Christina Lyon, founder and artistic director of Gala de Danza and a former professional ballet dancer, joined Zeinab and Sami on Nile FM&rsquo;s &lsquo;The Big Drive&rsquo; show to discuss her career and the upcoming Egyptian debut of the international performing arts event.
Gala de Danza will take place at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza on 5 November 2026. The ninth edition will bring together international dancers, musicians and emerging artists for an evening celebrating dance, music and art.
Founded by Lyon in 2013, Gala de Danza has previously presented performances in Los Cabos, Mexico, and London. The Cairo event marks its first appearance in the Middle East and North Africa region.
From Professional Ballet Dancer To Artistic Director
Lyon trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and the School of American Ballet before joining American Ballet Theatre at the age of 16. Her career as a professional dancer later inspired her to establish a platform bringing internationally recognised artists together while supporting arts education.
According to her official biography, Lyon performed internationally and worked with artists including Mikhail Baryshnikov and Dame Margot Fonteyn. She subsequently founded Gala de Danza to create cultural experiences connecting artists, audiences and arts education initiatives.
In the interview with Nile FM, Lyon reflected on the qualities she developed through dance.
&ldquo;I think dance gives you grace, it gives you discipline,&rdquo; she said.
The Story Behind Gala De Danza
Founded in 2013 in Los Cabos, Mexico, Gala de Danza was established to bring performers and audiences together through live performances spanning dance, music and other artistic disciplines.
The organisation's work also includes educational initiatives designed to support young performers and encourage greater engagement with the arts.
For Lyon, mentoring emerging artists remains an important part of her work.
&ldquo;I love to mentor artists,&rdquo; she said, describing her commitment to helping young performers develop their abilities and pursue their ambitions.
Gala De Danza's Egyptian Debut
The 2026 edition will feature artists associated with leading international dance companies, including The Royal Ballet and Dutch National Ballet.
The published cast includes Royal Ballet principal dancers Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales, Dutch National Ballet principal dancer Yuanyuan Zhang, and Dutch National Ballet dancer Luca Abdel-Nour. Other performers include classical pianist Ilia Papoian, singer-songwriter Avalon Rivera and Saudi opera singer Sawsan Albahiti. The cast remains subject to change.
The event will also feature young performers from Egypt as part of its educational outreach programme, creating opportunities for local talent to perform alongside established international artists.
Lyon described the event as an opportunity to celebrate Egypt's cultural heritage while bringing different artistic traditions together.
&ldquo;I think the Egyptian culture is really the birthplace of civilisation, of art and culture, and I think we really want to do justice to that,&rdquo; she said.
Luca Abdel-Nour Returns To Egypt
Egyptian-born dancer and choreographer Luca Abdel-Nour is among the performers scheduled to appear at Gala de Danza in Cairo.
A member of Dutch National Ballet, where he holds the rank of coryph&eacute;e, Abdel-Nour will collaborate with company colleague Yuanyuan Zhang, a principal dancer, on a performance choreographed by Abdel-Nour.
The collaboration will bring together two artists from the same company for a performance at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Lyon praised Abdel-Nour's talent and highlighted the significance of his return to Egypt as a professional dancer.
&ldquo;What a fabulous talent, first and foremost, and how remarkable that you have Luca returning to his homeland as a professional dancer for the first time,&rdquo; she said.
Bringing Cultures Together Through Art
Gala de Danza brings together classical and contemporary dance, music and other artistic disciplines. Its Cairo edition will feature performers from international companies alongside musicians and emerging talent.
For Lyon, the arts offer a way to connect people across cultures and backgrounds.
&ldquo;I think art is for humanity,&rdquo; she said.
She also highlighted the experience of attending live performances and the connection that develops between artists and audiences.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s something that you cannot replicate just by watching YouTube or looking on our screens today,&rdquo; she explained. &ldquo;Seeing this live is wonderful, because you have a connection between audience and artist.&rdquo;
## A Performance At The Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum, located near the Pyramids of Giza, will host the event on 5 November 2026.
The performance is presented by GEM Experience and will combine dance, music and art in the setting of one of Egypt's major cultural landmarks. The event's organisers describe the production as a meeting point between classical and contemporary artistic expression and Egypt's historical heritage.
Supporting The Next Generation Of Artists
Arts education and opportunities for young performers form part of Gala de Danza's stated mission. Its Cairo edition includes an educational outreach initiative inviting young people from local schools to perform alongside international artists.
Lyon has spoken about the importance of creativity and exposing children to the arts, particularly through live performances.
&ldquo;I think this is something that&rsquo;s not a luxury,&rdquo; she said, emphasising the value of making artistic experiences accessible to young people.
Believing In Yourself And Celebrating The Arts
Reflecting on her career, Lyon highlighted self-belief, discipline and resilience as important qualities for anyone pursuing a creative profession.
&ldquo;I would say it comes down to belief in oneself,&rdquo; she said.
Through Gala de Danza, Lyon continues to bring artists together through live performance while supporting opportunities for emerging talent.
The Cairo edition will take place at the Grand Egyptian Museum on 5 November 2026, marking the organisation's first appearance in the MENA region.

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