Workshops

I've been fortunate to spend the past 20 years doing the things I love most; traveling, studying and teaching. Here's a compilation of workshops that I've taught domestically and internationally. I'm happy to answer any questions or tailor a workshop to your specific needs and interests. 

KAESHI Classics

Poses Galore

Bored with using the same poses over and over? Learn 39 arm positions and 26 leg positions that will give you around 40,000 new options to add to your dance tool kit and learn how to transition dynamically between them tracing beautiful patterns in space.

CREATIVE LAB - BUILD A THEATRICAL DANCE

• Harness the power of dance to connect on a deeper level

• Learn methods to quickly sketch and develop compelling stories

• Co-create original performance art with a message

• Learn how to create site specific art

• Shift from hierarchy to holacracy

• Expand emotional expression

Performance Skills

Express your authentic self with an audience exploring your emotional range using your intention and imagination for a riveting performance. Learn how to expand your presence to connect with an audience as well as different methods to improvise with confidence. Whether your stage is space between a restaurant, or a theater with 2000 seats, you will gain skills to become a more magnetic performer. This workshop is appropriate for dancers of all levels and styles.

Innovative Veil 

Learn how you can use a veil for more than just floating and framing. You will learn some of Kaeshi’s favorite flourishes, throws, holds, binds, snaps, wraps and combinations. By the end of this workshop your veil will become a tool for transformation. (Please bring a 3 yard veil.)

BADASS VEIL

Veil dancing usually conjures up images of dreamy and floaty moves. Did you know it's possible to also be a total badass with your veil? I will share some unusual ways to dance with a veil to bring out your dark side. Get ready to crack that whip!

Belly Dance Fans

Fascinated by fans but don’t know how to use them? Then come and discover how the beauty of fan dancing can enhance your ability to mesmerize an audience. Kaeshi learned fan dance first hand from Chinese dance masters as a teenager, and toured throughout multiple cities in Australia dancing with the “Chinese Youth League”. Learn different hand holds, poses, dramatic accents, poses you can strike, plus a myriad of bellydance movements that work well with fan technique. Appropriate for 12 inch fans with 5-12 inches of fabric hanging off the edge. Please bring your own fans to the workshop.

Combo Platter 

Learn 3 combos in the styles of Oriental, Fusion and Flamenco Fusion from Kaeshi Chai who is renown for her versatility as a performer and instructor. Kaeshi draws upon her extensive experience performing internationally for all walks of life in many different venues to bring you a workshop that will also enable you to effectively reach your audience by learning how to modify your dance style to suit each unique situation. By the end of this workshop, you will have greater confidence with how to tackle a variety of performance opportunities.

EXPRESS YOUR UNIQUE VOICE + CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Story Telling through Dance

Gain theatrical tools to more effectively connect to audiences and convey your story through dance. (I've been training intensely in Lecoq physical theatre methodology and just completed the Dellarte International School of Physical Theatre summer intensive ).

Fearless Improvisation

Feel the fear and do it anyway. Learn how to improvise in a safe space by sharpening your ability to listen, embracing space and dynamics and letting your true self be seen.

Connect and Play

Build community, deepen relationships and play with your fellow dancers through games, laughter and flocking. 

Unleash Your Inner Beast and Goddess

The beast is our power, rage, grief and desires. The Goddess is our compassion, serenity, love and joy. Explore these light and dark archetypes that live within yourself with Kaeshi Chai in a safe environment by varying your intent, gaze, posture, muscle control and type of movements. You will also be introduced to Lecoq, Dell'Arte, Laban and Playback physical theatre techniques.

Technique

Clean Up Your Act!

Technique clinic to polish your foundation moves. Good for dancers of all levels.

Choreographies - PROPs

Veil Enchantment

Learn a full choreography where you will give life to your dancing partner, the veil. Soar through an enchanting song Warda's Whorehouse by Philip Glass with new flourishes, throws, holds and wraps to invigorate the way you dance with fabric.

veil to Lamma Bada

Learn how to dance with a veil to the world-famous song, "Lamma Bada" which is in the 10/8 Samai rhythm. Captivating moves such as the geyser, cocoon, single-sided butterfly and more will be shared plus learn the meaning of the song lyrics as well as it's history.

Veil to Tango to Evora by Loreena McKennitt

Delightful Double Fans

Choreography to Maintenant by Rupa and the April Fishes.

SINGLE FAN

Choreography to “Good Morning Guangzhou”

CHOREOGRAPHIES - ORIENTAL

Drum Solo

Learn a fun, cheeky drum solo that will drill your shimmies and isolations with the seamless integration of everyday gestures to capture the hearts of your audience. Music: Dayerat-i-Doum by Rami El Aasser

DRUM SOLO to DARBUKA SOLO (BUNJAMIN OLGUNCAN)

Batwanes Beek (with optional finger cymbals)

Laylet Hob

Slow + Sensual

Serpentine choreography to the Sensual Chifte by Eddie Kochak

Darigh Nur by Mario Kirlis

Immerse yourself in the captivating rhythms and melodies of the song "Darigh Nur" by the late Mario Kirlis, a virtuoso composer from Argentina. You will learn an array of dynamic combinations covering traveling and stationary steps that will elevate your musicality and enrich your personal repertoire.

CHOREOGRAPHIES - FUSION

Contemporary Belly dance

Contemporary and bellydance both embrace movements that trace spirals, figure 8s, circles, contractions and releases. Learn how these two worlds enhance and compliment each other to the song Tetrishead by Zoe Keating with traveling floor patterns and dynamic stationary combinations that will enable you to fill up a stage.

Contemporary belly dance to Every Breath You Take

FLAMENCO-Fusion Choreography

Learn Kaeshi’s beautiful flamenco fusion style with step-by-step break down in technique and combos culminating in an enthralling choreography to Beatbox Guitar’s beautiful song The End Again. (Bring a full skirt.)

Snake Priestess

Become a serpent and learn the Fusion choreography to the song Filii Neidhardi by Corvus Corax. Dance moves you will learn include: Satellite, Maya ¾ shimmy, Egyptian basic, Torso Rotation, Taksim, Arabic, Cobra circles and some unique Kaeshi creations movements including the bow and arrow turn, slinky, death dive, small, medium, large Lotus arms and more.

SMATRON

Fun Fusion Choreography to "Smatron" by Balkan Beatbox
Dive into an infectiously joyful fusion choreography set to the irresistible beats of "Smatron" by Balkan Beatbox. Get ready to unleash your inner groove and experience the sheer delight of moving to this catchy tune in a captivating routine.

Humorous + Theatrical

Choreography to Istanbul by They Might Be Giants.

TEMPLE GODDESS

Embody the archetype of a temple goddess through learning steps from Middle Eastern and Dunhuang Chinese dance to a song called "Apsara Calling" by CloZee

Testimonials

Residencies