Zumarrad has studied the art of Middle Eastern Dance since 1998. She taught regular weekly classes at a large Christchurch belly dance school for seven years before deciding, in 2009, to shift focus solely to specialist classes and performance work.

She is known as a sparkling, engaging and emotive performer. While not a purist, Zumarrad views belly dance as a Middle Eastern cultural expression and art form first and foremost. As a dancer, her passion is for Egyptian raqs sharqi and good old-fashioned entertaining belly dance. As a teacher, she focuses  on deeper knowledge and strong technique.

Her first and most influential teacher was Gendi Tanner, the South Island's premier oriental dancer for many years. She pursues study wherever possible with reputable international teachers. These have included Dr Mo Geddawi, Denise Enan, Cassandra, Hadia of Canada, Amera Eid of Sydney, Amel Tafsout, Caroline Evanoff and Randa Kamel, and Jennifer Allen of Glasgow.

In 2008 she completed New Zealand's first masters-level academic inquiry into belly dancing: Belly dancing in New Zealand: identity, hybridity, transculture. She was invited to present at the International Belly Dance Conference of Canada in April 2010 on the strength of this research.