I don't talk about this enough
🎶 I have been playing frame drum and finger cymbals, singing, and dancing raqs sharqi with the University of Texas Middle Eastern Ensemble, Bereket, since 2019!
🤫 When I first joined the ensemble I kept it quiet because I was new-ish to my instruments and intimidated by the concept of playing music with others. I had little familiarity with maqam and the similar melodic systems that are used in Middle Eastern music and I was nervous to use my voice.
🎉 After 3+ years of playing with Bereket I finally feel confident as I play percussion, belt out lullabies and protest songs, and perform drum solos we have composed together!
🥰 Playing music and moving in sync with other humans is SO HEALING!
😔 I gravely missed in-person rehearsals during the past years' social distancing.
❤️🩹 I felt the lack of collective unity through song and dance.
📚 (If you ever need to be reminded and validated about the essential role collective movement plays in fulfilling our basic human needs, read The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal or listen to this Ezra Klein podcast with the author of The Body Keeps the Score)
⚡️ If you feel a lack of connection in your life: start making music with others! Dance with others! Make art, food, rituals, and jokes with your community!
💎 If you don't know where to turn for this sweet, vital connection: I invite you to join me in my community of dedicated dancers, The Cohesion Collective!
🎻 We just had a workshop with Sami Abu Shumays on Arabic maqam and soon we'll gave a live workshop on how to gig professionally and safely with Cheyney Teagan.
✨ Apply at: www.TheCohesionCollective.com
🪗I also invite you to come see me play and dance with Bereket LIVE in-person this Friday, May 6th at Central Market North in Austin, Texas 7:30pm-8:30pm! [free]
💃 AND I'm teaching a beginner-friendly all-levels drop-in one-time bellydance class this Saturday May 7th at Your Yoga in Austin, 11-12pm. [$15]
🎥 Here is a video of Bereket's recent Spring concert in the beautiful Bates Recital Hall at the University of Texas.
🎨 I hope you can feel the joy of our collective art making!
💡 And that you are inspired to move, sing, and play with others!
💠 Apply to work with me in The Cohesion Collective 💠 and get your invite to my advanced private training where I go over my 3-part Cohesion framework for becoming a brilliant bellydancer!
🌹 You'll want to apply THIS WEEK to join us this Saturday, May 7th, for our virtual hafla! You don't want to miss it!
Warmly,
April Rose
PS: comment on this blog and tell me if you have found a way to feel collective joy with others through some artistic practice! I am curious to know if practicing in community is as important to you as it is to me.
PSS: Read what people are saying about The Cohesion Collective...
Suzy was finally able to retain Middle Eastern rhythms and play her finger cymbals while dancing:
She says: "WHAT. A. BLAST!! April Rose shortens the learning curve in a wonderful way by teaching her stylization of movements combined with Middle Eastern rhythms on finger cymbals and frame drum. I have been playing finger cymbals for a few years, but up to now had yet to really learn the actual rhythms associated. WOW. MIND. BLOWN. I came away from this course a much stronger musician than expected!"
Nora built a connection to her grandmothers by bellydancing and playing the frame drum:
Nora says: "I come from a Moroccan family and I was born and grew up in France. I used to dance during family celebrations and I started bellydance classes in 2010. I started learning regularly from April since 2020, and I grew up as a dancer thanks to April's program, which is very complete. I learned the fundamentals of bellydance history and how to identify the main instruments of MENAHT music. I also realized one of my dreams: learning how to play duff, a frame drum. I love this instrument so much which symbolizes the connection with my grandmothers. While learning the rhythms on drum, I learned an amazing way to play those rhythms with fingers cymbals. It's tricky but so beautiful and I enjoy it so much. The dance technique part is brilliant: out of stylization, it’s easier to understand how a movement works. I have more control of my movements now and I am aware where my weaknesses are and I learned how to work on them and solidify my skills."
💠 Apply to work with me in The Cohesion Collective 💠 and get your invite to my advanced private training where I go over my 3-part Cohesion framework for becoming a brilliant bellydancer!
🌹 You'll want to apply THIS WEEK to join us this Saturday, May 7th, for our virtual hafla! You don't want to miss it!