Galit Mersand & Tim Garside

Israeli born Galit Mersand has been teaching and performing Belly Dance for over a decade. In that time she has established herself as one the UK's favorite belly dancers and sought after teachers.

Her natural feel for Arabic music and dance to which she's been exposed since childhood together with a vast & varied dance training make her an authentic yet versatile dancer. As a teacher Galit is great fun and offers a high technical standard.

She has a unique ability to draw the best out of her students and has great respect for her students’ own skills and dance style which makes her a truly inspiring teacher.

Workshops with Tim garside

Tim Garside is a percussionist who has specialised in Middle Eastern percussion for over 20 years. In 1993 he became the first European percussionist to tour with an Arabic band, in Hossam Ramzy’s Egyptian Ensemble.
He also plays Nay {Arabic flute}, Arghul {Arabic pipe}, and many other ethnic instruments.

Tim's many years of working with dancers has given him an instinctive feel for the symbiotic relationship between drummer and dancer.

His Arabic percussion workshops appeal not only to percussionists but to dancers wanting to gain more of an insight in understanding the rhythms , his highly motivated enthusiastic approach and sensitive teaching skills have lead to great success in this area.

Tim toured extensively and recorded with Arabic singer Natacha Atlas for 5 years.
Other artistes include Algerian singer Cheb Mami, composer David Arnold, Egyptian singer Hakim, the late great Iranian singer Vigen, Transglobal Underground, Iranian singer Jirar, and the successful early music group Joglaresa.

Galit Mersand and musician Tim Garside are delighted to introduce new, unique and exciting workshops for dancers of all levels.

With emphasis on improvisation, music interpretation and the subtle communication between the dancer and the musician, these workshops are a golden opportunity for dancers to increase their confidence improvising to live music and gain a deeper understanding of the structure of Arabic music and how it's expressed in dance.

Very approachable and not without a sense of humor, Tim and Galit are passionate and experienced teachers, happy to share their knowledge and offer individual attention where needed.

Below is a short description of the workshops

The magic of Tabla - Beg/imp level

An opportunity for dancers to deepen their understanding of Egyptian rhythms, learn how to express them in your dance, exploring the magical relationship between the Tabla player and the dancer.

Brigthon - 28th of September

The magic of tabla - int/adv level

With emphasis on improvisation and the subtle communication between the dancer and the drummer, this workshop is a golden opprtunity for dancers to increase their confidence improvising to live drumming and gain an understanding the drum solo.

London - 2nd of November

The Spirit of Nay - Imp/int level

In this workshop we will let the haunting, unpredictable and flowing sounds of live Nay lead us. Exploring it's slow and moody as well as it's upbeat and lighter character using different techniques to explore how music moves the soul to move the body. We will learn to alternate between dancing with a melody to dancing to an improvised Nay playing with confidence and ease. An inspiring workshop which will teach you to let go through music and dance.

London - 7th of December click here to book

Level of all workshops can be adjusted.

Tim and Galit also perform together and will be happy to come teach and perform in your area For fees and more details email Galit at info@galitmersand.com or call 07957 636 151.

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