Belly Dance Workshops with Michelle

***workshop participants login HERE to download materials**

WORKSHOP GALLERY click on image to enlarge
Tokyo, Japan	Virginia	Perth, Australia	Chicago
	Beldi, Turkey	Zagreb, Croatia

Interested in sponsoring a workshop?

Email Michelle at info@arabicdance.net or call 510-384-2773.

Download Michelle's workshop contract here

CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

AMERICAN/EGYPTIAN POP CABARET BELLYDANCE(2 or 3 hours)
CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Learn an American-style, pop cabaret belly dance routine with Egpyptian influences. This choreography emphasizes unexpected direction changes, traveling and sharp isolations. We will discuss the dynamics of a successful cabaret routine while learning a fast and sassy choreography.
(Music: Efred by Dr Samy Farag from the CD Midnight Magic This song can be downloaded for $0.99 here.)
Please note that this workshop can be taught to an alternate piece of music if requested in advance.

CLASSIC BELLY DANCE ROUTINE(2 or 3 hours) *Bring a veil
CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
This is a classic raks sharki choreography with a veil entrance. With an emphasis on veil work, rhythm changes, and expressive styling and gestures this choreography explores all the key ingredients to capturing the Arabic flavor of the music. We will work on cultivating an unhurried and confident attitude toward the dance.
(Music: Olooloo by Cairo Orchestra from the album Aziza Raks. This song can be downloaded for $.99 here.)
Please note that this workshop can be taught to an alternate piece of music if requested in advance.

ADVANCED DRUM SOLO CHOREOGRAPHY(2 or 3 hours)
CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
This advanced level drum solo choreography is not for the faint hearted! We will be using layered shimmies, freezes and lots of tight isolations to put together a show-stopping drum solo with an exciting climax.
(Music:Balady Malfuf by Tony Mouzayek)

THE QUINTESSENTIAL CLASSICS(2 or 3 hours) *Bring a veil
CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Every belly dancer has to have choreography to the classics up her sleeve if she is to consider herself truly literate in this art form. Studying the classics will not only get you in touch with the pure essence of raks sharki style, but it will help you to request songs when working with a live band (or in other on-the-spot situations). In this workshop we will be learning a breathtaking choreography to one of the classics and learning how to modify it to different versions of the same song.
(Music: Aziza, Leylet Hob, Mishaal, Enta Omri, or Alf Leyla)

SHIMMIES AND ISOLATIONS/ DRUM SOLO CHOREOGRAPHY (2, 3, or 4 hours)
TECHNIQUE AND CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
In this workshop we will work on shimmies, belly rolls, hip locks, and chest isolations. We will drill the moves individually, then we will put them together as we work on layering. We then put these techniques together into a drum solo choreography.
(Music: Sawraji Tabla from the Layali Al Sharq album. This song can be downloaded for $0.99 HERE)
Please note that this workshop can be taught to an alternate piece of music if requested in advance.

VEIL TECHNIQUE/ CHOREOGRAPHY(2 or 3 hours) *Bring a veil
TECHNIQUE AND CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
We will learn combinations that are full of interesting veil tricks. From basic veil technique to difficult release and grab tricks, this workshop will discuss everything you need to know about doing veil. Time permitting, we will put learn a choreography.
(Music: Nova Raks from the album Shik Shak Shok. This song can be downloaded for $0.99 here).
Please note that this workshop can be taught to an alternate piece of music if requested in advance.

SWORD DANCING (2 or 3 hours) *bring a sword
TECHNIQUE AND CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Technique and drills for balancing a sword that will emphasize level changes, traveling and dynamic movement. A choreography will be taught, time permitting, that can be done to Alf Leyla Wa Leyla.

MIDDLE EASTERN FUSION CHOREOGRAPHY WITH A TECHNO BEAT (2 or 3 hours)
CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Perfect for night clubs and western audiences, this choreography takes the techno back beat of Said Mrad's "Move", this intermediate level choreography mixes some fast level and direction changes, with some classic belly dance technique.  The result is an unexpected mix of sultry smoothness and raw, sexy energy, guaranteed to wake up an audience! Depending on the length of the workshop, extra technique, drills and combinations may be taught.
(Music: Move by Said Mrad from the album Another Thousand and One)
Please note that this workshop can be taught to an alternate piece of music if requested in advance.

TECHNIQUE WORKSHOPS

STAGE PRESENCE AND IMPROVISATION (2 - 3 hours) *Bring a veil
TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
This workshop is all about re-vamping your performance skills!  Good technique is vital but it is only half the story.  Michelle discusses connecting with the audience and stage presence - tricks that will set you and/or your troupe apart and make you shine.  Learn the dynamics of a stage show and explore methods of adding polish and professionalism to your dance.   We will also address issues of nervousness, stage fright, improvisation and accident recovery.  This workshop has an emphasis on learning techniques for attaining relaxation and calmness before and while we dance - vital skills for you and your students!

FINGER CYMBAL TECHNIQUE (2 hours) *bring cymbals
TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
This workshop is designed to get you comfortable dancing with finger cymbals. You will learn dozens of finger cymbal patterns, then we will put them together with belly dance combinations. Emphasis on smoothly changing between dance moves and cymbal patterns.

CREATIVE COMBINATIONS (90 minutes - 3 hours)
TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
Flex your choreography muscle while learning tons of versatile and creative moves that will add unpredictability and pizzazz to your dance. This workshop will expose you to a variety of techniques, interpretations, and styles including classical, jazzy, taksim, saidi, and even floorwork. We will explore ways to adapt these combinations to different situations and discuss methods for absorbing and retaining choreography. Perfect for the student who is looking for inspiration to put the zing back into their dance.

DRILLS (90 minutes - 2 hours)
TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
This class is for intermediate and advanced dancers who are interested in doing some hard work and gaining some material you can use in classes or in practice sessions. We will do shimmy drills, traveling drills, layering drills, isolation drills, and strengthening drills that draw on Michelle's experience as a personal trainer. Use them yourself and take them back to your students or troupe to improve the strength and technique of all. Even if you own the Drills! Drills! Drills! DVD, this workshop will contain new material.

FUNDAMENTALS OF BELLY DANCE (2 hours)
TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
This workshop is designed for both students who have been dancing for under 18 months as well as teachers who are looking for new ways to inspire their beginners. We will go over the fundamentals to achieve rock-solid technique. In addition to detailed breakdowns and various technique-strengthening drills, students will walk away with a hand full of combinations that are clean, simple and dynamic.

VEIL POI (2 hours) *bring 2 silk veils.
TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
Poi kits will be available for purchase if you don't have one.
This is a great prop that is just starting to gain popularity. We will learn basic poi technique then cover several tricks and combinations that can be done when silk veils are attached.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH WORKSHOPS

MASTER CLASS FOR TEACHERS (2 hours)
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH WORKSHOP
This unique workshop is designed for belly dance instructors and is also suitable for aspiring teachers and troupe leaders. Michelle uses her Masters Degree in Counseling to discuss different learning methods and the psychology behind class dynamics. We will also cover methods for breaking down and drilling movements, muscle memory and breaking bad habits, motivating and inspiring students, movement safety, and how to prepare students for performing. Michelle will also teach several unusual drills that you can take back to your students. (There is a lot of talking in this workshop, so it may not be appropriate in non-English speaking countries).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (2 hours)
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH WORKSHOP
This is a unique opportunity to discuss everything from negotiating fees and contracts to techniques for entertaining different types of audiences. Marketing techniques, legal issues, being an independent businesswoman, undercutting, creating a professional image, branching out onto the national stage, drawing boundaries with clients and performing under less-than-perfect conditions are just a few of the topics that will be covered. This workshop was inspired by the Secrets of the Stage DVD series and allows professionals in the same geographic area to discuss industry standards. (There is a lot of talking in this workshop, so it may not be appropriate in non-English speaking countries).

Michelle's Credentials:

In addition to years of professional, international belly dance experience, Michelle has a Master's in Counseling and holds many fitness instructor credentials:

~ Group Exercise Instructor Certification (NDEITA)
~ Personal Trainer Certification (NESTA)
~ Lifestyle and Weight Management Counselor (NESTA)
~ First Aid and CPR certified