Canberra workshops are often run over the summer holidays, and during term breaks.
Workshops can be either single day or held over multiple days, and can be tailored from 1 hour to 6 hours. Workshops can include both dance workshops and lectures/presentations. Please contact me to discuss your requirements and to obtain a quote.
Workshop topics include (but are not limited to):
Discover Middle Eastern Dance - Beginner Workshop A 75 minute Belly Dance taster class suitable for absolute beginners.
Classical Egyptian Raqs Sharqi (All levels) Discover the grace and beauty of classical Egyptian style. Learn the signature posture and techniques that underpin classical style. Dance like the Golden Era stars!
Egyptian Baladi (All levels) Like Flamenco, Baladi is strong earthy style full of emotional nuance. Lean how to interpret the traditional baladi progression. Explore how to interpret the introductory taqasim, grab your audience’s attention through the sekkat call and response section, and elevate your finale to a new level.
Egyptian Shaabi (All levels) Discover this fun, punchy, earthy folkloric style using Egyptian pop. This workshop explores strong hip accents, dynamic travelling movements and sensational shimmies.
Modern Egyptian Raqs Sharqi (All levels) Upbeat and exciting, Egyptian popular music appeals to all audiences. Souhair teaches you how to use modern Egyptain Raqs Sharqi steps in a playful, high-energy choreography. (This can also be taught in the context of combinations if you prefer.)
Egyptian Drum Solo (All levels) The most memorable part of a dancer’s set, a great drum solo is truly an art unto itself. Learn to highlight your skills to the greatest advantage by how you structure your drum solo. This can be taught in the context of a choreography to a drum solo recording or as combinations to go with drum patterns you are likely to hear when working with a live drummer. Master accents, layering, isolations, and building energy. Give your drum solo that Egyptian flavour!
Taqasim (All levels) A strong taqasim is the mark of a well developed Middle Eastern dancer. Deceptively simple musically, they are often a stumbling point for less experienced dancers. Understanding the musical structure of taqasim and the moves that match different instruments can enhance your dancing experience and deepen your expression of the music.
Effortless Transitions (Beginner to Intermediate plus) Develop effortless flow and continuity. Make the spaces between your dance movements sing!
Improve Your Improv! (Beginner to Advanced) Improvisation is the foundation of our dance. It is much more than just dancing without choreography. Souhair will take you through focused improvisational exercises as well as teaching technique and combinations. Learn techniques that add structure, depth and emotional dynamics to your solo. Break free from monotony and mush. Be totally in the moment.
Exciting Entrances The Magency is one of the most important, complex and difficult part of a Middle Eastern Dance show. Leant how to make a memorable entrance and connect immediately with the audience. This can be taught in the context of a choreography or as an improvisation workshop.
Voluptuous Veil (Beginner to Intermediate plus) A veil can enhance your dance in so many ways, it can frame and extend your movements, it can conceal and reveal, it can breathe with you, lift you to new heights and become your perfect dance partner. Learn wraps, frames, voluptuous veil movements and graceful recoveries. Build a deeper partnership with your veil than you ever thought possible.
Stage Worthy Egyptian Arms (Beginner to Intermediate plus) Accent and frame your movements. Develop flowing arm paths and perfect placement. Create intention and dimension to your movements by using your arms like a true Egyptian star.
Raqs Assaya - Saidi Cane Dance (Intermediate and up) Described as earthy and funky, lively Saidi dance is a favourite of both audience and dancers alike. In this workshop you will learn balancing skills, traditional Saidi steps and spectacular cane moves, culminating in a high energy Saidi choreography. (Bring assaya).
Beginner Zills/Sagat/Finger Cymbals (Beginner to Intermediate plus) Sagat/Zills add another dimension to your performance. Discover some tricks of the trade when dancing with zills. Combine new zill patterns with dance movements and travelling steps to create a dynamic zill solo. Learn zill drills to bring energy and musicality to your performance. (Bring zills.)
Understanding Egyptian Drum Rhythms (All levels) Learn to recognise, understand and interpret a variety of traditional Egyptian Drum Rhythms. Learn dynamic combinations to enrich your dance vocabulary.
Understanding Egyptian Music (All levels) Learn to recognise, understand and interpret the different instruments used in Middle Eastern Dance. Discover the maqamat – the modal scales that underpin Egyptian Music. Learn to interpret different types of Egyptian music with the appropriate dance style. Discover 10 Egyptian songs every dancer should know.
Tribal Fusion Stylisation (All levels) For beginners to experienced dancers new to this genre. Discover how Tribal fusion has fused Middle Eastern, Flamenco, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Indian dance forms. Develop muscle isolation and liquid movement techniques. Learn yoga conditioning techniques, belly dance drills and combinations to take your dance to the next step. Explore the richness of this emerging dance form.
Stage Presence (All levels) Add pizzaz to your performance. Be the best you can be. Free your diva! Explore techniques to increase your self-confidence, convey emotional expression, project your personality. Discover professional tricks to increase audience interaction and engagement, lift energy levels, reduce anxiety and manage stage fright.
Even before coming to the dance, Souhair worked as a professional theatrical costume designer in Canada. Now is your chance to learn tips and tricks from a pro. Her theatrical costumes have appeared on Broadway shows, Paramount Movies and on well known TV series such as the X-Files. She is known for her innovative and flattering individual and troupe costumes.
Costuming workshops topics include:
Selecting the Most Flattering Costume for Your Body Type
Stunning Stage Makeup
Classical Egyptian Costuming
Modern Egyptian Costuming
Baladi Costuming
Saidi Costuming
How to Design, Construct and Decorate a Bedlah (Bra and Belt Set) and Shebaka (Body Stocking)
Tribal Fusion Costuming
How to Make the Perfect Choli (Dance Top)
How to Make Fitting and Flattering Dance Skirts and Pants
Adapting Commercial Patterns to Your Body
How to Design, Construct and Decorate Hair Ornaments and Head Gear including Tiaras, Crowns, Hats and Turbans
Design and Make Your Own Jewellery
Beautiful Beadwork for Bellydance
All workshops include extensive written notes. Every topic includes information about the history, and cultural context of the topic covered. Ethnographic examples are included where applicable. Music examples and breakdowns provided where appropriate. Class size limitations ensure that all students receive individual attention. Veil classes include information on how to make a suitable veil.