In Susanna's classes you will discover a beautiful, earthy and
expressive form of Egyptian Dance. Raqs Sharqi, meaning “Dance of the
East” is a blend of folk tradition and contemporary interpretation.
You will experience the broad variety of music and dance associated with
this beautiful form, from the Sha’abi folk dances of the South of
Egypt, to the Baladi of Cairo.
Classes are Open level: Beginners and Improvers with experience of Egyptian Dance or belly dance.
Susanna is an
experienced teacher of Egyptian belly dance. She is available to teach classes, workshops and private lessons in Edinburgh and around Scotland. Check out what
Susanna's students have been saying about her classes on the Testimonials page. Also, join the mailing list to be the first to hear about new classes, workshops and events in Edinburgh.
Hen Parties
We can arrange a popular belly dance taster workshop in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Scotland for your hen day or hen party. These are arranged at a time and location to suit you - read further details of our hen party/hen night workshop packages on our Hire page.
New Students
Wear comfortable clothes that you can move freely in, with bare feet (soft soled dance shoes are OK if you want to wear them). Bring a scarf to tie around your hips. In the class or workshop you will start with a gentle warm up, follow a range of moves and technique associated with the style of Egyptian Dance, explore an individual piece of music, and you will end with a cool down. Please advise Susanna beforehand if you have any injuries, medical problems or barriers to participating to ensure that the lesson can be adapted to your needs.
Private Lessons
Susanna also teaches private lessons to dancers of Egyptian and belly dance who want to take their learning to the next level through focused, individual attention. For example, perhaps you might want to work on a solo piece, choreography, technique and posture, improvisation, or fostering a deeper understanding of Egyptian Dance and Arabic music. Contact us for further details.
Taster Workshops
Susanna is also available to travel to your event, party or workplace to teach a fun bespoke belly dance taster workshop for your event, hen night, health and
fitness day, party or festival. This might typically involve a short belly dancing performance, followed by demonstrations of the basic belly dance moves and a chance for everyone to put them together into a dance. Susanna is based in Edinburgh, but a taster workshop can be arranged anywhere in Scotland, including Glasgow, the Lothians, Fife, Borders, Stirling, Perth etc.
Contact us to discuss your requirements further.
Other Workshops
Susanna is available to teach workshops around Scotland and the UK. She is experienced in catering for dancers of different levels and experience of Egyptian and Middle Eastern dance and belly dance. Workshops are held in the 3 main styles of Egyptian Dance, Shaabi, Baladi and Classical. Contact us if you are interested in hosting a workshop in your area. Workshops will be tailor made to suit the needs and interests of each audience.
Workshop Options
Baladi Dance Workshop
Baladi, meaning "of the country" is traditional Egyptian music, largely
improvised, that has developed over the last Century by rural musicians
who moved into Egypt's cities. The Baladi style of dance performed to
this music is improvised, unique and expressive. You will learn about
Baladi music, how the style of dance differs from other styles of
Egyptian Dance, and gain confidence in improvising with a connection to
both music and audience.
Dance like a Ghawazee
Learn the steps and
movements characteristic of the lively Ghawazee dance which is
fun, earthy and feminine. Ghawazee is the term given to the
tribe of "gypsy" dancers and musicians from Upper Egypt, first described
by Western travellers in the 18th Century. This dance performed to
strong rhythms and traditional instruments was commonly performed at
weddings, celebrations and festivals (moulids) and made famous by
performer families such as the "Banat Maazin".
The Golden Age of Egyptian Cinema
Dance like the Stars of
Egypt's Golden Age in a workshop inspired by the stars of 1940s and
1950s Egyptian Cinema. Discover new ways to express the beautiful music
and storytelling of Egyptian cinema, and the orchestras and famous
singers who captivated the Arab world.
Baladi for Beginners
A 2-hour gentle introduction to the music and movement associated with
this beautiful, earty and expressive form of Egyptian Dance. This
workshop is for complete Beginners, or those who have very little or no
experience of Egyptian/Middle Eastern Dance. This promises to be an
enjoyable afternoon for anyone who always wanted to try out this fun
and flirty style of dance.
Secrets of Improvisation
Break
free from the confines of choreography, feel the music, and tap into
your instincts to command of the stage with improvisational freedom.
This workshop will help you to connect with and dance to some
traditional Arabic music, melody and rhythm that form part of every
dancer’s repertoire. Using movements you already know, you will learn
techniques to identify your own personal interpretation and breathe life
and emotion into your performances.
Open level (not suitable for beginners)
Dancing with Melaya Lef
Learn a Fifi Abdou inspired dance with Melaya Lef. Melaya is a traditional rectangular shawl cover up used by Egyptian woman. It is commonly used for a Belly Dance tableau in Oriental Dance, representing Alexandrian folklore. This is a Melaya workshop with a difference where you will learn to use the prop as a natural addition to an earthier Baladi style dance. Bring your own Melaya or very large shawl - this needs to be long and big enough to drape around the body and you could even use your heaviest, a long length fabric, a throw or single sheet.
Baladi Expression and Improvisation
A workshop is for those who already have experience of Egyptian
Dance or Belly Dance and want to learn more about Egyptian Baladi and
how to improvise. This will cater to a range of experience levels
whether Improvers (minimum 2 terms of classes), Intermediates or more
Advanced students. This will be a great workshop for learning about Baladi music, how the style of dance differs, and to gain confidence in improvising with a connection to both music and audience.
Interpreting
the Human Voice
Connect with
and dance to some of the classic Arabic Baladi (traditional)
songs that form part of every dancers' repertoire. Explore the
beautiful Mawaal, a soulful improvisation of the voice that
expresses feeling and emotion, whilst finding your own personal
interpretation of this beautiful music.
Sha'abi Rural Folk Dance Workshop
Sha’abi, meaning “of the people”, is one of the oldest forms of dance
from rural Egypt. You will explore the music and dance tradition that
make up this ancient dance with energies ranging from the male Tahtib,
or warrior dance, to the female Ghawazee, that has captivated Western
travellers for centuries.
Other Teachers
Explore the Egyptian dance and Belly dance links section for a handy list of recommended Raqs Sharqi style teachers offering classes in other parts of the UK and Europe.
Photos, from the top:
- Baladi with melaya lef (Egyptian shawl)
- dance studio
- Susanna with her students at Illuminate workshop, Fife
- Baladi by Ludmilla Kosmina
- Baladi duet by Paul Gilling
