Zill Hero Interview – Melissa Gamal
Welcome to another video in my “Zill Heros” series where I interview the zill movers and shakers who are inspiring others in the dance world.
In this video I speak with the lovely Melissa Gamal.
I connected with Melissa for the first time online earlier in the year when she was teaching sagat (finger cymbal) classes and then again when she hosted the amazing percussionist Hany Morgan for a series of sagat classes from Egypt. I was completely blown away by the unique technique and style of playing she was teaching in her classes – called “musician style” – and I am totally hooked on the amazing amount of musicality and creativity that is opened up when playing cymbals in this way.
So we sat down and geeked out on lots of things zillicious – from the musician style technique to the finer points of choosing when and how to play cymbals musically, to how we as dancers can incorporate this style into our dance.
Be sure to watch all the way to the end where I’ve included some clips of Melissa playing the sagat in this beautiful style – both with the dance and as an instrumentalist alongside the incredible Hany Morgan.
You can learn more about Melissa here: ya-amar.ca and on Instagram at @melissa.gamal
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Inspired? Join me for this free beginner finger cymbal jumpstart and become the zill star you are meant to be! SahiraBellyDances.com/zillstar