WORKSHOP THEMES FOR DANCERS & DRUMMERS

Consider “Tahja” for your next seminar!
“Rarely are such a gifted performer and teacher found all in one person.”

“Her background as an extraordinary dancer as well as musician of Mid-Eastern music gives her a unique outlook to share.”

A Teacher, Performer, Choreographer, Musician, Linguist and Dancer, Tahja, of Sarasota, Florida will increase any dancer or musician’s depth of understanding in these fun and informative workshops.

Her unique method of teaching, “The Tahja Technique”, brings those finishing touches to even the most experienced dancers and professionals.

Tahja’s method of teaching is clear and concise. She conveys information in a very “easy to recall” manner, using humor and lots of engaging student interaction.

With over 35 years experience! “ Tahja” has a gift that enables her students to reach very high levels of skill and showmanship in a very short time.
Her classes are powerful experiences for dancers or musicians of any level.

Tahja is choreographer and director of Ya Salaam Music Ensemble and Dance Company of Sarasota, FL as well as creator of International Productions by Tahja.

In her workshops, she teaches often-overlooked areas:

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT CLASSES

“BEYOND THE BELLY”
With the enormous explosion of belly dance enthusiasm in the USA, it is often forgotten where the origin of this phenomenon occurred.
The Arab world is home of over 20 countries in 4 zones (North Africa, Egypt, The Levant, and The Gulf); with multiple styles of dances and rhythms, they are united by a common language.

There are also the dances of Turkic people who inhabit, besides Turkey, many central Asian countries including even distant China.

It is from this vast region of people and cultures we have borrowed movements that make up today’s “belly dance”.

The more the original source of our dance is remembered & explored, the more accurately we can interpret this beautiful dance.

The RHYTHM is one aspect that sets apart these dances.

The ability to identify and understand various rhythms and how to execute the basic movements of that particular rhythm is what makes for a better dancer.

This class will be appropriate for ALL levels of dancers…from the beginner to the professional.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Drum Solos: A study of accents, movements, basic patterns & repetitions. How to identify “running” or “traveling” rhythms as opposed to solo stationary rhythms.

Iqaat (Rhythms) Do you know your basic rhythms? Learn how rhythms propel specific dance styles

Rhythms for Spiritual & Healing Rituals

Segat, “Zills”, Finger cymbals: When & How to play them

Drum solo: Egyptian style dancer-drummer communication

Drum solos, zill & spoon playing for Turkish music

For Rhtyhm classes, students may bring an Arabic Tabla, Dumbek, Darabuka, Riqq, Duff, Muzhar, Frame drum or zills.
Dhola, Bendir, and Karakab are also fine.

MOVEMENT CLASSES:
Understanding Middle Eastern Music for dance interpretation: Instrumentation, Melody, Phrasing, Lyrics, & Rhythm
This hands on workshop will help dancers to understand the music they dance to and how best to interpret it, and help musicians to better play for dancers.

Folk movements & rhythms that form the foundation for modern belly dance

The Musical & Physical signals every dancer & musician should know.

How to Improvise your dance

How to “Dimensionalize” movement .

Methods to Improve Posture & Extension

Finding your Inner dancer: Letting the “inner” self “out”

“The Glitter Method” (Conveying your energy to your audience)

Creative Visualization for Dancers and Musicians:
A step by step method to literally walk thru the threshold of the being we want to become, stepping into that body, and embracing it as what we already are!

Theatrical movement, as it applies to Middle Eastern dance.

Putting your best foot forward. Finding your strengths and weakness.

Discover what “element” you dance, and what elements you need more of to bring your dance into perfect balance.

When and How to make your entrance & exit

“Relaxed Confidence” for performers

Music style recognition: is it Greek? Turkish? Moroccan? Fusion? If it is fusion, what are the roots?

Fluidity & precision: the disciplines of beautiful dance

An Exploration of Various Middle Eastern Music Styles: How to identify musical styles and instantaneously interpret with dance

Understanding he fascinating world of Maqam (Middle Eastern Music Theory), Taxim, and Mawaal and how it applies to dancers

Dancing to Live Music: what movements traditionally go with what instrument, and what rhythm.

Please Call (941) 349-3494 to book Tahja for seminars for the upcoming year. Due to demand dates are limited.

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