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All photos by Mohammed Joudi, Copyright ©2007.
Astryd Farah deMichele lives in Cairo, Egypt and teaches and performs Egyptian Oriental dance thoughout the globe. Trained professionally in both dance and fitness, Astryd Farah draws on her wide range of skills as an instructor and performer to bring her own, authentic Egyptian style to students and dance enthusiasts around the world. For over a decade she has been living, studying and traveling throughout the entire Middle East; in Cairo she has been showcased at the JW Mariott and Sheraton Royal Gardens Hotels, as well as in weddings and parties in both Cairo and Sharm el Sheik, Egypt - in addition to hundreds of regular performances throughout the USA and Europe. When in the United States, Astryd Farah was adjunct faculty for The University of Oregon, instructing Middle Eastern dance with an emphasis on Egyptian styling; she travels internationally instructing workshops and giving performances. Astryd Farah's powerful technique and stunning interpretation of Arabic music delights audiences East to West -- her extended time in the Middle East having integrated into her body a profound understanding of this beautiful art form. She is one of the featured dancers in top Egyptian choreographer Raqia Hassan's technique videos (volumes 7 & 9); Raqia is one of Astryd Farah's main instructors of the dance form. She has had the pleasure of studying under many other distinguished Egyptian choreographers as well -- developing her dance technique as and her understanding of the music she loves. Astryd Farah passes on her knowledge by teaching precise, defined technique as the vehicle to express the emotional aspects of the music - her warmth and clarity in teaching has inspired hundreds of students. When she's not busy "bringing Cairo to you", she "brings you to Cairo", by hosting personalized tours for dancers desiring to travel to and study in Egypt: www.BellydanceTours.com. For more information about Astryd Farah, visit her website at www.DanceAstryd.com.
Article reviewing one of Astryd Farah's San Francisco workshops, by Betsey Flood:
http://www.gildedserpent.com/art39/BetsyAstryd.htm.
"Astryd Farah embodies the intensity and passion of the Great Egyptian Art." ~ Karim Nagi, TurboTabla.
From a recent review of a performance in Atlanta, GA:
"A real surprise was the drop dead gorgeous Astryd Farah of Cairo, Egypt and Eugene, Oregon. This reviewer has admired her performances on Raqia Hassan’s videos, and to meet her in person was a real treat. Astryd spends 6 mos. of the year in Egypt, and the remainder of the time in Oregon. She is flat out excellent! She embodies the kitsch and the stellar technique of Egyptian dancers all rolled into one. Beautifully costumed, she endeared herself to the audience with her cheeky moves that were oh so very Egyptian and not seen very often in American dancers who try to emulate that styling. Her years of performing in Egypt in club and private party settings are more than obvious. Let’s hope she returns to Atlanta to give us a seminar, soon!"
~ Diane Adams, Company Mezza, Atlanta, GA
“Astryd Farah deMichele's choreography and delivery is hot off the Egyptian press, imbued with the very heartbeat of the culture, flawless timing and musical interpretation. She FEELS the music. While Astryd Farah’s workshops are strongly based in technique and great attention to detail, her personality is warm and easy, generous. She is a ‘don't miss’ experience!" ~ Myra Krien, Performer, Choreographer/Director Pomegranate Studios, Santa Fe, NM
"Astryd Farah is a spellbinding dancer with impeccable Egyptian style. Her presence on stage slows time down and brings all attention to the present moment." ~ Helene Eriksen, dancer & dance ethnologist
Define and refine your Egyptian shimmy style. Add layers and understand how and where to use them in modern Raqs Sharqi. We will use combinations to illustrate the techniques and transitions within the dance. Notes included.
Classic Egyptian Raqs Sharqi Choreography: Abdel Halim Hafez, “Bahlam Beek”
A lovely, sweet choreography incorporating feelings of Old Cairo…authentic gestures and “singing” the music and lyrics with our dance. A love song of the most beautiful kind! The workshop includes translation of the lyrics and notes for the choreography. Music available for sale.
Hot off the Press! The best from Cairo...
Current movement from the stars of the Egyptian stage, as well as from the choreographers behind the scenes -- today and min zaman (from the past). Astryd presents modern and classic Egyptian Oriental dance technique in her poignant style, easily absorbed and thoroughly broken down. Notes included.
Pure Egyptian Dance from Cairo
Steps and feelings of a time now past, we revisit the old nightclubs with music and movement of authentic Egypt. Tarab, baladi and shaabi…techniques, transitions, gestures. Notes included, music available for sale.
Classic & Modern Choreography: Fadl Shaker
A luscious Old Cairo nightclub-style choreography with a lovely song by one of Egypt’s most heartfelt modern singers. Authentic technique and feelings create the mood for this piece. Notes and lyric translation included. Music available for sale.
Tabla Solo
A fabulous new tabla solo choreography using many of Astryd Farah's hottest shimmy layers and steamy moves from Cairo. Featuring the Oriental flavour of BALADI within the solo - not your "regular" tabla solo. Notes included. Music available for sale.
Shaabi Choreography
Back to the old nightclubs…Music and dance for the people. Notes and lyric translation, music available for sale.
Combinations, Drills and Oriental technique including shimmies and layers kitir!
Hot combos and technique work using Cairo's top pop of 2008! Get into the Cairo groove with fun combos, gestures and the "why to" of modern Oriental technique.
Hot Egyptian POP Choreography ~ "Fakerny": Sassy & sexy!
Utilizing steps direct from Cairo, Astryd presents an original choreography to one of the latest pop songs of Cairo's Arabic hit radio. She combines graceful moves and steps with saucy gestures to highlight the meaning of this hot pop song,
which musically retains a lovely oriental feel.
Saidi Dance/Raks al Assaya
Astryd Farah presents technique and choreography based on her most recent folkloric studies in Cairo with the stellar Reda Troupe choreographer, Shalaby. Fun, sassy and sweet. Please bring your cane or stick, or Astryd will provide one to lend during the workshop. A traditional dance of Egypt, originally executed by the men, we will explore techniques and combinations as well as become more familiar with the music and style.
Workshop Instructor Contract (Microsoft WORD format ~ click here and save)
Performance Contract (Microsoft WORD format ~ click here and save)
Performance Detail Sheet: Weddings, Parties, etc. (Microsoft WORD format ~ click here and save)
Click this link for online CV (Microsoft WORD format)
Copyright ©2005-2010, Astryd Farah deMichele.
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