The fabulous Riskallah Riyad will be in Olympia as the instructor
for Mas Uda’s annual benefit event on Sat/Sun April 4 & 5.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from this great
instructor!!
She will be available for semi-private lessons at $35 per person
per hour (so two dancers can book an hour together and pay $70
for the hour, ($35 each) or 3 dancers can book an hour at $35 each
- or $105 total)
She will be available ONLY for the following times/places -
Sunday 4:15-5:15 in the Communications Building of The Evergreen
State College.
Monday 9:00-10:00 at Mas Uda studio, Lacey
In order to book one of these lessons you must also be registered
for at least one of the workshops she is presenting on April 4 or
5 at The Evergreen State College.
BIO – Riskallah Riyad (Dolores Matzen)
you can find more info on her website – www.riskallah.com
“Riskallah (Riyad) is a very gifted and talented .artist.
She’s worked very hard, not only as a dancer, but as a spokeswoman
for the dance. She’s a very special person, a beautiful talent.”
The late – Ibrahim Farrah, NYC
Middle Eastern dancer and choreographer Riskallah Riyad has
performed and taught nationally for over thirty-five years.
Known for her graceful yet crisp style, impeccable technique,
and energetic teaching, she has inspired a dedicated professional
and student following. Middle Eastern Dance New England recently
called her a “stellar performer and teacher.” Riskallah has been
featured in Spotlight and Arabesque magazines, gracing the cover
of the former in 1981. Additionally, she distinguishes herself
as an innovator, having originated and perfected the double veil
technique in the 1970s. Today this method is routinely imitated
by other dancers and incorporated into belly dance canon. She
also sets herself apart from other artists with her versatility
and knowledge. Her solo and ensemble choreographies in folk and
classical Oriental styles demonstrate a deep understanding of
their cultural origins. “Her work always retains an authentic
flavor while being distinctly her own. Further, her contemporary
fusion works succeed in expressing modern day reverence, mystery,
and appreciation for drama.”
Riskallah’s creative skills attest to a rigorous and diverse
background in dance. Formal classes began in childhood and
continued into adulthood with jazz, ballet, and modern, but her
Arabic descent and love of Middle Eastern rhythms eventually led
her to focus on Oriental dance. She trained in New York City
first with Serena Wilson and for over ten years with Ibrahim
Farrah. Other notable mentors are Valarie Camille, Elena Lentini,
and Marta Zorina. Studies continue today with Elena Lentini and
Marta Zorina. In order to become more thoroughly versed in the
many complex Middle Eastern rhythms, she studied percussion
with Hanna Mirhige, percussionist with Ibrahim Farrah’s Near
East Dance Group.
Performance highlights include stage shows throughout
Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, including Tarrytown Music
Hall, NY Columbia University in New York City, Fairleigh
Dickenson University, NJ, University of Hartford in CT,
University of Connecticut, Storrs; Bill Miller Art Center,
Branford, CT, Ives Concert Hall, Danbury, CT. Cabaret work
includes Faizel’s and Darvish in New York City, all major
cabarets in Boston, MA, Washington D.C., Richmond, VA, and CT.
She currently directs the Riskallah Riyad Dance Theatre Company,
presenting concerts and performances for both stage and cabaret.
Riskallah holds BS and MS degrees in Education, has taught
public school and been a consultant to teachers. She currently
maintains a robust schedule teaching Middle Eastern dance classes
daily in Connecticut. In addition to working with students of all
levels, she conducts master classes and special workshops
nationally. She is the innovator of the acclaimed Teacher
Training Course, “Footprints a Journey Toward Teaching
Excellence.” A testimony to her reputation for excellence, she
is the only instructor invited by the popular Beach Blanket
Beledi, Nags Head, NC to return seven times. She is scheduled
for an eighth engagement in October, 2008. Recently, Riskallah
was honored to host the legendary Mahmoud Reda, pioneer of
Egyptian dance, at a special event which attracted national
and international attendees to Connecticut. Due to its
overwhelming success, the exacting and disciplined Reda looks
forward to returning in 2009 to once again work with her
students, whom he praised for their high level of training
and performance ability.