Abbraccia is Italian for embrace, which is why it so apt a name for Monique Feron's school of South American Dance and Egyptian Belly Dance. Her philosophy in life and dance is to embrace the difference, and encourage the individual with warmth and humour.

Affectionately dubbed Queen of the Nile, Monique Feron was the first woman to bring the ancient and exotic art of Egyptian Bellydance into New Zealand, in 1975.

Although Monique's roots are here in New Zealand, it is obvious to anyone who has had the opportunity to see her dance - that her heart is in Egypt, on the Nile. Not only has she danced here in New Zealand for 25 years, but she has danced all over the world including America, Europe, England, Australia and of course Turkey and Egypt. To become a professional, to truly embrace the dance, one must also be a student and Monique has studied under the true masters of belly dance - in their own countries. She has taken dance instruction from such greats as Ibrahim Farrah, Dr Mohamed Geddawi, Amaya, Aisha Ali, Mohammed Khalil, Hassan Khalil, Mahmoud Reda, Raqia Hassan, Yousry Sharif, Shareen Al Safy, Sharifa, Bert Balladine and Horacio Cifuentes. So Monique is able to take the authentic spirit of the dance and share it with her students here in Auckland. Here in New Zealand Monique was taught dance by New Zealand's own national treasure, and the late Freda Stark's husband, Harold Robinson (pictured above with Monique at the launch of Freda Stark's autobiography). Her original choreography and style rival that of anything seen around the world. Monique has also mastered many styles of South American Dance and teaches Salsa, Lambada, Mambo, Tango and other styles with the fire, passion and the commitment of a true dancer.