Workshops

"You are an inspirational teacher. Your kind and generous nature makes dancers of all levels feel confident and valued. The result is that the dancers are willing to take risks and expand in new directions." (Omana, Smithers performer/instructor, 2007)

Go beyond dance technique and choreography to explore ideas, expression, historical and cultural background, and our changing understandings and interpretations of the dance.

Private lessons and coaching are available in my home studio, or at a nearby location. We could focus on developing your dance style, skills and knowledge, and other themes that interest you.

Workshops available

Sessions can be mixed and matched to create one-day, weekend, or weeklong events. Special requests are welcome! To host a workshop in your area, contact Lynette

Descriptions

Dance-making 1 - Phrasing

The phrase is the thing! Construct sequences of movements that create dance phrases, the "building blocks" of improvised dance and formal choreography. Develop your ear for Arab music phrasing, learn and experiment with short movement sequences, and use them to construct longer dances.

Teaching level: Some experience necessary. May be multilevel or tailored for a single level.

Length: 1 1/2 to 2 hours (best when scheduled after a workshop listed below)

Embodied Rhythms

Work with several Arabic rhythm patterns, starting with some basic steps and layering on finger cymbal work and movement elaborations (shimmies, arm movements, etc.). Using recorded music and/or an Arab drummer.

Teaching level: May be multilevel or tailored for a single level.

Length: 2 to 3 hours.

Floorwork: Slow and Sensual

Explore the expressive possibilities of "floorwork" in dance, while learning safe, graceful, and dramatic techniques for descending and rising from the floor.

Teaching level: May be multilevel or tailored for a single level.

Length: 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Fresh from Cairo: Cool moves from Egyptian dance star Randa Kamel & others

Style, steps, “combinations”, and short pieces of choreography from one of the hottest dancers in Cairo! With warm-ups and dance vocabulary from popular long-time Cairo dancers.

Teaching level: Some dance experience necessary. Will be of particular interest to intermediate, advanced students and teachers.

Length: 2 hours

From Baalbek to Tunis

A slide lecture with clothing display and demonstrations

"In the Middle East, there is no shortage of pleasure - from stretches of golden beaches, breathtaking views, Inland scenery of fascinating beauty, to the exciting rhythms and mesmerizing melodies of music that brings life and culture alive through dance.. . Join Lynette Harper, anthropologist, educator and professional performer, in this magical journey to the mountains of Lebanon, the valley of the Nile, and the oases of Tunisia from spontaneous baladi dances in small villages to historical street dance and modern raks el sharqi nightclub performances in Cairo. Harper will perform three dances of the Middle East, show slides of her journeys to the area, and give you and your family a chance to participate." (from the Tri-City News, 8/11/1995)

Presented at: Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo B.C;

Foirier Library, Coquitlam B.C.

Length: 1 1/2 to 2 hours

From Countryside to Cabaret: Egyptian Saidi and Raqs Sharqi styles

Build your technique, movement vocabulary, and understanding of two popular Egyptian dance styles. Discover the links between the informal village dances of Saidi, and the performance-oriented precision of glamorous Raqs Sharqi dance.

Teaching level: Adaptable to any level, or multi-level teaching.

Length: 2 to 5 hours.

Ghawazee Sparkle

“Quivers, shimmies, and earthquake tremors!” Learn basic rhythms and the light, graceful, flickering movements of Ghawazee dance. Discover the joy and simplicity of creating duets, trios, and group dances in a traditional style. Layer and shape movements to create dance for personal pleasure or performance. Photos, music sources, print references, and samples of reproduction period costumes will provide historical context and inspiration. Bring finger cymbals!

Teaching level: Multilevel, beginner through advanced.

Length: 2 hours *click for Review*

Ghawazee Sparkle & Turkish Curves

A short introduction to movement in two distinctive Roma styles. Strengthen your dance vocabulary, skills, and knowledge in a session contrasting the sinuous embellishments of Turkish dance styles with the quivers, shimmies and "earthquake tremors" of Egyptian Ghawazee dance.

Teaching level: Multilevel (beginner through advanced)

Length: 1 1/2 hours

"Drawing upon her background as a performer, anthropologist, and educator, Lynette's workshops provide an opportunity for discovery and exploration - integrating technical skills and movements with an understanding of performance, culture and traditions - something to inspire and challenge all levels of dancers and students."
(Sahda newsletter, 1996)

High Impact Performance

What makes a performance memorable? Experiment with ways to grab attention and connect with your audience: Developing your emotion and expression; add drama and theatricality through percussive movements, gestures, character and facial expression, movement "gimmicks" and props.

Teaching level: Intermediate through advanced, performers.

Length: 1 1/2 to 3 hours.

In the Moment: Improvisation and Expression in Middle Eastern Dance

inthemoment Discover the joy of dancing in the moment. Develop your confidence and skills in movement, improvisation and creating choreography with techniques and exercises that expand your range of movement and expression in both traditional and currently popular dance styles. Learn techniques that will help you LET GO in your dance!

Improvisation and Expression

Warm up with basic improvisation techniques, and develop your repertoire with improvisation strategies including: working with combinations, dance steps and techniques; creating dance phrases and combinations; shaping dance; dynamic energies; and traditional dance vocabularies.

Length: 2 hours

Enhancing your Dance

Build on basic dance and improvisation skills by exploring inflections of mood and texture; creating coherence and meaning in your dance; working with symbols, characters and imagery; respecting regional styles; and more inspirations for dancing solo and with others.

Teaching level: Multilevel for students, dancers, and teachers.

Length: 2 (or 4 hours for both workshops combined)

Introducing Khaleegy

Discover the informal friendliness and intimacy of this woman's dance form originating in the Arab Gulf states.

Teaching level: All.

Length: 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

TARAB - Arab music and spirit of the dance

Explore the soul and vitality of Arab music as inspiration for dance improvisation and choreography.

Teaching level: Multilevel; works well for mixed levels beginner through advanced.

Length: 2 or 3 hours *click for Review*

Turkish Soul

Celebrate the passionate and dynamic rhythms, movements, and spontaneity of Turkish Roman/Gypsy dance. Distinctive steps and sinuous movements will provide a base for exploring ornamentation, layering, and expression. Learn the meanings and role of gestures, experiment with a wide range of musical moods, and develop some powerful gypsy “attitude”.

Teaching level: Multilevel, some dance experience recommended (novice through advanced levels)

Length: 2 or 3 hours *click for Review*

"Let me tell you exactly what inspired me! I have always thought of Turkish music as a bit fast and somewhat chaotic but you made me see a totally different side of it, how grounded and earthy it really is. And how it can lend itself to flowy movements. "
(Anita Hoffman, Victoria, 2007)

VIVA ROMA ! ! ! (Go Gypsy)

vivaroma A daylong workshop exploring the passionate and lyrical stylings of Turkish Roman dance.

Part 1 Turkish Roman (Gypsy) Basics

Learn expressive movements to 9/8 and 4/4 Turkish rhythms. An inspiring intro for beginners, a refresher for intermediate, advanced and experienced dancers.

Length: 2 1/2 or 3 hours

Part 2 Turkish Jaz

Focus on improvising and crafting dance to match the dramatic flair of Turkey's master musicians Mustapha Kandirali, Burhan Ocal and others. Refine, expand, and elaborate on Turkish Roman techniques and ideas.

Length: 2 hours (or 4 1/2 hours for both workshops combined)

Zar: Dancing with Spirit

Zar is a type of spirit, an illness caused when spirits possess humans, and a ritual conducted to pacify the spirits. For Arab women, zar is not an exorcism but a way of "realigning" their daily world with the spirit world. Learn about the zar and its rituals, then explore traditional zar movements and their creative possibilities for dance performance. Options: May be accompanied by a lecture and a-v showing, and/or a folkloric dance choreography with the Egyptian song "Salamit'ha Um Hassan".

Teaching level: Multilevel.

Length: 1 1/2 for basic introduction, movements, and simple choreography.

Up to 3 hours with additional options.

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