This past week, I took a weeklong intensive with master instructor, Anahid Sofian from NYC. This was an incredible opportunity to study with a master instructor who has been bellydancing and performing since the 1960's, with a rich history of experiences to draw from and share with her students. She has a background in ballet and modern dance and much of what she taught this week had a modern-dance influence, which was interesting and inspiring!
Anahid taught finger cymbal technique, a drum solo with finger cymbals, a choreography based on the Awalim (learned women) from the harams of the 18th and 19th centuries and floorwork. You know how much I love doing floorwork! All of these classes were full of new ideas and concepts and I loved working with Anahid in such an intensive and intimate environment.
Anahid also had two guest instructors - Elias Sarkar and Eva Cernik. Elias is a highly educated and accomplished musician who played oud and violin for the class and talked about the different maqams or modes/scales of Arabic music. He talked about how the maqams fit together, and how to structure a performance to live music and work taksims into the show based on the maqams of the songs you have chosen to dance to.
Later that night, Elias, along with other fantastic musicians, played live for the participants of the weeklong intensive to perform in the Gala Party and Show at the Lafayette Grill. I performed to a slow, heavy 9/8 and a Turkish Karsilama. The band was amazing and all of the performers we beautiful!
Eva Cernik taught favorite moves from her own person repertiore, after an electrifying performance the night before at the Lafayette Grill. Eva has a highly energetic style of dance, even through the slow sections, and has amazing control in her seemingly wild turns and subtle isolations.
As you can guess, Eva taught many turns and spins, coupled with quick accents and fast isolations. There were barrel turns with quick directional changes and beautiful arm patterns to go along with the moves and turns. I loved learning this material and can't wait to work these new moves and steps into my own performances and classes!
The Anahid Sofian Weeklong Intensive was a fantastic experience for me, as I consider my dance education the most important aspect of being a bellydancer. It is important to me to study as much as possible, so that I can continually grow as a dancer and teacher and be inspired to create new material for myself and my students.
I encourage everyone who studies bellydance to take classes with as many instructors, from as many different dance styles and backgrounds, as possible. It is in this way that you will grow as a dancer, be able to develop your own personal style that makes you unique and inspiring, and continually push and challenge yourself to new heights! Happy Bellydancing!
Belly Dance Instruction in Woodstock, New York, in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Catskill region of Ulster County.
