Katerina Troitskaya To Host Dance Workshop
Local dance enthusiasts are being encouraged “to get fit and have fun” while attending a special two-day dance workshop this weekend.
Choreographer Katerina Troitskaya will be showing a small group of women how to dance to the latest dancehall and Afrobeat tunes.
Rebel Dance Workshop ‘Dancehall Meets Afrobeats’ will take place tomorrow [Nov 5] and Sunday [Nov 6] from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.
The two day series takes place at Island Physique Studio, located in the Old Berkeley Cultural Center, and costs $85 in advance or $100 at the door.
Local studio owner Fajr Bashir said, “I had been online searching for dancehall and Afrobeats moves for my dance fitness routines and it’s through there I actually came across Katarina’s dancing.
“I started following her on Instagram and immediately my interest was piqued. I found some of her videos on YouTube and decided to contact her last month to see if she would be interested in doing a workshop in Bermuda. She responded very quickly and gave me all the information I needed – and we proceeded from there.”
A spokesperson said, “Ms Troitskaya, born and raised in Moscow, is considered one of the most viewed dancers and choreographers on social media. The 25-year-old has amassed more than 57,000 followers on Instagram and been featured in music videos by reggae superstars like Shaggy.
“This weekend she plans to go beyond just dance instruction and will explain some of the history and techniques behind the steps. Participants will walk away with a full dance routine under their belt and the confidence to let loose and have fun.”
“I just want them to enjoy themselves,” Ms Troitskaya said. “If they leave my class with a smile I’m happy because that’s why we dance – to have fun, celebrate our life and enjoy ourselves.”
“Ms Troitskaya first became interested in dance when she was nine-years-old.”
“In those days I was interested in ballroom dancing, but after four years my partner decided to stop and eventually I decided to take a break as well,” she said.
“I tried other things like tennis and karate, but when I was 18 I was introduced to hip hop and never looked back. I went into a dance studio and knew I wanted to try something new. There happened to be a hip hop group there showing off some steps and I decided to try it.”
“She said hip hop music was incredibly popular in Moscow.”
“I then travelled to Paris and was introduced to dancehall and that was it for me, I fell in love,” she added.
“She said she gets curious looks sometimes when she shows off her dancehall moves outside of her hometown.”
“When I travel to places like London or Los Angeles, it’s hard for people to believe I’m a dancehall and Afrobeats choreographer,” she said. “I’m white and from Russia so they see me dancing and they are so confused. It’s like ‘what?’
“People are always surprised, especially when I’m in a club. People will get out their phones and start recording me and will put clips of me up on Snapchat and other social media.”
“The workshop is just one of many Ms Bashir is planning under her new fitness dance studio, Rebel Dance, which opens officially next year.”
An avid dancer herself, Ms Bashir wanted to create a space where people could have fun getting fit and express themselves creatively as they explore innovative dance styles and genres of music.
“My hope is that people from all walks will come out, enjoy themselves and get introduced to a whole different dance culture – something fresh and new and that they will feel inspired to move,” she said.
“I’ve been dancing for most of my life and been doing dance fitness classes specifically for the last two years in genres like dancehall, soca, house and Afrobeats. I have found it to be a great workout and like that it allows people the opportunity to get fit, let loose and have fun.
“Rebel Dance, when it launches early next year, will give people a chance to branch out and take their dancing further by learning more technical steps. In addition to dance fitness classes we will also offer regular dance workshops introducing people to amazing dancers from all over the world like Katerina.”
“She’s also hoping Rebel Dance will provide local talent a platform in which they can gain exposure internationally.”
Tickets, $85 in advance, are available at Kit N Caboodle in Hamilton.
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