Fotini Gadalawas born and grew up in Aswan of Egypt.
Due to the Egyptian origin of her father, she made her first steps in dancing at the age of eight. Her family environment, the rich folk art of Egypt in the traditional local belly dance and her love for dancing were the motive for her to start studying thoroughly the belly dance technique.
In Greece, where she and her family were permanently installed, she completed her studies of Administration and Economy of Enterprises, and she continues studying at the university within the sector of Greek culture.
Her study on Greek traditional dances, the folklore and her academic study in the Greek Culturerender Gadala Fotini an active member of cultural associations and social institutions.
Her love and passion, however, was always concentrated in the Egyptian tradition, folk art and folklore.
The turning point in her career was the recognition of her choreography in 2004 by the Ι.D.T.A. (International Dance & Teachers Association) of England with a score of 92/100.
The method and the teaching technique that she had use caused the interest of the I.D.T.A. of England and after their invitation; Fotini Gadala participated as a spokesperson of the subject ‘ORIENTALDANCE’ at the BALLROOM BRANCE SEMINAR that was carried out in Athens in 2004. Her lecture was titled “TECHNIQUE OF TEACHING BELLY DANCING” and described the correct method of teaching – and contagiousness, the power of communication through learning the correct comprehension of the structure of Middle Eastern / Oriental dance.
In June 2005, GADALA ORIENTAL DANCE STUDIO, becomes a honorary member of the N.D.G.C (National Dance Council Of Greece), and W.D.C.(World Dance Council).
In November 2005, and after a multi annual research on Egyptian, Turkish and Lebanese tradition and folk artGadala Fotinidelivered to the N.D.G.C. (National Dance Council Of Greece, her work with the title “SYLLABUS OF BELLYDANCE” and “THE TECHNIQUE OF MALE AND FEMALE ORIENTAL DANCING” that was approved by the N.D.G.C. and now is used officially as didactics and syllabus in the amateur and professional examinations of oriental dance aiming at the acquisition of equivalent certified degrees with the validity ofthe NATIONAL DANCE COUNCIL OF GREECE and of the WORLD DANCE & DANCESPORT COUNCIL.
The N.D.G.C. credited Gadala Fotini the prestigious title of examiner.
In October 2006 GADALA DANCE STUDIO became official member of C.I.D.-UNESCO and after their invitation, Fotini Gadala participated as a spokesperson for the subject ‘ORIENTAL DANCE’ at the WORLD DANCE CONGRESS that took place in Athensin 2006. Her lecture was titled “TECHNIQUE OF TEACHING ΟRΙΕΝΤΑL DANCE” and described the correct method of teaching – and contagiousness, the power of communication through learning the correct comprehension of the structure of Middle Eastern / Oriental dance.
In2008, the most important aim and objective of the foundation of THE SPECIALIZED CENTRE OF TEACHING BELLY DANCE GADALA, that is based in the valid, essential and substantial teaching of Middle Eastern / Oriental dance, as well as the vision of Mrs Gadala, for a common learning frame for all the countries throughout the world, is materialised through the recognition of her Oriental dance syllabus for professional and amateur examinations, from the Middle Eastern Dance World Organization M.E.D.W.OR. /Middle Eastern Dance World Organization For Distinguishing The Cultural Heritage And Folk Art Of Egypt And Countries Of The Middle East, where, after its formal proposal ,it has fortified and exclusively manages the Oriental syllabus of Mrs Gadala, as well as anything it concerns in the guarantee and conduct of legal examinations as well as the award of titles of study in an amateur or professional basis throughout the world.
Among other things, The Middle Eastern Dance World Organization, M.E.D.W.OR. appoints Mrs Gadala, as a premium examiner, recognising the important role that she had played in the distribution of Middle Eastern / Oriental Dance, and also her tremendous offer in the teaching part of Middle Eastern /Oriental Dance.
Gadala:
ALWAYS ONE STEP FURTHER
It is considered necessary to point out that the traditional Middle Eastern Dance or dance , or oriental or belly dance as it has become known to the general public, is not comparable in any case with the way it is presented in night clubs and in the majority of dance studios where the rich tradition and folk art of Egypt is successively ignored.
It is essential to comprehend the philosophy as well as the respect with which we promote the misinterpreted Middle Eastern / Oriental dance to the general public.