WORKSHOPS
Workshops allow you to extend your dance skills and knowledge, give you longer to immerse yourself in the dance or just fill the gaps and give you a belly dance 'fix' when it's not possible to get to class regularly.
The following list details workshops offered - see the Events page for scheduled dates and details. If you would like to book me to give a workshop, please contact me through the Feedback page.
Unless otherwise stated, these workshops are open level, so are suitable for beginners with a few lessons under their coin belts and dancers with a little experience. Some of the fusion style workshops may also be of interest to dancers in other dance styles who wish to broaden their dance experience and take fresh ideas back to use in their usual discipline.
Notes are available for most workshops, but please feel free to bring a notebook and pen to make your own. Coin/hip scarves are available to borrow and it's always a good idea to bring dance shoes and water; please see the the workshop details, below, for what else to bring.
Workshop durations are flexible. A shorter workshop will be more intensive than a longer workshop, which allows more time to dance and explore the movements and concepts.
Belly Dance Basics
Level: (From Absolute) Beginners to Improvers
This intensive workshop gets back to basics, focusing on the ‘building blocks’ of belly dance - core belly dance movements such as circles, Figure 8s, accents and shimmies, and how they fit with the music. We will also cover concepts such as isolation, transitions and layering. Beginners will learn a sample of characteristic belly dance movements and become familiar with some of the terms used in dance classes. Dancers with a little experience can benefit from the opportunity to revise the basics, refine technique and explore layering combinations and compound movements. A short sequence to help remember the main types of movements provides a starting point for your own practice, improvisation and choreography.
Voluptuous Veils
Level: Open
There's something especially lovely about dancing with a veil. We will cover a wide range of veil and belly dance moves, but a veil dance should be more than just a succession of veil tricks. We will consider how different weights, shapes and fabrics affect the veil's movements and in turn, affect which veil you choose for a piece.
The workshop will include some turning movements, with tips on how to avoid dizziness. Participants should bring footwear to protect their feet while turning.
A selection of veils will be available to borrow, and there may also be some to buy. Please feel free to bring one or more of your own veils to play with.
Learn a Choreography
Level: Improvers/Open
Suggested workshop duration: 3 hours
It's difficult (and often impractical) to learn and remember a whole choreography in just one workshop. However, learning a choreography can be a good way to pick up new steps and combinations, explore ideas and challenge your dance style. These workshops also allow students to 'catch up' with choreographies taught in courses they've missed. Written choreography notes are provided as a handout.
Note that choreographies are shared on the basis that they shall not be performed without prior permission.
Belly Dance Games
Level: Open
Icebreakers, team-builders, learning games, just for a laugh. Take some time out to relax and play with the dance and your fellow dancers. Games are a fun way to learn for beginners, but this collection of games also provides a serious resource for dance teachers.
Just Dance; Essentials of Improvisation
Level: Open
For many dancers, improvisation is a difficult and scary thing. How do you think of the steps to do, choose what to do next? What if you don't know the music? When the choices are infinite, the trick is to set some rules and boundaries. This workshop gives some basic guidelines and example movements, encouraging dancers to explore their existing dance vocabularies, learn some new moves and Just Dance.
Introduction to Baladi
Level: Open
(This is a good follow-on from the 'Essentials of Improvisation' workshop, but it is not necessary to have done it first.)
Baladi is typically a solo, improvised, feminine dance, expressing both a longing for a forgotten rural life and the joie de vivre of dancing 'in the moment'. This introduction covers the sections of the traditional baladi 'progression', exploring the taqsim, traditional rhythms and instruments, and movements to match.
Once you get into the baladi groove, you'll appreciate why baladi is where the heart is.
Big Skirts and Bold Attitudes
Belly Dance; Senses and Sensuality
Level: (Absolute) Beginners and Improvers
With elements of tribal style, 'Gypsy' dance, Turkish Karsilama and Zambra Mora, this fusion dance workshop explores the feeling, fun and visual effects of dancing with one or more ‘big’ skirts. Please wear a long, wide skirt with a long hem (at least 6 or 7 metres) such as a circular skirt, and dance shoes to protect your feet during turns and spins.
The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element
Level: Open
Many philosophies include the concept of 5 essential elements of creation. Although the various philosophies recognise different things for the Fifth Element, in all of them it represents something intangible, unknown.
This contemporary belly dance-based fusion workshop explores the Fifth Element in its many forms and how it might be expressed in dance.
The longer workshop allows participants to work on their own movements and combinations, as a starting point for new choreography.
Belly Dance; Senses and Sensuality
Level: Open
The short workshop concentrates on the sensual aspects of belly dance, with the hour workshop being particularly appropriate for a girl's night in or hen night pampering session. The full length workshop takes a thorough look at all of the senses - even ones you didn't know you had, and considers how they might be used and expressed in your dance.
Fusion Belly Dance and Tribal Fusion Fundamentals
Level: Open
'Fusion' is a blanket term used to describe many belly dance styles, but a fusion of what? Although all dance styles may influence each other to some degree, it's best to avoid an all-out movement mash-up. If you've been inspired by the strength, grace, control and fluidity of tribal and other fusion dancers, here is your chance to learn some basics and think about the blending of characteristics and aesthetics of different dance styles.
Feel the Rhythm
Level: Open
The dances of the Middle East, North Africa, Greece, Turkey (MENAGHT) all have close links with the music and rhythms. In this workshop we'll clarify the difference between beat, rhythm and tempo, learn to feel the rhythm and embody some of them in selected moves to match.
Sassy Saidi
Level: Open
Saidi refers to dances, rhythm and culture from El Said - the South of Egypt. In this workshop, we'll learn the rhythm and explore traditional music, typical dance steps and raqs assaya - dancing with a cane, touching on female architypes to add character to the dance.
Finger Cymbals Basics
Level: Open
Dancing while playing finger cymbals is a coordination challenge, but it can be a lot of fun. We'll look at the basic sounds you can make, and tricks to help with coordination to help you move and play at the same time. Bring fingers cymbals if you have them, but there will be sets to borrow too.
Spread Your Wings
Level: Open
Isis wings (named after the Goddess Isis) are a spectacular prop. In this workshop, we'll explore the movements and effects they bring to the dance, from cocoons through ripples and spins to floating and flying. Bring your own Isis wings if you have them, but there will be some sets to borrow too. Participants should bring footwear to protect their feet while turning.
Flowing Fan Veils
Level: Open
Fan veils have become a popular fusion prop and can create some beautiful effects. We'll look at how to tell right from left-handed fans, ways to open and close, and a range of moves including turns. Participants should bring footwear to protect their feet while turning. Bring fan veils if you have them; there may also be some to borrow or buy.
Dancing Feet
Level: Open
It is said that feet are the foundation for dance. Good footwork does more than distinguish trained dancers from beginners; it can help to save energy while dancing, improve performance and avoid injuries. This workshop focuses on footwork, particularly on how to work through the feet and make more effective use of their connection to the floor.
Graceful Movement
Level: Open
Let's bust a few myths! You don't need to have done ballet, be slim or be 'born like it' to be able to dance or move gracefully. What you DO need is to know which movement principles promote or prevent graceful movement. We'll explore movement and shape, and use some short movement phrases to highlight the 'danger points'.
Then armed with your new awareness and workshop notes, all you need to do is practise!
Dance Dynamics
Level: Open
Level: Open
'Dynamics' refers to characteristics or qualities which bring contrast, variation and expression to dance movements and are important components in musical interpretation. In this workshop, we'll exlore and play with dynamic qualities, applying them in your preferred style(s) of dance, examining their effect.
Bring water and your dance notebook. Printed notes will be available.
