CLASSES + WORKSHOPS

Soraya's School of Belly Dance & Bellydance Superstars PRESENT A Sonia Bellydance Workshop & Issam Rhythm Workshop for Dancers & Drummers

WORKSHOP DATE: Sunday, April 19, 2009
WORKSHOP LOCATION: Del Espadin Flamenco & Spanish Dance Academy 3939 Hillcroft, Suite 160 Houston, Texas 77057

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:
Sonia: "Latin Fusion" Sway your hips to this sultry and playful dance called the cha- cha. Sonia will cover the basics and incorporate these movements into a fun bellydance routine accompanied by the sounds of an arabic/cuban collaboration by Hanine y Son Cubano.
WORKSHOP TIME: 11am-2pm
WORKSHOP PRICE: $75.00

Issam: "Rhythm for Dancers & Drummers" This workshop teaches dancers and drummers the rhythms most often used in Middle Eastern performance and music. Issam will instruct on how to play and understand each rhythm.
WORKSHOP TIME: 3pm-5pm
WORKSHOP PRICE: $65.00

***BOTH WORKSHOPS DISCOUNT: Register for both workshops for $130.00***

ABOUT SONIA: Born and raised in Los Angeles of Mexican-American parents, Sonia began her training with classical ballet, jazz, and modern dance. At age 20, she started dancing professionally with various troupes and learned Mexican, Latin, Flamenco, and Polynesian dances. For three years Sonia performed with Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico under the direction of Adriana Astorga-Gainey and Jose Vences, both former dancers of the world-famous Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. She began dancing with Polynesian Paradise in 1994 with director Akemi Welsh. For the past ten years, Sonia's focus has been bellydancing. Her training and experience in the other dance styles inform her approach to bellydancing. She was the first dancer signed to the Bellydance Superstars and has performed in every show (over 350) in 16 countries with them. On tour breaks Sonia keeps an intense schedule of dance instruction for herself with top teachers in Egypt and the U.S. Now an instructor for three years, Sonia has taught regular classes at Equinox in Los Angeles and Thermos du Monte Carlo in Monaco.

She released her first instructional DVD in 2005 titled Art Of Drum Solo" with Issam Houshan. Her second instructional DVD, "Introduction To Bellydance", with sister Bellydance Superstars Bozenka, Saida, and Amar Gamal is scheduled for release in May 2006. Other DVD credits include star performances in "Bellydance Superstar Live In Paris", the Bellydance Superstars DVD series, and with the troupe in the film documentary "American Bellydancer".

ABOUT ISSAM: Issam Houshan is fast becoming a legend across the US and Western Europe as the powerhouse drummer, driving the Bellydance Superstars and Desert Roses to greater and greater glory. Already a highly accomplished percussionist on assorted Arab hand drums, and noted disciple of the famed teacher, Mahmood Salahadin, Issam is now unequaled in his field. Dubbed by fellow Syrian musicians as the Wassan Pharaoun (Pharaoh of Rhythm), his al assaben al Sahriha (magic fingers) are currently insured for 10 million dollars (1 million each).

His past credits include working with Sting at the Grammys (Desert Rose) and many visiting Arab stars to the US. His drum solos with the Bellydance Superstars are major features of each show, as captured in the films American Bellydancer and The Bellydance Superstars Live in Paris. His CD, Wassan Pharaoun, represents Issam at his best and will have huge appeal to the extensive bellydance community in the US who will find it an indispensable part of their collection.