Halo Bellydance 
"I must be able to see the rhythm on the dancer's
body; she must translate the sounds of the rhythm, instrument and melodic
line in the right way. With the spotlight only on the dancer, she will appear
to be conducting the entire orchestra with her movements." -- S.
Kaspar
"He revolutionized the way I think about dancing to the rhythms and I cannot recommend him highly enough." -- Haala
Souhail's Web Site: www.neareastmusic.com
Rachid's Web Site: www.rachidhalihalmusic.com
He's back! Grammy-nominated Arabic percussionist and dance coach Souhail Kaspar is returning to the Triangle for another dance and drum workshop with all-new content! This time Souhail will teach a dance workshop in Durham all day Saturday with help from the wonderful Ameera, and Sunday afternoon he will focus on drummers with four and a half hours of drumming (and riq for interested students). Musicians and singers can spend Saturday studying with Rachid Halihal, renowned violinist, singer, and oudist, who will be teaching North African and Middle Eastern music and Arabic maqamat (scales) for musicians and singers! He'll also be performing in Saturday night's dance party so workshop attendees will have a chance to dance to top-notch live music. Also, Saturday night there will be a special hafla and show at Triangle Dance Studio! All workshops are at Triange Dance Studio except the music workshop which is at the Taj Mahaala (Haala's home studio).
Souhail Kaspar is a master percussionist who has played for some of the greatest dancers in the world, such as Dina, Fifi Abdou, Suheir Zaki, Nadia Gamal, Farida Fahmi, and Rachel Brice.
Mr. Kaspar has worked with legendary Egyptian composers Farid al-Atrash, Sayyad Makowi and Hanni Mehanna. He has traveled extensively during his career and has performed with artists John Bilezikjian, Kenny Burrell, Omar Faruk, Shujaat Khan, Kronos Quartet, Cheb Mami, Dr. Scott Marcus, Roberto Miranda, Tito Puente, The Sacramento Symphony Orchestra, Kathem al-Saher, Simon Shaheen, Sting, Strunz & Farah, Wadi al-Safi and many others. He has also performed for dignitaries such as Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and the Dalai Lama. In 2008 he received a Grammy nomination for When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq.
Rachid Halihal is a world-class musician who brings to the community the true character and spirit of music from the classical Egyptian repertoire which is much loved throughout the Middle East; from the Fertile Crescent; from diverse regions of Morocco and North Africa; and also the mezmerizing music of the Arabian Gulf.
Rachid studied Western classical and Andalus music at the Conservatory of Music in Fez, Morocco. In addition to his voice, which is best featured in the Andalus style, his strongest instruments are the oud and the violin, which he plays in both the classical manner and upright resting on the knee for Moroccan folkloric music.
Rachid spent seven years managing a night club, house band, and folkloric troupe in Agadir, Morocco, where he played every night and accompanied many of Morocco's best-known singers and on many occasions played with Mohammed Abdo, one of the Arabian Gulf's most-loved singers. He has traveled the world and is now based in Denver. Since moving to the United States, Rachid has played and toured with a number of groups including the Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble, Souhail Kaspar, and Algerian rai music superstar Rachid Taha.
Saturday, April 18th is the dance workshop at the Triangle Dance Studio in Durham, NC featuring all-new content. Mr. Kaspar teaches the traditional historical connection (what his students call “the secret”) between the rhythms, music and movements used for Raqs al-Sharqi. He presents the original fundamental movements and teaches students how to build on them to create their own interesting and unique combinations for dance.
He de-mystifies the complexities of Middle Eastern music by teaching his students how to "hear" the music and then gives a clear format for interpreting the musical arrangement into dance.
Dancers are taught to portray rhythm, instrumentation and melody simultaneously, thus representing the entire orchestra. Students will learn when and how to incorporate ethnic folkloric movements into their classical and modern dance performances. Sessions may also include history/theory lectures, classical/cabaret dance styles, and costume/performance "dos and don'ts".
As an extra treat, The Belly Dance Shop will be on site vending beautiful costumes and accessories throughout the day!
| 9:30 am - 10:00 am | Registration and Shopping |
| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | EGYPTIAN RHYTHM & MOVEMENT FOR RAQS AL-SHARQI Part I - Belly dancers of all levels will gain new insights into interpreting music through dance. |
| 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Lunch and More Shopping! |
| 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | EGYPTIAN RHYTHM & MOVEMENT FOR RAQS AL-SHARQI Part II - This is a continuation of the first class. |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Beginning Doumbek - Strongly encouraged if you are planning on taking the more advanced Sunday classes, even if you have prior drumming experience. In this class the student will learn posture and instrument position, flexibility exercises, hand control techniques for basic Dum and Teks, introductory rhythms and timing. Souhail emphasizes staying relaxed with the use of proper technique and posture! This class is for beginners and is also recommended for higher level drummers that want to improve their technique weaknesses or get guidance to correct bad habits. |
Saturday, April 18th is the music workshop at the Taj Mahaala in Cary (Haala's home studio - registrants can email for directions). Rachid Halihal, a stunning musician and a wonderfully relaxed and easy-going teacher, will teach musicians of all types how to play North African and Middle Eastern songs on their instruments of choice. Morning and afternoon sessions will provide plenty of time to learn. Students should bring an instrument on which they have some skill, such as a guitar, violin, flute, or other melodic instrument. Singers are also welcome!
| 9:45 am - 10:00 am | Registration |
| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | North African And Middle Eastern Music and Maqamat Part I – Rachid Halihal teaches traditional songs and the Arabic maqamat (modes). All singers and musicians welcome! |
| 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | North African And Middle Eastern Music and Maqamat Part I - This is a continuation of the first class. NOTE: Time is now 30 minutes earlier to allow people to drive to Durham for the 3:30 drum class! |
Saturday, April 18th is the exciting hafla at Triangle Dance Studio in Durham, NC. This is a party for you - not a stage show! Rachid, Souhail and guests will be tearing it up as featured performers alternate with open dancing. Email John at freecellwizard@gmail.com if you would like a featured slot. Featured dancers will improvise to live music and will get into the hafla for free. Only workshop attendees will be considered for featured slots.
The Belly Dance Shop will be on site vending beautiful costumes and accessories!
We will also have a very talented henna and glitter artist (Wendy Lea Feldmann) on hand to create beautiful body art throughout the evening!
| show at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm) | A fun and relaxed show with Souhail, Rachid, and guest musicians! Everyone will get to dance to the best live belly dance music around! Workshop participants who would like to perform in the show should email John Price at freecellwizard@gmail.com. |
Sunday, April 19th is the drum workshop at the Triangle Dance Studio in Durham, NC. Drummers of all levels should make sure to take this chance to study with one of the great living Arabic drummers. Beginners will learn fundamentals, while "repeat beginners" and intermediate students will get a technique refresher and progress their understanding of this exciting drumming style. Advanced students will get a full day's workout and have the opportunity to schedule private lessons if desired.
| 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm | Registration |
| 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Intermediate Doumbek - In this class Souhail teaches rhythms and techniques from his newest DVD. All levels are welcome, but absolute beginners should consider warming up with the introductory class Saturday afternoon (see dance track above). Souhail continues to monitor execution of proper hand control and adds the half pop, full pop, half tek, half dum, speed and flexibility drills and more rhythms along with their variations and embellishments. |
| 3:15 pm - 5:45 pm | Advanced Doumbek/Riq - Musical accompaniment is a big focus in this class in addition to covering the 3 different types of drum solos: solos to show off the drummer, solos within a musical arrangement and solos for the dancer. He includes techniques that will spice up your performance and discusses how to work with dancers and musicians on and off stage. Appropriate application of classical and cabaret rhythmic variations is covered in depth. Riq players are welcome! |
SPECIAL OFFER - TEACHERS SUBMITTING 5 STUDENTS GET THE SAME CLASSES FREE!!!!!
Prices and Payment Options
You can pay for the workshop in one of three ways:
Advance Package Prices
| Package | Description | Price | Buy Now! |
| Saturday Dance Workshop Package | Both dance classes | $75 | |
| Saturday Dance and Drum Package | both Saturday dance classes plus the beginning drum class | $85 | |
| Saturday Music Workshop Package | both Saturday music classes | $50 | |
| Sunday Drum Workshop Package | both Sunday drum classes | $65 | |
| Weekend Drummer Pass | both Sunday drum classes plus Saturday's beginning drum class | $75 | |
| I Want It All | both dance classes, plus all 3 drum classes | $135 | |
| Music + Drum Package | both music classes and both Sunday drum classes | $95 |
Saturday Hafla Tickets
| Ticket Type | Price | Buy Now! |
| General Admission | $12 ($15 at door) | |
| Workshop Attendees | $10 |
Advance A la Carte Prices
| Class | Price | Buy Now! |
| Saturday Morning Dance Class | $40 | |
| Saturday Afternoon Dance Class | $40 | |
| Saturday Beginning Doumbek | $20 | |
| Sunday Intermediate Doumbek | $35 | |
| Sunday Advanced Doumbek/Riq | $35 |
For more information, please email John Price at freecellwizard@gmail.com