Step 6: Homework Assignment

Part 1 – Research people from the following list. Write a one-page description of who they were, when and where they were from, why they are famous and why they are important to Middle Eastern dance. Include a copy of a photo.

1. Pick 1 of the following composers: Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Farid al Atrache, or Abdel Halim Hafez
2. Pick 1 of the following singers: Om Kalthum, Warda or Fayruz
3. Pick 1 of the following Egyptian dancers: Fifi Abdou, Mona Said, or Lucy
4. Pick 1 of the following Turkish dancers: Ozul Turkas, Nesrin Topkapi, or Princess Banu
5. Pick 1 of the following artists from the US East Coast: Serena, Morocco, or Ibrahim “Bobby” Farrah
6. Pick 1 of the following artists from the US West Coast: Aisha Ali, Jamila Salimpour, or Bert Balladine

Part 2 – Choose one of the following folkloric dances that you would like to perform and/or teach about: Melaya, Khaleegi, Fellahin, Assaya, Shamedan

• Then write about this dance, providing the following:
• When and where was this dance performed? By whom?
• Find a song that is appropriate for that folkloric dance and identify the song by artist/album/track. Why is this song a good example for this kind of dance?
• Show a photo of the appropriate costuming for it. Describe that costuming.
• Describe what kind of dance steps are done.
• Do we see this dance form performed by anyone today?
• Could you incorporate this dance into a show that you are performing for a Middle Eastern wedding or at a nightclub? Why or why not?
• Why did you select this folkloric dance?
• How would you start to teach this dance to students who know nothing about it?

Upload your assignment as a PDF file below.

Once you submit your homework, schedule a 30-minute consultation to review it. Only after the consultation can you continue to Step 7. Good luck! Have fun!