Teachers, Performers, and Classes for DID 2010

We will leave this schedule up until the new one is made
so that you might have an idea of what to expect for next year.



Schedule for DID 2010

Friday
08:00-09:00 Breakfast
09:00 - 10:30 Jenn Speiden – “Lovely Layering”
09:30 – 10:30 Mark Varelas – “He said it’s in G minor and to play a 1,4,5 chord, WTF?”
10:30 – 12:00 Mavi – Sword 2.0
Daveed Korup – “Darbukastani Folk Drumming”
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch and Mid-Day Concert with Dragonsong
01:00 – 02:30 Roxanne Bruscha – “ Dancing With Zils”
Ted Monnich – Intermediate Saz - Session I
02:30 – 04:00 Christine Andrews – “Rajasthani Dance: The Need for Speed’
Liron Peled – “Dumset – The Middle-Eastern Drumset”
04:00 – 05:00 Carla Monnich – “The Wallflower in Full Bloom”
August Hoerr- “Sing, Gadje, Sing”
05:00 – 06:30 Denys Proteau - Instrumental Ensemble Workshop I
06:30 – 07:30 Supper
08:00 – Until… Carla Monnich – Guedra
08:00 – 09:30 The CeltHix – Welcome to Spirithaven Concert
09:30 – 11:00 Spotlight Concert with Raquy and the Cavemen
11:00 – Until… Jam with The Darbukastani House Band

Billy Woods will be conducting Qi Gung classes daily. Please see Billy or any DID staff person for times/locations.

Saturday
08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 – 10:30 Nina Amaya – “The Mystery and Sensuality of the Silk Veil in Bellydance”
09:30 – 10:30 Mark Varelas – “Greek Bouzouki in Greek Music”
10:30 – 12:00 Onca O’Leary – “Intensive: Essential Stagecraft for Bellydancers”
Daveed Korup – “Tao Te Drum – Cycles”
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch and Mid-Day Concert with Rune and Carnivale Mijnoon
01:00 – 02:30 Mavi – Beginning Fire Performance
Ted Monnich – Intermediate Saz Session II
02:30 – 04:00 Zafira – “Combo Mash-Up”
04:00 – 05:00 August Hoerr – Melodic Improvisation – Intermediate Level
05:00 – 06:30 Denys Proteau – Instrumental Ensemble Workshop II
06:30 – 07:30 Supper and Dinner Concert with Wine and Alchemy
HAFLA
08:00 – 09:30 Dance/Performance Expo
09:30 – 11:00 Spotlight Concert with Turku
11:00 – Until… Jam with The Darbukastani House Band

Sunday
09:00 – 10:00 Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00 Olivia Kissel – “Shifty Cifti”
Sam Tynker – Davul/Tupan Techniques
12:00 – 01:00 Lunch
01:00 – Until… Farewells and Feedback



TEACHERS FOR DID 2010


Christine Andrews
Founding member of The Zafira Dance Company, proud Mother of Mina and ever-patient Wife of BabaGee


Roxanne Bruscha
With two recent DVD's (“A Night of Carnivale” and “Of Light and Shadow”) to her credit, Roxanne is back by popular demand.


August Hoerr
August taught himself to play accordion as angsty teenager, and after
discovering Middle Eastern music, began working with Tribal dancers in
1999. In addition to to The Mezmer Society, August maintains a career
as an internationally represented figurative painter. He is the
president of the Institute for the Advancement of Occultism and
Aerophonics (previously Asheville Accordion Club), and he has released
albums with the cinematic trio Soora Gameela, and Greek fusion band
Makari. August lives in Asheville, North Carolina and is currently
working on his first solo album.

MANDARA
In different incarnations, the groups led by Jen and Heather have been at DID since the inaugural event. Now with Blacksburg, VA-based Mandara, we locals are privileged to have one of the most dynamic and high-energy troupes in the country in our own back yard.


Ted and Carla Monnich of Turku


Olivia Kissel of Zafira Dance Co.


Onca O'Leary of Baraka Mundi

Denys Proteau
One of the most versatile musicians we know, Denys has been the Director of The Darbukastani National Orchestra for many years. He lends his talents to many projects including the perennial favorite group TURKU .


Nina Amaya
is a Baltimore silk artist as well as a professional belly dancer. She has studied Middle Eastern dances for 12 years. Veil dancing is a passion. She loves to teach and perform, especially to live music. Her troupe, Belly Dance Delight, performs at festivals in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, and just placed second runner up in the Belly Dance Nationals Competition.


Raquy Danziger
a world-renowned performer and teacher of Middle-Eastern drumming, has taught and performed worldwide, including P.A.S.I.C (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), the American University of Cairo, and numerous other events and festivals.
Her unique system of notation and dumbek instruction is used in her comprehensive instructional kits, Dumbek Fever and Dumbek Fever II, which include an instructional DVD, a book and a play-along CD.

Liron Peled
was born in Israel, and started playing drumset at 10 years old. He moved to the states with his rock band "EMOK", where he was drawn to Middle Eastern music and started playing dumbek. Besides Raquy and the Cavemen, he has been a busy performer, producer and composer, and has collaborated with artists such as Omar Faruk Tekbilek and Balkan Beat Box.
Liron grew up on hard rock music (like Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, Pantera, Led Zeppelin and more) and that's what gives Raquy and the Cavemen that powerful edge that makes you want to bang your head.



Sam Tynker of Clan Tynker


Daveed Korup
Percussionist & Teaching Artist, Daveed sparks the imagination with his evocative synthesis of North African and Turko-Persian traditions interwoven with contemporary Western percussion styles. Author of TAO TE DRUM: Eastern Drumming for Western Drummers and Drumming by the Numbers, Daveed's artistic vision fosters the belief that “The world is a giant drum just waiting to be played.”

Since 1994, Daveed has journeyed across America through DRUMFEST!, a hands-on, multi-cultural drumming experience for people of all ages, where he promotes strong curriculum connections between world percussion and core subjects: i.e. reading, writing, math, and science.

A true rhythm evangelist and consummate artistic collaborator, Daveed has worked with such eclectic ensembles, as: TURKU (Eurasian Folk Ensemble); the MOVING POETS THEATRE OF DANCE; and WITHOUT BORDERS, 21st century chamber music.

Since 2007, Daveed has been the Performing Arts Specialist for PORT DISCOVERY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, Baltimore MD, where he has developed an extensive repertoire of multi-disciplinary, arts integrated programs, ranging from Kamishibai (Kami-shee-buy/Japanese paper theater) to the World Rhythm Drum Circus.

Additional milestones include: WHIRLWINDS (DVD), a rhythmical odyssey of improvisational percussion and dance; 2005 saw the unveiling of his signature DAVEED DOUMBEK™ from Mid-East Manufacturing; and in 2001, Daveed traveled, with TURKU, to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, representing the United States for the Third Annual Sharq Taronalari Music Festival, sponsored by UNESCO and the Uzbekistan government.


DID 2010 Course Descriptions

Olivia Kissel of Zafira Dance Co....Shifty Cifti
The melodic rhythm Ciftitelli offers many opportunities for the dancer. This 8/4 rhythm is spacious in the first half and staccato in the second. This allows the dancer to express the notes with sharp, quick locks and hits,  and  the rests with juicy, dreamy sweaps and holds. This workshop will explore different versions of cifti and then construct a series of combinations that fit this versatile rhythm. These combinations can be strung together for a short choreography or they can be used in parts to explore this rhythm on stage and around the campfire!

Christine Andrews of Zafira Dance Co....Rajasthani Dance - The need for SPEED
We'll begin with a warm up of fundamental moves of Khalbeyia dance.
The focus in the class will the be on getting comfortable with increasing the speed of the movements to what is more often seen in Rajasthan. (Don't worry, there will be plenty of water breaks)
Note: Some folks may be more comfortable wearing shoes for footwork.

Olivia Kissel and Christine Andrews of Zafira Dance Co... Combo- Mash up !
This workshop shows off the collaborative effort for which Zafira is unique. Zafira's co-directors, Olivia & Christine, teach their own unique combinations & then ‘ mash up ' them  up  to create a piece that could never be done by themselves. Learn how to work with others to create new & amazing choreographies!

Jen Speiden of Mandara... Lovely Layering
This workshop will serve as a thoughtful approach to layering moves together. The intention of the workshop will be to give the participants the tools to help maximize their individual dance expression with layers complementing each other versus just being thrown on top of each other in an incoherent / overly busy way which can hide what one is trying to say with one's dance. We will explore exercises that will intelligently layer the areas of isolations, shimmies, level changes, timing, arms, traveling patterns and expression. Various concepts will be shared that can then be applied to many isolations and movements, not just the ones specifically introduced in class. The hope is that the participant can then take the concepts far beyond this workshop into their home dance exploration.

Carla Monnich ... “ Zil Technique"
For all levels of experience. New methods that will blow your zilling wide open. Set up a private lesson with Carla when you arrive.

Onca O'Leary of Baraka Mundi ... Intensive: Essential Stagecraft for Bellydancers
Stagecraft is an essential component of powerful dance presentation. Staging savvy ensures that your technique and artistic intent reach the audience effectively. With over a decade of practical, multidisciplinary performance experience, Onca combines theory, dance exercises, and drills in a rigorous overview of essential stagecraft for dancers. Bring your dance notebook and your pith helmet, as we prepare to push your bellydance boundaries and give you the tools to maximize your impact on any stage, epic or intimate.

Carla Monnich of Turku... “ Guedra"
North African Trance Dance. Dance and chant will be taught, as well as some background info. (If you've heard the talk before, you can skip the first 30 minutes or so and come for the performance of the dance. Men must leave at that point. Until our voices give out, we'll chant the guedra for 1 to 4 dancers at a time. Bring a veil if you think you might want to dance. Everyone must chant, no singing talent required, no dancing experience necessary. Bring water. Avoid wearing large jewelry.

Daveed Korup... Darbukastani Folk Drumming
An ecstatic look at the eclectic tradition of Darabukastani Folk Drumming. Taken from ancient texts, Daveed offers a rare look at one of the world's most ancient drumming traditions.
Bring a goblet drum and a sturdy chair. Recording (audio/video) is permitted, but please talk with me first. There will be handouts, so it is recommended to bring something to write with and a clipboard or other flat surface to write on.
To all Drummers of Darabukastan…Rhythm is in our bones and rhythm is in our soul.

Daveed Korup...Tao Te Drum - Cycles
An intermediate/advanced workshop designed especially for serious rhythm adventurers, who are looking for a challenge far beyond Eastern and Western traditions.
A dynamic fusion of technique, musicianship, and improvisation, “CYCLES” is a weaving of diverse drumming skills, which allows the participant to push the boundaries of conventional drum play to sub-orbital heights.
WARNING "WILL ROBINSON"... This is not a workshop for the faint at heart. If you wish to receive a copy of the score via email, so that you can prepare before DID please contact Daveed directly : drumfest@yahoo.com

Ted Monnich of Turku... Intermediate Saz: Ankara Turkusu Introduction to the Ankara folk songs Fidayda & Misket, including their unique tunings, traditional picking styles, and the stories behind the songs. Long-neck saz will be used in instruction, tuned to A. 2 x 1.5-hour sessions

Nina Amaya... The Mystery and Sensuality of the Silk Veil in Belly Dance.
Experience the mystical joy as your veil catches the air. Dazzle your audience with an ethereal vision of you and your silk. Learn swoops, swirls, turns, and tricks. This workshop will cover traditional use of the veil in belly dance: entrances, illusions and interactions. We will also explore recent innovations in veil dancing. Novice dancers welcome, advanced dancers will learn something new. A silk veil is a beautiful and friendly dance partner; learn to move in harmony with it! I welcome all genders in my classes.
Silk Veils will be provided, or bring your favorite. Alternatively, you may order a veil through Nina's website

Carla Monnich of Turku... "The Wallflower in Full Bloom"
For the beginning to intermediate dancer who hesitates to get out on the dance floor. It's time to get your hafla on.
This class will be offered Friday to get you ready to cut loose when the bands start up for the evening's parties.
"But, Carla, there are so many talented dancers, I think I'd just like to watch." Don't go home regretting that didn't take advantage of the wonderful music and energy of Darbukastan to kick your dance up to the next level.

August Hoerr... Sing, Gadje, Sing!
This class is for dancers, musicians, and anyone who wants to
participate in making the party Happen. Come as you are to learn
melodies and harmonies to several Balkan tunes. No prior experience
with reading or singing music required. It is time to get loud.

August Hoerr... Melodic Improvisation
Intermediate level. Finally, a method for playing Balkan and Middle
Eastern music intuitively and spontaneously. August will teach some
guidelines that can improve soloing and playing off the cuff, and
developing a more expressive voice with your instrument. The class
will also address how to play a supportive role with other musicians.
Please bring a melody instrument that can play in D Hijaz scale.

Liron Peled (The Caveman) ...Dumset  -  The Middle Eastern Drumset
An interactive demonstration / masterclass, in which Liron demonstrates how he plays  the Dumset -  a setup which he has been performing and recording with for  the  last few years.
The Dumset  is comprised of a Bass Dumbek played with a right foot pedal, a Riq (Tambourine) played with  the  left foot pedal, while  the  hands are playing  cymbals and a metal dumbek.
Liron Grew up playing a traditional  drumset , and over  the  last decade has been drawn to  Middle - Eastern  drumming -  the dumset  allows him to merge together both influences beautifully. He demonstrates how to merge  the  opposing concepts of dumbek playing with  drumset  playing and how he is able to play great sounding rock, hip hop, drum n bass and jungle grooves as well as traditional  Middle Eastern  ones on this innovative setup.

Raquy Danziger...Dumbek – All Levels
This class will cover the basic technique of the dumbek and popular traditional Middle-Eastern rhythms.  You will learn how to accompany Middle-Eastern music and Belly-Dance, and some basic concepts in soloing on the dumbek.  You are welcome to bring any drum but the Alexandria style dumbek is recommended. 

Sam Tynker...Tupan/Davul

Roxanne Bruscha... Dancing with Zils
We will cover several different zil patterns (for 4/4 and 2/4 music)
and learn to play them with step combinations. Please come warmed up.
BYOZ

Mark Varelas...“He said it's in G minor and to play a 1, 4, 5 chord. Wtf?”: Music
Theory for World Folk Musicians. Learn applicable music theory for World Music.

Mark Varelas...Greek Bouzouki in Greek Music
Bouzouki technique will be covered (provided you bring a bouzouki).
Other course material can be applied to any stringed instrument. Please bring an instrument.