This was Emma Chapman's first workshop in Scotland. I saw her perform at last year's Shimmy in the City and thought she was amazing. When I heard she was coming to Edinburgh I asked if she would consider teaching, and she said yes.
Emma Chapman
Emma had chosen Samia Gamal and Zeinat Olwi as the inspiration for this lovely workshop, and taught some of their signature moves. Emma explained the moves very clearly in technical terms, and encouraged us to dance the moves ourselves. She taught us a loose choreography, using a different move for each section of the music, but without strictly setting the counts or the timing, allowing us to interpret the music for ourselves. I felt that this made it easier for dancers of different levels to make the most of what was being taught, without having to learn at an uncomfortable pace. (I had run 18 miles earlier in the day and was quite glad that I didn't have to keep up with a fast pace!)
Emma was very clear about what she was teaching, and gave very clear answers to questions. She is a very friendly and smiley teacher, and, like Samia and Zeinat, made it all look terribly easy! When Emma moves, she gives the impression that she's got no weight on her feet - as if she's permenantly dancing on air! And her hip work is incredible - she has such control and precision in her pelvis!
This was a rewarding and enjoyable workshop with a skilled and generous teacher. Learn from Emma if you get the chance!
Classes will resume in the week beginning 16th April. New students are welcome at classes at Dancebase and at the Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh!
Wednesday evenings, 6.30 for beginners, 7.30 for improvers at Dancebase on Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Please book through Dancebase for these classes.
Some of Fisherrow Improvers, aka the Helwa Hurdies
Thursday evenings 7.30pm for beginners and 8.30pm for improvers/performers at The Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh. There are only 8 weeks of classes in Musselburgh so the term costs £38 (£35 concessions).
This term we have two haflas (belly dance parties) coming up so there's lots to work towards (although nobody *has* to perform if they don't want to, but it *is* fun!). On Thursday 3 May we will be raising money for The Moonwalk at The Meadows Hotel, and on Thursday 28 June it's the annual Musselburgh Hafla at Musselburgh Rugby Club.
Club Bellydance - get your tickets now!
There's no class at Musselburgh on Thurday 24 May because I will be performing in Club Bellydance at The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh, along with other local teachers and some of the Bellydance Superstars. I hope you can come along, support me and enjoy the show!
If you're new to bellydance, have a look at my About Belly Dance section. In class we wear comfy clothes - leggings or joggers are fine - and dance in bare feet, dance shoes, or non-slip socks. Sparkles and sequins are very welcome too, as is wearing a scarf around your hips.
I think I had the best dancing experience of my life on Sunday night.
NADA, the Northern Arabic Dance Association, brought the Baladi Blues Ensemble to Edinburgh for workshops and an evening show. It was brilliantly put together by Susanna of Habiba Dance, and I am very grateful to Susanna for giving me the chance to both teach a beginners workshop on the day, and to do a solo with the band in the evening.
In Edinburgh there aren't many opportunitites to dance with a baladi band. When Susanna first suggested that I dance with them I was very reluctant, convinced I was simply not good enough - especially when the other names on the bill included Lorne McCall, my first bellydance teacher; Susanna herself; and the amazing Kerimeh. On further reflection, I felt even more reluctant. A baladi band specialises in improvisation, so I wouldn't really be able to know what they were going to play - it might not be the same as the version I would have practiced to.
Luckily, I have very good bellydance friends whose opinions I trust. They told me to go for it, to film it, learn from it, and most importantly, NOT to pass up the opportunity to dance with a live band!
I spent most of January getting my head in the game. A mixture of positive visualisation, hypnosis and preparation really helped me to quieten down my inner critic and left me feeling much more positive about all my dancing. I worked at my make up and presentation much more than I've done before. Listening the the music came second - and choreography was almost out the window!
When the evening of the gig came, I worked hardest on not losing my nerve. Too often when the nerves begin to kick in, I think "oh well, I'll give it my best shot and it'll soon be over - maybe I'll be okay." Thoughts like that mean the mist descends and when I come off stage, I remember nothing about my performance. But this time, I was not at home to such mediocrity! I kept myself tall, kept visualising me dancing my best, engaging with the audience and the music, being alert and aware all the way through the dance.
Not one single bit of me panicked. I felt joyful and calm when I danced - excited, not scared - clear-headed, not startled. I could feel the band encouraging me to dance - you don't get that with CDs. From the afternoon's workshop, I'd learned that the band want to have a dancer to play for because it influences how they play - I knew they were watching me and responding to how I danced. That didn't feel scary - it felt really, really special. I knew lots of friends and students were in the audience, and I wanted to be the best I could be for them, as well as myself.
So, here it is - my favourite performance so far.
The immediate audience response was really good. I felt ten feet tall
when I left the stage. As the evening went on, the feedback got better
and better. I had great comments from dancers I'd never met before,
lovely compliments from a member of the band, and dancer friends who
told me they hadn't seen me dance that well before.
The
mental preparation was the key. It reminded me of giving birth! When I had my babies, I wrote
my birth plans, talked to the experts, visualised what would happen,
packed my bag, planned all the details - and did my best to make sure it went according to plan. Only, this performance didn't
hurt nearly as much as giving birth, and I didn't have to change any nappies when I got home. (I had a toastie and a cup of tea. Much more relaxing.)
Thank you so much to Susanna, NADA and the Baladi Blues Ensemble. I don't think it's overstating it to say this performance has changed my life.
