Alice Massabki

Our Mission

Art & Movement Dance School was founded in 1984 by the teacher and choreographer, Alice Massabki in the city of Jal-el Dib, at the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon. This was the result of her passion for teaching Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Jazz, Oriental, and Hip Hop along with an in-depth knowledge of modern methods in pedagogy.

This initiative responded to a dire need in Lebanon for trained qualified dancers and unavailability of dedicated dance spaces. Henceforth its spaces have been acting as a solid platform for children, adolescents, and adults to strengthen their technical and artistic skills.

In addition, the resulting school events such as annual performances and dance shows are bringing youngsters and adults to perform together, thus allowing them to practice their skills, learn various dances and choreographies, and perform on-stage.

The School History

1984: In the midst of the Lebanese civil war that lead to a void in dancing and arts, the Dance Studio was born inside a basement at Fassouh, Achrafieh which later on was converted into a shelter.

1995: The studio was subsequently relocated to Jal el Dib, and named Institut de Danse Alice Massabki.

2003: Relocation onto a small hill overlooking Jal el Dib was carried. This saw the final establishment of Art & Movement Dance School, with a 360m2 -space spanning two floors.

Our Objectives

• To train young students, in this present sedentary world, onto acquiring physical artistic movements and learning a healthy lifestyle together with a humanistic and athletic approach.
• To inspire those interested in becoming professional dancers, choreographers and even teachers who aim at keeping the tradition of this magnificent art alive.
• To allow dancing to be a source of personal fulfilment available to all, and this, by offering modest and carefully calculated fees that decrease according to the number of registered courses.
• To offer a space for rehearsals, performances, workshops, and artistic evenings, by rendering the facilities accessible to organizations and companies in the absence of external funding.

The School:

The Facilities

Two sprung-floor dance studios of 105 m2 each, two-changing rooms with showers, and a piano room with a yearly schedule of classes, workshops, performances, and cultural events (cf. shows, video presentations, concerts, etc...), yielding cultural exchanges, artistic exchanges and transfer of know-how and educational practices in convivial settings.

The Courses

Art & Movement Dance School offers the students a comprehensive training program with a large variety of disciplines, towards widening their knowledge and giving them a range of opportunities and enjoyment!

The Pre-ballet, Initiation to Dance, and Gymnastics classes prepare children in the techniques required for the Classical Ballet, Contemporary ballet, and Jazz.

The children of 4 to 8 years old are taught the fundamentals of dance.

Afterwards, when the children reach the age allowing them to learn dance techniques, they are taught Classical Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary Dance as well as Gymnastics for Dancers.

The Exams Program

It is possible for students to get an annual evaluation.
They follow the program that allows them to pass the exams under the supervision of an International Qualified Jury. Our programs are aligned with those of the Paris Conservatory (see also below, “Exams and International Certificate”).

International Certificates can also be delivered (Art & Movement Dance School is a Member of CID - Unesco affiliated International Dance Council) .  www.cid-portal.org

The Contemporary Pedagogy

Art & Movement Dance School has a qualified professional teaching staff that coordinates closely. This approach allows pertinent follow-up of each and every student at every stage of his/her development together within a coherent and structured program.

Additionally, the school hosts year-round workshops in diverse disciplines (cf. Contemporary Dance, Hip Hop, Bodily expression, Japanese dance theatre Butoh, etc...) led by various local and international artists and teachers.

Our teaching methods follow a contemporary approach in line with the human body. These are inspired by development trends and effective pedagogical theories applied from an early age (i.e. age: 4 years) up to the age of technical expertise level.

Our teaching staff shares the principle of respect for the student’s anatomy and physical predispositions. They propose exercises accompanied by explanations on the skeleton’s mechanism of the body. This allows the students to participate actively in the class while aware of his/her physical capabilities and strengthen his/her skills without hurting oneself.

Our school focuses on enhancing the student’s sensitivity towards culture, arts, music, human values ​​of respect of oneself and others, thus, giving the student a sense of kinship and belonging, coupled with wellbeing.

We carry the responsibility to continue our mission, often difficult, with joy and confidence. Our children, our society, deserve this commitment.