Nefabit has been studying dance for over 20 years, and offers workshops throughout the region. For booking and hosting inquiries, contact nefabitm@gmail.com
Workshop descriptions, material and notes are copyright of Nefabit Hinton 2015
2018 WORKSHOPS
SPOKANE February 17 12:00pm
Bellyfest Happy Feet Will Travel
West Central Community Center
1603 N. Belt St. Spokane, WA 99205
In this class, we focus on the feet and legs, which carry us so diligently through dance! Part one will break down some of my favorite exercises and combinations designed to incorporate graceful leg extensions and eye-catching steps into your dance repertoire. While many dancers work in a small space, it is important to be capable to creating dynamic travelling patterns, and graceful turn sequences for larger stage performances. Learn proper technique for travelling turns such as chainne, as well as single-leg turns such as the compass turn, arabesque turn, etc. Students will drill simple and complex foot patterns designed to travel in multiple directions, all while exploring unique floor pathways to get you around the stage.
Part two will focus on caring for and protecting the feet and joints. We will discuss strengthening exercises, avoiding common injuries, and wearing footwear. Many dancers prefer to dance barefoot, but this can lead to injuries and infection, which I have experienced firsthand, as well as torque and repetitive stress injuries. I discuss my favorite strengthening and flexibility exercises, pros and cons of different shoes, and ways to keep your feet happy and healthy.
Photo by Austinspace
UPCOMING DATES
Seattle, WA – more information coming soon!
Boise, ID – more information coming soon!
Missoula, MT – More information coming soon!
Host a Workshop with Nefabit
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Technique Workshops
Technique Overhaul |1 – 4 hours| All levels
This workshop is a unique approach to technique, focusing on proper muscle mechanics, breaking bad habits and unlocking the full movement potential. We will discuss and practice technique spanning several styles of bellydance such as classical Egyptian, tribal fusion, and American cabaret, and discuss differences in technique. The focus is to widen each dancer’s personal repertoire and skills. This class is hands-on and personal, with each dancer receiving individual attention. This is not a follow the leader class, nor is it intended to leave everyone exhausted. Rather, the goal is to improve each dancer’s abilities in a practical way, learn new approaches and methods, and expand horizons. Please bring water, a notebook, and a towel.
Zills | 2 hours | All levels
This workshop is designed for dancers of all levels and with any or no experience with zills. We start off with simple drills to develop to ability to play while dancing. Dancers learn the open-handed method of playing, which encourages speed and accuracy, as well as proper counting technique. This workshops places a strong emphasis on playing unique patterns to enrich the music, rather than playing rote and repetitive rhythms which can overpower it.
We will start with common patterns, with an emphasis on getting everyone comfortable dancing and playing simultaneously. Dancers will work up to more complicated patterns and variations to practice at home. Please bring zills! Notes with breakdown of patterns are included, but it’s recommended to bring a notebook.
Safety First | 1 hour | All levels
A wealth of information is available about safe technique for dance styles like ballet, but bellydance has not been as widely studied. Nefabit’s long career in dance has lead to first-hand experience and observation of what common mistakes should be avoided to avoid joint and muscle injury. She has put a focus on studying anatomy and universal joint placement for dance. Learn in this lecture and demonstration the difference between poor technique that causes injury, and the steps to take to avoid them. Simple body mechanics are broken down and explained, and exercises and stretches are provided to increase dancers’ ability to perform complex bellydance movements safely. Dancers will find a special emphasis on knee, hip and back problems, as well as vital information about how to safely and correctly work up to performing difficult and high impact movements such as floorwork, back bends and Turkish drops.
Fluid Floorwork | 2 Hours | Intermediate – Advanced
- Austinspace Photography
This advanced workshop focuses on learning safe and correct technique for various floorwork poses, as well as transitions to get between movements. Learn beautiful progressions and several versatile combinations. Students will learn easier and more advanced versions to suit different levels. Students with no experience in floorwork are welcome, and Nefabit will help asses strength and flexibility of each dancer, tailoring movements to dancers’ ability level. Dancers with limited mobility and flexibility will learn a simpler and less demanding combination to get started. We then cover exciting movements such as the scorpion, turkish drop, planks and more, and go over strengthening and stretching tips to work up to hardest floorwork movements.
The Extra Mile |2 hours | Intermediate – Advanced
This workshop is part theory, part practical. We will discuss details that often get overlooked, such as head placement and expression, creating more space in the body for isolation and extension, placement of the hands and feet, working on stage versus up close, preparing improvisation or choreography, and important costume details such as undergarments, shoes, and secure fasteners.
Layers and Combinations |1 – 2 hours| Intermediate – Advanced
This fun and fast-paced workshop provides participants with unique and dynamic combinations for any performance. Dancers will learn to create complex layers without sacrificing isolation or defenition, and combinations that add excitement to your dancing.
Travelling and turns | 2 Hours | All levels
Austinspace Photography
Don’t get locked into one place! While many dancers work in a small space, it is important to be capable to creating dynamic travelling patterns, and graceful turn sequences for larger stage performances. Learn proper technique for travelling turns such as chainne, as well as single-leg turns such as the compass turn, arabesque turn, etc. Students will drill simple and complex foot patterns designed to travel in multiple directions, all while exploring unique floor pathways to get you around the stage.
Crash Course | 2 Hours |Beginner
A regular offering at Nefabit’s studio, this is a wonderful introduction to her 50 basic movements in bellydance as outlined in the level one curriculum. Excellent for developing interest in bellydance! From posture and arm carriage to torso isolations and basic footwork, this course covers a lot of material in a short amount of time. Also an excellent refresher course for more experienced dancers.
CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
Turkish Orientale | 2 Hours | Advanced
This fast paced choreography explores the exuberant Turkish style and incorporates both veil and zills.
Tribal Fusion | 2 Hours | Advanced
This advanced choreography incorporates sharp isolations, intricate arm patterns, advanced turns and more, in a dramatic and sassy song.
Egyptian Entrance| 2 Hours | Advanced
A classical Egyptian piece beginning with simple veil work and incorporating advanced layers and combinations.
Drum Solo| 2 Hours | Advanced
Learn a unique and dynamic drum solo, incorporating unique footwork, dramatic pauses and delicious flourishes.
LECTURES
Styles of Bellydance
Discussion of history, hallmarks, and stylization of famous dancers in the Egyptian raks sharki, Turkish orientale, tribal fusion, folkloric and American cabaret styles.
Making Dances
Methods for better improvisation, creating framework for partial improvisation, and also writing choreography for solos or groups.
Costume Crazy
Store, care for and repair common costume issues, including quick on the go fixes that actually work. We’ll also discuss tips and tricks to make your costumes fit better and fasten more securely.
Booking gigs
I’ll share tips for setting or raising your rates, working with clients, standing your ground and maintaining professionalism whether you’re booking for yourself or a troupe.
Stage Makeup
One of my personal favorite, and most popular workshops, I teach my favorite methods for creating a dramatic and visible face for stage. Learn how to make your eyes look bigger, apply false lashes, contour, set your lipstick, and more.
Fancy Feet
I am a big proponent of protecting the feet through strengthening exercises and wearing footwear. Many dancers prefer to dance barefoot, but this can lead to injuries and infection, which I have experienced firsthand, as well as torque and repetitive stress injuries. I discuss my favorite strengthening and flexibility exercises, pros and cons of different shoes, and ways to keep your feet happy and healthy.
Nefabit, Professional Bellydancer 