What the Stars are Teaching/Requesting you bring:
(We are updating as fast as we can - Please check back if there is no information on the workshop you are interested in!!)

STAR SEMINARS & INSTRUCTORS

Mira Betz - "Hip, Pow, Bang!" - Articulation, strong form, locks and beautiful poses.  (Students are advised to warm up prior to workshop) Mira Betz has been studying and teaching Middle Eastern, North African and contemporary Tribal Fusion dance nationally and internationally for the past 20 years. Her significant contribution to Tribal Fusion, since its inception, has placed her among its few great pioneers. Her high-energy workshops are designed to challenge the students both physically and mentally, offering clear and supportive instruction in technique, rhythm, dynamic movement and stage presence. Mira’s philosophy is to empower each student with the tools and understanding to create their own unique voice as artists. Her passion for dance is infectious and through discussion, applied learning techniques, and critical thought, she pushes each student to discover their own clear path as an artist in dance.

Silvia Salamanca - "Slow and fluid: A mesmerizing tribal bellydance routine" (all levels) - Tribal fusion is well known by its fluidity and snake-like movements…Here we will discover original moves and combos that will build into a routine where we will flow with grace, energy and elegance as we snake our way through it!!

Friday

Aziza - "Prissy Precision; Technique and Combinations with Issam" - Clear, clean and concise drills to produce dynamic rhythm-based combinations.

Sandra - “Drops, Twists, and Turns - Unexpected Combinations to Captivate your Audience” - Keep your dancing fresh and exciting while adding a bit of athleticism.  We'll be covering combinations which include level changes with smooth vertical transitions, fluid turns, and putting that extra STRETCH in your dancing .  We'll also be discussing how to build strength and confidence during performance.  Please note this is not a floor work workshop, but we will be exploring how to get down and up gracefully.  All levels of dancers are welcome, and full drops are always optional.  They are certainly not for everyone, but I'll review training strategies to make them more accessible.

Saturday

Virginia - "Dance Inspired!" Utilizing Virginia's methodology of her own 10 Qualities of Oriental Dance she will give you the dancer the inside secrets to performing a show filled with dynamics, emotional expression and breathtaking interpretations.  Virginia will share 20 years of experience while teaching a variety of techniques and combinations that represent each of these qualities.  She will then set them to a variety of music to give you great insight into how to incorporate them into just about any piece of music.  This in turn will teach you to use all of these qualities when creating choreography or improvising while dancing.  By incorporating the 10 different qualities you will hear and feel the music in a whole new way which will create unforgettable performances.  Take  your dancing from Ordinary to Extraordinary!  Hear it, see it, feel it, and dance it in a whole new way!  Notes will be provided in the class.

Aziza - "Fast and Furious Oriental Choreography" - A challenging and exciting Aziza original!  Bring a veil and be ready to rak!

Sunday

Suhaila Salimpour -  "Drum Solo Choreographies!" - Suhaila’s drum solos are exciting and challenging!  Be ready for muscle isolation, layering, timing variations, downbeat options . . . and those are just the starting concepts.  Using her comprehensive and consistent format language, Suhaila clearly breaks down each move and choreography phrase into understandable pieces that layer and connect.  All participants will gain a deeper understanding of Suhaila’s overall format and the possibilities it offers.

Jasmin Jahal - "Pharaonic Choreography" - Explore the roots of oriental dance, found in the hieroglyphs of ancient Egyptian temples. Bringing those two-dimensional images to life in a stunning Pharaonic dance, this breathtaking choreography tells a story of a temple dancer who reveres her goddess, and ultimately, connects with her own inner goddess! Bring a veil and your enthusiasm to try something unique. Jasmin is a lifetime artist of oriental dance who will generously answer all your questions about our dance in the time of the pharaohs. This workshop is open to all levels.

GALAXY SEMINARS & INSTRUCTORS

Thursday (Cabaret)

Kede - "Dramatic Drum Solo" - This workshop will help you take your drum solo from drab to fabulous by incorporating staging, movement and timing variation, and "WOW" moves.  Students will learn a dramatic and powerful drum solo to take home and make your own.

Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan - "Musicality and Movement” - Musicality and Movement defined both musically and culturally as it relates to Raqs Sharqi (aka Belly Dance).   We'll explore: a) musical style and themes, b) the tenor of various instruments such as the oud, kanoun, accordion, nai and violin; c) practice interpreting the sound and mood with our body, hands, arms, and face, and d) develop dance movement styling to match musical leit motifs.  Music from Cairo by Night Vol. 2 will be the source for our musicality and movement workshop.  Revisit the Review article I wrote of Cairo by Night Vol. 2 and you will see some of the definition and recommendations I give dancers for performing to the pieces.  The review article contains recommendations that the workshop will provide as instruction for dancers.

Mia Sha'uri - "Mia Sha'uri of Puerto Rico accompanied by Miguel Crespo of Colombia - Latin Fusion Choreography" - Spice up your Middle Eastern Dance with some hot Spanish fire!  Mia will give you some great combinations to add to your repertoire or you can use this great choreography as it is to wow your audience!  Mia will be inviting some of you to join her and Miguel in performance on stage so please bring a black or red top and skirt or pants! (You can also get these from some of the marvelous Ya Halla Vendors!)

Friday (Tribal)

Silvia Salamanca - "Doum-tek…kaPOW!!" A tribal drum solo (intermediate to advanced and pro) - What do we get when we combine the ancient art of dancing to a drum solo with the snakeiness, precision and power of isolations, pops and locks and layers of tribal fusion?...come get it!! In this workshop we will break down the steps and combos that will build into a very powerful routine…be ready to get challenged!!

Mira Betz - "Liquid Arms and Sleek Combos" - Focus on arms, hands, and fluid improvisational combos.  (Students are advised to warm up prior to workshop) Mira Betz has been studying and teaching Middle Eastern, North African and contemporary Tribal Fusion dance nationally and internationally for the past 20 years. Her significant contribution to Tribal Fusion, since its inception, has placed her among its few great pioneers. Her high-energy workshops are designed to challenge the students both physically and mentally, offering clear and supportive instruction in technique, rhythm, dynamic movement and stage presence. Mira’s philosophy is to empower each student with the tools and understanding to create their own unique voice as artists. Her passion for dance is infectious and through discussion, applied learning techniques, and critical thought, she pushes each student to discover their own clear path as an artist in dance.

Saturday

Amaya - "Amaya-mazing Private Lesson In A Group Setting" - Amaya will give general and individualized attention to YOUR performing skills.  Solo and group analysis to increase stage charisma, theater drills, stage psychology and stage presence.  Learn tricks that professionals use to unleash YOUR Star Power!  (Because the techniques are similar, this is a fascinating class for stage performers of all kinds!)

Sunday

Frank Farinaro - “Old School Oriental for New School Tribal” - In this workshop, we will explore some of the Folkloric and Cabaret roots of Oriental style belly dance to solidify the foundation of Modern Tribal.  We will cover muscular as well as skeletal isolations and delve deeply into musicality and the ethics of fusion to create an authentic performance with a modern aesthetic that pays respect to the ancient cultures and traditions, but still appeals to a modern audience.

DRUM & ZILLS WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS

Miguel Crespo & Mia Sha'uri - Friday, August 16, 2013 - Dancer & Drummer Working Together - Latin and Arabic Rhythyms for Drummers (Intermediate +) - Join Miguel on a trip to South America where you will cruise through a variety of Latin rhythms and how to eloquently fuse and layer them into your Arabic style!

Mary Ellen Donald - Saturday, August 17, 2013 - Beginner/ Intermediate & Advanced Doumbek

Issam Houshan - Sunday, August 18, 2013 - Beginner/Intermediate & Advanced Doumbek

Mary Ellen Donald - “Zill Rhythms for Drummers and Dancers”:  In this workshop, musicians and dancers will learn how to compliment each other when performing with zills, the importance of pauses when playing zills, and how to use your zills as musical instruments, instead of just props.  Bring your drum and/or zills!