Workshop participants were treated to an exquisite learning experience in a totally Egyptian workshop with Taaj fi Qalbi, sponsored by Sitamun in Frederick, MD on Saturday, October 25, 2003.

Taaj did a beautiful job in taking hte complexities of the Egyptian style of performance and breaking it down for each and every participant to hear and absorb into their own dance experience. She started breaking down the style into certain elements, styles, and interpretations via outline and started out with almost a classroom approach. Throughout this discussion, we shimmied to start warming ourselves up. She did not teach a routine per se, but had each person interopret her instructions then demonstrate within their own dance style. She observed our progress with helpful hints and many positive reinforcements, bringing her complex knowledge of Egyptian technique to actual personal experience in each of her attendees.

I admit I was a little skeptical at first. I am so used to basic choreography at workshops and everyone performing exactly the same moves that "doing your own thing" to the music as you heard it (or were supposed to hear it) was a little intimidating. However, by the end of the 2 1/2 hours I was totally charmed by Taaj, her teaching style, and the beauty of the Egyptian style of dance- and totally thankful for her constant patience!

It is difficult for many dancers not familiar with this dance style to define exactly what si specific to Egyptian and how you can interpret it in your own dance. I found that Taaj did much to "unveil the mystery" with well-coordinated outlines and demonstrations. She did not limit the experience to her interpretation only, but demonstrated various possible interpretative techniques. After observing her little fledglings spread their creative wings and express themselves, she would ask one or two lucky divas (who seemed to really have a unique way or excellent grasp of the move she was trying to verbalize) to share their interpretations with the rest of us. This reinforced not only our graps of the move, but expanded our minds to various interpretations and gave marvelous ideas on the many ways to work with the music in Raqs Sharki style.

All participants seemed to respond positively to the way in which the material was presented (clear and concise) and to Taaj's superb knowledge of this style of dance. Patience was a word mentioned again and again, not to mention the grace and expertise shown by Taaj. After all, it took a great teacher to draw together a group more at home with "Gypsy", American, Turkish, and various folk dance styles. The workshop ended with a light lunch privided by the facility and shopping with quality vendors present throughout the entire event.

A hafla featuring workshop participants followed: many beautiful dance styles were observed and enjoyed. The show ended with a marvelous and absolutely stunning Taaj fi Qalbi performing to the music used in the workshop. Her dance was classical Egyptian, magnificently presented and interpreted with an authenticity not often seen in the U.S. We considered ourselves very lucky to have experience Taaj in Frederick and would highly recommend her workshops in the future.

Andaleeb of Artamas, PA studies with Sitamun in Frederick, MD and is a senior memer of the Tears of Aset Troupe.