Just a reminder that the early bird special for the Issam workshops ends January 11th. These workshops are all new material from the February 2007 workshops.
WHEN: January 26th 2008
WHERE: Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra
2618 Colley Ave Norfolk, VA 23517
COST: $35 per workshop (Before January 11th)
$45 per workshop (After January 11th)
About Issam Houshan
The union of music and movement is the essence of dance. The union of a musician and a dancer to create a seamless artistic expression is the ultimate manifestation of such a union. Issam Houshan does exactly that. Call him the “Wassan Pharaoun,” “King of the Drum,” or “Mr. Magic Fingers” and you only tell the half of it. His connection to the dancer is the essence of his magic, a merging of egos serving a mutual and identical goal. Issam is now recognized as the ultimate master of this art. An international music star, his past credits include touring with Sting in 2000, performing at the Grammys on the hit single Desert Rose, as well as performing and recording with countless Arab stars. In addition, he has toured with the Mile Copeland-produced Bellydance Superstars, the world’s premiere professional touring bellydancer performance group since 2003, with whom he has appeared in over 1000 shows in 16 countries over the past three years.
A highly accomplished percussionist on assorted Arab hand drums, Issam was formally trained at the Damascus Academy of Music and is the only remaining disciple of the legendary Arab drum master Mahmood Salahadeen. An accomplished and sought-after music instructor, he taught at the Damascus Music Institute for nine years and continues to teach workshops and private lessons around the world. Unequaled in his field, Issam is known by fellow Syrian musicians as the Wassan Pharaoun (Pharaoh of Rhythm) and his al assaben al Sahriha (magic fingers) are currently insured for 10 million dollars (1 million each).
His drum solos with the Bellydance Superstars are major features of each show, as captured in the films American Bellydancer, Solos from Monte Carlo, Bellydance Superstars, 30 Days to Vegas, Behind the Shimmy, and the instructional DVD The Art of the Drum Solo. His CD releases include his own Wassan Pharaoun, The Dancing Drum and Tabel Ya Issam, as well as percussion on the Galactic Caravan albums.
For more information, please check out Issam Houshan’s website: www.tablabyissam.com
Workshop Descriptions:
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Beginning Drumming workshop for Drummers Essential Techniques & Rhythms for the Tabla: This class is geared for musicians and will cover basic techniques & drills for the tabla as well as an introduction to Middle Eastern Rhythms. All levels from novice to intermediate and advanced will benefit from Issam’s detailed teaching style.
1:00 – 2:30 pm: Intermediate/Advanced Drumming workshop for Drummers Issam will teach intermediate/advanced strokes and techniques for the tabla. Issam will also teach a formula for creating drum solos for dancers. ***Attendees of this workshop must possess basic drumming skills***
3:30 – 5:00 pm: Rhythm for Dancers This workshop is geared primarily toward the dancer. Issam will teach the rhythms that are most common in Middle Eastern music so that the dancer may understand the structure of the rhythms and the sounds of the tabla. Includes short combinations of dance moves for each of the rhythms and how to dance to a live drummer. This knowledge will improve both your choreographed and improvisation performances. ***Attendees do not need drums for this class.
*** All of the above workshops include new and different material from the February 2007 workshops.
***A limited number of drums will be available on a first-come basis for individuals who do not have their own drum otherwise please bring your own drum.
***All attendees are encouraged to eat a good breakfast and to bring water and snacks to maintain their energy throughout the workshops.
For more information or to register contact BodyWorks By Chandani at (757) 313-8000 or www.chandani.net.
WHEN: January 26th 2008
WHERE: Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra
2618 Colley Ave Norfolk, VA 23517
COST: $35 per workshop (Before January 11th)
$45 per workshop (After January 11th)
About Issam Houshan
The union of music and movement is the essence of dance. The union of a musician and a dancer to create a seamless artistic expression is the ultimate manifestation of such a union. Issam Houshan does exactly that. Call him the “Wassan Pharaoun,” “King of the Drum,” or “Mr. Magic Fingers” and you only tell the half of it. His connection to the dancer is the essence of his magic, a merging of egos serving a mutual and identical goal. Issam is now recognized as the ultimate master of this art. An international music star, his past credits include touring with Sting in 2000, performing at the Grammys on the hit single Desert Rose, as well as performing and recording with countless Arab stars. In addition, he has toured with the Mile Copeland-produced Bellydance Superstars, the world’s premiere professional touring bellydancer performance group since 2003, with whom he has appeared in over 1000 shows in 16 countries over the past three years.
A highly accomplished percussionist on assorted Arab hand drums, Issam was formally trained at the Damascus Academy of Music and is the only remaining disciple of the legendary Arab drum master Mahmood Salahadeen. An accomplished and sought-after music instructor, he taught at the Damascus Music Institute for nine years and continues to teach workshops and private lessons around the world. Unequaled in his field, Issam is known by fellow Syrian musicians as the Wassan Pharaoun (Pharaoh of Rhythm) and his al assaben al Sahriha (magic fingers) are currently insured for 10 million dollars (1 million each).
His drum solos with the Bellydance Superstars are major features of each show, as captured in the films American Bellydancer, Solos from Monte Carlo, Bellydance Superstars, 30 Days to Vegas, Behind the Shimmy, and the instructional DVD The Art of the Drum Solo. His CD releases include his own Wassan Pharaoun, The Dancing Drum and Tabel Ya Issam, as well as percussion on the Galactic Caravan albums.
For more information, please check out Issam Houshan’s website: www.tablabyissam.com
Workshop Descriptions:
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Beginning Drumming workshop for Drummers Essential Techniques & Rhythms for the Tabla: This class is geared for musicians and will cover basic techniques & drills for the tabla as well as an introduction to Middle Eastern Rhythms. All levels from novice to intermediate and advanced will benefit from Issam’s detailed teaching style.
1:00 – 2:30 pm: Intermediate/Advanced Drumming workshop for Drummers Issam will teach intermediate/advanced strokes and techniques for the tabla. Issam will also teach a formula for creating drum solos for dancers. ***Attendees of this workshop must possess basic drumming skills***
3:30 – 5:00 pm: Rhythm for Dancers This workshop is geared primarily toward the dancer. Issam will teach the rhythms that are most common in Middle Eastern music so that the dancer may understand the structure of the rhythms and the sounds of the tabla. Includes short combinations of dance moves for each of the rhythms and how to dance to a live drummer. This knowledge will improve both your choreographed and improvisation performances. ***Attendees do not need drums for this class.
*** All of the above workshops include new and different material from the February 2007 workshops.
***A limited number of drums will be available on a first-come basis for individuals who do not have their own drum otherwise please bring your own drum.
***All attendees are encouraged to eat a good breakfast and to bring water and snacks to maintain their energy throughout the workshops.
For more information or to register contact BodyWorks By Chandani at (757) 313-8000 or www.chandani.net.