TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Zulema (Remedios Castillo) was born in Paris in 1964 and moved to Cadiz (Spain) when she was six years old. She came into contact with Dance and Theatre in 1982 studying Classical Dance and starring in the play “La zapatera prodigiosa” by Lorca.

In 1985 she moved to Madrid in order to continue her studies in dance and interpretation. She worked on Ancient Dance, Contemporary Dance, Ballroom Dancing, Dance-Theatre with teachers Henrik Duda, Laura Kumin, Erik Thamers, Manuela Rodriguez, etc.

On completion of her university studies as a nurse, she carried out research into subjects related to the healthy working of the body, including Anatomy, Yoga, the Alexander Technique, Anti-gym, and Movement and Corporal Expression Techniques with teachers Paul Versteeg, Tessa Marwick and Brigitte Aschwanden. The same year, she began her dramatic art education too, taking several courses with actors and directors including John Strasberg, David Perry, Luis G. Berlanga, Fernando Colomo, Emilio Gutierrez Caba, etc.

In 1987 she first encountered Belly dancing and began her professional career with the “Hispano-Arabic Dance Group”, directed by Shokry Mohamed, her master. This was also the year when she embarked on her career as a soloist. Since then she has worked with well-known Egyptian choreographers including Momo Kardous, Zaza Hassan, Hossam Ramzy and Serena, Sherezade, Bosy, Farida Fahmi, etc. And she has actively participated in the International Meetings of Oriental Dance in Madrid and in other parts of Spain.

In 1990 she began to work as an actress and dancer in some TV series including “Requiem por Granada”, “Chicas de hoy en día”, “Crónicas urbanas”, etc, and has been interviewed on several TV programmes and reviews. This was also the year when she began her work as a teacher and continues today teaching groups and individuals.

In 1992 she continued her training in PROEXDRA (teachers’ association for dramatic expression) taking courses in movement and theatre with Mayi Chambeaud.

In 1993 she starred in the play “Tahur” produced by the Centro Andaluz de Teatro.

Between 1994-95 she worked as a moderator on the children’s programme “La banda del sur” for Canal Sur TV. At the same time she collaborated with charities including “Huelva acoge” and teacher training centres in Huelva. In addition, she has shared the stage with musicians and orchestras including “Transition” (Armenia) and “Al Jaima” and “Nassim Alandalus” (Morocco).

In 2001 she founded “Al Bab”, her own dance studio, in Chiclana (Cadiz), of which she is the director.

In 2004 she organised and directed the “Al Bab Danza Oriental Group”, which opened the FIMEC (International Festival of Ethnic Music from Chiclana) for two years, and she also organised the first meeting of World Dances as part of this Festival.

Throughout this time, she has continued dancing and teaching all over Spain, in theatres, hotels, streets, at private parties, festivals and cultural activities in many places.