"The cymbals are perfection, the sound and feel of them can`t be surpassed. The years of teaching several times a week, accompanying the dance with your own "voice" completed a picture of musician/dancer... all the students loved and appreciated it.

Teaching zills along with learning the dance was the fastest and surest way to adding the musician to your dance, today with more and more recorded music as your band, zills bring it alive, and Turquoise was always the the best sounding professional zill for any size for every occasion."

Elena Lentini

www.elenalentini.com/

Photo by Susan Shapiro

Jillina
www.jillina.com

Finger Cymbals
"Since I’ve been dancing and playing the same finger cymbals from Turquoise International for over 30 years. Ali called upon centuries of skill and fine craftsmanship combined with the science of sound engineering and metallurgy to create a fine musical instrument with a lifetime guarantee. Ali says, “We’ve never compromised on the fine quality bell-brass and design that goes into each Turquoise zill.”  I can attest that - after using my Turquoise finger cymbals for my entire dance career, they have never lost their bell-tone after years of use.  In fact, I am always approached after my performances at festivals and at parties where dancers are present and asked what type of finger cymbals I’m playing because the tone quality can be heard even in a large and loud music environment. I’m so glad that I found these finger cymbals early in my dance career.  It’s also nice to know that some good things never change, the bell tone is the same as the day I first used them, and these beautiful zills are the only ones I will ever need for my entire dance career."

Egypt Tour
"In 1988, we sponsored a quality tour to Egypt planned by Turquoise International. found aneed for which focused on the needs of the Oriental dancer. Our tour was designed to enlighten, educate, and enrich the spirit and experience of the dancer. Turquoise International enhanced the character of many a dedicated dancer on our world class dancetour! The tours are friendly, all arrangements made and needs met, and our knowledgeable tour guide provided a well balanced view of Egypt past and present. Unlike any other tour of Egypt – everything was included and we were treated like royalty.  How wonderfully complete and expectation satisfying was the tour with Turquoise International? I recall our first night in Cairo arriving at the Marriott Cairo Hotel - former Egyptian palace – and being given keys to our rooms on the bus! Then, Ali  hosted a reception with Belgian chocolates and refreshing Egyptian Karkade tea in an opulent salon gilt with gold. Our travel weariness immediately vanished when we were asked if we want to be special guests at an Egyptian wedding in the adjoining ballroom where Sohair Zaki was performing. Later in the tour a visit to Sohair’s nightclub included the opportunity to join Sohair on stage. We also ha had special backstageaccess to Nagwa Fuad. We had front row seating at all shows both in Egypt and in Morocco including the Fantasia Moroccan cultural cavalcade."

Egyptian Costumes
"I’ve been the proud owner of Egyptian costumes by Madame Abla, Madame Hekmet and current designers for Turquoise International – and can attest that these costumes are beautiful and well-made. While on tour in Cairo, Ali took us to Madame Abla’s design studio atelier and we had fittings by the legendary Madam Abla – who just measured us using her hands, making a few designer notes, and creating gorgeous personalized costumes that fit to a “t” within a week. What’s key to good costumes in performance is design elements shape to the body form and work well while dancing. Belt styling and design feature shaping that follows body form. Bra cups and strap placement are both secure, enhance cleavage, while providing comfortable support in a stylish manner."

Beaded Fringe
"When in Cairo at Madam Abla’s atelier – I watched the beaded fringe crafting and manufacturing process. Thus, I know first hand just how sturdy the pre-strung Egyptian beaded fringe is. Egyptian cotton is world renown for its fiber quality and the cotton thread strength translates to a sturdy beaded fringe."

Silk Veils
"The Turquoise International silk veils have vibrant colors and the perfect weight for dancing. The rainbow dyed silk veils from Turquoise International are the most vibrant to be found."

Egyptian Hip Sashes
"There are so many knock-off coin and beaded hip sashes made in China, India, Turkey, and Taiwan. Support the Egyptian craft cottage industry and buy Egyptian hip sashes. Why? Because these will last, and the hip sashes are styled for Oriental dancing. Egyptian cotton thread is so much stronger than the light-weight thread used by other countries – and thus your hip sash will last for years. The cut, design, and styling of the hip sashes are beautiful works of art by the beaders of Cairo – and are sized right, they fit the body and therefore dance well."

Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan

dream your dance, dance your dream
let's all be pro-people and promote peace
www.rubyjazayre.com