle Eastern inspired dance to all who seek it.
“Z-Helene is an excellent dancer who is one of the most exceptional finger cymbal players I have ever seen. But what I love the most about Z-Helene is her voice! She adds a theatrical element to the dance that is wonderful indeed.”
– Mahmoud Reda, Pioneer of Egyptian dance theatre
“I cannot say enough about this young woman… she is a kindred spirit… She’s a wonderful, strong, vital and knowledgeable dancer and teacher. Z-Helene is known for her expressive finger cymbal playing; she is considered groundbreaking in her use of counterpoint and syncopation.”
– Delilah, Visionary Dance Productions; Seattle, WA
“Watching Z-Helene perform is an organic experience… [she] proves that a determined artist can successfully fuse various international dance styles upon a solid base of Middle Eastern dance… Here is an artist of strong individuality… The language of her dance is universal and would be understood in any land… She reaches for the elements and incorporates them successfully into her own personal expression, fusing them into movement.”