There, she trained in classical ballet at the school of Sonia Poladian who was one of the pioneers.
After a long list of dance performances and with an inherent passion for dance, Alice then moved to Paris in order to work her technique with the recognized ballet teacher, Suzanne Oussov from the Vaganova school. There, she also learned the Graham Technique under the instructions of Georges Tugdual Bellecroix at the Marais studio.
She later on moved back to Lebanon, and started applying this modern revolutionary technique: “I started teaching because I couldn’t find a class that was satisfying enough and I had a lot of experience and knowledge to share… all I wanted to do was dance, dance and dance ; but where one can dance in a country torn by the war?.”
She then established the Dance Studio, in 1984, and created the Variety show with Eddy Ferzli (Lister) and May Chelhot, in 1985. Afterwards, she returned to Paris to get additional trainings in classical ballet, but this time, with the famous Marc Jebejian (formerly from Felix Blaska Company), who is also from the Vaganova school; and in contemporary dance with José Caseneuve and Peter Goss (from the Matt Mattox, José Lemon et Feldenkreis schools).
Today, one can say that Alice is very much influenced by her last three teachers as she constantly applies their methods and teachings in her work and in her school’s vision.
The subsequent discovery of, and initiation to yoga under Claire Nohra, helped Alice envision a new method to improve the one used and enhance her skills. The acquired yoga technique led towards building a new approach in teaching and applying the Movement in dancing.
Throughout the years, the theatrical scene in Lebanon was animated by her various choreographies starting with the performance Cycles, created in the midst of the war, to Rech Mayya (2011).
Alice Massabki created Art & Movement Dance School in Jal el dib, Lebanon, in 2003. She teaches Classical Dance and Jazz. She strongly believes that experience sharing and coordination among the teachers of the school helps envision a coherent vision in teaching.
Alice’s main creations in Lebanon are:
Variety Show2004 Cycles1988 La Traversée2000 Le Temps Arrêté 2004 Till the dust settles 2007 Rech Mayya2010 & 2011
She specialized in teaching dance at the Rencontres Internationales de danse contemporaine (Dominique and Françoise Dupuis’ school) in Paris.
The approach of these two pioneers of contemporary dance in France is officially acknowledged as being the most respectful to the child’s body and talent all through Europe.
She got her National Dancer’s Examination (practical and theoretical) in 2007. Anatomy and kinesthesia studies are also applied to dance pedagogy.
Caroline has worked on many techniques (Contemporary dance, Jazz, Butô, Classical Ballet, Improvisation… ) in Paris, New York and Beirut. She’s worked with choreographers, theatre and movie directors in Lebanon, France and the United States.
Caroline earned a diploma in Theatre (University of Arizona, USA), and a Masters 2 in Philosophy (Paris VIII).
She teaches in the Theatre Department at the Fine Arts Institute of the Lebanese University (IBA2) since 2015 and started a directing career in 2017 with AL BEYT, a play written by Arzé Khodr(Monnot Theatre, Beirut).
Natasha Tannous is a young hip hop dancer.
She got fascinated by all hip-hop styles since she was 10.
Strongly motivated, she started her first classes in a nearby studio.
Then she moved to Charles Makriss dance school, and quickly jumped to the professional stage.
She performed alongside Lebanese and Arab Artists in several video clips
and performances in theatres.
She truly hopes that hip hop in Lebanon
opens to the international level, through famous visitor guests, workshops, battles and competitions.
She is currently training in many forms of dance: Hip hop,
street jazz, heels. She is studying classical ballet in Art& Movement Dance School, and managed her
cycle 1 level.
Natasha Tannous is currently teaching teens and kids in Art& Movement Dance School.
