Aisha Azar
New member
Dear Forum Members,
One thing that I have noticed among the Middle Eastern dance set is that professional dancers seem reticent much of the time, to sing the praises of their peers. I have always thought that this is too bad. I am always sure to let people know when I think they are really good, but I think in Mark's case I will take a further step. Since he is fairly new on the workshop circuit, maybe many of you have not had a chance to see him dance or study with him. Having just spent a very educational and entertaining weekend with Mark, I want to let you all know that he is wonderful!
He performed Qawliya and Lebanese Raqs Sharghi in the show and both dances were refreshingly ethnically accurate, techincally great and really fun, because Mark is fun! There is a combination of innocence and savvy in his dance that rather personifies the spirit in many of the dances of the Middle East in a way that is not often seen when the dance is performed in the West. So many dancers are too darn busy standing on "ceremony and dignity", keeping themselves separate and emotionally cocooned from their audience, missing the point entirely. Mark understands the human connection really well and demonstrates that quality admirably!
Mark taught Lebanese Raqs Sahrghi and Assaya in the workshop and he is a consummate teacher, caring about the dance itself and explaining it's heart and soul as well as its movement. He demonstrated how Lebanese dance is different than Egyptian and Turkish, and cleared up a few misconceptions. He discussed the meaning of the dances in the larger context of the society and history of Lebanon as well. He also was sure to treat the students as individuals and he gave truly of himself. It was easy to see he wanted the class to understand the material he presented. In other words, he was an interactive teacher, not a demonstrator of movement or a cold lecturer.
One more thing about Mark. He did not put up barriers between himself and the other performers or the students at the workshop. He helped us shlepp our stuff in and out, sat with us, got dressed with us, and interacted with the other members of the show and workshop as if we were all equals,as it should be. There was no separation or playing of "I'm a Star and You're Not" as I have sometimes seen happen back stage. I have been in shows where the star performer is so aloof, trying to make it clear the she/he is somehow more special than anyone else on stage. That is nonsense of course, since the featured performer would have no show if it were not for the rest of the cast. The dancers in the show just LOVED Mark and I am already hearing choruses of "When is he coming back????"!
If you have not yet seen Mark Balahadia, I highly recommend him as a dancer and as a teacher. Better yet, sponsor him. My dance company did and we think he is one of the best new talents in the world of Middle Eastern dance!
Regards,
A'isha
One thing that I have noticed among the Middle Eastern dance set is that professional dancers seem reticent much of the time, to sing the praises of their peers. I have always thought that this is too bad. I am always sure to let people know when I think they are really good, but I think in Mark's case I will take a further step. Since he is fairly new on the workshop circuit, maybe many of you have not had a chance to see him dance or study with him. Having just spent a very educational and entertaining weekend with Mark, I want to let you all know that he is wonderful!
He performed Qawliya and Lebanese Raqs Sharghi in the show and both dances were refreshingly ethnically accurate, techincally great and really fun, because Mark is fun! There is a combination of innocence and savvy in his dance that rather personifies the spirit in many of the dances of the Middle East in a way that is not often seen when the dance is performed in the West. So many dancers are too darn busy standing on "ceremony and dignity", keeping themselves separate and emotionally cocooned from their audience, missing the point entirely. Mark understands the human connection really well and demonstrates that quality admirably!
Mark taught Lebanese Raqs Sahrghi and Assaya in the workshop and he is a consummate teacher, caring about the dance itself and explaining it's heart and soul as well as its movement. He demonstrated how Lebanese dance is different than Egyptian and Turkish, and cleared up a few misconceptions. He discussed the meaning of the dances in the larger context of the society and history of Lebanon as well. He also was sure to treat the students as individuals and he gave truly of himself. It was easy to see he wanted the class to understand the material he presented. In other words, he was an interactive teacher, not a demonstrator of movement or a cold lecturer.
One more thing about Mark. He did not put up barriers between himself and the other performers or the students at the workshop. He helped us shlepp our stuff in and out, sat with us, got dressed with us, and interacted with the other members of the show and workshop as if we were all equals,as it should be. There was no separation or playing of "I'm a Star and You're Not" as I have sometimes seen happen back stage. I have been in shows where the star performer is so aloof, trying to make it clear the she/he is somehow more special than anyone else on stage. That is nonsense of course, since the featured performer would have no show if it were not for the rest of the cast. The dancers in the show just LOVED Mark and I am already hearing choruses of "When is he coming back????"!
If you have not yet seen Mark Balahadia, I highly recommend him as a dancer and as a teacher. Better yet, sponsor him. My dance company did and we think he is one of the best new talents in the world of Middle Eastern dance!
Regards,
A'isha