Karen’s expertise at the national/international level is TECHNIQUE and PROFESSIONAL PROGRESSION. Having begun her study of Belly Dance during the 1970s (a period of limited explanations), she developed her own. Her background in Systems Analysis enables her to analyze movement, decompose that movement, and explain it to others in a logical way.

Her 25 years of teaching at her studio, Karavan in San Antonio, has enabled her to hone her teaching skills and develop a strong philosophy and curriculum.

Progressions – from Mastery to Mystery

The following progressions are derived from the philosophy and curriculum that Karen developed at Karavan Studio. Karen believes that participants in a workshop – with a teacher that they may or may not ever study with again – need to have the chance to be exposed to that teacher at various levels in the “Mastery to Mystery” progression. A workshop can be composed of any or all of these, depending on which components of the progression the sponsor wishes to emphasize.

Technique to Drillz

From a painstaking explanation of the details of a movement (which is what happens after 25 years of teaching and thinking about this) to variations in that movement that will 1) build strength, 2) develop coordination, 3) build endurance for the muscles that you need most, and 4) ultimately expand your dance vocabulary. Karen was one of the first to use the word “Drillz” for this dance form!

Drillz to Combinations

Many dancers put themselves thru the exercises of a new teacher and feel the options on their body expand while doing those exercises, but then resort to their more familiar method of movement when it comes time to actually execute a combination. Karen can work thru combinations ensuring that any new technique is retained thereby ensuring a discernable growth in the dancer’s vocabulary.

Combinations to Choreography

Having owned and operated her own studio for over 20 years, Karen has choreographed hundreds of dances for her students. Owing to her experience in this capacity, Karen has the ability to teach a choreography and immediately adjust her instruction and the actual dance to the level of the students. The choreographies that can be taught range from slow to fast, classical to modern pop, taqsim to drum solo, and everything in between.

For “in studio” workshops, Karen is amenable to having the sponsor suggest the music to which the students want to dance. Karen will then customize a choreography for the event.

Choreography to Improvisation

With 20 years of experience dancing to live music in Arab night clubs, Karen is a master of improvisation. She can instruct students on how to take combinations that they already know and use them as a foundation for improvisation. Techniques on listening to the music, anticipating transitions, using movements that can “go either way” when you are unsure, and more – will be discussed, demonstrated, rehearsed, and retained.

EXTRAS

Finger Cymbals

Karen teaches this component of the dance by counting with the music – no names for patterns or exact matching of rhythms. Karen uses her cymbals to complement the music and accent her movements and, in her logical way, is able to teach you to do the same. If you have ever seen and heard her play, you know she is one of the best…..and always able to explain what she is able to perform.
All of the above progressions can be used within the context of finger cymbals (Technique, Drillz, Combinations, Choreography, Improvisation). Karen also can teach or create a dance, using finger cymbals, to a piece of music OR teach a dance with NO music – using finger cymbals as the only sound!

Naser Musa

Karen has been fortunate to work with many musicians over the years, but has found an excellent teaching partner in Naser Musa. (www.nasermusa.net).
An oud virtuoso, singer, and composer, Naser has begun to teach workshops on the fundamentals of Arabic music and language – a necessary (and often missing) component in the education of the American belly dancer.
Naser’s logical approach to this instruction mirrors Karen’s. His curriculum includes 1) the fundamentals of Arabic music, an overview of the music by region, and the meanings of commonly used words and phrases, 2) the examination and explanation of a particular piece of music or song (including a discussion of maqams, complete translation, cultural context, etc), 3) a discussion of the taqsim (pure improvisation).

To engage Karen or Karen/Naser Musa for workshops, show or concert,
Contact Andrea Farese/Stellar Advanatge at (407) 616-6313
stellaradvantage@gmail.com
(Co-Sponsorships and Studio Intensives Available for 2010)