Hala Dance Company is very proud to present two spectacular native Arabic artists teaching and performing in San Jose, CA on Saturday February 20th & Sunday February 21st, 2010:

Grammy-nominated master percussionist, Souhail Kaspar teaches workshops for drummers, dancers then both together!
Co-teaching with Souhail in his "Rhythm for dancers" workshop will be Ziva of California.

In addition, for the very first time in Northern California, Khadijah, of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, teaches her native art, Khaliji dance!

Don't miss this great opportunity to study with the masters of Middle Eastern music and dance, bringing their authentic native arts to your own backyard!

** Volunteers are needed to produce the event and will be rewarded by free passes, if interested, please contact Hala Dance

For private classes with Souhail Kaspar or Khadijah, please contact Hala Dance

Over the course of 2 days, Souhail and Khadijah will teach several workshops. Some for drummers only, some for dancers only and some for both together. You may register for individual workshops separetely. Discounts for multiple workshops. Details below.

Desciption for Souhail Kaspar's workshops

Dance workshops are open to all levels of dancers.

The Historic Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126

Halanda Studio, 1062 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125

Grammy-nominated Souhail Kaspar, Master Percussionist, is known worldwide for his brilliant technique, exciting performances and teaching skills. A true virtuoso, his ability to improvise and embellish the rhythmic patterns of Arabic music, as well as his knowledge of ethnic musical history make him one of the most highly acclaimed performers and instructors of our day.

Born in Lebanon and trained at Nadi al-Fonun al-Arabia (Conservatory of Traditional Arabic Music) in Aleppo, Syria, he excelled in both classical and ethnic rhythmic patterns and techniques; there he received his Degree in Classical Arabic Performance.
Mr. Kaspar has worked with legendary Egyptian composers Farid al-Atrash, Sayyad Makowi and Hanni Mehanna. He has traveled extensively during his career and has performed with artists John Bilezikjian, Kenny Burrell, Omar Faruk, Shujaat Khan, Kronos Quartet, Cheb Mami, Dr. Scott Marcus, Roberto Miranda, Tito Puente, The Sacramento Symphony Orchestra, Kathem al-Saher, Simon Shaheen, Sting, Strunz & Farah, Wadi al-Safi and many others. He has also performed for dignitaries such as Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and the Dalai Lama.

Souhail, recipient of the Durfee Music Fellowship given to master musicians and teachers, has worked with Dr. Ali Jihad Racy (renowned UCLA Ethnomusicologist) at a wide variety of cultural events. Together they have performed in major concert halls and taught master classes and workshops throughout the United States.

His impressive body of recorded work includes soundtrack credits for the movies The Prince of Egypt, Sinbad and Scooby Doo in Egypt and for the documentaries The Region of the Nile, Darfur Now and The Great Bazaars. He has been featured on many CDs including: guest percussionist on Caravan with the cutting edge Kronos Quartet; When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq for the Smithsonian Institute (nominated for the 2008 Grammy Traditional World Music Category); The Congo Square Project to provide relief funds for New Orleans musicians; Khaliji, and Magic.
Recordings for educational purposes include his CD Awzan: Arabic Rhythmic Modes and his DVD Foundations of Arabic Rhythm with Souhail Kaspar, Master Class at Home for Egyptian Tablah & Riqq. He has recently completed filming two new instructional DVD's: Intermediate & Advanced Techniques & Rhythms with Souhail Kaspar, Master Class at Home for Egyptian Tablah and Egyptian Rhythm & Movement for Raqs al-Sharqi with Souhail Kaspar: Master Class at Home for Dancers & Drummers.

Souhail's signature Egyptian drum line was released in 2007. He performs/records internationally, teaches percussion and dance theory as well as coaches professional musicians and dancers in the traditions of Arabic performance. In addition, he is the leader and director of the SK Near East Music Ensemble, which he founded in 2006.
Currently, Souhail Kaspar lives in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Khadijah is a diverse world class performer/instructor, who has set the stage for herself as an upcoming star of Middle-Eastern dance and beyond. She has become a highly sought
after performer, instructor and choreographer due to her unique energetic style. Khadijah performs and holds workshops all over the USA. She currently resides in Denver, CO.

Khadijah grew up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the Arabic Gulf culture. She is very musically inclined and has studied many forms of dance at a young age. Her studies of Middle Eastern Dance span several years and to this day she continues to travel and educate herself through some of the world's most renowned dancers and musicians.
Khadijah has had the grand opportunity to perform for superstars like Gwen Stefani , Saad el Soghayer, Cirque du Soleil, Rachid Halihal, Souhail Kaspar, Alex Grey, Omar Sherif , The Denver Broncos and more.

Coming from a strong background in gymnastics and other forms of dance, her love for movement, music and history has prompted her to explore other dance forms such as hip-
hop, African, Persian, Classical Indian, Brazilian Samba, Salsa, merengue,Khaleeji, Tahitian and Flamenco to combine an amazing dance style of world fusion in addition to
Middle-Eastern Dance. Khadijah's ability to combine unbelievable strength, flexibility, isolation and control with fluidity continues to amaze fans and audiences.

Khadijah started her extensive training in Middle-Eastern dance many years ago around the world and in various places. Khadijah has been seeking knowledge from many different instructors from many different backgrounds in the Middle-Eastern dance world. Some of those many instructors include: Raqia Hassan of Egypt, Randa Kamel of Egypt, Ansuya of Miami, Morocco of New York, Eva Cernik of Denver, Colorado, Suhailia Salimpour of California, Sadie and Kaya of Denver, Colorado, Siovanna El-Nashir of Denver, Colorado, Sonia of Belly Dance Superstars (California) and Diana of Egypt , Tasha Banat of Lebanon, Momo Koudous of Egypt and the list goes on and on!
Khadijah is continuously studying and seeking knowledge on a regular basis with the worlds most renowned dancers and musicians of Middle-Eastern Dance and Music!

Ziva is an Egyptian cabaret belly dancer based on the Northern Coast of California. Her bright and radiant performance style has enticed audiences throughout the United States and captured the hearts of many. As a Middle Eastern dance artist, instructor, and performer, Ziva has been able to share her passion for the art form with dancers and musicians alike.

Ziva discovered her love for belly dance studying with Middle Eastern dance artist Shoshanna, and continued seeking instruction from several other valued performers and choreographers. Yousry Sharif, Marta Shill, Souhaila Salimpour, Aisha Ali, Dahlena, Dalia Carella, Amina Goodyear, Katarina, Jill Parker, and Leyla Zahar are just a few of the influences that have shaped Ziva's dance technique.

In addition to seizing a strong foundation in Raqs al Sharqi bellydance, Ziva has captured the art of expressing the dynamic qualities of Middle Eastern music. With training from master percussionist and 2008 grammy nominee Souhail Kaspar, Ziva blossomed into an exciting and interpretive performer. Ziva enjoys accompanying Kaspar throughout the United States to help coach dancers in his extremely popular Rhythm and Movement workshop. The success of the Rhythm and Movement workshop has brought Ziva to California, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Kansas, and as far as Turkey! Last August Ziva returned to Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp to teach the R&M workshop for the second year in a row alongside Souhail Kaspar. She was featured in the recently released instructional DVD: Rhythm and Movement for Egyptian Raqs Al-Sharqi Vol. III.

Ziva enjoyed dancing two years for the award winning Ya Habibi Dance Company. She has performed at events including Raqs L.A., Deeta's Bellydance Extravaganza, the Desert Rose competition, North Country and Del Norte fairs, and Raks Rosa. She loves entertaining audiences at private parties, art galleries, and restaurants such as Peña Pachamama in San Francisco. She currently teaches belly dance fitness four times a week at Hipline studio in Berkeley, California.

All in all, Ziva is an intriguing performer whose dance style lies in the heart of the music. Her show is purely enjoyable, absolutely unforgettable, and can't be missed!