Dancing to live music is a somewhat different skill than dancing to
recorded music. The modern day dance climate does not allow for many opportunities to perform with musicians.
Riskalah Riyad has performed in stage, nightclub and party
venues and has worked with some of the finest musicians of Middle Eastern Music including Mitchell Kaltsunas, Walid &
Fowzi Assaf of the Phoenicians, Joey Zeytoonian, the late Hannah Mirhige, the late Eddie Kochak, The Sultans and Scott Wilson.
Riskallah Riyad
CLASS WILL COVER
Improvisation techniques
Preparing for the show
Developing a relationship with the musicians
The ongoing relationship with the musicians
The ongoing
relationship with the musicians
Dancing with the musicians
Amos Libby on oud and Eric LaParna on dumbek comprise the ensemble Okbari
specializing in ottoman classical and Turkish contemporary music along with Armenian and Anatolian folk traditions. The pair
has played for dancers throughout the U.S. and has performed on concert stages on Istanbul, Turkey.
