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Workshops |
Paola's workshops continue to gain worldwide acclaim as some of the best-taught, most inspirational and creative. Solidly based in a 16-year love affair with Oriental Dance, she offers style, technique and choreography in Classical Oriental, Folkloric (Saiidi, Milaya), Pop Egyptian and Shaabi, along with Karsilama 9/8 and Tchiftetelli....always with her special twist and theatrical flair.
Her extensive training in Isadora Duncan's lyrical contemporary dance has created theatrical permutations of Oriental dance - visionary journeys for dancers interested in taking Oriental to new expressive, artistic heights. Adding lyrical technique to Oriental and Tribal styles has created a nobler, more lifted style with greater expressive reach. This is rapidly being recognized as Paola's signature styles, inspiring troupes and soloists alike to new theatrical dimensions. Read more about it in her Bellydance Oasis article (click here).
Finally, Paola's Balkan birth and intimate family connection to the Roma of Macedonia have formed the basis of her third style, of which she is a World Pioneer: Balkan Fusion. She distills the rhythms, flair, and earthy steps of Balkan dance to a beautiful mixture with Oriental femininity for dances that offer a distinct community dance aspect along with inspiration for improvised expression. Read more about this exciting new form in her article in The Gilded Serpent (click here). |
You can request a full topic catalogue by email (paolablanton@gmail.com) |
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The Dancer is the Vessel -
Imagery and Breathwork for Inspiration
UNESCO World Dance Congress
Malaga, Spain
July 2009
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Paola's teaching is very emotive. She encourages her students to bring their hearts and imagination into the dance. She shows how the dance should come from the soul, and how to transform the dancer into a goddess. |
- Tunku Alina, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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The Gypsy Experience
Grand Junction, Colorado
June 2010
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Your teaching style is inspirational, thorough, energetic, and fun. You are delightful! |
- Pamela Allen, Rochester, NY |
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Isadora Duncan for Oriental
Madrid, Spain
July 2010
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Oi Paola! Parabens pelo work! Estava maravilhoso! Adorei! Já faz algum tempo que eu via um work tão bem dirigido! E obrigada pelo ensinamento. |
- Sahira Fatin, São Paulo, Brazil |
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Black Steppe Tribal
Split Tribal Fest
Split, Croatia
August 2010
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I wanted to thank you for an inspiring and joy-filled workshop. I was (and continue to be) so motivated by your enthusiasm and energy for dancing. I gathered you have a deep and profound understanding of how the dance connects us to ourselves and to that which is beyond ourselves, on all levels of being. |
- Samantha Maria Fynn, Capetown, SA |
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Balkan Fusion
The Baubo Moon Room
Pembrokeshire, Wales
September 2009
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I had a wonderful workshop with beautiful Paola Blanton, she is THE BEST! |
- Ksenija Visket, Maribor, Slovenia |
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Shaabi
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
February 2009
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We danced in a Greek festival last week and used a lot of the cool new moves you taught us. You are SUCH an inspiration! |
- Laila Aziz, Chicago |
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The Gypsy Road
Long Island, New York
June 2010
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God has blessed you with endless talent. I am thankful to have been in one of your workshops! |
- Deborah, North Carolina |
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World Dance
Rochester, NY, USA
April 2010
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Thank you so much for your amazing work shop. I loved the energy and the style that you portray. I hope you come back to America soon, I'd like to take real classes with you even if it's just for a short time. =) |
- Victoria, Long Island, NY, USA |
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The content of your workshop is exactly what I have intuitively searched for and missed in my dancing and I feel privileged to have done the workshop with you and to have found something so inspiring. |
- Liz Van Der Berg, Capetown, South Africa |
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Ritual Dance of Invocation
South Africa
October 2010
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| I cried when you danced last night. You have an
aura of beauty when you dance and at this
performance the mere gesture of a hand had me
gasping. No other bellydancer has taken my breath
away. I sat like a child never wanting you to stop
moving. |
- Kelly Garland-Gobbi, Melbourne, Australia |
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Estilo Lírico
São Paulo, Brazil
March 2010
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THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU (!) for the fantastic workshops this weekend! You gave me some pages from what I have found missing in the workshops and classes I have been attending these past 3+ years. Expression! Emotional connection to the dance. The flow and fluidity and transference of energy. The logical conclusion of the momentum in movement. I found it all so profound, I had tears coming to my eyes several times during your workshop sessions these past 2 days. |
- Lynna Chew, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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Theatrical Oriental
Victoria, BC, Canada
February 2009
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Vivacious, energtic, and humurous, but very serious about her
craft - a real dynamo! She has wonderful varied texture to her
movement, is very accomplished, and her confidence and
engagement onstage is fantastic. |
- Bobbie Forbes Barry, Victoria, BC, Canada |
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Dark Moon and Water Movement
Harrisburg, PA, US
January 2009
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Opino lo mismo es fenomenal , la elegancia y al mismo tiempo fuerza la dan ese magnetismo que la hace ser grande aun siendo menuda , me encantaria verla en un escenario. PAOLA gracias por tu buen hacer y por tu simpatia. |
- Isabel Sanchez Tapia, Madrid, Spain |
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A to Z Full Original Program
Kelowna, BC, Canada
June 2008
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Thank you so much for gracing Colorado with your beautiful performance and fun workshops! I had a great time dancing and learning with you! |
- Satya Lila, Grand Junction, Colorado |
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Movement of the Four Elements |
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Paola Blanton is teaching a Gypsy Balkan workshop in Chicago this weekend. If you can make it, I HIGHLY recommend this phenominal woman!! We met around 2002 when I pulled her onstage with us at Lollapalooza and she has kickedazz all over the world for over a decade now. Check her fanpage or youtube her and get your booty's to her workshop... ♥ |
- Isa Shisha, San Francisco |
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Dances of Fire
Sphinx Festival
Cairo, Egypt
December 2009
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| A fearless force to be reckoned with - a gorgeous toned work
of art. Serious, playful, and completely talented in so many
arenas ... I cannot wait for her next workshop. |
- Dawn C. Dando, Harrisburg, PA |
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A to Z Teacher Training
Sphinx Festival
Cairo, Egypt
December 2009
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Eu fiz parte dessa vivencia e voltei para casa renovada, com muitas coisas novas para acresentar o meu conhecimento, e o melhor muito feliz. Muito obrigada Paola Blanton! |
- Sonia Aliha, São Paulo, Brazil |
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Pop Beledi
International Oriental Dance Festival
Capetown, South Africa
October 2009
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Que decirte el curso con Paola está siendo inolvidable que energía, elegancia, ... es increible como me hizo sentir aye. |
- Natalia Car, Madrid, Spain |
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Balkan Gypsy Fusion
Split Tribal Fest
Split, Croatia
August 2010
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A fabulous weekend of dance... masterful workshops and a show with dance styles from around the world. Miss Paola Blanton is a blessing to the world dance community... an inspiring artist and an all around great gal! |
- Pati Vito, Rochester, NY |
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Turbo Gypsy
Ethno Square Festival
Berovo, Macedonia
August 2010
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Thank you for an awesome workshop on the beach..... it was sooooo beautiful.... using the wind, sand and water. Thank you awesome lady... |
- Theresa Warner, Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
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"Black Steppe" Lyrical Tribal
4th Annual Oriental Dance Festival
Capetown, South Africa
October 2009
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| Está siendo INCREIBLE, GENIAL ... Muchas gracias! |
- Raquel Rabadán Carrasco, Madrid, Spain |
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Lyrical Arms
Chicago, IL, US
June 2009
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Hello Paola! I can only say it was an ABSOLUTE pleasure to meet you, watch you perform and to learn from you! You are an inspiration! Thank you for coming out! |
- Natalie Misplon, South Africa |
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Lyrical Tchiftetelli
Rochester, NY, US
January 2009
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| What a stunning woman!! Feel really honoured to have seen her perform! |
- Ruhvene Miles, South Africa |
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Balkan Fusion
Morocco's 2009 Winter Weeklong
New York City, US
February 2009
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Today I was welcomed into the world of Balkan dance with many thanks to my firey muse, Paola Blanton, and had a most wonderful time learning to dance with my heart. |
- Erika S., New York, NY |
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Paola is a certified Master Instructor of Keti Sharif's world-famous A to Z Bellydance Methods. A to Z has helped thousands of dancers develop and hone their craft through a logical, aesthetic approach to choreography. It is also an excellent teaching tool that provides endless opportunities for instruction at all levels. Paola conducts A to Z Master classes, workshops, and teacher training seminars in Cairo and around the world. To learn more about A to Z, click here.
Paola's teacher training seminars are widely esteemed for their pedagogical soundness and creativity. A life career in teaching, both in academics and the arts, has endowed her with visionary methods and strategies that she imparts to dance teachers of all levels. Class structure and strategy, teaching mixed levels, musicality, creative imagery, and how to clearly break down steps for student success are only some of the skills you will gain from her teacher training seminars. |
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