What's Going On This Week

I got up and first thing this morning I had to drive about an hour away to a studio where we had our practice for the group dance that is going to finish by today. Most of my students are from different groups, to do something special in our hafla event opening, I created a choreography suitable for all level from different disciplines to shows "the team work” . All students need to learn a routine where all of us get there together. It was actually really funny having all of us train and practice together and the choreography was cracking me up. I was watching them do some of it and they were watching me and we were both laughing hard. Good thing is everyone's energy and enthusiasm kept us fully motivated!

Well, it is time to start to think about the opening. Here what I did before :
1st Annual Hafla 2006 – dancers line up at entrance and shimmy all the way to stage
2nd Annual Hafla 2007 - Live Drumming with Rosmadi & Wong Jui Siang (Drum Instructor/Percussionist)
3rd Annual Hafla 2009 – Candle Dance (make plan come and see it on 14 Nov)

I just wanted to remind everyone that the shows starts at 7.45pm. The show is going to be fun and yummy, featuring several performers who are coming to perform. I am looking forward to it!

Today is another day where I hope I get things done. A little anyway as I am already tired now. But I'm not letting my tiredness get me down. I got some good news, too! We have to perform on 12 Nov 2009 in one of Malaysian Chinese Singer’s wedding dinner. That is 2 days before our hafla event. Not bad! We will see many of Malaysians singers in the audience.

Get Stress In The Class??

Some of my students are eager for advice, always asks for help and likes me watching them and giving them feedback – these students get improve very fast! Some will ask for help occasionally when in real need and tend to not care if me comes around. Some are the type to really get nervous when me comes around, usually will not ask for help and prefers to ask her dance mate next to her or learn privately. And me, sometime I ignore when someone is teaching someone because, when ever I asked them, they replied " bo la... bo la" (nothing)

I always aware when I stress students out. I have to be careful about what I say in the class? What about being honest and saying what I see when a student stood in front of my eyes? So here I just want to send out a message to all my students to tell you not to worry when me come around to you. I am not judging you, I want to help you become the best dancer you can be. As much as it feels like you are on display it is always beneficial to get feedback. And Not because, you couldn't get the routine but I think most of you lacking practice. So even though I know I am stressing the nervous group, I will still approach you, watch and give you advice. Do not feel uncomfortable, as I said, I too struggled the same feeling when I was a beginner dancer. That is my job as a teacher, if I don’t tell you, I feel like I am not doing my job or giving you the best experience possible.

I know how you get busy, you make plans to do things and then you don't do them. It's ok, that's life!!! But remember, keep learning and practice. Take other dance classes and exercise classes to improve flexibility, agility, strength, choreography and more - hip hop, jazz, ballet, yoga - everything helps!!

Rehearsal + My New Choreography

More practicing with my students this week, which is a good opportunity to learn & polish their dancing skill! Last week, we did our 3 hours of rehearsal. It's just that we only manage to spend about two hours on actual dancing most times because there is always ‘SEMBANG KUAT’ (so much talking)!! No idea why so much talking when girls meet up… I want them really dance most of it, and I never stop the music. It was awesome! They worked really hard. Then we will start video recording next week.
And tonight we have another session for All students practice. I am not sure how long we can do it, some of students make noise because wanted to leave early and I do have to leave at 9.30pm to travel to K/L. Again, my fault for not communicating as well as I maybe could be, but we have all been busy at work, so tonight, be PATIENCE to wait for your turn to dance.
My new Choreography! My 4 minutes new piece! It's a great challenge to dance it with the energy. I don't think I've ever driven myself so hard this time, especially in time to music, I dance – Relax! One of student used to worry a lot more about how her danced compared to other people. I mean she bothered and worried about what people say and think about her… Makes me shiver when I think about someone bitching with someone else about me being ugly stupid or whatever… It’s kind of like, well you are surrounded by their big rolling EYES!!! Ah, here’s where I share my epiphany with her. I told her just be yourself lah… No matter how hard you decided to try, you'd never be somebody else, better or worse. And she replied this : "Yes, I'm ME now, As of right now, be myself, act as myself!! So much so that I always see myself from the mirror..."
Well, don’t want this turns out to be so ‘Cheong Hei…(long winded)’ I had so many dance-related thoughts that I've been having a hard time concentrating on just one of them long enough to write a whole blog about it. There's also so much crazy things have been happening in my life. That's what this entry is dedicated to!!

Before Show Pep Talk

Just a quick update for here...as it's been an eventful week....too busy to blog! what a busy and tiring week so far, but it's also meaningful that I am doing the never-ending task of organizing my belly dance stuff !!!
I am preparing the ‘candle’ for our opening dance. The dancers will hold a ‘candle’ in a cup in each hand. The group choreography is really nice and simple for all level, the song is upbeat famous superstar song. My student is worrying the ‘candle’ will drop and their hair are going to set on fire! Haha... I promise, we don’t need fire brigade or a fire hose on the night. We will dancing in safe! Of course I try to keep it a surprise to them until I show them the ‘candle’! I just got the cup today but the shape, size and color of glass is very simple design. Be patience, give me sometime to decorate the candle and the cup!
I am racking my brains on this one - hafla program. This is our 3^rd year of the hafla celebration belly dance, so I already know pretty much what to expect. This year, Beside my troupe dance and 5 of my students are doing their solo dance, we have hip hop team from Penang to perform. Woohoo! The program timing is very tight! One of my student brought up our program matter, and I agreed on her point of view! We need impact, we want more and more people to understand and appreciate belly dance as an art form and as a profession, no dance competition whereby we are all in learning stage.
One of my class have currently been suspended as a lot of time is being put into rehearsal class. I can see my students are so excited. They arrived early in studio get the before-show peptalk and have a short session for the dress rehearsal. Our costumes are all different, we have red, blue and white for opening dance colors. One has an all out cabaret costume, another a colorful gypsy skirt, yet another a fancy custom-made costume... It was fantastic!
My student are ready to go on stage. I have no new dances ready, so should I dance? Again racking my brains on this ....

Hafla Tickets Sold Out!!!!

What a busy few days... ! I made the decision last minute to go Hat Yai for 2 days while my students are so excited for the dance rehearsal. I go CRAZY buying materials there! Wooo hooo....of course spent more money shopping than I did!

Yee hah, My Hafla ticket reached out 31 tables out of 33 already!! In fact, the interest has been so great that we are now SOLD OUT!!! In my early plan, I limits my tickets for 28 tables, and now I printed another 5 tables. My students will get free ticket if they perform on Hafla (which is 2 tables without Numbering standby for students). My intention is to encourage my students to freely express themselves and build their own personal style and artistry from these endlessly of this traditional art form.

Each year, the Hafla has grown so much and we are so excited as this promises to be the best event yet! Thank you all very, very much for your support. Now it’s a matter of getting better and getting ready to dance. We are going to dance for the crowd! SO excited about it! Again, listen to the music, dance from heart, take it within and allow Spirit to dance the dance….

My Baledi Drills

I recently started teaching a drum solo class. The music brings together rhythms, which incorporate short sections of DD S T D TT, D T DD T, D T S T D T, D T T D T! It varies from traditional 'heavy' baledi to modern Egyptian pop. Haha..my students got torture by the oriental rhythm and my voice singing the DD S T D TT.....
Baledi or Balady means “ My lovely Country’ and also refers to the village or region of origin. Baladi is a Style of dance in Egypt. It is the dance of the people. You will find the Baledi in village and urban weddings and parties. It is also classically part of the Raks Sharki show.
This song was my favorite pieces and not too difficult – it comprised of three basic. Taxim/Baledi/Drum Solo. It starts out slow and gooey then gradually speed up, but never too crazy fast for the shimmies. I love baledi progressions, when I watch a professional belly dancer dances the baledi progression, especially improvisation with a live band, to me that is the "essence" of belly dancing, No matter what I see a dancer do. I love they way she convey the essence of femininity, her magnetic smile, feeling the music, and shimmying like it's going out of style! Oh her baledi will make me move
Baledi, belady, balady...so many different spelling? Doesn't matter, It just a spelling. The important things is I know how to play the rhythm on my laps and stomach for the "dom" and "tek", haha... Thank you to Hadia's Teacher Training! Egyptian way in this dance making it believable. I simply love it!

Big Mistake on Performance CDs

Kher Ting, Titi, Grace & Joey

I took up the offer when Arabesque kids are invited to perform at Star Parade Shopping Complex in conjunction with the properties fair event last night. I went together with my 4 kids and their parents. The kids get to dress up and dance for 20 minutes show – 1 group dance and 3 solo dances. When Kher Ting did her last solo dance, Sigh…. The CD starts skipping in the middle. Everyone turns toward the DJ and wonder why her music CD sucks. I saw Kher Ting was so disappointed on the stage. So I leaded her off the stage! I must admit that was my big mistake! The only time I played this CD in my car while driving. First - I didn’t listen through from start to finish. 2) I used the ‘cap ayam’ (cheap) brand compact disc! 3) it may be an issue with any CD or DVD burning software.

See, I always take great care in preparing the music that when I wish to belly dance to, but this time I did not present my belly dance in a professional manner!

It's a lesson for me, never never use the CDs that have never been tested. I must treat my CDs very carefully in our next performance.

The China Press Interview

Well, woke up by a phone called from The China Press advertising agent. I was told that my free newspaper interview ads published today. This interview was conducted and arranged with the help of friends in China Press, a leading Mandarin language daily newspaper based in Alor Setar. To help win friends and garner support in the advertising industry, I signed up the - The Smart Zone Advertising magazine and I get free of half page ‘about me’ in today Newspaper local news and information. Of course I have to pay the full page amount of advertising fee at Smart Zone!!

The half page was a good looking marketing mix. Woohoo… I am moving into brand marketing. When I read the whole scripts, I felt I am a super hero right now!! Yes, I agreed that newspapers have a unique talent for aggregating both the content and the sources for that content in ways that best meet consumers needs.

Anyway, the bottom line is that I am in the business of selling good feelings through dance. Beside observing my student’s progress in class, I am happy with my current level of business engagements and feel no need for additional advertising. I have met many dance teachers who are nice, competent dancers, with good technique and a business attitude. Some of dance teacher I communicated through email (3A Gurl Singapore), These people are willing to share information freely, they are friendly and pleasant. These people are successful. This is reminder that it’s easier to get a customer than it is to solicit new business.

Pesta Tanlung - Kids Show Talent

The Pesta Tanglung is organised by the Young Malaysians Movement (YMM) Jalan Putra in Alor Setar Mall last night. Kids love to show off, another chance for their talent show!! The show began at 6.30pm. Six of my belly kids joined the talent show. Wow…when I arrived, I saw many little belly dancers lineup in this event. Yea,,, a kiss for belly dancers!
Tonight, Kher Ting did the cane dance! It was her first solo cane dance. Thanks God her cane didn't fall on the floor when she danced. Haha… she worried too much and keep falling when practice in studio. She was much less nervous when she moves with the belly dance cane. Again Grace dance to Ana Yalli Bahebak. And she does a good job!
4 of my little girls were dancing to the same dance to show off their talents. The audience seems to sense that – BORING!! Boring to the same steps and same track!. As a teacher, how can I stop the student if they want to dance? This time, I would say they were just being brave to go on stage, and I felt they really dancing and looking good. I posted some pictures here. Be sure to take a look!

Busy with Computer

Writing Blogs - I am not a real blogger but it might be my favorite thing to blog about belly dance.

I’ve realized that way back when I started this blog the intent was for it to be mostly about writing my belly dance story, my experiences and my thoughts on dance, travel, story, costume, characters and etc. And now it’s become mostly about everything, including editing video, music, convert video/music to different format. Not only I expected to post my profile and work schedules, I realized that I need to be more tech-savvy because there are now technological expectations. Example : When I have to edit the music, or upload videos to appear on youtube. I want to update or change my website. Even more, I want to pick from around the web or even a creative work of my own. oh...oh.... I have so much things I didn’t expect to learn as a dancer. Just today I spent few hours trying out different programs to get our performance dance photos/videos convert different format and get it organize… Oh my goodness, that was the longest hours I've ever spent, so many hours have been wasted!! To bad I am non-technical background!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

I announced in the class that the studio is closing on 20th till 24th. (Sun - Thur) . Means that 1 whole week no dancing class. Wishing all my muslim students “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri”. Those of you already stopped dancing for a month, remember to come back to practice and get ready to go on the stage.
Yea...Yea... I actually take this apportunity to do my own things – solo choreography, otherwise my student will complain if I don't dance on that night. I prefer to improvise.
My opening dance for 3rd anniversary is Candle Dance. The candle dance I wanted to do long time ago. This time I must create a fun movement on different levels, so every one can learn and challenging each other with our new dance moves and gestures.
One of my friend in K/L called me about the performance & the hafla event. Her new student never attend hafla before, she would like to join. I welcome her to join and dance together with us. She asked me what candle I use for the candle dance. Oh… this will surprise you on that hafla night. Counting down A very enjoying enening start now.

China Press - My Very 1st Advertiser!.

Ms Teh, my aerobics dance teacher recommended to share the advertisement. We discussed and finally signed up for 2 full pages. Yesterday the advertisement magazine published. I don’t have chance to read the magazine because I am in Ipoh now. Here is the advertisement softcopy I received from the China Press when I called them up.

Belly dancing is considered part of my work. So even though I feel like I ‘work’ about 18-20 hours a day now, much of the work is fuelled by passion, fun and creativity. The fantastic thing about being a Belly Dancer is that a lot of the work is creative, energizing and great exercise for my body and mind. It came to a point where I had to make some big choices about how to balance my life. The crazy number of hours spent in front of my computer formulating class plans, event ideas, creating new opportunities, organizing schedule, confirming reservations, doing paperwork, promoting belly dance, updating website, replying emails, blogging… …etc & etc (haha.. really a joke! Everyone is doing such a thing)

Another Jam-packed Weekend..

This week I was packed with work and am bracing myself for another jam-packed weekend...private class & rehearsal... rehearsal... And working for 8 hours straight on a rushing for hari raya festival shut down, I didn't even have the time to drink water... my lips were as dry as the Sahara desert by the time I was done!
Competition... Competition...My kids are going to the talent show competition! Mummies also busy let her daughters a slot in. In fact, the kids put themselves through so much stress to beat other dancers for a trophy? Pity them, I saw them already full of sweat. Why are dances going this far?
I found it delightful to watch a little girl get up and dance. In family parties, wedding dinner, there is always a ‘little bright star’ that just loves to dance. The adults encourage her and everyone becomes totally inspired, whatever their style!
I would rather go to the dancers’ showcases or concerts that highlight excellent dancing, too, to have the influence of the great choreographers. Also, I can't stand to watch trick after trick.. Argh! I want to see real creativity! I want to see artistic choreography! Dance is not all about the tricks...just because someone has mastered the tricks, doesn’t mean they can DANCE!

Tribal Belly Dance Workshop

Nanci Traynor is offering Tribal Belly Dance workshops. These workshops are teach in a series in Alor Star town, start from November 22, 2009 to March 28, 2010. The workshop will be taught in 30 hours. Wow, you are really getting a deal! This is a great opportunity for tribal lover. And just to remind you that there is Tribal belly dance competition coming on the way soon.

Tribal Style Belly Dance originated in San Francisco in the 1960’s. The movements of this style are based on traditional dance from North Africa, India and Eastern Europe.

Extra words in class:

Foundation movements of American Tribal Style Belly Dance and Tribal Folk Dance are taught in class. The student has to rebuild the muscle memory the correct way by drilling the 8 basic movements. The body remembers the right or wrong way to do things, so the student must correct the body. Nanci wishes to inspire the student to dance for the rest of their life. Movements that are executed incorrectly will eventually lead to long-term injury.

Extra words About Nanci:

Nanci’s personal study of Primitive Mythology and how it relates to Belly Dance has opened a lot of understanding of community, feminine power and self-improvement. Belly Dance is the foundation of all creation Myths.

You have seen her smile, move and close her eyes, but you don’t know the story behind the ‘Nan-i-mal’. Guaranteed, this story is best told sitting outside, enjoying the breeze over a cup of tea. Written words will not give justice to the experience of leaving everything to go to the home ground (India), with no way back and $100 in Nanci’s pocket.

Hurry! Plan ahead for the workshop coming soon! Read above for more details or just call me to sign up.

3rd Annual Hafla - Moon Goddess

Hi all, our 3^rd Annual Hafla of 2009 is on 14^th November 2009. Come to join our Belly Dance Hafla and Showcase to support and enjoy our local Belly Dance community! Show will include Tribal Belly Dance performance by Nanci Traynor & others dance troupes.

Goddesses come in all shapes & styles! We have Cabaret, Saidi, Classic, American Tribal, Fusion, Solos, Troupes & etc. Invite your friends and families join us for a wonderful evening. All welcome! Call me to book your ticket now!

Music Count & Steps

When it come to dancing, we all learn in different ways. Some of us are fast learner, visual learner, some of learn by just doing...etc. Seems like common sense doesn't it?
DRUMBEATS are the HEARTBEATS of belly dance music. A dancer must understand the rhythm to dance well. When I started belly dance, I had no idea learning about belly dance rhythm. I remember I had the experience in my 1st class of thinking “Oh, this looked easy, but it is really HARD”. I still remember the feelings of being lost as a beginner, standing motionless on the floor like a statue.
I remember the very first time I ever heard the structure of music counted with the help of my dance teacher. I found it extremely hard to count steps while dancing. She told me we need to connect to the music through the count. She then demonstrated the sets of 8 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8....
So I COUNTED the beats in the class. If I don’t count out loud, my student cant really find the beat on their own. I always start a count of 1 or a “five, six, seven, eight” in my beginner class. I emphasized each count of the music. I found it interesting that when I start the count, I could confirm that I was on the beat and so do my student.
Not long ago I took the oriental dance teacher training, I was told “DON’T COUNT, JUST LISTEN TO THE MUSIC, FEEL TO THE MUSIC, DANCE TO THE MUSIC, NO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...Without feeling you cant dance!” I know she was trying to make everyone understand that the music needs to be felt.
That being said, most good dancers probably don't "Count" while dancing? But counting can be a useful tool while learning, and I'm sure. Long ago, I spent at least some time counting beats and counting steps LOL!.
I try not to be a fan of counting and dancing as much nowadays, I want to dance "only" by feeling" the music...I don't like counting beat because it pulls my emotions from the song. And YES! My music is heard and felt as much by my heart and soul as by my ears.
Belly dance requires musicality, coordination, grace and presentation. Till today, I will say the same thing, it is really HARD, it's take time to learn! How about you? Count or not count?

Nath Keo Rocks!!!

I went to a .famous male belly dancer workshop hosted by Conny Lim yesterday. I took an afternoon Oriental Bliss workshop. It was a classic songs ‘Zeina’ which I taught to my student in May. Wow...I had so much fun to this great pieces of oriental dance, and felt really creatively inspired.
Nath Keo - Originally from Cambodia. He is an AMAZING and fantastic teacher. The choreograph combinations suitable for intermediate dancers and Nath Keo repeated them often enough for everyone to learn them. The great thing was he allowed workshop participants to take video when he dance.
I really am glad I went. I wish I could have attended all his workshop. A great experience!
My camera suck! Photo with Nath Keo come later.

Saidi Rhythm - Dum Tek Dum Dum Tek

I remember when I did the cane dance choreograph for my student in recent competition, she refused to use the cane because trawling the cane caused pain in her wrist. She told me she don’t like the cane dance since she learned once in my previous lesson - that was Yaho by Hakim.

She want to dance Saidi without cane. I understand that a cane is an optional prop for Saidi-style. But that is nothing wrong dancing saidi without cane because the organiser don’t bother what we are gonna to dance. As a teacher, I insisted include cane in my Saidi because of the Step-hops to this music. I explained cane are fun to dance with, end up she practiced a lot! Haha…she is always lovely.

If the competition is Rakset Assaya or Raks Al Assaya, then you must dance with cane/stick because Rakset Assaya is actually means "stick dance" which I learned from workshop. You can dance Saidi without cane as long as there is a saidi rhythm. Maybe I am wrong, hopefully one day I can ask more when I go to the cane workshop.

I love saidi rhythm ' Dum Tek Dum Dum Tek….' I just Love it Love it lo….And I love cane dance. The 1^st workshop I hosted was Saidi cane dance in 2006 and I have only 5-6 participants (too bad no supporter want to come). I love most of MED songs and rhythm. To me, MED rhythms are so great, either 'Dum Tek Dum Dum Tek' or 'Dum Tek Tek Dum Tek... ' Well, .enough with my 'thoughts out loud' here.