Teacher Feature: Nawal Doucette

Waking Persephone is pleased to welcome back Nawal as a guest instructor. She will be teaching the following workshop:

Rock N Roll Finger Symbols

Sunday, October 16th 9:00-10:30PM

To register: http://www.wakingpersephone.com/workshops.html

In this workshop We will talk about and hear some of the different styles of music other than Traditional “bellydance music “ where we can play finger cymbals as percussionists and Dancers. These types of music include Folk, Celtic, Blue Grass, Rockabilly and event straight up ROCK! We will play Cymbals and learn a few combos that go well when improvising dance with cymbals to non-traditional music. We will explore Nawal’s approach to playing finger cymbals- Nawal originally learned to play finger cymbals as accompanying percussion as she became too busy with her bellydance business to keep up with her cello parts in Wet Grow Light- and started playing her cello parts with Cymbals. Rather than playing learned patterns over the music she creates patterns live on the spot- “jamming” or “riffing” with the music and complementing the drummer- locking in not only with the rhythm section but also the melodies and playing off the other band members. The Cymbals are written in to the music then the dance is worked in around the primary responsibility of accessory percussion.We will learn: using traditional cymbal patterns vs ‘composed’ patterns | When to back out and let the music breathe How to communicate with your band mates when dancing/ playing | Great warm ups and exercises to prepare for intense cymbal playing. This workshop is suitable for people new to finger cymbals or even experienced cymbal players.

More about Nawal

Nawal teaches finger cymbals, muscular technique , American Tribal Style®, and Salimpour format bellydance. She is Level 1 and Level 2 certified in both the Jamila and Suhaila Salimpour formats, and is currently working towards her teaching certification in both formats. She is also a FatChanceBellyDance® ATS® teacher and Certified Sister Studio; the first person to bring authentic American Tribal Style to New Brunswick, Canada.

Nawal has had her work as a pioneer of west coast bellydance styles in eastern Canada recognized with much praise and support. She has received multiple provincial arts’ grants in order to pursue her studies at the Suhaila Salimpour School of Bellydance in Berkeley, California.

Nawal is also an Experienced Yoga Teacher (E-RYT200) Registered through YOGA Alliance, blending her own practice into classes. She is a also a member of the Psycadelic Rock Group WET GROW LIGHT, playing percussion, keys , or belly dance."
www.maritimetribal.com