Academy

Intensive Professional Middle Eastern Dance Course

Professional Course Summary

Arabesque Professional Course creates fully rounded professional dance artists and teachers who learn and experience the art form as a whole. While working with live Arab musicians both in class and performance, students gain a deep undertanding of why and where the movements come from. During this intensive couse, students also benefit from the expertise of a number instructors in different fields including Yasmina Ramzy, Dr.George Sawa, Bassam Bishara, Suleiman Warwar, Wagdi Bechara, Walter Alza, Jennifer watkins, Robert Desrosiers, Kathleen Fraser, Arun Srinivasan and Sashar Zarif.

Course Elements

Technique Refinement
Improvisation
Musicality
Creating Choreography
Character Portrayal
Personal Feedback
Showmanship
Costuming
History
Marketing
Stage Presence
Personal Coaching

Pro Course

By audition only
Limit of 10 students per year

Professional Course is offered several times a year as an intensive 2-week course covering over 60 hours of class and performance.

Note: Although this course is required in order to become a member of Arabesque Dance Company, completion of the course does not guarantee placement in the company or as a soloist with Arabesque Agency.

Upcoming Pro Course dates:
March 23-April 3, 2009
July 13-24, 2009
October 19-30, 2009

Monday-Friday: 11:00am-4:30pm
Plus 12 Evening & Weekend Classes
Price: $849

Pro Course Plus

There is no audition necessary for Pro Course Plus. The only prerequisite is that you have completed Pro Course 1. Limited space for 10 students every other year on a first come, first serve basis.
Weekend intensive for past pro course graduates includes improvisation and choreography feedback, workshopping and performing with live musicians in the Al Haima tent, attending Arabesque Dance Company rehearsal, and private reserved table at Layali Arabesque

Professional Course Plus
Date: T.B.A.
Price: $295

Payment Deadline
Half of the course fee is payable in order to reserve a spot and the balance is payable before the course begins. Refunds are not available.

Acccomodations

When studying at Arabesque Academy in Toronto, stay next door at the Days Inn (30 Carlton St.) at reduced rates. Contact the Days Inn at 416-977-6655 or www.dayshoteltoronto.ca to confirm rates. Arabesque Rates: Single/Double - $79 to $95, Triple $94 to $110, Quad-$109 to $125.

Billeting can be arranged but not guarranteed.

Auditions

- Submit a 5-minute video or DVD of yourself dancing, in any kind of venue (including a studio, no costume necessary)
- A dance CV
- A short biography
- Brief explanation as to why the you are considering the Professional Course at this time

Audition deadlines: Audition materials due anytime up to 4 weeks before Pro Course dates.
Results within 2 weeks.

Audition considerations:

Technique and technical potential
Creativity and musical understanding
Stage presence and personality
Any experience as a professional performer or teacher
Age, ethnicity, body shape and size are NOT factors for qualification

Professional Course Feedback

"Arabesque Pro Course is unrivalled! Yasmina and her staff of instructors are a wealth of knowledge... the most supportive, giving and open learning environment I have experienced. I highly recommend this course for the serious advanced dancer…"
- Chellcy Reitsma, Chicago, U.S.A.

"I couldn't find a course such as this anywhere in Europe. Arabesque Pro was much more than I expected. The quality of information, the precision of what "professional" means and the authenticity of Yasmina's style made me feel and think in a completely different way about Bellydancing. I am very proud of having the opportunity to study with Yasmina and all of the Pro Course Team."
- Ana Chora, Portugal

"The Pro Course gave me a wealth of information that will last a lifetime. Yasmina has such an impressive knowledge of this art form and was so open in sharing with us. She provided us with a memorable, challenging yet positive working environment. Personally, I feel I have evolved from taking this course and have been left with a more refined sense of direction when it comes to maximizing my potential as a Middle Eastern dancer."
- Serena Kerbes, Alberta, Canada

"The Pro Course has really created something wonderful in Toronto!!! At one point I really thought about moving to Toronto... the Pro course was very intense, challenging and fun! I think Yasmina has a very special talent; being a wonderful dancer, gathering the most talented dancers and teachers, the best musicians. Yasmina is one of the best teachers I've ever had because she analyses so well and because she is so open hearted and willing to give everything in dance and not holding anything back. I think what is done here to take oriental music, arts and dance to a higher level should be happening everywhere around the world- THANK YOU SO MUCH!"
-Dina, Austria

Arabesque Professional Course Graduates:

2008
Shema (England)
Nikki Gentles(Canada)
Leigh Clarke (Canada)
Ingrid Schossler (Brazil)
Kiran Sohal (Canada)
Khalida (Canada)
Ameera (Canada)
Haley Freeman (Canada)

2007
Sarah Brawley (Canada)
Ivanka Espinoza (Panama)
Marilou Calce (Canada)
Maryfer Cardenas (Mexico)
Valizan (Canada)
Tamami Shirai (Japan)
Eva Hu (Canada)
Nita Collins (Canada)
Annie Godbout (Canada)
Charlene Bosiak (Canada)

2006
Lisa Genzer (Canada)
Ana Chora (Portugal)
Dr. Dina Ghanim (Austria)
Chellcy Reitsma (USA)
Serena Kerbes (Canada)
Elizabeth Ann Moss (USA)
Diane Terrana (Canada)
Judith Nursalim (Canada)
Irina Petrenciuk (Canada)

2005
Linda Reed (USA)
Melissa Reber (Canada)
Aniko ( Hungary)
Aurora Ongaro (Canada)
Nada Reda Krysko(Canada)
Viraj Wanigasekara (Canada)
Hally (China)
Laura Selenzi (Canada)
Nisreen Harb ( Canada)
Trina DeSouza (Canada)

2004
Eiko Kocher (USA)
Denise Mireau (Canada)
Voula Zisis (Canada)
Laleh Al Zahrah (USA)
Jeniffer Perez (USA)
Natalie Riviera (USA)
Maliery Garcia (USA(
Elena Mendez (USA)

2003
Sophia Nur (USA)
Saba Alemayehu Asfaw (Canada)
Jeana Deletra (USA)
Joanie Crandall (Canada)
Dawna Robertson (Canada)
Nita Collins (Canada)
Rachel Kay Brookmire (USA)
Samantha Rajak (Canada)

2002 Summer
Dahrlene Valeda (Canada)
Beve Gardener (Canada)
Patricia Savage (Canada)
Roula Said (Canada)
Eeva Koski (Canada)
Ioanna Timaru (Canada)
Mel Duhamel (Canada)
Kimberley Johnson (Canada)

2002 Winter
Ingrid Schmelter (Canada)
Mary Petsoulas (Canada)
Victoria Kapos (Canada)
Judy Reynolds (Canada)
Rhodora Yurick (Canada)
Sal Williams (Canada)
Emese Dosa (Canada)
Vickie Kramkowski (Canada)
Robin Stavnitzky (Canada)
Karen Foster (Canada)

2001 Summer
Claudia Ramirez (Canada)
Corinne Carone (Canada)
Gail Bruckner (Canada)
Joanne Camillieri (Canada)
Khrista Boon (Canada)
Marilee Nugent - Venus (Canada)
Marianne Aznar (Canada)
Nada Lanteigne (Canada)
Oxana Podkorova (Canada)

2001 Winter
Audra Simmons (Canada)
Anne Boudreau (Canada)
Allison Schiffman (Canada)
Anne-Marie Hood (Canada)
Amara (Canada)
Chemagne Martin (Canada)
Danisa Misaljevic (Canada)
Dionne Hemsley (Canada)
Emily Ampofo (Canada)
Emma Lensen (Canada)
Julie Peters (Canada)
Lisanne Skeoch (Canada)
Sophie Luxton (Canada)