Ma*Shuqa's Workshop Topics and Content

Ma*Shuqa's Method of Teaching Orientale Dance (belly dance, Middle Eastern dance, Egyptian Raqs Sharqi, Greek tsiftetelli dance, French danse du ventre,  or German bauch tanz) blends instruction in technique and performance and utilizes a self-discovery format combined with structured and scaffolded instruction.   Ma*Shuqa’s approach to teaching reflects her educational background in curriculum and instruction and she provides Scaffolded Instruction as a framework for structured learning.  During instruction Ma*Shuqa brings to light elements of movement that each dancer can reflect upon to understand  her own body type and physical movement style awareness upon which to develop her own dance style.  The Ma*Shuqa Method includes instruction and awareness of personal movement preference that determines individual dance style:  body posture, dance stance and weight shifting, foot fall style, dance movement preferences for torso, arms, and hands, movement tempo preference, and the 80:20 body undulation style variation.   Come take a class or workshop with Ma*Shuqa and experience "the professional difference, elegance of style" from an instructor who can share her expertise from over 30 years of teaching and 35 years of performance in the U.S. and abroad.

Ma*Shuqa teaches these topics and content in monthly Studio Workshops at her studion in Los Gatos, California USA – and during her weekly classes.

Ma*Shuqa Comprehensive Study Weekends -Dream Dancer Mini-Vacations – Personalized dance retreats. Dancers select topics to schedule special 2-3 day retreats with Ma*Shuqa and Carl at their studio and home.  Ma*Shuqa works with you to schedule your special Dream Dancer Vacation to include scheduled hours for the dance workshop content you wish along with your choice of other specially scheduled sessions: DVD performance video feedback and recording, performance make-up and studio photography sessions, performance opportunity, massage, gourmet meals by Chef Carl, and optional wine tasting in the wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains amidst the beautiful redwood forests, visit the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, or walk along the beautiful California beaches.  Dream Dancer vacations include: airport pick up, accommodations, gourmet meals, dance instruction, photography and videography, yoga and tai chi, and relaxation time. Teacher training in Ma*Shuqa Method of instruction with learning guides for learning styles, teaching tips, and study guide. To schedule your specially designed private retreat for 2 dancers - contact MaShuqa@MaShuqa.com   Dancers select lesson topics and content from the list of Ma*Shuqa’s Workshop Topics listed below.  Or, place a special request for original choreography or a creative new topic with Ma*Shuqa and she will develop unique new curriculum and instruction to meet your needs.  Dancers of all skill levels welcome.

Ma*Shuqa's Workshop Topics A-Z

List of Ma*Shuqa’s Workshop Topics/Content with Dances Notes Descriptions of Studio Workshops and Seminars “A to Z” – seminar organizers and dream dancers select workshop topics from this list.

Alf Leila Wa Leila Choreography:  Instruction includes entrance, musical interpretation including instrumentation (kanun, keyboard), rhythms beledi, Karachi, malfuf, finger cymbal patterns, and complete dance steps and movement choreography with traveling steps, poses, turns, undulations, shimmy overlays and accents, and stage presentation.

 Alif “Love Supreme” by Omar Faruk Tekbilek and Steve Shehan workshop:  MaShuqa teaches dancers performance interpretation to the music of the CD “Alif” with dance steps and movement influenced by the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe around the Mediterranean Sea and literally “Middle Earth”.  Workshop instruction includes: the Sufi song “Dulger” and a dance reflecting the male and female duet and life’s difficulties from those who would put “salt into honey” that makes life difficult for others – a slow maqsum and wahed tawia rhythmic dance.  The Sufi love song “Gardener” danced in the Anatolian Eastern Turkey style.  “Laundry Girl” a traditional gypsy Rom love song in 9/8 with Persian vocals – danced with stylized laundry washing.  “Dark Eyes” a contemporary Bulgarian style with a mellow jazz style feel with guitar strumming – with dance varying from Arabic oud riffs to passionate female Bulgarian style solo song.  “Shinanay” is an old 2/4 Fellahi favorite with guitar riffs and dance with Spanish influences the reflect the variety of additional instruments.  “Don’t Cry My Love” a Middle Anatolia folk song danced with romantic melancholy and long-held, ever-lasting love that mirrors the passionate sound of the solo kavala, ould, and baglama instrumentation.  The one piece on this CD album not to be danced is “Alif” which is a Sufi medley of compositions from Turkey with Faruk singing in praise to Alah/God.  Other songs to which dances would be taught are: “Dadash” a lively 6/8 tempo,  “Take a Flight” – Hijaz Arabic maqam, “Ya Bouy” by Farid Al Atrash a typical Arabic dance, 1. “Lachin” a 6/8 Azerbajian Persian love song, and “Forbidden Love” an Israeli song by Ishay Amir with nay and bolero rhythm.

Andalusian Gypsy Rom Skirt Workshop:   This workshop requires dancers wear 25 yard gypsy skirts with enough fabric to allow arms to be held up high above the shoulders.  This workshop covers: Gypsy Rom history and dance styling, skirt movement coordinated with dance steps, traveling steps, fast and dramatic turns, steps and poses, the Zambra Moora 2/6 marking step and traveling step, the Zapatiado horse riding dance, controlled passion of the Flamenco skirt dance, and the Flamenco shimmy.

Artful Arms, Hands, and Torso Workshop: 5 Principles of developing artful arms, torso, and hands. Learn how to command attend to your dance by displaying your personal power in dance posture and movement, artful arm movement, musculature and flowing movement of torso, arms, and wrists.  Learn special exercises to enhance hand, wrist, and arm movement.  Study special hand, wrist, and finger waves and poses to add grace and drama to your dance.Bahia Dance Choreography: Dance workshop with notes for choreography including, musicality and rhythms.  Entrance dance style, Ayub and Malfuf rhythms, traveling steps, drum rolls with accents, Saidi walk, Mona Said undulation walk and steps with layered undulations and shimmies.

Bahlam Beek: Egyptian dance choreography workshop and notes

Batwanes Beek Dance Choreography:  A complete dance choreography workshop with explanation of rhythms (beledi, ayub, karashi, malfuf, Maksoom) and dance steps and movement.  Dance choreography includes finger cymbal zil patterns.  Workshop notes include transliteration of Arabic lyrics and English translation of the song popularized by the Egyptian singer Warda El; Gazairiya.

Best of Ya Salaam Drum Solo #2: drum rhythms and riffs notes, dance movement and shimmies, isolations and locks -  Special ¾ shimmy dance movements and patterns, Shimmy locks, shimmy pulses, ¾ shimmy back walk, body wave pops, shimmy hip cirle patterns,  Shoulder shimmies, accents and body pops.

Best of Ya Salaam Drum Solo #3: drum rhythms and riffs notes, dance movement and shimmies, isolations and locks – accented weight changes, torso pops, shimmy walks, beledi walk with undulations, Sohair Zaki shimmy walk, shimmy undulations.

Bir demet Yasemen: Dance workshop with notes for choreography including, musicality and rhythms: bolero and rumba, dancing with a veil: moves and choreography.

Cane Dance to “Ayeela Tahya”:  Instruction includes review of beledi and maqsum rhythms, 12 step pattern segments with cane movement and positioning, and movements and steps with cane balancing.  Class reviews important tips for: posture, technique for holding and swinging the cane, balancing, and posing.

Checklist for Analyzing Music and a Structure for Improvational Dance:  Workshop positioning, projection, attitude, personality dynamics, and use of stage.

Checklist for Improvisational Dance: Dance workshop with notes teaches dancers how to create an improvisational dance.

Criterion for Dance Performances: Troupes and Soloists: Dance workshop and/or discussion covering choreography, originality, musical interpretation, precision, joie de vivre, dance ability, professionalism, versatility, appearance, poise, personality, and stage personae.

Dance Make-up, Costuming, and Stage Lighting Workshop:  Capturing the “Golden Ya Habibi Moment”.  This workshop covers: location logistics and performer preparation, Color/Costuming/Lighting/Stage Scrim coordination, finding and dancing in the “sweet spots”, stage orientation and dancing with props

21 Dance Style Tips: Ma*Shuqa’s 21 principles for developing a unique individual dance style.   Ma*Shuqa Method instruction gives you the keys to developing your own unique dance style and includes: 10 different dance step styles, sequencing movement, timing, varying tempo, changing height, speed, direction, attitude, including syncopation, posing, layering, body locks and pops to match musical breaks and rhythmic accents, dancing to the melodic mode, counterpoint between dance movement and cymbal playing, undulation styles, finishing the dance with poses, hand and arm movements, and presentation of the dance.

Drum Solo Rhythms from the “Heartbeat of Cairo”:  4 Drum solos from Horacio Cifuentes and Beata Zadous Oriental Fantasy Vol. 9 CD.  Learn rhythm patterns, and drum solo riffs, with coordinating zil patterns, plus hot drum solo dance moves.  Rhythms included: zeffah, ayub, malfuf, masmoudi, felahi, saudi, beledi, moroccan, karachi, samai, bayu, Arabic and Greek chifte telli, wahida, murraba, haggala pattern, and syncopated rhythms.

Dynamic Entrances, Finales, and Exits:  Learn Ma*Shuqa’s secrets to performance success from entrance to finale.  Topics include: performance intensity and energy, match musical flow and dynamics, performance layering, Dance that matches instrumentation, Dance that matches rhythms, accents and musical breaks, Proper utilization of costuming and props.  This workshop includes use of Ma*Shuqa’s 10 step styles to personalize your dance performance; and 5 examples of step sequence patterns and styles including styles of famous Egyptian dancers Nagwa Fuoad, Mona Said, Sohair Zaki, and Dina.

10 Easy Principles for Playing Sagats: Dance workshop and notes with common Middle Eastern rhythms for zils.  Workshop participants learn how to play zils with ease.  Ma*Shuqa Method of instruction combines listening and movement exercises with a structured guide for playing zils rhythmically. Instruction includes: options for playing zils, and playing different zil sounds, cymbal exercises, ways to play zils to highlight dance movements, zil and dance coordination and choreography.

Erev Shel Shoshanim (Yarus):  This workshop provides a handout that includes both the transliteration of the  Hebrew lyrics and English translation.  This is a beautiful bolero rhythm song also known in Arabic-speaking countries as Yarus.  This workshop includes both veil technique and dancing as well as beautiful flowing bolero dance steps.

Fakarouni Choreography:  Improvisational choreography with notes that include: musical instrumentaion (oud, violin) and dance movement, rhythms: beledi, fellahi, chifte telli, and masmoudi, dance choregraophy including locks, syncopated steps, step styles,  spins, and finale.  Excellent class for the advanced dancer and professional performer.

Fire Dance by Faruk Tekbilek, dance choreography:  A structured guide for improvisational performance to Fire Dance.  Explanation of dance styling, dance to oud and nai, Dramatic step styles, Quick dance footwork, Turkish style dance steps, Turkish style swaying shimmies.

Floor Dance Basics:  Workshop includes instruction and safe exercises in stretching and strengthening muscle groups to develop capability for graceful floor dance.  Class includes warm up, tips and techniques for getting to and from the floor, advice on appropriate costuming and costume arrangement during floor dance, performance showmanship, easy to do floor dance movements, graceful torso, hands and arms, with the exception of the Turkish Drop and reasons why this is a dangerous movement.

Greek Music and Oriental Dance Style: Dance workshop and notes on Greek instruments, Greek musical style as influence by Arabic, Turkish, and other Mediterranean music, Greek rhythms: hasapiko, syrto, karshsilma, chifete telli, and Greek Orientale Dance Style and Steps including characterization of body and arm movement and flow to Greek music.

Greek Tsftetelli 2/4 Rhythm Oriental Dance:  This workshop covers information about the Tsfteteli Greek oriental dance and its origin in Asian Minor and its evolution to the Hassapiko and Zeimbekiko best known in the Greek isles as dance in preparation for marriage. 

Hagala Drum Solo and Sagat (Zil) Patterns: typical Hagalla drum rhythms and riffs with notes for cymbals and dance  Learn the Ma*Shuqa Method of rhythm notation and cymbal playing to drum solos.  Learn 3 secrets to dancing successful drum solos.  Find out how to perform and improvise to the “Call and Answer” with your drummer during performance.

Hebbina: Dance workshop with notes for translation to English, and choreography including, musicality and rhythms of this piece composed by Egyptian singer Farid Al Atrache.   Workshop includes Arabic lyrics transliterated coordinated with  English translation of the lyrics.  Instruction includes finger cymbal patterns, and  typical Egyptian movements, poses, and traveling steps. 

Hot Egyptian Drum Solos:  Learn typical Egyptian drum rhythms and riffs with notes for musculature and movement, cymbals, and dance.  Learn 14 different drum riffs.  This workshop is good for both dancers and drummers.

Improvisation - how to develop instant on-stage choreography and dance style   Ma*Shuqa shares the secrets to developing on-stage instant choreography:  Learn to recognize the musical phrasing, understand and recognize Middle Eastern musical leit motifs and modes, learn cultural aspects of the dance and appropriate dance movement to instrumentation and melodies, use the Ma*Shuqa Method to develop your own unique dance movement vocabulary and readiness to dance to live music.

Isis Wings and Veil Workshop: article from The Chronicle magazine, dance notes, instructional DVD available, loaner Isis Wings for the workshop.

Isis Wings: Secrets to Perfect Performance -  Tips and Techniques:  How to wear, posture, poses, dance movement timing, musical selection and performance, special Isis Wing movements - traveling, arms, spin technique, how to remove during performance, how to store and transport, performance aspects and photographs with Isis Wings

Kashilama 9/8 Rhythm Dance: Dance workshop with notes including dance steps, Greek 9/8, Turkish 9/8 including, musicality and rhythms.  Instruction includes energetic and quick footwork, hip movements and bouncing movement.  This workshop includes finger cymbal playing patterns to accent dance movement.

Lailet Hob: Dance workshop with notes for choreography including, musicality and rhythms.  Instrumentation including violin, bass guitar, finger cymbals.  Rhythms: beledi, malfuf, bolero/rhumba.   The choreography includes Steps styles, patterns, and sequences including traveling steps, step pose with isolations, ¾ shimmy patterns for 8 sections of the music.

Lebanese Dance Style and Choreography Amani Style: Tips and technique on Lebanese music, stylization, and performance dynamics, and complete Lebanese choreography. A beautiful choreography Amani style that includes: special entrance, dance movement with percussive accents, traveling steps with shimmies, spiraling turns, syncopated steps with kanun, 6/8 saudi head/hair rolls, mizmar and nai tribal style taxim movement, violin with ¾ shimmy turns, and finale.

Lebanese Style Music and Cabaret Dance: Dance workshop with notes for choreography including, musicality and rhythms chifte telli, ayub, beledi, 6/8, and 10/8 to a hot Lebanese dance piece.   Definitive review of Lebanese belly dance style with transitions between exuberant dance movement and elegant layed undulations and shimmies and special Lebanese beledi taxim undulation walk. This workshop includes 21 different Lebanese Dance Steps Styles.

Looking Good with Style Professional Study Series:   This topic is the heart of the Ma*Shuqa Method  Instruction and focuses on how each individual dancer can develop their own personal dance style based on Ma*Shuqa’s article series written for Habibi magazine:  “Looking Good with Style: an Effective Performance Design Guide for Improvisation”  A 3 part series that included:  Part I: Relevance, Planning, Coherence, Consistency, Part II:  The Language of Performance, , and Part II: Elements of Style (Proportion, Direction, and Creativity)  Ma*Shuqa’s Method provides a structure and encourages each dancer to develop her own unique performance signature.   Read about Ma*Shuqa’s philosophy and approach to teaching in “The Secret of Dance Style” (is yourself) at this website and on the fuchsia insert in her brochure.

 Marketing 101 for Dance Professionals:  A special seminar for dance professionals and dance studio owners that includes discussion and handouts with 105 rules for Successful Marketing of your professional image, service, and products.  Ma*Shuqa’s professional education and expertise in business consulting provides you with valuable information and realistic techniques for gaining new customers. Ma*Shuqa has taught university level marketing courses and her teaching includes the “4 Ps” Instruction includes: 30 general marketing principles, 5 rules for planning, 7 rules for positioning, 8 rules for presentation,  32 rules for promotion, and 23 rules for professional selling.  She provides an outline for planning your marketing strategy and developing an action plan for planning your sales calls.

Ma Shaal: Dance workshop with notes for this challenging Egyptian piece with choreography including, musicality and rhythms.

Ma*Shuqa’s Guide to 12 Middle Eastern Rhythms and Zil Patterns:  Learn the names and rhythm patterns to 12 Middle Eastern rhythms with variations of zil patterns.  Learn how to hear and interpret the Dum and Tek of the doumbeq to recognize the rhythms.  Learn Ma*Shuqa’s Method of recording and playing rhythm patterns for finger cymbals.

Mirfet Dance and Zils Choreography:  A complete dance choreography workshop with explanation of rhythms (beledi, ayub, karashi, malfuf, Maksoom) and dance steps and movement.  Dance choreography includes finger cymbal zil patterns.  musicality, and rhythms. Choreography consists of 16 musical sections and incorporates famous movements, steps, and style of Sohair Zaki and Nagwa Fouad, beledi, steps, poses including the famous Nagwa Fouad pose, walking shimmies with accents, Bert’s fellahin step, and the special Egyptian beledi hip drop step with finger snap technique.

Music and Choreography to Music by  Emad Sayyad:  Sunset Princess, Modern Belly Dance Music from Lebanon, Best of Belly Dance from Egypt, Arabia and Turkey   Learn to understand the differences in dance style that match the music of different cultures and countries.  This workshop includes instruction in musical instrumentation (violin, kanun, keyboard, doumbeq, saxophone; rhythms including: beledi, Chifte telli,; Dance styling including: bounce walks, taxim with accents, drum breaks, call and answer pattern, drum riffs, undulation walk, taxims to violin, sax, kanoon, and keyboard.

Nuance and Nemantics: The Subjective Sense of Memorable Performances: An article on, “Nuance” the delicate degree of difference perceived by the sense, or by the mind; as it relates to dance. Includes a discussion of the 4 essential structural elements of performance: musical themes and phrasing, leitmotifs, rhythmic patterns, and pacing. A dance workshop in performance development and/or a discussion topic for a panel.

Performance Workshop: Hands on instruction and handouts for: personal makeup for performance and stage, dance photos, and performance coaching and polishing.   Dancers receive personal coaching and performance feedback – then videotape their performance on DVD. 

Popular Middle Eastern Rhythms for Doumbeq and Dance Drum Solos:  This workshop features the following rhythms: zeffah, malfuf, masmoodi, fellahin, , beledi, murrabba, wahidah, Maksoom, Moroccan 2/4, Bayu, Samai,  and Karachi.  Each rhythm is taught with a structured guide that captures the main rhythm and variations that may be heard on the doumbeq and may be played on zils.  Instruction includes dance movement and shimmies appropriate to each rhythm pattern, and rhythm variations and doumbeq embellishments.  A rhythm workout for both drummers, and beginning to advanced dancers.

Rhythms, Dance Styles and Cymbals:  A review of rhythms from a variety of different Middle Eastern cultures: Lebanese, Greek, Egyptian, Greek, Moroccan, and Turkish.  The workshop includes dance instruction and dance steps along with finger cymbal rhythm patterns.

Rhythmical Patterns for Middle Eastern Rhythms:  This workshop includes instruction in Key Strokes for Doumbeq and Tambourine that dancers should know. Doumbeq (doum, tek, grab, flip, pop, finger rolls), Tambourine (doum, tek, slap, hit, shake, rim, finger roll), Finger Cymbals (ring, clack, clap, flip).  Review of the rhythmical patterns for the following Middle Eastern rhythms: Ayub, baladi, malfuf, rhumba, Saudi, bolero, Chifte-telli, karsilamas, Karachi, saidi, nawwari, maksoum, masmoudi saghir and masmoudi kabir, 68 rhythm, shabia, longa, Tunisian 12/8, Syrto, Armentian 10/8 Jurjuna, Kalamantiano, wahidah, samai, fallahi, and variations with accents.  This workshop is useful for teachers and for dancers who want to improve their dancing to drum solos and improve their range of finger cymbal technique

7 Secrets to Performance: Entrances to Finales or “How to turn dance steps and technique into a dance performance”. 10 dance movement styles, special traveling steps, veil entrances.  Understanding rhythms, music, transitions, dance poses, dance step variations, professional performance dance flow, alignment, and composition, and stage presence – what it is and how to develop it.

Secrets to Performing According to Ma*Shuqa  This workshop covers: Understanding and interpreting musical elements: lyrical style and phrasing, tonality, rhythms, embroidery of tones and sound, Understanding rhythms: doums and teks, riffs and rhytmic variations and how to layer dance movement, Dance step transitions, step sequences, and step styling, Developing stage personae and projection, Learning the art of posing and beautiful flowing transitional movement with hands, arms, and torso.

Secrets to Dynamic Entrances and Exits: Dance workshop and notes with instruction in matching intro music and dance styles, review of Egyptian entrances and dance steps, typical Middle Eastern finale music and dance. Learn 6 secrets that make entrances and exits dynamic.

Sensuous Floor Dance:  Learn the art of beautiful, flowing floor taxim.  Instruction i10 ncludes: stretching and strengthening tips and exercises, how to easily dance to the floor without hurting yourself, dancing on the floor while arranging your costume, hazards of floor dance, exciting floor dance movements, coordination of hand with floor dance, belly movements and torso undulations, performance aspects of floor dance, dancing with balanced props, creating a floor dance show.

Shamadan (Candleabra) Balancing Workshop:   Instruction includes the history of the Raqs Al Shamadan dance and an introduction to balancing and dance, and performance with a balanced object.  Learn the special history, zeffah rhythm, and dance movement for the Shamadan (Egyptian candleabra dance).  Learn the history and special performance presentation of the shamadan from entrance to floor dance.  Workshop covers tips for selecting a shamadan, music for shamadan dance, and special zeffah steps.

Sohair Zaki Drum Solo:  The popular drum solo by Mokhtar al Said from CD Amar 14, Jalilah’s Raks Sharki 2.  This hot drum solo choreography includes instruction and notes on rhythm pattern riffs coordinated with shimmy and dance moves.

Solo Performance Criteria for Professional Performance:  This workshop covers the factors that determine performance success and includes: Dance ability elements and finesse, Originality and versatility: novelty and creativity, Appearance artistry and costuming, Poise: elements of stage presence, Musical Interpretation: understanding musical phrasing, accents, and syncopation; Personality – emotionality and audience reaction, elements of a powerful performance; Appropriateness – cultural context; Joie de Vivre: personal radiance, energy relayed to the audience; Professionalism: conduct, context, posture, facial expression, physiological and culturally correct movement, staging and dancing with props.

Star Dance, Yasmina My Love: Dance workshop with notes for choreography including, musicality and rhythms.  Dance choreography includes: entrance, movement and steps for the refrain, baladi, accordion and violin taxim movement, drum solo with pops and dramatic accents, dance floor performance direction.

Sword Dance Workshop “Raks al Sayf”:  History reviewed, Scimitar and sword styles and shapes reviewed and considerations for selecting a dance performance quality sword/scimitar.  Balancing exercises and sword dance practice including posture, balance point, body strength and flexibility, torso undulations, stomach rolls and shimmies.  Sword dance presentation and performance tips and dance movement flow.  Gymnastic moves and sword balancing on the floor.   Dancing with more than 1 sword.

Sword Dance Drama Workshop: Dance workshop and notes with history of El Ard sword dance and instruction on learning to balance and dance, and performance with a balanced object.   Learn the history and special performance presentation of the Sword dance from entrance to floor dance.

Tamerahenna Choreography:  Workshop objective: to develop a striking performance that coordinates cymbals and dance that flows with the music.  Instruction and notes include:  identifying the kanun and veil entrance, the musical refrain, taxim, and finale. Raks Sharki choreography includes dance styles and dance movement patterns of: Mona Said, Mahmoud Reda, Momo Kadous, Raia Hassan, Nadia Gamal, Nagwa Fouad, Sohair Zaki, Lucy, Dina, and Zahir Hamdi.

Taxim improvisation to Oud,  Nai, Tar, Mizwig, Kawala, Saz, and Mizmar:  The workshop covers the variety of musical instruments found in Taxims and instruction in performing to these very different instruments.  Rhythms covered include: Bolero, Maqsum, Nawari, Chifte telli, Dawr Hindi, paradille, Karashti, Turkish 6/8, Sufi 2/8 Tayir, and 10/8 Samai.  Learn musicality of taxims: musical runs, quiet intensity, flowing water sounds – eddys, ripples and rushing, heartbeats, vibrato, sweet movement, sustaining movement, overlaying shimmies on undulations, restraining movement, call and answer, and stomach rolls.

Teacher’s Seminar – Tips and Techniques for Middle Eastern Dance Instruction:  Sound advice and structure from a dance teacher with over 30 years of dance teaching and  EdD ABD curriculum and instruction education.  How to design a weekly dance series and prepare a syllabus, how to structure a workshop.  Principles of adult learning helpful in preparing dance instruction.  Learn the art of scaffolded teaching to support learning and the art of analysis and providing feedback to dancers.

Tray and Tea Set Workshop:  Bring brass trays and tea sets to balance and learn how to perform a spectacular balancing act as a special props routine.  Learn secrets to balancing and head isolation to improve balancing and simultaneous dance movement.

Turkish Dance Style and Rhythms Workshop: Dance workshop and notes with history of Turkish music maqams and instruments kanun, nai, kemence, daire, def, darbuka, baglama, kaval, zuna, davul, tanbur, Turkish musical styling and vocals, Turkish Taxim Musical Styling and dance movement, Turkish rhythms 2/4, 4/4, 6/8, and references music of Omar Faruk Tekbilek: Andanali, Azeri, and Last Moments of Love.  Turkish and Balkan dance styles: knee bends, kicks, fast taqsim, pelvic drops, lunges, shimmy-hold style, bolero veil movement

Velvety Veils and Spectacular Spins: Dance workshop teaches veil technique with different types of veils (rectangular, circular, silk, sequined, etc). Workshop includes handouts and instruction on grand veil entrances, veil wraps, veil dancing, tips and techniques for spectacular spins.

Warm-up and Stretch:  Special techniques and guides for warming up and stretching to enhance your dance and teaching.  Instruction includes: gentle head and neck stretch and dance movement, shoulder and torso connection and snake arms, arm and torso connection and movement, torso stretches and movement, special supported stretches for buttocks, soaz, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, Achilles and feet.  Ma*Shuqa’s methodology and approach includes gentle supported stretching and personalized adaptive movement for your unique body.  She incorporates techniques, movement, breathing, and flow from yoga and tai chi.

Water Glass Dance Workshop:  In this workshop, learn how to select glasses for performance and how to perform the Water Class dance.   Techniques in this dance can be translated to the dancing atop a drum balancing dance.

Zil Technique and Style: Coordinating Finger Cymbals and Dance Choreography:  Learn 12 principls to enhance your finger cymbal playing and teaching. Instruction and workshop notes include: Finger cymbal playing styles, techniques for improving dexterity, speed and playing at an even tempo, zil variations by the numbers, guide to coordinating dance with cymbals, 3 ways to play zils when you perform, learn about melodic mode of music and rhythmic mode of songs, locks and pops and cymbal accents. 

If you do not see a topic you wish, contact Ma*Shuqa and she will create a custom curriculum for you.  (408) 356-9473   MaShuqa@MaShuqa.com