Veiled Threats

[shanmonster]

My kids' dance class is being audited by the director of Dance Fredericton tonight. Tonight is the last class I teach there, but if the director likes what she sees, maybe I'll become a more familiar face there. That would be awesome. So tonight, we'll be reviewing the movements the kids learned, and I'll be introducing them to veilwork. I think it'll be a blast.

Comments

Oooh!

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

Veilwork was hands down my favorite aspect of Middle Eastern dance as a kid.

:: crosses fingers for you ::

Re: Oooh!

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I've noticed most students love dancing with veils, even more so than any other prop. I'm not sure why that is. I like veils, but I think I prefer the sword.

Re: Oooh!

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

Nobody gave me swords when I was 8. ;-) I had to wait until college for that, and then used them for stage combat.

Veils are relatively easy to get down well enough for a dramatic effect -- to get them to take on a life of their own. It's a fairly quick sense of accomplishment, and then you can get into the nuances from there.

Re: Oooh!

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

That's probably why most new dancers like them.

I usually don't introduce my students to them until they have the basics down, though. I find that once they get the veil in their hands, technique flies the coop. But they do have great fun with it, nonetheless!

[opts.livejournal.com]

How'd it go?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

It went quite well, aside from the class clown, who seemed sick. She spent half of the class lying down. I asked her if she was ok (she looked ill), and she said she was just tired. But everyone else was having a great time, and all have made definite progression since starting a month ago. They all loved using the veils, just like I figured they would.

And the artistic director also seemed impressed, and liked just how different the movements are from dances she's familiar with. I hope they'll call me back sometime. I enjoyed teaching the kids.

[opts.livejournal.com]

That's good news ,) Hope you get that call soon.

Idly curious -- you teach middle-eastern dance. Are your students all or mostly of middle-eastern descent? Or not?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Very few of my students are of Middle Eastern descent.