Aziza

Dancing since the age of three Aziza has a strong background in classical ballet. After twelve years of ballet study and performance, Aziza began experimenting with other dance forms including African, Modern, Lyrical Jazz and Tahitian.

In 1988 she was introduced to Middle Eastern dance and found it to be the ideal medium. Aziza has devoted her life to learning, performing, and sharing this ancient art form. Aziza's devotion to the art and every student has made her one of the most sought after teachers across the globe. The fluidity and grace of Aziza's movements teamed with seemingly impossible hip locks, endless shimmies, creative veil work, and a captivating smile have earned her accolades world wide.

Aziza's Drum Solo Choreography - Aziza is known for her creative and challenging drum solos. Join her as she presents her latest creation!

Aziza's Combinations - Many various classes encompassing Aziza's varied dance experience to create fresh combinations.

Christina King

Layer Cake - If your dancing was a cake you'd want one with a few layers.... and some filling in between... and lots of icing...ooh--and those pretty little roses with their delicate leaves and piped icing ribbons and lace. In this workshop we'll work on decorating your dance with layers of flavors, ooey gooey goodness, and sweet treats to top it all off. Be ready to devour lots of shimmies, levels, traveling steps, and layers upon layers of candy coated sweetness.

Tribal with a Stick - Stick it, Tribal style. What happens when you take a traditional folkloric prop like the Saiidi stick and tribalize it? Add in some mischievous undertones, Vaudevillian shenanigans, and lots of playful panache and you've got an act that pulls from several different traditions while creating a whole new dimension to your tribal dancing. Some dance sticks will be provided, but it's the cheapest prop you'll ever have to buy! Just purchase a 3/4 inch dowel rod at your local hardware store, cut it to the height of your belly button and get ready to play!

Mirah Ammal

Spectacular Shimmies & Layers - Whether you're looking to create dramatic emphasis in an Oriental dance, add spice to a tribal performance, or working on an eye-popping drum solo, spectacular layers are key! In this workshop, you'll work on techniques for beautiful layering *sumptuous shimmies* over juicy movements, intense vibrations in delicate movements, *meta-shimmies,* and more using the upper body, hips, and torso. We'll explore how to make good use of various layering effects in different dance styles and combinations. Plus you'll learn tips and tricks for keeping your shimmies/vibrations and movements smooth, getting past *stuck* spots, and avoiding the *spaz* factor. We'll distinguish different shimmy and vibration variations and work on building technique with each of these types of shimmies, and cover exercises to help you improve your technique to differentiate and even combine different shimmies and vibrations in performance while still keeping each distinct. We'll also discuss how and when to use shimmies for great effect (and when less is more!), plus explore dance combinations you can use in your drum solos and melodic pieces.

Tribalusientale - Hey! You got your Tribal Fusion chocolate in my Orientale peanut butter!* *You got your Oriental-peanut butter in my Tribal Fusion chocolate!* Say...these two tastes really *do* go great together! Blending Orientale and tribal fusion techniques can create beautiful impact and fantastic combinations. This workshop might be right for you if:

• You're a tribal fusion style dancer interested in unique, surprise movements and variations, and textures to set you apart;

• You're an Orientale/cabaret style dancer looking to increase your flexibility and muscle control to be able to add pops, locks, rapid combinations, and ooey-gooey moves for sword dances, drum solos, or unexpected embellishments in your dancing.

• You're interested in learning more about Orientale and Tribal Fusion styles--their similarities and their differences--from a dance and muscle training perspective.

In this workshop, we*ll work on various tribal-oriental fusion movements and combinations, with special emphasis on the upper body (ribcage, shoulders, arms, and hands). Explore smooth movement, isolation techniques for pop-lock, connection techniques, and other variations and body awareness/dance techniques. Learn variations in styles and movements that will allow you to take the best from both worlds*tribal and Oriental*and use them both in your own dance performances.

Mona N'wal

Bellydance CSI (Cabaret Styled Improv) - You've performed in troupe pieces. You've performed choreographed solos. You want to get out and perform in restaurants, clubs, private parties - but there's often no stage. Sometimes there's not even a small cleared space! Now what? This workshop, geared for the intermediate dancer, will help you explore and apply patterning in music and dance, giving you flexibility to work in odd spaces. With 30 years of performing "bellygrams", at private parties and in restaurants, as well as on stage, Mona has lots of tips and tricks to share.

Lebanese Stylings - Gather the feelings of Debke into your body. Become comfortable with moving patterns, body alignment and accents commonly found in Debke. Apply these to music from Oriental solo music to popular singers. Learn a choreography to Yo'Borini, a pop debke by Fares Karam, to solidify these ideas in your body and brain. **This workshop will have a lot of bouncy movement in it. If you have knee or ankle problems it will aggravate them. This is your disclaimer.**

Shira

Lecture: Egyptian & Tribal: Sibling Rivalry, Sister Love - Join Shira in examining the family relationship between Egyptian and tribal style dance - what they have in common, and how they conflict. The styles compete for our attention, and yet there are many practitioners who love them equally. You may be surprised to learn some of the things they have in common!

Lecture: Dance in Egyptian Cinema - Dance has been portrayed a variety of ways by the Egyptian motion picture industry over the 20th century. This class explores the story behind the dance scenes and the real-world influences on how dance was portrayed.

Workshop: Aziza - Combinations
Lunch on your own
Lecture: Shira - Dance in Egyptian Cinema
Workshop: Mirah Ammal- Tribalusientale
Workshop: Mona N'wal - Lebanese stylings
Workshop: Christina King - Tribal w/ a stick