Special Workshops 2026

Name
Days
Location
Tuition
Fan Veils Workshop with Gwen
Gwen Melville
8 spots left
Join Gwen in this fun and informative Fan Veil Workshop.

We will be covering technique including holds, flutters, flourishes , spins and turns, Single and closed fans, poses and wraps. We will also learn a few combinations and apply them to music.

All levels welcome; some basic Bellydance experience recommended.

Fan veils will be available for purchase at the workshop.

đź—“ Thursday, June 18
🕖 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Hall A at Mlacak Centre, 2400 Campeau Drive, Kanata
đź’° $60
👥 Limited to 15 participants (space is limited; early registration is recommended!)
Thursday
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
John G. Mlacak Community Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr, Kanata
$60.00
Sagat / Zills: Finger Cymbals Workshop with Jocelyne
Jocelyne (Jehane) Khan
16 spots left
Ready to bring your dancing to life with live rhythm?

Join Jocelyne Khan for a focused 90-minute finger cymbals (Sagat / Zills) workshop designed to build confidence, coordination, and musicality. Whether you are new to playing zills or looking to refine your skills, this session will give you practical tools you can immediately apply in class and performance.

In this workshop, you will:
- Learn proper cymbal technique and sound production
- Develop coordination between hands and footwork
- Practice some essential Middle Eastern rhythms commonly used in Bellydance
- Layer simple combinations while playing
- Build stamina and confidence
- Recieve an informative handout with cymbal information and practice exercises

Playing finger cymbals transforms your relationship to the music. It sharpens timing, deepens rhythm recognition, and adds a dynamic layer to your dance presence.

All levels welcome; some basic Bellydance experience recommended.

Finger cymbals will be available for purchase at the workshop (prices for cymbal sets range from $20-$60 depending on the model chosen).

đź—“ Tuesday, June 16
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM
📍 Dance Studio at the Shenkman Arts Centre
đź’° $40
👥 Limited to 25 participants
Space is limited to 25 participants; early registration is recommended.
Tuesday
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio
Shenkman Arts Centre
$40.00
Saturday Drum Solo Intensive with Siobhan
Siobhan Camille
24 spots left
Duniya Studio presents: Siobhan Camille in Ottawa
August 29–30, 2026 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Join internationally recognized artist Siobhan Camille for an immersive weekend of technique, drills, and choreography designed to elevate your dance to the next level.

Saturday: Drum Solo Secrets: Technique and Choreography Intensive with Siobhan Camille

Are you ready to conquer the stage? Join Siobhan Camille in this one day intensive dedicated to the secrets of the drum solo!
We’ll begin by focusing on strong, foundational technique, and progress to learning and drilling advanced technique and layering skills. Along the way, Siobhan will share some of her performance and stage presence tips and tricks to help you make any performance powerful.

To put everything into practice, you’ll then learn a brand new, original tabla solo choreography. By the end of this intensive, you’ll have something totally unique to present at your next performance opportunity!

The belly dance drum solo is one of Siobhan's specialties, thanks to her strong, isolated technique and cheeky stage presence. Come and learn Siobhan’s Drum Solo Secrets!

** If registering for both days of this weekend, please use promo code SIOBHAN2DAYS when checking out to get the full weekend discounted price. **

Super Early Bird (until May 31)
• $150 — Single Day
• $250 — Full Weekend

Early Bird (June 1 – July 20)
• $180 — Single Day
• $310 — Full Weekend

Full Price (after July 20)
• $220 — Single Day
• $390 — Full Weekend

Limited to 30 participants; early registration strongly recommended
Saturday
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio
Shenkman Arts Centre
$150.00
Sunday Isolations & Shimmies Intensive with Siobhan
Siobhan Camille
25 spots left
Duniya Studio presents: Siobhan Camille in Ottawa
August 29–30, 2026 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Join internationally recognized artist Siobhan Camille for an immersive weekend of technique, drills, and choreography designed to elevate your dance to the next level.

Sunday: Isolations & Shimmies

Shimmy Marathon: Technique
Get ready - it’s time for a shimmy marathon! Explore multiple different styles of shimmies, drills and strengthening exercises to level up your technique, and learn about how to modify shimmy technique for your body. Let’s shake it!

Isolation Exploration: Technique & Combinations
Siobhan Camille is known for her strong isolations, and she’s ready to share all her secrets with you! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to access and isolate muscles around the hips and torso to create both soft, fluid movements, and stunning sharp hits and locks, and take home drills and drillable combinations to continue practising at home.

** If registering for both days of this weekend, please use promo code SIOBHAN2DAYS when checking out to get the 2-day discount. **

Super Early Bird (until May 31)
• $150 — Single Day
• $250 — Full Weekend

Early Bird (June 1 – July 20)
• $180 — Single Day
• $310 — Full Weekend

Full Price (after July 20)
• $220 — Single Day
• $390 — Full Weekend

Limited to 30 participants; early registration strongly recommended
Sunday
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio
Shenkman Arts Centre
$150.00

2026-02 (April-June)

Name
Days
Location
Tuition
Level 1: Basic Beginner Bellydance (Kanata)
Linor Shpungin
8 spots left
Discover the foundations of Raqs Sharqi!

Perfect for those who are brand new to bellydance, this welcoming class focuses on essential posture, basic movements, and foundational technique. Students will explore a variety of beginner moves, transitions, and combinations while gaining familiarity with the rhythms and melodies of Middle Eastern music.

No choreography is taught in this level; the focus is on building comfort, confidence, and body awareness. Come as you are – no prior dance experience needed.
Wednesday
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Mlacak Hall A
John G. Mlacak Community Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr, Kanata
$175.00
Level 2: Beginner-Intermediate Bellydance (Kanata)
Cathy Paveley
8 spots left
Deepen your skills and start expressing yourself!

This level is ideal for students who are comfortable with beginner technique and ready to grow. We’ll expand your movement vocabulary with new steps, movement variations, and simple layering, while different sessions will introduce various props such as veil, cane (assaya), or finger cymbals (sagat).

You’ll begin to explore musical interpretation, stylization, and improvisation in a fun, supportive environment. A choreographed routine may be taught, helping students transition from technique practice to expressive performance.
Wednesday
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Mlacak Hall A
John G. Mlacak Community Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr, Kanata
$175.00
Level 3: Intermediate Bellydance (Kanata)
Gwen Melville
4 spots left
Refine, express, and expand your artistry!

This level is for dancers with solid foundational skills who are ready to advance their technique and deepen their artistry. We’ll work on precision, control, and expression, with more complex combinations, layering, and improvisation.

You’ll develop proficiency in popular props such as veil, cane (assaya), finger cymbals (sagat), and throughout multiple sessions may explore additional tools like Isis wings, or sword (sayf). Students will also engage more deeply with the regional styles and rhythms of Middle Eastern music. A choregraphed routine may be taught.
Thursday
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Mlacak Hall A
John G. Mlacak Community Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr, Kanata
$175.00
Level 4: Advanced Bellydance (Kanata)
Cathy Paveley
7 spots left
Perform with confidence, grace, and mastery!

Designed for experienced dancers, this advanced class challenges students to bring their technique, musicality, and performance quality to a professional level. You’ll work on complex layering, dynamic transitions, stylization, and improvisational confidence, along with advanced use of props such as assaya, sagat, melaya leff, tray, sayf, or candelabra (shamadan).

We’ll delve into a wide variety of Middle Eastern dance genres and aesthetics, enhancing both your technical mastery and cultural depth. A challenging performance routine choreography may be taught to prepare students for the stage or solo development.
Thursday
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Mlacak Hall A
John G. Mlacak Community Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr, Kanata
$175.00
Level 1: Basic Beginner Bellydance (Orleans)
Louise Houle
19 spots left
Discover the foundations of Raqs Sharqi!

Perfect for those who are brand new to bellydance, this welcoming class focuses on essential posture, basic movements, and foundational technique. Students will explore a variety of beginner moves, transitions, and combinations while gaining familiarity with the rhythms and melodies of Middle Eastern music.

No choreography is taught in this level; the focus is on building comfort, confidence, and body awareness. Come as you are – no prior dance experience needed.

*** NOTE: Monday classes in Orleans go until June 15; there are no classes on holiday Monday April 6 and holiday Monday May 18.
The sign-up here for Orleans classes is free and NOT official registration. Registering in the Duniya portal only adds you to the teacher’s email list and sends you instructions. To officially join the Orleans classes, you must register and pay through the City of Ottawa at: https://tinyurl.com/DuniyaShenkman ***
Monday
7:45 PM to 8:45 PM
Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio
Shenkman Arts Centre
 
Level 2: Beginner-Intermediate Bellydance (Orleans)
Louise Houle
20 spots left
Deepen your skills and start expressing yourself!

This level is ideal for students who are comfortable with beginner technique and ready to grow. We’ll expand your movement vocabulary with new steps, movement variations, and simple layering, while different sessions will introduce various props such as veil, cane (assaya), or finger cymbals (sagat).

You’ll begin to explore musical interpretation, stylization, and improvisation in a fun, supportive environment. A choreographed routine may be taught, helping students transition from technique practice to expressive performance.


*** NOTE: Monday classes in Orleans go until June 15; there are no classes on holiday Monday April 6 and holiday Monday May 18. The sign-up here for Orleans classes is free and NOT official registration. Registering in the Duniya portal only adds you to the teacher’s email list and sends you instructions. To officially join the Orleans classes, you must register and pay through the City of Ottawa at: https://tinyurl.com/DuniyaShenkman ***
Monday
8:45 PM to 9:45 PM
Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio
Shenkman Arts Centre
 
Level 1: Basic Beginner Bellydance (Orleans)
Jocelyne (Jehane) Khan
25 spots left
Discover the foundations of Raqs Sharqi!

Perfect for those who are brand new to bellydance, this welcoming class focuses on essential posture, basic movements, and foundational technique. Students will explore a variety of beginner moves, transitions, and combinations while gaining familiarity with the rhythms and melodies of Middle Eastern music.

No choreography is taught in this level; the focus is on building comfort, confidence, and body awareness. Come as you are – no prior dance experience needed.

*** NOTE: Tuesday classes in Orleans go until June 2.
The sign-up here for Orleans classes is free and NOT official registration. Registering in the Duniya portal only adds you to the teacher’s email list and sends you instructions. To officially join the Orleans classes, you must register and pay through the City of Ottawa at: https://tinyurl.com/DuniyaShenkman ***
Tuesday
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio
Shenkman Arts Centre
 
Level 3: Intermediate Bellydance (Orleans)
Jocelyne (Jehane) Khan
20 spots left
Refine, express, and expand your artistry.

This level is for dancers with solid foundational skills who are ready to advance their technique and deepen their artistry. We’ll work on precision, control, and expression, with more complex combinations, layering, and improvisation.

You’ll develop proficiency in popular props such as veil, cane (assaya), finger cymbals (sagat), and throughout multiple sessions may explore additional tools like Isis wings, or sword (sayf). Students will also engage more deeply with the regional styles and rhythms of Middle Eastern music. A choregraphed routine may be taught.

*** NOTE: Tuesday classes in Orleans go until June 2. The sign-up here for Orleans classes is free and NOT official registration. Registering in the Duniya portal only adds you to the teacher’s email list and sends you instructions. To officially join the Orleans classes, you must register and pay through the City of Ottawa at: https://tinyurl.com/DuniyaShenkman ***
Tuesday
7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio
Shenkman Arts Centre