Hadia's perspective - Page 3

Aisha Azar · 06-11-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teela

One more thing, I find if I attend workshops on the same topic, say Turkish Rom Dancing, then I start recognizing moves I've had in previous workshops and they start to make more sense. I think its by taking workshops on the same topics, that we as dancers really start to connect the dots. I have never taken a workshop and thought I knew it all. I am starting to find I am learning more, now that I have a base in certain areas.

Dear Teela,
YES!!! I did the same thing and found it to be extremely helpful, even when I studied with a different teacher, to pursue a line of learning rather than to take workshops helter skelter. I am still that way, though now that my dance company is sponsoring people regularly, we do try to keep the larger community in mind when we choose presenters.
As for what I teach when I do workshops outside my own community, I prefer to have input from the sponsors as to what they think might work out best in their region. We discuss the possibilities and I present them with a workshop syllabus to make sure we are on the same page, and we go from there. I try very hard to keep the classes to a three hour maximum.
Regards,
A'isha

Aniseteph · 06-12-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline_afifi

I sometimes get the impression that a workshop entitled 'Egyptian dance technique' would send people running in the opposite direction and through the doors of 'kung fu feather boa style belly dance for wild fun and fitness'.

Nooo!!!!! (that's me being trampled by those running people). More Egyptian technique workshops please!

And less "learn a choreo to perform", techno this 'n' that, hot new combinations, weird fusions, and flavour of the month belly-burlesque, and so-so teachers.

Aisha Azar · 06-12-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniseteph

Nooo!!!!! (that's me being trampled by those running people). More Egyptian technique workshops please!

And less "learn a choreo to perform", techno this 'n' that, hot new combinations, weird fusions, and flavour of the month belly-burlesque, and so-so teachers.

Dear Aniseteph,
I also feel that we need to be teaching more technique in correlation with it being an emotional as well as physical response to the music, the moment and our own feelings about the holistic dance that we find ourselves doing. I'm pretty tired of "Plastic-Phantastic" dancers who are so focused on technique that they look like double jointed robots with smiles painted on their faces. I want to see real people on stage, and this is why I am so attracted to native dancers in the first place. The rule of thumb seems to be that they are humans!! The way to see more of that music/spirit/ body connection is to start in the classroom.
Thanks of an important post, and now let's see if I can give you some Rep!!
Regards,
A'isha

Suheir · 06-12-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniseteph

Nooo!!!!! (that's me being trampled by those running people). More Egyptian technique workshops please!

And less "learn a choreo to perform", techno this 'n' that, hot new combinations, weird fusions, and flavour of the month belly-burlesque, and so-so teachers.

Caroline_afifi · 06-12-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A'isha Azar

Dear Aniseteph,
I also feel that we need to be teaching more technique in correlation with it being an emotional as well as physical response to the music, the moment and our own feelings about the holistic dance that we find ourselves doing. I'm pretty tired of "Plastic-Phantastic" dancers who are so focused on technique that they look like double jointed robots with smiles painted on their faces. I want to see real people on stage, and this is why I am so attracted to native dancers in the first place. The rule of thumb seems to be that they are humans!! The way to see more of that music/spirit/ body connection is to start in the classroom.
Thanks of an important post, and now let's see if I can give you some Rep!!
Regards,
A'isha

I couldnt agree more!
I am doing just that at Raqs B tomorrow. I am teaching gesture and meaning which is about expression and lyricism.
It is so hard for people though as the language can be a big barrier but thankfully we have the internet to help us with that these days.

I tend to have a short list of workshop options I teach as I prefer to know what I am talking about. It takes/took me alot of time and energy to know what I know. I am definately not a 'Jack of all trades'. I have studied some North African Styles and I do a bit of other styles to join in for fun dancing, but dont know enough to teach a full workshops on the subject.

Aniseteph · 06-13-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A'isha Azar

I also feel that we need to be teaching more technique in correlation with it being an emotional as well as physical response to the music, the moment and our own feelings about the holistic dance that we find ourselves doing...
...I want to see real people on stage, and this is why I am so attracted to native dancers in the first place. The rule of thumb seems to be that they are humans!! The way to see more of that music/spirit/ body connection is to start in the classroom.

Yes!!!

I usually avoid the workshops billed as "learn a choreo" because I can't keep up and wouldn't use it anyway. UNLESS it's one of those dancers who get the human thing across, and/or a ME teacher. Then I don't care if it's just following the bouncing butt - you learn so much more just being there and soaking up the vibes, and seeing why this hip drop is different to that hip drop etc.