Bellydance style update
Hi dancing friends,
I wanted to check in about dancing styles, because overall I'm very happy with how I've been focusing my practice and style development.
Since I started studying with my beloved teacher, Latifa, I've been increasingly and intentionally focusing my influences -- after many years of wanting to DO ALL THE THINGS. At this point, I study Egyptian style bellydance -- both traditional and modern -- and big T big F Tribal Fusion, as it has coalesced as a style by such dancers as Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Asharah and similar. That Tribal Fusion, as I understand it, draws from Jamila Salimpour and ATS. That's it. I'm very intentionally fusing these influences, guided by Latifa's immense knowledge about how to communicate and engage as a performer.
I take weekly classes with Latifa, as well as periodic private lessons. I study with Datura Online, especially videos from Rachel and now Zoe, though sometimes with Sedona too. And I've cut way back on the number of workshops I take -- partly because my life is crazy (and expensive) right now with moving. But going forward, I'm only going to take workshops in those styles, or that will help improve my musicality.
I still find myself with a list of things each week that I want to practice that is longer than the hours that I have for practicing. But I remind myself, I don't have to be all things. Indeed, having fewer influences has been helping me to find my own dance voice.
What do you intentionally fuse? is this a sticking point for you?
I wanted to check in about dancing styles, because overall I'm very happy with how I've been focusing my practice and style development.
Since I started studying with my beloved teacher, Latifa, I've been increasingly and intentionally focusing my influences -- after many years of wanting to DO ALL THE THINGS. At this point, I study Egyptian style bellydance -- both traditional and modern -- and big T big F Tribal Fusion, as it has coalesced as a style by such dancers as Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Asharah and similar. That Tribal Fusion, as I understand it, draws from Jamila Salimpour and ATS. That's it. I'm very intentionally fusing these influences, guided by Latifa's immense knowledge about how to communicate and engage as a performer.
I take weekly classes with Latifa, as well as periodic private lessons. I study with Datura Online, especially videos from Rachel and now Zoe, though sometimes with Sedona too. And I've cut way back on the number of workshops I take -- partly because my life is crazy (and expensive) right now with moving. But going forward, I'm only going to take workshops in those styles, or that will help improve my musicality.
I still find myself with a list of things each week that I want to practice that is longer than the hours that I have for practicing. But I remind myself, I don't have to be all things. Indeed, having fewer influences has been helping me to find my own dance voice.
What do you intentionally fuse? is this a sticking point for you?