**LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS**

For the first time ever in Canada, Ranya Renee presents her Teacher Training Certification Course. In this 13-hr intensive, you will learn a variety of skills and concepts for your own personal practice as well as techniques and exercises for use in class. Topics include Arabic Music, Dancing Musicality, Dance Creation, Performance Skills, the Art of Giving Feedback and more. For a complete breakdown and description of the teacher training components, please click here. 

Included in this course is a performance spot in the Saturday Night Gala Show and personal feedback on your performance from Ranya. All participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Payment plans are available, please email info@ammara.ca to make arrangements.

Fri., March 9, 10am - 10pm (lunch provided; 2hr break for dinner, not included)

Sun., March 11, 11am - 4pm (lunch provided)

Cost: $289 ($367 after Feb. 10)

(NOTE: This class is part of the Teacher Training, but is open to all dancers of all styles. Priority spots for registered Teacher Training participants so space may be limited.)

Learn how to cover for errors with confidence and transform your onstage mistakes into positive opportunities! Using Ranya's signature Breathwork for Performance method, you'll learn powerful techniques to relax yourself in the dance and let our natural charisma and personality sine through in your dancing and connect fearlessly with your audience. We'll observe the natural "closing down" reaction we have in moments of low confidence and learn how to stay "in the zone" using breathwork and pelvic floor work. The result in that an audience (or even competition judge!) might not be aware of your mistakes and you finish your show seeming as confident as ever. We'll apply the particular challenge of keeping the breathwork going even through difficult situations, like losing grip on your veil or forgetting your choreography in a group number. You'll gain tools to develop your sense of personal strength when you are doing you thing out there, even through tough times.

"The Beats of Egypt" and "Developing Your Own Style" - two fabulous topics of study for ALL levels of dancer!

10am - 12:30pm: "The Beats of Egypt: Technique and Improv Skills"

An Egyptian technique dictionary of steps to suit common dance rhythms!
We'll drill different movements and traveling combinations using the
principle of separating 2-count and 4-count step combinations to find
the best fit for the music according to traditional Egyptian dance
aesthetics. You'll learn how to identify common rhythm pairings and
recognize rhythmic shifts in the music, apply movement choices to
creating combinations, and respond in improvisational situations
including covering for mistakes if you miscalculate the timing of a
rhythm change. Modifications for different levels - with easier and
harder variations - will be provided. Ranya will also address
differences in movement choice between Egyptian style and American
Cabaret style as applied to different rhythms.

1:30pm - 4pm: "Developing Your Own Style (....and avoiding the cliches of others): Creative and Performance Skills" 

Using musical interpretations, story, imagery, gesture and
character work, we'll work with creative techniques for keeping your
dance fresh, interesting and uniquely YOU. Ranya will guide participants
in exercises using her Breathwork for Performance method to keep energy
flowing in your dance and to open the communication lines with the
audience and the space itself. Practice with every-day gestures, framing
and energy-shaping with arms and hands, and different kinds of eye
focus will provide inspiration for stylistic nuance. Experiment with
creating a signature style for a particular piece using gestural motifs.
We'll also work with applying temporary character personas to elicit
different sides of our personalities, for building greater presence and
confidence, while getting out of your head and into the performance
space.

Saturday, March 10, 10am - 4pm

Cost: $95 ($125 after Feb. 10)

"Cabaret Orientale" starring Ranya Renee and featuring Special Guest performers from across North America as well as many of your local favorites.

Join us at the newly renovated Columbia Theater for a REAL Cabaret-style event! Restored to its historical splendor, this theater is the perfect venue for a glamorous night of Egyptian dance. You will experience a wide variety of professional performances in an environment reminiscent of the days of the Casino Opera. For more info on the venue, click here. Full roster of performers coming soon!

Saturday, March 10
The Columbia Theater, 530 Columbia St., New Westminster
Doors: 7:15pm, Show: 7:30pm
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Groups of 5, $90
Open seating. There is a bar, so sorry, no minors.