Thread: Yousry Weeklong Intensive

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone would like to post their experiences, good and bad, with Yousry Sharifs yearly weeklong intensive during the summer?

the reason I ask is because I am contemplating going 2008 and wanted to know what goes on there. it all seems so mysterious!

Veighouda

Andrea2 has gone several times. I'll send her a link to this thread.

Hi, Veighouda. I have been to the last two weeklongs, and I plan to go again next year. The two biggest reasons that I like this workshop are:
1) The level of instruction is higher than that of a regular one or two day seminar. The class moves quickly, but he will explain combinations if you are having trouble with them. However, the class doesn't stop for basic instruction on a figure 8, maya, shimmy, etc.
2) He has wonderful guest instructors. Last year Hassan Afifi, who is Yousry's teacher, was the guest. This year the guests were Aida Nour and Tito. I don't know who they are planning for in 2008, but I'm sure it will be someone fabulous.

The biggest dancing downside is that there is no air conditioning while Yousry is teaching. With forty or so sweaty dancers it can get quite toasty in the room. I got sick last year, but this year I made sure that I had plenty of water (3-4 bottles per day) and I was OK.

The biggest non-dancing downside is cost. In addition to the seminar fee you have airfare, lodging, and over-priced NYC food. Nourhan often knows of someone subletting an apartment, and you don't have to stay in Manhattan. I bring my lunch each day rather than eat in a restaurant. I just go out for a cold drink.

Overall, if you like Yousry's style, can afford to go, and are not a beginning dancer I think you should go for it. I'll see you there!

I went a couple of years ago and have been trying to get back ever since (there's always been a timing issue or money issue that's prevented me). It's fabulous and I highly recommend it. It's a bit expensive when you consider all the costs, but I do think it's well worth the price given the quality of instruction. If you can afford to go, GO!!

What is Yousry's style? By that I mean I am guessing he is Egyptian but is it folk style? One of my teachers showed me an old VHS of him in a performance in Florida.
He danced with a staff and wore the traditional Egyptian mens clothing.
Does he only teach women to dance?
I know he is a well known choreographer.
I have heard different dancers talk about his choreography as being difficult.

oh, he is mixing jazz and oriental, that's why his dances are more difficult And yes, he teaches men,too, at least when he has visited here and sweden. But he is definitely not for beginners if you do not have a heavy background on jazz dance.

Hi, Anthony. As Heinakuu said, his weeklongs are Oriental with a heavy dose of jazz and some ballet. I'd never taken jazz or ballet, so that stuff was new to me. Each time I take from him I learn more of his 'vocabulary' and the classes flow better. His work incorporates a lot of footwork and weight changes. The thing is, at the end of the day it somehow makes sense. It's always a logical left, right, left, right sort of thing. I don't recall ever doing a 'whoop de doo' to change weight so you can start on a particular side.

Yousry no longer performs, but when he did he was well known for his folkloric tahtib dancing. I took a cane seminar from him once and just loved it. I asked for more folkloric stuff at the weeklong, but I'm sure it depends on who the guests are and which piece of music he decides to teach to. Even if he sticks to Oriental, I'll still go. As with any dancer, I don't like every single thing he does but overall I really enjoy his work. It's the stuff that doesn't come easy to me so I have to work at it, but I still love it.

He will teach males, no problem. Raffa was in class last year but was unable to make it this year, and he has hosted other male instructors. As for difficulty, I think a lot of it depends on you (duh, but hear me out). What are you expecting? How do you approach seminars/guest teachers? If your goal is to pick up the choreo the first go round and be able to perform it flawlessly, you'll likely be disappointed. However, if you like a challenge and like to stretch yourself, I think you'll be OK. If you're happy to just learn something and don't have to nail everything, I'll see you there! Of course, I have no idea of your dancing ability so this might be easy peasy for you. For me personally, what he teaches doesn't come naturally so I have to work at it but I like it just the same.

Hi Andrea, well, at this point in my dancing, I am very much a student.
My teachers are encouraging me to take some workshops with teachers that are different from them, (maybe they are trying to get rid of me after 3 years!) I don't have a background in Egyptian dance other than the folk based forms.
I don't do choreography much as that was generally taught for the group dances although I did pick it up pretty fast.
I have a Jazz dance swing dance background, wonder if that would be a help or a hindrence?
I thank you all for the information and I look forward to learning more about what is out there.

Hey Anthony,

Yousry is worth checking out. I've yet to take his week long ones but had taken his workshops previously. it was easy for me to break into his style based on my dance backgrounds. I found it refreshing having jazz elements in his choreography.

Having a jazz background and doing some of Yousry's choreography would be a plus. However, one tends to keep some "bad" habits having some previous dance experience. Your teachers are right, its important to try out various styles and it will only enhance your knowledge.

My teachers are encouraging me to take some workshops with teachers that are different from them, (maybe they are trying to get rid of me after 3 years!)

Consider yourself lucky! IMHO, a good belly dance teacher will recognize that you can't learn it all from one person. Each dancer has their own style and exposure to a wide variety of teachers will help you develop yours. Sometimes all I learn from workshops are things I don't want to do, but that can be just as valuable. I think you need to continue to have one major teacher/influence, but seeing other instructors will keep your dancing fresh and interesting (for you and your audience).

I took yousrys workshops years ago. You have to work hard in his class. But in the end it is worth it. His owrkshops i found geared towards dancers who have dance experience but want to move to the next level. I think you will benefit from the workshops. Even if you pick up one combo thats worth it to me.Add it to my dance vocabulary.

Alrana