{"id":2487,"date":"2011-03-24T09:14:34","date_gmt":"2011-03-24T16:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=2487"},"modified":"2011-03-24T09:14:34","modified_gmt":"2011-03-24T16:14:34","slug":"sadiyya-jillina-weeklong-intensive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/03\/24\/sadiyya-jillina-weeklong-intensive\/","title":{"rendered":"A Transformational Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Author<\/p>\n

A Fan’s View of Jillina’s Weeklong Intensive<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Report by Sa\u2019diyya of Texas<\/a><\/strong>
\nposted March 24, 2011<\/span><\/h3>\n

I have always been a huge fan of Jillina<\/span>.\u00a0 I admire her ability to create flashy staged presentations of Bellydance.\u00a0 She continues to educate herself and stay ahead of the trends.\u00a0 Her musicality and creativity are impeccable and her costumes are unique.\u00a0 I took classes from Jillina every time she came to Texas and studied her DVDs, too.\u00a0 I heard about her 1st Annual Weeklong Intensive<\/span>, but unfortunately couldn\u2019t attend the first year.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

So I was determined to catch the next one, and I did.\u00a0 And it was one of the best Bellydance experiences I\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n

The weeklong was held on January 2-7, 2010.\u00a0 Back in July of 2009 I went to her website to pay for all the classes and noticed a scholarship application.\u00a0 Her website stated that she was going to start offering scholarships on a regular basis for various workshops that she teaches.\u00a0 Of course we have all heard of this in terms of higher education, and I have heard of it in the mainstream dance world, but rarely in Bellydance.\u00a0 I thought it was a neat idea and extremely generous.\u00a0 So I filled out the extensive online application and wrote the required essay.\u00a0 What meant to take a few minutes of paying with a credit card online for the event turned into an all-night typing and proofing fest, and badgering my husband to edit my essay until it was just right.\u00a0 I really didn\u2019t think I\u2019d receive the scholarship.\u00a0 I imagined that everyone who went to pay for the classes applied for it, plus she was only giving two scholarships out for this event.\u00a0 I figured I had nothing to lose.<\/p>\n

The News!<\/strong><\/p>\n

I called Jillina a couple months later to ask her for some advice, which she always takes the time to answer, and she said, \u201cBy the way, you got the scholarship!\u201d\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t believe my ears!\u00a0 I really<\/em> didn\u2019t think I\u2019d receive it.\u00a0 A dancer from China named Molly<\/span> and I were the two recipients of the scholarships!\u00a0 So now all I had to pay for was my hotel, car rental, airfare and food.\u00a0 Not bad!\u00a0 I am very grateful and flattered that Jillina extended one of the scholarships to me.\u00a0 She has always been one of my Bellydance heroes (and will always be), so the fact that she saw something special in me was so very special to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I think that\u2019s another benefit of having scholarships in the world of Bellydance because it gives dancers another goal to work towards: \u201cWhat do I have to do to rise to the occasion, to receive this other kind of award?\u201d<\/p>\n

The closer we got to the weeklong, Jillina started to send out information we needed to know like the schedule, tips for surviving the week and more.\u00a0 When I read some of the \u201csurvival tips,\u201d I knew that when Jillina said intensive, she meant INTENSIVE! (She said this several times before and during the weeklong, too!)\u00a0 <\/p>\n

The event started on the second of January at 10:00AM, so I had to fly out on New Year\u2019s Day after a long night of performing New Year\u2019s Eve parties.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure some of the participants had the same situation.\u00a0 I made sure to get lots of rest that first night I was in L.A.\u00a0 We had to bring our own lunch everyday (no time to go out to eat), so I ran by the store that first night and packed my hotel fridge with healthy food for the week, including LOTS of water and calcium magnesium, as specified in the survival tips.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

The participants were from all over the world including Asia, Europe, USA, Canada and Central America.\u00a0 It was great to meet such talent from all over.\u00a0 It was interesting to see how these ladies, some who live on the other side of Earth, have a very similar life and schedule to mine \u2013 teaching Bellydance classes, performing on the weekends and directing troupes. <\/p>\n

When we arrived at Evolution Dance Studios<\/span> in L.A., Jillina so generously gave each participant one of her new \u201cBellydance Evolution\u201d yoga mats!\u00a0 Along with her generous welcome gift, it was made clear that a lot would be expected of us over the upcoming week, including being on time, attending all classes and putting forth total effort in every class.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

The week started off with an Oriental choreography to \u201cNagwa.\u201d\u00a0 The arrangement of \u201cNagwa\u201d Jillina used was unusual and beautiful.\u00a0 The choreography was awesome and the pace of the class was perfect \u2013 not too slow, not too fast.\u00a0 I knew after that class that we were in for something special.<\/p>\n

Each day was packed with about 9 hours of classes with Jillina and other guest instructors.\u00a0 Jillina taught Oriental, fan veils, drum solo (with Issam<\/a><\/span> drumming LIVE), khaleeji, Um Kolthum<\/a><\/span> (with Issam and Naser Musa<\/a><\/span> LIVE) and falahi.\u00a0 The guest instructors were Ahava<\/a><\/span> (Beledy), Issam<\/span> (Percussion), Louchia<\/span> (Bandari and Russian gypsy), Jamie-Lee<\/span> (Stage Makeup), Heather <\/span>(Ballet), Stephanie Sullivan<\/span> (Debke), Aubre <\/span>(Pilates) and Lauren<\/a><\/span> (Finger Cymbals and Percussion).\u00a0 I liked that Jillina featured other instructors who specialized in certain topics.\u00a0 I got to see how she surrounds herself with other smart, successful people and they work well together and compliment each other.\u00a0 The guest instructors were many of the same people who work with her on the \u201cBellydance Evolution\u201d tour, and the wonderful synergy was apparent.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Along with all of these classes, Jillina spent the lunch break every day leading discussions about various Bellydance business-related topics like booking parties, directing troupes, running a studio, becoming a workshop instructor and more.\u00a0 I loved how jam-packed the schedule was.\u00a0 I still smile when I think about our really short bathroom breaks \u2013 if we were in there too long, Jillina would come running through clapping her hands and telling us to hurry for the next item on the schedule!\u00a0 It was high energy and fast-paced, but Jillina made sure we were finished by 7:30PM most days.<\/p>\n

\"Class<\/a>
Class photo
backrow l-r: 1- Jennifer, 2-Nabila, 3-Chiaki, 4-Rebecca, 5-Maria, 6-Issam, 7- Jillina, 8-Eglal, 9-Yeli, 10-Sa’diyya, 11-Ericka, 12-?
Middle row: 1-?, 2-Molly, 3-Erica, 4-Sarah, 5-Siri, 6-Dahab, 7-Emalee, 8-Daisy
Front row: 1-Neena, 2-Ahava<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Day 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

As mentioned above, we learned an entire choreography to \u201cNagwa\u201d on the first day.\u00a0 That was just the beginning.\u00a0 We also learned the basics of hand drumming on a tabla and a duff.\u00a0 Lauren<\/span>, from the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> and Jillina\u2019s Sahlala Dancers<\/a><\/span> was the instructor for this class.\u00a0 Lauren has a very clear manner of explaining things.\u00a0 I had never played a duff before, so that was new and fun!<\/p>\n

Ahava taught one of the cutest choreographies I\u2019ve ever learned!<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was a balady piece that had many different sections including a short drum solo.\u00a0 She taught the first two thirds and then asked us to improvise the last section.\u00a0 She gave us tips on dancing to balady style for the improvised section.\u00a0 She was a very humorous and nurturing instructor.\u00a0 She even gave individuals in her class a chance to shine by showcasing the improvised solos at the end of her workshop.<\/p>\n

Day 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

After not much sleep (due to my racing thoughts, plus it\u2019s hard to fall asleep without the hubs on my right side), I was up at 8AM for another exciting full day.\u00a0 Day two started with a fan veil choreography taught by Jillina.\u00a0 I\u2019ve dabbled with fan veils, so this workshop gave me a lot of needed ideas and technique for dancing with this prop.\u00a0 It was a piece from Jillina\u2019s Bellydance Evolution<\/a><\/span> production.\u00a0 She taught it to us for use as a soloist or for a group, which was very insightful for those of us who were troupe directors.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to mention how Jillina, along with the guest instructors, let us video-record all of the dances we learned.\u00a0 That has been so helpful in retaining the material.<\/p>\n

Next was drumming with Issam<\/span>.\u00a0 I can\u2019t help but smile when he\u2019s around!\u00a0 His class was super fun!\u00a0 We learned how to play the entire drum solo that Jillina would teach us choreography to the next day.\u00a0 It was much easier to memorize the order of the steps because of the introduction to the music the day before. <\/p>\n

Later that same afternoon we had our first class with Louchia<\/span> from Jillina\u2019s Sahlala Dancers and Bellydance Evolution.\u00a0 Along with Bellydance, Louchia is a master of Central Asian folk dances, including many Russian, Iranian and Afghan dances.\u00a0 This day she taught a Persian Bandari dance, which I loved.\u00a0 Louchia is very knowledgeable and a clear instructor.\u00a0 She seemed like a very serious person as an instructor, but dinner later that night would reveal her wacky, wild story-telling side!<\/p>\n

Next was Stage Makeup with Jamie Lee<\/span>.\u00a0 Jamie shared her extensive knowledge of stage makeup application with a sense of humor and friendliness.\u00a0 I have always studied makeup application techniques, so I already knew a lot going into the class.\u00a0 But I learned many new things anyway, which I still use now.\u00a0 My main complaint about this workshop was that there wasn\u2019t enough time.\u00a0 I heard other attendees who admitted that they hardly had any knowledge of stage makeup and who were really looking forward to expanding their abilities, vocalize that it was frustrating to be rushed and not really have a chance to try the makeup techniques and have them \u201cdouble-checked\u201d by Jamie Lee.\u00a0 I would have also liked hair styling tips to have been addressed.<\/p>\n

A get-together over dinner was scheduled for that evening at Bucca di Beppo<\/span>.\u00a0 Not many people showed up to socialize, but we were already feeling the mental and physical exhaustion creeping up on us.\u00a0 It was fun to see the people who went to dinner cut loose outside of the \u201cclassroom.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n

\"KhalijiDay 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

This day started with a Ballet class by Heather<\/span> from Jillina\u2019s Sahlala Dancers and Bellydance Evolution.\u00a0 This class was very helpful with posture, turns and kicks.\u00a0 I had only a few classes in Ballet before this, so I was surprised how much it influenced me.\u00a0 I ended up choreographing a DRUM SOLO of all things with all kinds of crazy turns, kicks and jumps, inspired by Heather\u2019s Ballet for Bellydancers class!\u00a0 Heather is a lovely, articulate teacher.\u00a0 She is one of my favorite new performers, as well!<\/p>\n

Next was the Issam\/Jillina drum solo!\u00a0 We were all excited to learn it because we had heard the music the day before.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just say her dance lived up to our expectations.\u00a0 When Jillina choreographs a drum solo, it\u2019s like her moves were meant for those sounds.\u00a0 This particular drum solo had some unique sections in it like a Persian 6\/8, where she incorporated classical Persian dance steps.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another neat quality about Jillina: she gave Louchia the spotlight to teach the Persian section of the dance.\u00a0 She admitted that is wasn\u2019t her forte and showcased Louchia instead.\u00a0 It was a great dance and it was extra special that we got to dance to live music by Issam!<\/p>\n

Khaliji-time!\u00a0 Her Khaliji dance was very sassy and fun.\u00a0 Jillina always finds the best music – I ended up creating my own choreography (inspired by Jillina and other skilled Khaliji dancers) to the music Jillina used in this class.\u00a0 We also got to see how she used her choreography as a troupe dance with staging and level changes.\u00a0 And we learned some Khaliji \u201cfashion tips\u201d to make the dresses more figure-hugging and attractive for stage.<\/p>\n

This same evening was our dress rehearsal in preparation for the show that was scheduled for the upcoming Thursday.\u00a0 We had only one hour to do hair, makeup and get into our costumes.\u00a0 Then we performed our dances in a mock-up theater in her Evolution Dance Studios, complete with stage lights and an audience (being each other).\u00a0 It was great seeing everyone all made up \u2013 we all looked like totally different people.\u00a0 It was here that I realized even more all the talent at this event.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Jillina gave us all feedback right there, on the spot, in front of everyone.\u00a0 She gave your strengths and told you what you needed to fix before Thursday\u2019s performance.\u00a0 No pressure.\u00a0 It was good though.\u00a0 I always say that compliments are nice, but critiques are better, because I can grow that way.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just say that I went back to the hotel and choreographed \u201clike the dickens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Day 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day four started with another Ballet class by Heather, which was just was good as the first one, with a little different content.<\/p>\n

We had a really special treat for our next workshop, as both Issam <\/span>and Nasser Musa<\/span> were providing the music for our Um Kolthum<\/span><\/a> class!\u00a0 Jillina taught sections of choreography and we were supposed to fill in the gaps with improvised dancing.\u00a0 We were supposed to focus on emotion during this class.\u00a0\u00a0 I wish we had been given some tools to tap into different emotions \u2013 it wasn\u2019t covered on how to emote much.\u00a0 I have to say that mental fatigue was really starting to squash me during this class.\u00a0 I enjoyed the music and whole lesson so much, but felt like I didn\u2019t get as much out of it because I was drained after almost thirty hours of dancing in only three days.<\/p>\n

The class after lunch was Falahi.\u00a0 I got a blast of energy and was ready to go again!\u00a0 Jillina\u2019s choreography was so creative and fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We used drums as \u201cwater jugs\u201d for our character, and then later danced on the drum, which I was petrified to do, but have since overcome (since then I\u2019ve created an entire troupe dance with everyone dancing on a drum!)<\/p>\n

\u00a0 Jillina gave us tips on how to dance on a drum without breaking our necks.\u00a0 The only thing I would have liked added to this class would have been more history and general information about Falahin dance and music.<\/p>\n

The most aerobic, athletic dance was saved too far towards the end of the weeklong.\u00a0 Debke.\u00a0 I did learn some new steps and I really appreciated the instructor\u2019s talent.\u00a0 This class was taught by Stephanie Sullivan<\/span>, who is a great Debke dancer with a laid back personality.\u00a0 I became very frustrated in her class because she chose to teach the steps from the get-go in a line\u2026with twenty people.\u00a0 It became insanity because half of us couldn\u2019t follow without the steps being broken down before we got in a line holding hands.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

As a student, I would have liked the individual debke combinations taught before we were instructed to get into a tight-knit line.<\/p>\n

Starting off in the line meant that we couldn\u2019t see her very well as she continued to teach the choreography.\u00a0 It also meant that if I or the dancer next to me made a mistake, everyone around would get off the timing and it made it all the more frustrating.\u00a0 Also, the music was exceptionally loud.\u00a0 She and her workshop assistant kept turning it up and up and UP!\u00a0 Even when asked to turn it down \u2013 it would just go up again.\u00a0 I had an incredible headache and couldn\u2019t hear or see her instruction anyway.\u00a0 I had to leave.\u00a0 <\/strong>I think my frustration was apparent, but it was so hard to cover up what I was feeling considering the conditions.\u00a0 Now in all fairness, even though \u00be of the class had dropped out like flies (and this was the first class everyone didn\u2019t ride though), a handful and students toughed it out and seemed to have no problems at all.\u00a0 So I do attribute part of my reaction to my physical and mental exhaustion.\u00a0 Luckily, along with all the other instructors, Stephanie was gracious in letting us film her choreography so we could go back and really learn the awesome choreography she taught.<\/p>\n

\"Jillina'sDay 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

This was the day we got to see Jillina\u2019s Malibu sea-side studio.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

It was amazing!\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t seen it, picture an open-air gazebo-like huge dance studio with one side completely open hanging over-a-Malibu-cliff over looking the Pacific Ocean.\u00a0 Breathtaking. What a great place to create!<\/p>\n

Our first class this morning was a much-needed Pilates class, taught by the very limber Aubre<\/span>.\u00a0 It was nice and relaxing.\u00a0 But not too relaxing, as she too had to kick our behinds just a little. <\/p>\n

We had a restful afternoon that included lunch prepared by Jillina in her home, followed by a video viewing.\u00a0 It was a nice break.<\/p>\n

Back to another of my favorite new dancers, Louchia<\/span> taught a Russian Gypsy dance with a skirt.\u00a0 I really liked this dance and she has inspired me to learn more about this style.<\/p>\n

Our last class of the weeklong was with Lauren<\/span>.\u00a0 She taught various finger cymbal patterns accompanied with bellydance combinations.\u00a0 It was a little too slow paced considering the level of the attendees at the weeklong, but it was fun.\u00a0 A bellydancer can never practice her\/his zills too much!<\/p>\n

It was around 7PM when Lauren\u2019s class concluded.\u00a0 Jillina invited us in to eat dinner, chit chat, and she took the time to individually meet with everyone.\u00a0 So while everyone was waiting their turn, we just hung out and got to know each other a little better.\u00a0 I already had a meeting with her the day before, so I went out to her sea-side cliff-over-hanging studio that\u2019s in her backyard for a little while and worked on my drum solo some more.\u00a0 Then I realized that it was getting dark and I was alone.\u00a0 I started to fear that a mountain lion might come eat me for dinner, so I went back inside her home.<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t believe how generous Jillina was with her time and advice.\u00a0 She gave everyone more one-on-one time than my doctor gives me at an appointment!\u00a0 She truly cares about the dance and her students.<\/p>\n

Day 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

This was the big day.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t have to be at the theater until 2PM, so I slept in a little, woke up and practiced my dance and then headed over to the on-site dress rehearsal.\u00a0 I like seeing how Jillina runs a show and I learned about having high standards in producing a bellydance show.\u00a0 It makes a big difference in the outcome.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Showtime was here and I had to tell myself that \u201cit is what it is.\u201d\u00a0 I was getting ready up until I had to go on (I hate waiting around – it makes me nervous).\u00a0 I performed and remembered my whole dance, of course adding the suggestions Jillina and my peers shared, which made it much better compared to the dress rehearsal two days prior.\u00a0 I went out and watched the remainder of the show and saw incredible talent from all over the world.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

I have to say that I was disappointed there weren\u2019t more people from Los Angeles to watch the show.\u00a0 It was a Thursday night, so there probably wasn\u2019t too much competition in terms of other bellydance shows going on.\u00a0 And Jillina is such a Super Star, you\u2019d think more of her local peeps would be out there supporting her.\u00a0 I thought the place was going to be standing room only.\u00a0 It was a great show, anyway, and I was proud to be a part of it.<\/p>\n

Jillina\u2019s weeklong was one of the best bellydance experiences I have ever had.\u00a0 It was beyond expectations and I feel like I\u2019ve grown ten-fold since I attended it.\u00a0 Jillina is the consummate Bellydance professional.\u00a0 I have a theory that we love the dancers we love because something kind and loving shines from within them that they share with us when they perform.\u00a0 Jillina is a true star who shows those qualities both on and off stage.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n


\nEglal, Dahab, Rebecca, Nabila, Emalee<\/strong><\/h6>\n

\n<\/p>\n

\"use<\/p>\n

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Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or Send us a letter!<\/a>
\nCheck the "Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n

Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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