Andrea Makris
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Andrea Makris is a Melbourne-based professional dancer specialising in Middle Eastern, North African, Turkish and Gulf Region styles. Andreaís style is authentic and polished. She is however, unafraid to draw on contemporary elements to enrich her performance.
As a child of Greek migrants to Sydney, Mediterranean music and dance were always a part of Andreaís life. Since moving to Melbourne in 1999, she has studied, performed and taught dance and generally enriched the local Middle Eastern dance scene with a vast array of events. The co-director of Underbelly Dance from 2001 to 2009, she is now the sole Director of this ever-growing performing arts institution.
Performance credits 2000 ñ 2006
Andrea was invited to perform solo with Turkish fusion band Unified Gecko at a concert in Turkey 2005 and at the Adelaide International Arts Festival in 2006. In 2006, Andrea also toured (teaching, taking classes and performing) in the USA with Tribal Dance band Solace on the ìSounds of Solace Tourî. She performed as part of the Mix It Up! program at the Arts Centre in support of the PulseHeartBeat Hossam Ramzy concert in 2006.
Performance credits 2007 ñ 2010
Andrea has trained with master choreographers in the USA, Egypt, Canada and UK. She held a residency in a Dublin venue for four months in 2007 and performed at the Dublin BalkanFest with Irelandís favourite gypsy outfit the North Strand Klezmer Band. Andrea was again invited to perform as part of the Mix It Up! program in support of the Gypsy Kings & Queens concert in 2009 and she has entertained crowds of thousands at the Victoria Night Market events in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
In 2007 Andrea co-wrote and directed a live music, dance and video production titled ëLunar Rhythmicityí, performed over two nights at the Victorian Trades Hall. She also performed on the main stage of Federation Square to tens of thousands in October 2008 for the Opening of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and again in 2009 for the New Yearís Carnivale concert, accompanied by the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
Continuing explorations into electronic and experimental zones, Andrea performed with and coordinated the dance component of Uber Linguaís national events from 2008 to 2010, including the Sydney International Arts Festival, Darwin Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival and Melbourne based club residencies.
In 2010 Andrea performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre in support of an ABC Music Deli program and she was also invited to teach and perform Turkish and Gypsy styles at various festivals across the country.
In 2011 she is invited to teach Baladi (traditional Egyptian) at the Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival and she continues to teach and perform regularly in Melbourne.