Workshops by Sherezzah Bint al-Waha

I am available to teach workshops on Middle Eastern dance. My troupe and I are noted for doing an eclectic variety of Middle Eastern dance styles, so if there's anything special you're interested in, just let me know. Workshops can be customized to fit your needs and interests.

Note: I always provide written notes (handouts) with my workshops.

The following are just some of the available subjects.

• Oriental dance topics
• Middle Eastern folklore
• Miscellaneous topics

Egyptian style

My "normal" style of dance is probably best described as Egyptian. I have several choreographies I can teach that I consider to represent this style pretty well. Some examples where I'm pretty certain that the music is available as of this writing: "Mona" by the Sultans, and "Touam Rohi" by Setrak Sarkissian. Some examples where I'm not so sure about the music availability: "Rakset Mona" and "Aisa". Most of these incorporate minimal veil work (in the Egyptian tradition). 3-4 hours.

Veil dances

I've often been complimented on my veil choreographies, and there are several different ones that I teach, in addition to basic veil technique. For example, I have one that was designed for photography, with lots of nice poses in it; I have another that was created especially for silk, and works well with the longer veils. I also have one to George Abdo's version of the classic Greek song "Miserlou." About 3-4 hours.

Double Veil

Especially for those who are turning-impaired, I have a double-veil choreography that doesn't require spinning. About 2-2.5 hours.

Arabic pop

Pop music tends to be simpler than classical Arabic music, but sometimes that can make it more fun. I have a cute choreography to "Washwashih" by Moustafa Amar. About 3 hours.

Cane Dance (Raks Assaya)

I have several different cane choreographies that I can teach. They each use various technique with the cane, such as spinning, and are suitable for either solo or troupe work. For example, one uses older Lebanese music, and another uses Egyptian Saidi music. About 2-3 hours, or more, depending on the choreography.

Khaleegy

Also known as Saudi women's dance, this style of dance is often done as group improvisation, and so has some similarity to Fat Chance's "American Tribal Style". This is a women-only dance, done in the various countries surrounding the Persian Gulf. Although this dance is not "belly dance," the rhythms associated with this style often appear in regular bellydance music, and many of its movements can be incorporated into a bellydance routine. Workshop about 1 to 1.5 hours for basic technique and improvisational exercises; add another hour for a choreography.

Ghawazee

The dance style of the performing "gypsies" of Upper Egypt. This workshop includes a number of basic techniques in this style along with a short choreography using the techniques. The style should be performed with finger cymbals, but the cymbal techniques are basic. This can include some cane techniques as well as some partnering movements. About 1.5-2 hours.

Folkloric-ish dance: "Ish Allamak"

This choreography has a folkloric "feel" to it. Although it's not "authentic" or specific to any particular region, it does include elements of other folk styles, including debke and khaleegy. The choreography was designed as a troupe dance, and so there are some considerations about group interactions. The dance also includes finger cymbal patterns, one of which is rather unusual and interesting. About 3-4 hours.

Choreography

I share some methodologies and approaches to creating choreographies, with practical applications. I facilitate so that the students, as a group, actually create their own choreography to a moderately simple song over the course of the class. About 3-4 hours.

International Folk Dances

My background in international folk dance enables me to share some dances that, while not strictly "belly dance", do have some connection the Middle East and may be used to add "flavor" to your dance shows.

• "Greek Dances Everyone Should Know"; the fast Hassapikos (hora), Syrtos, and Tsamikos. These are the 3 basic dances that are always done at Greek festivals.
• "Miserlou." This is another Greek dance, which is often done to the classic "Never on Sunday" as well as to its own special song. It's somewhat more complex than the 3 basic Greek dances. There are also 7 variations on the basic step that are somewhat less well known.
• "Minka." This is a Bulgarian dance, with influence from the Ottoman period that shows in pretty hand movements that are suggestive of veil play.
• "Ya Abud." A debke-style dance from Israel, with several different step variations that can be used with other debke music.
• "Lesnoto." A simple group social dance, this has some Turkish connection and has some nice styling variations.

Workshops about 1-3 hours, depending on which dances are taught.

Return to Sherezzah's page
Return to Rising Phoenix Dancers Home