Topic |
Duration |
Content |
Dance technique |
| Shimmies |
2 - 4 hours |
One of the most popular topics! There is not only just "the
shimmy" but various techniques to make your body parts
shake and vibrate as well as walking with shimmies. These techniques
can also be combined with other movem |
| Arms and hands |
2 hours |
Arms have different functions in dance: to frame, accompany
and lead movements or to express music, moods and personality
of the dancer. This workshop is focussed on raising your awareness
of your arms and their possibilities. |
| Steps and combinations |
2 - 4 hours |
MEISSOUN teaches her special concept for steps in Oriental
dance. Few basic steps develop into interesting, varied combinations.
The basic understanding of how combinations are built allows
you to master complex step combinations and to create your
own. |
| Spice up your dance! |
2 - 4 hours |
The accents of the music are expressed with different body
parts. The possibilities and variations are nearly endless.
Be it with your hips, head, hands, chest... there are movements
for every accent. Another way to make your dance more interesting
are level changes - be it as a slow element or fast accent,
level changes broaden every dancer's the repertoire. |
| Round movements |
2 hours |
Round, soft movements such as figure eights, circles,
waves etc. can be danced with various body parts, on one
or both sides, and in variations of speed, level and intensity.
Find out new ways do dance these moves |
| Spins and turns |
2 hours |
Turns make your dance more dynamic. They can be done on
the spot or through space, initiated by different body parts,
fast or slow, with various step techniques, in combinations
etc. |
| Slow Dancing |
2 hours |
It sounds so easy - but dancing slowly is often the most
difficult part for many dancers. Learn how to dance slowly
in a powerful, elegant and engaging way. Techniques and tips
to make your slow dancing "juicy" and expressive. |
Dancing with accessories |
| Cymbal dance |
2 - 8 hours |
Dancing with cymbals (zills) is fun! With some feeling for
the rhythm and a lot of practice (yes, it won't happen without
this...) every dancer can accompany herself with cymbals while
dancing - be it with simple patterns or refined techniques.
Here's an article that will tell you more. |
| Veil dance |
2 - 6 hours |
The veil is the favourite accessory of many dancers. Besides
some basic techniques there are various ways of swaying or
throwing, spinning with a veil or wrapping it around the body.
A topic with endless varieties! |
| Double veil dance |
2 - 4 hours |
The impressing dance with two veils is an American creation.
Learn how to move the veils together or alternatingly, how
to build up a double veil routine and different ways of moving
the veils while standing, spinning or moving in space. |
| Tambourine dance |
4 hours |
The tambourine is an instrument that has been linked to dance
for a very long time. It invites to play with the rhythm, create
lively step combinations with turns and accents. Apart from
techniques you will also learn some background information. |
| Balance and isolation |
2 hours |
Be it a cane, a candle tablet, a sword, a chandelier,
a basket or any other object... Many things can be balanced
on the head or other body parts. Balancing is a good show
effect and not even too difficult. Learn how to build up
a balance part in your dance, which movements are suited
best for it, some tricks etc.
Bring the objects you would like to balance. |
| Glass dance |
2 hours |
Dancing on glasses is an attraction that is rarely seen and
taught but can add some variety to your dance show. It demands
good isolation skills and balance. Learn how to effectively
build this element into your dance routine and which movements
work best. |
Dance styles |
| Dance like a big star |
2 hours |
All the great star dancers in the Middle East have their
own unique movements. The goal is not to become a copy of a
star but to enrichen your repertoire by incorporating these
movements in to your own dance. Such as Amani’s dynamic
turns, Nagwa Fuad’s arm poses, Dina’s accents and
the famous Suheir Zaki step. (2 hours per “star”) |
| Lebanese dance style |
2 - 8 hours |
Technique and choreographies in the style of Lebanese
dancers – taught by MEISSOUN, one of the few Western
dancers who actually learned directly in Beirut! |
| Modern Turkish combinations |
2 hours |
Step combos and movements of Turkish dancers as they are
currently performed in the nightclubs of Istanbul. Interesting
accents, various chest movements, new ideas for drum solos
and more. |
Choreographies |
| Raqs Sharqi choreographies |
2 - 8 hours |
Choreographies can be used in many ways: To excell at a performance
or simply to practice certain movements. MEISSOUN has a large
repertoire for all levels of dance. |
| Dina choreography |
4 hours |
Dina's choreography to her trade mark song "Tahtill
Shibbak" with a lot of expression and surprising moves. |
| Naima Akef choreography |
4 hours |
The original choreography as Naima Akef performed it in the
film "Tamra Henna" (with or without cymbals). |
Performance skills |
| Expression |
2 hours |
Dance without expression gets boring, no matter how many
technical highlights a dancer presents. It's important to really
feel and express the music. It also helps to know some acting
techniques and body language. MEISSOUN shows you how you can
display various moods, feelings and characters.
Available for general expression or focus on "dramatic dancing" |
| Improvisation |
2 hours |
Improvisation is the basic form of Raqs Sharqi. But what
can you to if you if you run out of ideas while improvising?
There are tricks and techniques that will help you get over
that black out. |
| How to create your own choreographies |
4 hours |
MEISSOUN teaches various aspects such as choosing the
right music, using space, building up energy, music interpretation,
variations and more. All this will be used to create a short
dance sequence. |
| Becoming a professional dancer |
4 - 16 hours |
Performing professionally is much more than just dancing
in front of an audience. You will need many skills: How to
advertise yourself, talk to clients, handle a difficult audience,
choose the right music and costume for the occasion etc. MEISSOUN
has many years of experience to share. |
Folklore dances |
| Raqs Na'ashat |
2 hours |
The dance of the women from the Arabic Gulf countries
(also called Khaleegy dance or Samri) is a fun, lively folklore
dance for everybody. Its characteristics are the swinging
of a large thobe and of the hair. It’s especially great
for improvising in a group. Learn movements and possibilities
for formations. |
| Saïdi cane dance |
2 - 6 hours |
Originally a powerful fight dance of the men in Upper Egypt,
the cane dance has been adapted by the women who do it with
a smaller, sometimes glittery cane to make fun of their men.
Typical steps, twirls and background information. |
| Melaya Leff |
2 hours |
Flirty and confident, this is how the dancer presents
herself with the melaya. This is not only a dance but even
more a character piece. Therefore you will not only learn
how to handle the melaya but also some suggestions on acting
out the role. |
Fusion dances |
| Indo-Arabic choreography |
4 - 5 hours |
There are only few dancers who have a profound knowledge
about Middle Eastern and Indian dances at the same time and
MEISSOUN is one of them. In this dance she joins both worlds
into varied choreographies for different levels. |
| Tango Oriental |
2 - 4 hours |
MEISSOUN has been dancing Tango Argentino since 2003.
She shows you how to fuse elements of this passionate couple
dance with Oriental dance and explains how the two dances
differ and where they have similarities. Best danced in shoes
with heels. |
| Surf Sharqi |
2 - 5 hours |
Fun, Fun, Fun! From the Twist to the Shimmy back to the
Mashed Potato... let's shake to 1960ies surf versions of
popular Middle Eastern songs like Miserlou or Ya Mustapha. |
| Tribal Style Bellydance |
4 - 8 hours |
This style developed about 40 years ago in California and
is getting more and more popular in Europe as well. The most
important element is group improvisation. Find out more about
it here.
Introduction for beginners or inspiration with new combinations
and cymbal patterns for existing tribes. |
|
| Bollywood Dance |
2 - 8 hours |
The dances that are part of most Hindi films are entertaining
and fun to do. Depending on the film and scene songs can be
interpreted in a modern, traditional, folkloric or Western
style. Learn choreography and technique. These workshops are
for both men and women. |
| Dandiya Raas |
2 - 4 hours |
This popular folkdance comes from Gujarat. It's danced by
men and women together in big circles or group formations.
The partners rhythmically hit two short stick against each
other. Dandiya is easy and a lot of fun. Sticks can be bought
in the workshop. |
| Bhangra |
2 hours |
Bhangra is a lively, powerful music and dance style from
Punjab. Traditionally danced by farmer men it is now a popular
dance for everybody. |
