Workshops for every body
Tori has trained in dance at a professional level for over 20 years and is ready to share her skills with you. Here are a few ideas for workshops she'd be happy to teach you and your students.
Performance and Dance Workshops
All aboard the cross-train
Tori has trained extensively in ballet based styles, such as lyrical, contemporary and modern dance, as well as jazz and Broadway styles of dance in addition to folkloric and modern forms of Raqs Sharki and Fusion. Let Tori take you on a dance journey of where all of these styles intersect and diverge and expand your dance arsenal with moves and combos that are new and old (some at the same time). This workshop can be done virtually.
Arab-Esque: Intro to Lyrical Fusion
Fusion Dance is new and evolving today. With Tori's extensive background in lyrical styles, she gives you combos, exercises, tips and tricks to help you negotiate the merger of Raqs Sharki and Western styles of dance. Bring a note-pad, this class is history heavy as we will be discussing topics such as the Reda Troupe, the evolution of "contemporary" dance, the history of "fusion" style dance, and Tori's views on how to make all of this come together authentically and beautifully. This workshop can be done virtually.
ballet 101 for belly dancers
Ballet has shaped and reshaped how dance is both taught and viewed in the world. Tori is ready to teach you the basics of this classic dance and share with you how they intersect and diverge from your style. Low impact movements and a bit of philosophy that you can add to your personal practice today will be a main focus. This workshop can be done virtually.
CHoreography Concepts for the 'Gram
You already know how to dance and you already have a method of choreography down - Tori guides you through concepts that will enable you get the best shots possible out of any photo opportunity! Although this class will be focused a lot upon aesthetics and posture, choreographic tactics such as stillness, repetition, and stage presence will also be covered in this workshop. This workshop can be done virtually.
CHoreography Masterclass/ workshop/ Exporation
Are you struggling to find your choreographic voice? Do you have a work that you'd like a second set of eyes on? Are you curious about different choreographic processes? With decades of experience and a master's degree in choreography, Tori is ready to offer you the insights you and/or your troupe need to take your choreography and choreographic practice to the next level. This workshop can be done virtually.
Dance Intensive
You have a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it! Be it learning new styles, honing in on your dances, creating a show from scratch, or having an unforgettable dance experience with your friends, Tori is ready to lead you on a journey! This style of workshop is usually over a week, a weekend, or a series of extended virtual meetings. Tori can offer extended versions of the workshops listed here or something special just for you and your dance cohort.
Folkloric Buffet
Tori has had the benefit of training with many incredible teachers in folkloric middle eastern dance styles. While she is still a student in these practices, she loves to share what she knows and introduce students to the Egyptian dances: Tahtib, Debke, Khaleegi, and her favorite - Saidi. Oh, and no class would be complete without some Raks Beledi, of course! This is a long class, so bring a snack! We will not be working with props. This workshop can be done virtually.
Get into CHaracter - Theatre Arts for Dancers
Let's release your inner actor or actress! Emotional response, character development, tableau, intention and stage movement will be discussed in this interactive workshop. Expect theatre improv games, unconventional warm-ups, a brief lecture and a lot of laughs. This workshop can be done virtually.
Improvisation - SAY YES!
Incorporating her experience with theatrical improvisation and dance improvisation, you've never taken a dance workshop like this one! Expect games, belly laughs, and to surprise yourself with inspiration. This workshop can be done virtually.
Lyrical Fusion Choreography (Group or Solo)
Before her visit with you and your troupe, Tori will create a lyrical choreography for you depending on your specific needs. This intensive class is demanding, but will end up in an expressive and unique piece of movement art that is all yours. This workshop can be done virtually.
Raqs Sharki Fundamentals
Tori will teach you the fundamental alignment, movements and history of "belly dance." Some talking, lots of dancing! This workshop can be done virtually.
Saidi Technique and/Or Choreography
Let's dance - with/without canes, with/without zills, but definitely with love! Tori is HERE for every flavor of saidi dance - let's talk about it! This workshop can be done virtually.
Seven-21s
A short (one hour max) workshop where Tori introduces her gentle conditioning/warm up series of exercises. Expect a yoga-ish modality, mindfulness elements, body weight exercises and many many many modifications. This workshop is for all fitness levels and is a great stepping stone for life-long health through movement. This energizing series is a great way to begin the day! This workshop can be done virtually.
The Deep Dive - Let's get specific
Known for her gift of gab, Tori takes you through a deep analysis of a singular move. Yup, just one. Give yourself the gift of specificity as Tori teaches you some of her favorite analysis tactics in order to get as close as possible to truly understanding ONE SINGLE THING. This workshop will provide some great tools for future choreographers and dancers who yearn to understand "why?" Some history, some philosophy, phenomenology, and of course DANCE. This workshop can be done virtually.
It's Better, TOgether - CUstomized Workshops
You and your troupe are unique and have special circumstances. Tori wants to create something with you that will best suit your needs. Let's chat and make some magic together.
Professional Development
Performance Makeup Tips and Tricks
Are you dancing in doors or outdoors? What sort of lighting does the venue have? What is your skin type and undertone? There is no "one size fits all" way to apply your performance makeup. Tori is ready to help you and your troupe get performance ready in every situation with this hour long class. Please bring your own make up for Tori to look at. Extra fees for supplies. This workshop can be done virtually.
Build your personal brand (Troupes and Small Groups)
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP! Okay what even is a personal brand? This 2 hour workshop designed for small groups will give you insight on how to build your brand and tools to quickly develop your personal persona.
For an additional fee, Tori will happily offer individual follow-ups and design/content advice for marketing and also choreography based off of the discoveries of this workshop. The individual dancer needs to let Tori know about their interest in this so that Tori can plan accordingly.
For an additional fee, Tori will happily offer individual follow-ups and design/content advice for marketing and also choreography based off of the discoveries of this workshop. The individual dancer needs to let Tori know about their interest in this so that Tori can plan accordingly.
Incorporating Mindfulness Into your Practice
This lecture discusses the importance of mindfulness as part of Tori's practice and how she incorporates it into every aspect of her dance (and how you can too). We also go over this history of mindfulness and it's impact! This workshop can be done virtually.
Protect Your privacy
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP! As our world gets more and more connected, our privacy continues to get compromised. In this short lecture, Tori will point out some of the most common ways our information gets leaked and how to protect yourself as a performance artist.
Public Speaking and outreach for Dancers
From teaching class to emceeing a show, we all need to be able to speak clearly and energetically to our audience. Tori will work with your specific needs to customize a course to help train you on how to speak to the public in order to further you and your troupe's performance goals... and yes, we will practice together! This workshop can be done virtually.
Social MEdia Marketing 101 for dancers
Virtual Workshop! With her years of experience in marketing, Tori has developed a curriculum that will help any dancer or dance company develop a robust social media marketing strategy.