Workshop topics

You can choose from these workshops or ask me for a special topic:

Dance technique

Shimmies / 2 - 4 hours
One of the most popular topics! There is not only just "the shimmy" but various techniques to make your body parts shake and vibrate as well as walking with shimmies. These techniques can also be combined with other movem

Arms and hands / 2 hoursArms have different functions in dance: to frame, accompany and lead movements or to express music, moods and personality of the dancer. This workshop is focussed on raising your awareness of your arms and their possibilities.

Steps and combinations - 2 - 4 hours
MEISSOUN teaches her special concept for steps in Oriental dance. Few basic steps develop into interesting, varied combinations. The basic understanding of how combinations are built allows you to master complex step combinations and to create your own.

Spice up your dance! / 2 - 4 hours
The accents of the music are expressed with different body parts. The possibilities and variations are nearly endless. Be it with your hips, head, hands, chest... there are movements for every accent. Another way to make your dance more interesting are level changes - be it as a slow element or fast accent, level changes broaden every dancer's the repertoire.

Round movements / 2 hours
Round, soft movements such as figure eights, circles, waves etc. can be danced with various body parts, on one or both sides, and in variations of speed, level and intensity. Find out new ways do dance these moves

Spins and turns / 2 hours
Turns make your dance more dynamic. They can be done on the spot or through space, initiated by different body parts, fast or slow, with various step techniques, in combinations etc.

Slow Dancing / 2 hours
It sounds so easy - but dancing slowly is often the most difficult part for many dancers. Learn how to dance slowly in a powerful, elegant and engaging way. Techniques and tips to make your slow dancing "juicy" and expressive.

Dancing with accessories

Cymbal dance / 2 - 8 hours
Dancing with cymbals (zills) is fun! With some feeling for the rhythm and a lot of practice (yes, it won't happen without this...) every dancer can accompany herself with cymbals while dancing - be it with simple patterns or refined techniques. Here's an article that will tell you more.Veil dance2 - 6 hoursThe veil is the favourite accessory of many dancers. Besides some basic techniques there are various ways of swaying or throwing, spinning with a veil or wrapping it around the body. A topic with endless varieties!

Double veil dance / 2 - 4 hours
The impressing dance with two veils is an American creation. Learn how to move the veils together or alternatingly, how to build up a double veil routine and different ways of moving the veils while standing, spinning or moving in space.

Tambourine dance / 4 hours
The tambourine is an instrument that has been linked to dance for a very long time. It invites to play with the rhythm, create lively step combinations with turns and accents. Apart from techniques you will also learn some background information.

Balance and isolation / 2 hours
Be it a cane, a candle tablet, a sword, a chandelier, a basket or any other object... Many things can be balanced on the head or other body parts. Balancing is a good show effect and not even too difficult. Learn how to build up a balance part in your dance, which movements are suited best for it, some tricks etc.
Bring the objects you would like to balance.

Glass dance / 2 hours
Dancing on glasses is an attraction that is rarely seen and taught but can add some variety to your dance show. It demands good isolation skills and balance. Learn how to effectively build this element into your dance routine and which movements work best.

Dance styles

Dance like a big star / 2 hours
All the great star dancers in the Middle East have their own unique movements. The goal is not to become a copy of a star but to enrichen your repertoire by incorporating these movements in to your own dance. Such as Amani’s dynamic turns, Nagwa Fuad’s arm poses, Dina’s accents and the famous Suheir Zaki step. (2 hours per “star”)

Lebanese dance style / 2 - 8 hours
Technique and choreographies in the style of Lebanese dancers – taught by MEISSOUN, one of the few Western dancers who actually learned directly in Beirut!

Modern Turkish combinations / 2 hours
Step combos and movements of Turkish dancers as they are currently performed in the nightclubs of Istanbul. Interesting accents, various chest movements, new ideas for drum solos and more.

Choreographies

Raqs Sharqi choreographies / 2 - 8 hours
Choreographies can be used in many ways: To excell at a performance or simply to practice certain movements. MEISSOUN has a large repertoire for all levels of dance.

Dina choreography / 4 hours
Dina's choreography to her trade mark song "Tahtill Shibbak" with a lot of expression and surprising moves.

Naima Akef choreography / 4 hours
The original choreography as Naima Akef performed it in the film "Tamra Henna" (with or without cymbals).

Performance skills

Expression / 2 hours
Dance without expression gets boring, no matter how many technical highlights a dancer presents. It's important to really feel and express the music. It also helps to know some acting techniques and body language. MEISSOUN shows you how you can display various moods, feelings and characters.
Available for general expression or focus on "dramatic dancing"

Improvisation / 2 hours
Improvisation is the basic form of Raqs Sharqi. But what can you to if you if you run out of ideas while improvising? There are tricks and techniques that will help you get over that black out.

How to create your own choreographies / 4 hours
MEISSOUN teaches various aspects such as choosing the right music, using space, building up energy, music interpretation, variations and more. All this will be used to create a short dance sequence.

Becoming a professional dancer / 4 - 16 hours
Performing professionally is much more than just dancing in front of an audience. You will need many skills: How to advertise yourself, talk to clients, handle a difficult audience, choose the right music and costume for the occasion etc. MEISSOUN has many years of experience to share.

Folklore dances

Raqs Na'ashat / 2 hours
The dance of the women from the Arabic Gulf countries (also called Khaleegy dance or Samri) is a fun, lively folklore dance for everybody. Its characteristics are the swinging of a large thobe and of the hair. It’s especially great for improvising in a group. Learn movements and possibilities for formations.

Saïdi cane dance / 2 - 6 hours
Originally a powerful fight dance of the men in Upper Egypt, the cane dance has been adapted by the women who do it with a smaller, sometimes glittery cane to make fun of their men. Typical steps, twirls and background information.

Melaya Leff / 2 hours
Flirty and confident, this is how the dancer presents herself with the melaya. This is not only a dance but even more a character piece. Therefore you will not only learn how to handle the melaya but also some suggestions on acting out the role.

Fusion dances

Indo-Arabic choreography / 4 - 5 hours
There are only few dancers who have a profound knowledge about Middle Eastern and Indian dances at the same time and MEISSOUN is one of them. In this dance she joins both worlds into varied choreographies for different levels.

Tango Oriental / 2 - 4 hours
MEISSOUN has been dancing Tango Argentino since 2003. She shows you how to fuse elements of this passionate couple dance with Oriental dance and explains how the two dances differ and where they have similarities. Best danced in shoes with heels.

Surf Sharqi / 2 - 5 hours
Fun, Fun, Fun! From the Twist to the Shimmy back to the Mashed Potato... let's shake to 1960ies surf versions of popular Middle Eastern songs like Miserlou or Ya Mustapha.

Tribal Style Bellydance / 4 - 8 hours
This style developed about 40 years ago in California and is getting more and more popular in Europe as well. The most important element is group improvisation.
Introduction for beginners or inspiration with new combinations and cymbal patterns for existing tribes.

Indian dances

more information on www.dancelikeanindian.ch

Bollywood Dance / 2 - 8 hours
The dances that are part of most Hindi films are entertaining and fun to do. Depending on the film and scene songs can be interpreted in a modern, traditional, folkloric or Western style. Learn choreography and technique. These workshops are for both men and women.

Dandiya Raas / 2 - 4 hours
This popular folkdance comes from Gujarat. It's danced by men and women together in big circles or group formations. The partners rhythmically hit two short stick against each other. Dandiya is easy and a lot of fun. Sticks can be bought in the workshop.

Bhangra / 2 hours
Bhangra is a lively, powerful music and dance style from Punjab. Traditionally danced by farmer men it is now a popular dance for everybody.