Learning To Choreograph

I taught a very fun choreography last night and my students goes wow! It was some different moves put together and make it a little complicated. Ahh...... I was impressed by their attention when they practiced over and over again. This group jumping to intermediate level recently, one of them able to repeat a complex 16 counts phrase after seeing me dance only once. That’s cool! She really put in an effort to start with a good foundation in classical technique so she could make a good dance.

After teaching dance for 5 years, I must say learning to choreograph is a skill that takes years of practice, it takes a lot of sacrifice, takes a lot of giving of myself to gain worldly experience and be able to put aside enough time to create and rehearse the dance. Sometimes, all it takes is forcing myself to practice either memorization or improvisation. At times, I got a ‘mental blocked’ when finding ways to work through improvisational. Haha… hopefully I’m not sending into ‘Tanjung_Rambutan’ one day!!!

Don’t worry, I am normal although I am struggle appropriate movement through exploration and improvisation. Over the days I worked on this, to erase my ‘mental block’, I would put my dance aside and allow me to incubate new ideas. I am patience enough, I know the development stages is a trial-and-error process of seeing, experiencing, and learning. Dance dance dance!! It has to be related to the rest of the world. In order to gain a better sense of what makes up a whole dance, I continue to train, find inspiration in other art forms, stay in shape and practice dancing!

Okay well, I am still in the process learning to choreograph, I keep meaning to start a blog how I created my own dance but haven’t yet. I’ll be back with a bunch of reviews, stay here to read on....

What I did these few days...

Well, I’ve been off-line for a couple of days. Had a very cool, very important thing I needed to pay some attention to. No, I didn’t pay attention to my dance practice or do my choreography. Oh dear, been really busy these days. Hardly have any time to even log onto the net. A little preview of what I did these few days....
I searched the fabric for the costume, the turquoise blue for troupe dance seem to require a bit more effort. And for the solo, I don't know where to find the fabric in blue/gold stripes. Let's face it, I feel costuming is a very important part of the overall look and dance, it's the first thing the audience sees. I do try to match the music and dance style when possible. Then the price is an issue, I can’t really expect my student to purchase what is still consider too expensive. I have been to every store in my place here and neighboring states, I still cant find my particular fabric, oh.... No time left! So many things to do, so little time!! I'll probably looks for something quick and nice and comfortable...
No 2. Had a very cool, very important guest visited me. We talked a lot, contemplated a lot, and just generally had a very good time I think.

No. 3, I received a bad news that my cousin’s daughter (Li-Ming) at age 26, just fought lymphoma cancer couple weeks ago. I went to visit her and she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Her mood swings are getting unbearable. I know she's under TONS of stress right now and obviously it's been a very hard time for the family. She told me she want to go to belly dancing class after the treatment, I am very happy to see her determined to change her lifestyle. Most lymphomas can be cured. Six months of chemotherapy (roughly) she will get back to normal again. Best of luck to her and wish her get well soon!!.

Kids Activities in May & June

Our kids mummy is trying to organize more belly dance venues in our area, she has organized an evening at the local event. Here are the photos in the past in May & June performance. See pictures here.

Student Attitudes

I was upset when I saw one of my student put up an advertisement taking new intake student to open class. I actually didn’t aware of this advertisement, it was my staff told me about this when she received the flyer delivered to her house.
This student (and yes it is so so soooo annoying and personally she is not really my student anymore) started with me in 2007 and she was hard working and supportive student. I always treat my students as my customers and I offer my best dance knowledge and ‘services’ (classes). Over the years this student grew in ability and asked more and more of me. Which was perfectly fine with me as it kept me on my toes! I was happy with her assisting in my classes to earn some teaching money. We had a great working friend relationship and she was happy with the agreement. I invited her to join me for things like grabbing a cup of coffee/lunch, working out more activities, promotion, new intake class, hafla (parties) & etc. I am completely open heart to share with her because I am interested in maintaining our friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime rather than merely accumulating acquaintances.
We were once close (2 years ago) and recently I noticed she has drifted further apart. For certain class activities, I tried many ways to call or send text messages to her but she never returning my phone calls or apologize for not being in touch. I tired my best to rescue our friendship and feel irritated when we actually met.
This experience hasn’t made me like or dislike her any more or less, but has made me realise that she is not true friend, just acquaintances. But in life and in belly dance community, I do not want to burn the bridge like break up with her, just...don't make the effort since I know it's likely to be wasted effort.
It's just that I think someone was wrong in doing something, there was no excuse for it, and so I don't 'forgive' them, but I move on. Being able to let go of it is healthy. Not always easy, but from my own experiences, definitely worth it!

New & Easy Belly Dance

I started my 1st choreography lesson for Grace yesterday. Learning simple step at the beginner-level should be easy, but a choreography is the point where everything comes together—movement, timing, rhythms—so it can get hairy at times, especially for kid beginners. It’s cool! She really has a natural gift of learning choreography. I don’t have to water my choreography down. I didn’t put much demands or expect her to learn as quickly as others, I gave one or two simple combinations to match her level of dance experience and she can do it.

So Grace will practice. And she will rock the solo. And now I must go rock the office...

I'm Jumping On The iPod Bandwagon!

I start burning our dance routine video we did in the class yesterday. Whew! I am a DVD/CDs factory :). I want to have them done for Thursday's practice so I can give them out and then be done with them. Should be no problem...
Again, I spent a lot of time arranging my albums and everything seemed to go perfectly. It's a thumbs up for me :). I realized that I waste a lot of CDs. I suspect you do the same, right? I don't mind buying CDs, owning a CD collection might become like owning a record collection. I know, there are a lot of the musics that we can download for free. But sometime the music I want to listen still isn't available.
To me, I find it worthwhile to hold onto my CDs. Besides, a CD remains one of the most flexible music storage formats. I ripped it to my computer and then transferring them to my MP4. The MP4 keep me company when I am traveling. Then again, I burn it to CDs and play on my studio or car stereo system. This is just in case I forgot to bring the CDs for teaching class, I have the backup CDs in my car. (I’m not doing the illegal, I pay to host the band, company & etc and I get a backup in my computer).
Needless to say I have wasted a lot of blank CDs and time. Looks like my iPod purchase coming up for my large collection of music. I want to have all my music in the one place. I really want something that I can take with me wherever I go and take EVERYTHING with me. I am jumping on the iPod bandwagon!!!

Spin Spin Spin Belly Dance

I stayed up quite late last night but I did manage to crawl out of bed at 6.30am this morning! I wasn't rushed, and even had time for a long relaxing shower, and I took breakfast - ‘maggie’ (instant noodle) & coffee ‘O’ without worrying if I'd miss to pick up my students (Khai Shin & Carolyn). I reached there on time and saw amazing thing - Yin Shu & Hooi Sean already started practice… Hey! Cheers for the dancing spirit.
This morning class was a bit long, not many of them showed, so there was a lot of space, they get a lot of my attention and it was fun to spin, turn, spin! Then we went for lunch before sending Khai Shin & Carolyn home! The rest was rushing back to school activities so they didn’t joint us!
I was very tired when I got home. I took a long nap. Woohoo… I finally decided to drag myself out of bed despite having an afternoon nap for 2 hours and my girl calling me to wake me up. She told me she cant find the fabric for her costume. Ah…. I’m feeling rather stoned and looked really lost now, I feel like continuing my sleep and never wake up. Oh my goodness..I’m like so dead now…

My Next Workshop - Ipoh

Good Memories Time with Samra in Sept 2006

Samra workshop is on Aug 8 & 9 organize by Dance Vogue Studio - Ipoh (a good friend of mine Wendy Cheah). I definitely go to attend! First thing is I miss Samra sooooooo much and 2nd thing is to SUPPORT Wendy 1st time workshop. 3rd thing is Samra not going to organize the Lotus Dance Retreat in Bali and I gonna miss it! Actually I want to plan a dinner for Samra but she is fully booked for private class. And she got Wings private lesson in K.L right after Ipoh workshop. Samra, Big hugs and smoochie kisses for you!

Wow wow… I think because of competition that make many dancers need some more work for private lesson! It is real excited as get closer to the competition date. It's going to be a fabulous weekend with dancers from all over the place coming to compete and perform. Please keep checking back here and I’ll update the news frequently!

Weekend Workout Tunes

I got up this morning and did some drills with my bellydance yoga DVD - Contemporary Bellydance and Yoga Conditioning by Ariellah. I bought it at Ariellah workshop. It is cool and I like this DVD. It has 2 sets of yoga warm up, short and long and 2 sets of belly dance drills going through basic belly dance techniques – good for practice tribal dance! There are two sections of short choreography for routines workout. I have played but just skimmed through them. I haven't done those yet.

Good thing nobody around the house only the maid, I spent whole morning blasting stereos... wakaka… don’t need to be quiet and tiptoe around when I did my dance fusion workout.

Well, my knees are sore now….I have 2 classes in the morning tomorrow. Hey…Saturday morning class come back again – should be fun! The more I do, the better I get. Dancing Dancing Dancing. This is only for temporary private class.

Oh ya, I gonna pick someone up...

What is Everyone's Favorite Part for Competing?

Last night I brought up the Malaysian Open Dance Fest 09 event in the kids belly dance class. So far I never mention to this group because they are completely brand-new, only 1 of them have had prior latin dance competition experience. I think this sounds impossible especially when they only took belly dance lessons in the past two months. BUT, I got a good news right after I announced this competition event in the class. One of the kid, Grace went home and told her mummy she want to go for the competition. Ah, Well, I am constantly amazed she is keen to challenge herself.
Honestly it took me a while to make a decision on whether I should let her enter the competition or not. Grace is 9, she has entered Latin Novice experienced and she is ballet dancer. I was actually afraid she push herself too hard to do well instead of relaxing....and I'll totally suck at it.
I was chatting with the organizer today. well, initially the organizer didn’t open the kid individual belly dance (age below 12). The organizer will add in the category later if there are many contester sign up, otherwise Grace have to participate under the newcomer division (open) with that music : Ana Yalli Bahebak (I’m sick of listen this music).
Grace had shown a keen interest in belly dance. Seeing the eagerness and the interest she was showing, I called Grace’s Mummy and I took the initiative and I encouraged her - certainly going to let her try. I decided to teach her a new choreography separately at private class (since she wanted the private class on the 1st lesson).
What is everyone's favorite part about competing? I use competitions to spur myself on to achieve my goals in dancing, choreographing and the goal for me is to measure my progress.
I appreciate Grace’s mummy hard work for sending her girl to participating in various dance competitions, getting ready, doing her hair and make up. Cheers for Grace Mummy!

Practice Sessions

Can everyone perfect their arms look EXACTLY the same in a group?

Last week we practiced a new choreography for the group dance competition. It has been a real struggle for me - first selected of music that is interesting to encourages students to have fun with their dancing!

Suddenly, I am concerned about more than their body movements and arms placement. It’s time to polish up themselves and show the world what they know and also take their dance skill to a new level.

When conducting the students practice, an even balance of technique training and practicing choreography is crucial. At first it was frustrating, but I’ve learned to deal with it. I don’t want them to be a dance robots because they are dancers. I hope to see more strong technique since they practiced the series of steps over and over for weeks.

For this, I require a commitment, a large commitment from my students, especially when they are in group competing. Furthermore, it is not just practice and a good dance that will get you to a competition it also costs some money of costume, travel & accommodation.

Some of them were disappointed when forgetting the step, some afraid of anything mistake, afraid anything different, afraid of what others will think…oh dear, but I don't think anyone needed to be sad. My words is – Be positive! you are here to learn and not to win, if you make mistakes, learn from them and move on. And remember, we didn’t learn to run overnight. We'll learn to crawl first, and then walk, before we run.

I hope all my students learn something positive from every situation, pay attention details to the lines, levels and formations and responsible to your spacing. Ham it up, act out a part, listen to the music and let it tell you what to do. MOST IMPORTANTLY, GIVE YORSELF PERMISSION TO DO WELL.

While I'm Dreamy of Me Become Belly Dance Superstar!

Last night I have extra hours class ended at 11pm. So I overnight in one of my student house and I shared the bed with her. Oh la la,.... can you see somebody by how she sleep? Someone took such incriminating pictures while I am dreamy of me become belly dance superstar!
Can you sleep in one position anyway? Doesn’t it boring? Some people move around all night long and never stay in the same place, it seems like it would be stiff an uncomfortable to just lay around in the same position all of the time….or maybe the person gets bitten by bed bugs.

This is just for sharing. Yeap…sharing is caring….=)

Belly Dance Rocks..

These were some photos we took on Belly Dance Jam at Shivz Restaurant in the past weekend.
Big THANKS to Emily who took the pictures which she shared with us. YAH!! We all had a great time with Nigma and realized that we must have Nigma back to teach us more!!

Good Feeling....

This trip was a bit more inspired i.e. spent some time and some $$$ in a different environment too. While waiting my friend to pick me up at KLCC, I managed to bought 2 new thongs and blouses at TopShop, again I pampered myself! When my friend arrived, we walked over to 7atenine a wonderful place to chill out. Then we headed Windmill Subang for oxtail stew, grilled salmon, sizzling lamp chops, yummies (Goes well with the wine!)
Right now I am struggling between my regular day time job, and my Belly Dance classes in a week. On each class I have a different choreography going on. And all will be performed in our 3rd halfa show soon, besides my own solos..... sometimes I think I go crazy with the amount of things I propose myself to do….. but everything will be fine.

My mind doesn’t work 100% at this hour because I ate too much and I drank too much during the weekend LOL! But I am sure that by the time I get to teach my classes this evening I will be feeling Good! That's the way it works - nothing like teaching a belly dance class or rehearsing to feel great again!

Filled with New Knowledge

Huh….finally can sit down to update this blog. I just came home from a workshop at the dance space with Paola Blanton. It was awesome!! She gave tips on how to "captivate" an audience! I loved every second of her teaching style. She is a very knowledgeable instructor and I never stop learning from her.

The workshop attendance was not big, I'm sure it's probably due to people being busy over the weekend. Our class was filled with women of all levels, and each one of us left happy, filled with new knowledge and the joy of dance. I would absolutely take more workshops with her.

After the workshop, we had a dinner with Paola since she is flying off to New York. She is constantly traveling the world and learning new things. Come back soon Paola, for another fun day of dancing!