Photo - Frances Ottaway
JANE WASS
A professional dancer and teacher for over 15 years who has developed an individual style of arabic dance: rooted in traditional Egyptian dance but with a modern, global aesthetic, sometimes with a hint of spanish and jazz from other dance journeys, and combining a subtle yet fluidly powerful technique along with a deep connection to the music and the emotions.
'Divinely feminine'
'You are an inspiration as a dancer and teacher. Your face lights up when you dance'
'Entrancing'
MAZAZIK DANCE
A unique approach to arabic dance teaching. Classes offer a rare chance to NOT study the westernised cabaret oriental styles associated with what is commonly called the modern Cairo style, or the styles of tribal and tribal fusion bellydance which has developed in America to imitate arabic dance.
'The best workshop in my life ever was with you at camp doing beledi - still get the warm glows thinking of the magical time we all had'
' Without your fantastic teaching methods, encouragement and vision(s), I would not be the dancer I am'
' Thank you so much for the Egypt experience. It was life changing'
Classes start again the week commencing 9 April 2018...
AND NOW - YOU CAN DANCE IN YOUR OWN HOME with my new internet classes.
Find out more here INTERNET CLASSES and scroll to the bottom of the page to pay via Paypal.
Yes .. it's fun
Yes .. it'll improve your fitness
But .. it's also about YOU!
It's about dance for the you that isn't playing the role, the you not restricted by responsibiity or duty, or how others see you. Gently transformative, but following traditional dance styles where you don't need a partner or special clothing.
Why? Partly because the nature of arabic dance is one of natural flow and groundedness, accessible to everyone; whether you have 2 left feet or are a trained dancer, you can find your own way.
Partly because of a teaching methodology which combines a physical workout with a holistic approach to improving body awareness and energy work. And in a class you'll be led through the varied moods (in arabic - lawns) of movements and music so you can find something to suit you, whatever your mood, whatever your personality, whenever you want to dance. All backed up with free online tutorials to help you along.
In a year you'll explore relaxed traditional Egyptian dances such as saidi and baladi, the beauty of raqs sharqi (translated meaning dance of the east), the powerful presence of contemporary bellydance plus the grace and elegance of classical arabic dance. Strong rhythms and beautiful melodies, both old and modern, will help you relax and escape into a world of dance at the same time as developing strength, flexibility and poise. Jane's experience in teaching enables all abilities to enjoy and get the most from these sessions. The music used in class can range from arabic pop to flamenco, from Bruno Mars to Frank Sinatra.
And if you like it, you can consider joining the Mazazik Community Performance Group.
A professional dancer and teacher for over 15 years who has developed an individual style of arabic dance: rooted in traditional Egyptian dance but with a modern, global aesthetic, sometimes with a hint of spanish and jazz from other dance journeys, and combining a subtle yet fluidly powerful technique along with a deep connection to the music and the emotions.
'Divinely feminine'
'You are an inspiration as a dancer and teacher. Your face lights up when you dance'
'Entrancing'
MAZAZIK DANCE
A unique approach to arabic dance teaching. Classes offer a rare chance to NOT study the westernised cabaret oriental styles associated with what is commonly called the modern Cairo style, or the styles of tribal and tribal fusion bellydance which has developed in America to imitate arabic dance.
'The best workshop in my life ever was with you at camp doing beledi - still get the warm glows thinking of the magical time we all had'
' Without your fantastic teaching methods, encouragement and vision(s), I would not be the dancer I am'
' Thank you so much for the Egypt experience. It was life changing'
Classes start again the week commencing 9 April 2018...
AND NOW - YOU CAN DANCE IN YOUR OWN HOME with my new internet classes.
Find out more here INTERNET CLASSES and scroll to the bottom of the page to pay via Paypal.
Yes .. it's fun
Yes .. it'll improve your fitness
But .. it's also about YOU!
It's about dance for the you that isn't playing the role, the you not restricted by responsibiity or duty, or how others see you. Gently transformative, but following traditional dance styles where you don't need a partner or special clothing.
Why? Partly because the nature of arabic dance is one of natural flow and groundedness, accessible to everyone; whether you have 2 left feet or are a trained dancer, you can find your own way.
Partly because of a teaching methodology which combines a physical workout with a holistic approach to improving body awareness and energy work. And in a class you'll be led through the varied moods (in arabic - lawns) of movements and music so you can find something to suit you, whatever your mood, whatever your personality, whenever you want to dance. All backed up with free online tutorials to help you along.
In a year you'll explore relaxed traditional Egyptian dances such as saidi and baladi, the beauty of raqs sharqi (translated meaning dance of the east), the powerful presence of contemporary bellydance plus the grace and elegance of classical arabic dance. Strong rhythms and beautiful melodies, both old and modern, will help you relax and escape into a world of dance at the same time as developing strength, flexibility and poise. Jane's experience in teaching enables all abilities to enjoy and get the most from these sessions. The music used in class can range from arabic pop to flamenco, from Bruno Mars to Frank Sinatra.
And if you like it, you can consider joining the Mazazik Community Performance Group.
York class - Mondays - from 15 January
Leeds class - Tuesdays - from 16 January
Manchester MAD workshop - 27 January
For full details click here MAZAZIK DANCE - Classes /Workshops
MAZAZIK COMMUNITY DANCE - NEW FILM
Mazazik isn't just about traditional forms of dance. As well as learning about folkloric styles, mainly of Egypt and Nubia, we also explore a modern approach to the Arabic and African dance we love.
It was in Manchester, in the North of England, that Mazazik was born. A gritty, progressive city famous for it's industrial heritage, passion for football, and creative music scene, a combination of elements which was an inspiration for this dance.
Leeds class - Tuesdays - from 16 January
Manchester MAD workshop - 27 January
For full details click here MAZAZIK DANCE - Classes /Workshops
MAZAZIK COMMUNITY DANCE - NEW FILM
Mazazik isn't just about traditional forms of dance. As well as learning about folkloric styles, mainly of Egypt and Nubia, we also explore a modern approach to the Arabic and African dance we love.
It was in Manchester, in the North of England, that Mazazik was born. A gritty, progressive city famous for it's industrial heritage, passion for football, and creative music scene, a combination of elements which was an inspiration for this dance.
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CONTACT US
NEWS
If you'd like to read about my recent travels go to TRAVELS - Egypt March 2018 and TRAVELS - A Window on Morocco
I am really happy to offer up my first film made with director Attique Hanuk. It was a real pleasure to work with a man who understood absolutely what my vision around the dance was. I can't wait to make our next one.
Baladi. Uniquely Egyptian, and a culture which reflects the traditions and values of a way of life rooted in the Egyptian rural way of life. Baladi, meaning of my country, and sometimes called beledi, as it would be pronounced in Arabic.
Our aim with the film was to give the atmosphere of a place where baladi dance might have developed: an internal place, maybe in Cairo, with a hint of the nightclub but before baladi had moved into the oriental/raqs sharqi form.
Baladi is the dance of the Egyptian people and what they would dance together at weddings or family celebrations. My costume reflects this. And the dance I wanted to show is the subtle, less flamboyant dance of a woman happy to dance for herself and the music alone. Til next time .... I hope you enjoy it x
Dancer: Jane Wass
Director: Attique Hanuk
Music: Saltana (CD Saltana on the Tanzraum label).
Many thanks to Claudia Heinle and all at Tanzraum for giving their permission to use this track. Do check out their CDS - they are some of the best around (www.tanz-raum.com).
INTERNET DANCE CLASS
- payment deadline is the 1st of the month.
Payments received after that will be credited to the following month's class.
I regret that no refunds can be made after payment.
Before payment, please make sure you are fit to dance unsupervised and anybody with health issues or on medication should consult their doctor before pursuing any new form of exercise.
Dance should always be preceeded by the relevant warm up at the start of the class.
Thank you - and enjoy!
The May class will feature material shot in Morocco, plus preparation for summer community dance performances.
My suggestion as to how to approach it? You will get 2 links.
The first for the class featuring regular features - warmup and bodywork, movement mantra, choreography, task of the month - plus occasional special inserts. Take each bite size section separately, which should take you approximately 15 minutes each, and take time to understand work your way through it. This may take you through the first week.
Then use the second link for the dancealong to consolidate your work and benefit from regular movement. Rushing it during the last week of the month is going to confuse you and not be as helpful as it could be.....
WEDNESDAY IS MUSIC DAY!
This week's clip is from one of my favourite Egyptian singers - Mohamed Mounir. It's a track I used recently in my workshops in Luxor. If you do try to find it to download, please make sure you get the original version (from the CD Embareh) and not the awful remix!
And for the music list from those workshops - click hereMusic Archive
SATURDAY'S DANCE CLIP...... coming soon