Early Bird Rate Expires In

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The Way Maqam & Taqsim Are Taught to Dancers Is a Disaster. That’s why I created
Maqam for Dancers Intensive
With The World Leading Maqam & Taqsim Mentor, Maya Youssef
In just two months, learn to recognize Maqam by ear, decode Taqsim, and understand every Arabic song you dance to — so you can move with confidence, emotional freedom, and a deep, authentic connection to the music that brings your dance to life.
No prior music knowledge required.
(Program starts October 2025)
As seen in
From Intimidated by Maqam to Recognizing It by Ear and Playing a Taqsim—Effortlessly!

"I love Arabic music and I wanted to learn maqam for a very long time. But I found maqam very hard and intimidating and I couldn’t understand the logic behind it.

I didn’t think I would ever get maqam until I found Maya. The way Maya taught maqam with Lego was amazing. And how she put the maqams together and put taqsim into the picture is just incredible.

Thanks to Maya’s method, I was able to recognise maqam by ear within seconds…and play a taqsim."


Roxy Stimpson

Miss Belly Dancer USA
You’ve Mastered Movement But the Music
Still Feels Like a Mystery
You’re a Raqs Sharqi or belly dancer who’s decided that 2025 is the year you’ll finally connect deeply to Arabic music and elevate your dance beyond just following the beat.

You’ve spent years perfecting choreography, drilling technique, refining your performance… but every time you step on stage, there’s one thing you’re unsure about: The music.

You hear the rhythm. You follow the beat. But when the melody shifts, when the Maqam changes, when the Taqsim spirals — you’re guessing.

You smile on the outside. But inside, you’re wondering: “What’s happening right now?”
The music keeps moving without you. Leaving you stuck on the surface, disconnected from the depth you crave.
Why Old School Maqam Methods Leave You Stuck
You’ve tried to crack the Maqam & Taqsim code — but every time you searched for answers, you found vague, outdated, or downright useless advice:
👉 “Just read a Maqam book.” Dry, academic theory that lists notes but never shows you how the music actually works.
👉 “Just listen more.” As if endless hours of confusion will magically reveal the pattern.
👉 “Taqsim is just improvisation.” As if understanding it is pure luck — no one teaches the structure behind the magic.
👉 “This Maqam is ‘happy’ or ‘sad’.” Like you can choreograph a rich, nuanced dance based on a two-word label! 
👉 “Follow the rhythm.” Except half the time, Taqsim has no rhythm.
You’ve been handed crumbs. No clear system. No real answers. But that changes now
If something inside you is calling you to finally understand the beauty, magic, and depth of Arabic music… to feel every Maqam, anticipate every shift, and dance with real connection — and do it in just two months instead of spending years trying to figure it out — I’d love to guide you.

How Maqam for Dancers Works

Starting October 2025, we’ll work together over two months inside a focused, interactive learning experience.
You’ll get everything you need to finally understand, hear, and embody Arabic music — without years of theory or trial and error.

✅ Weekly Zoom Group Sessions — All recorded and searchable

✅ Dedicated Q&A Calls to clear your questions 

✅ Private Student Community for ongoing support

You’ll learn to:
  • Recognize the 9 essential Maqamat used in Arabic music
  • ​Understand the behavior and structure of each Maqam
  • Decode and anticipate melodic shifts
  • Grasp the 7 stages of Taqsim and how musicians build it in real-time
No more second-guessing. No more wondering. You’ll finally move with the music, not behind it.

Here’s what’s included inside Maqam for Dancers Intensive

This isn’t a passive course —It’s a fully guided, transformational experience that rewires how you hear, feel, and dance to Arabic music. NONE of this was taught to dancers until now! 
  • 9 Maqam & Dance Tune Analysis Sessions
    Structured breakdowns of the 9 essential Maqamat — including how they show up in iconic dance songs.You’ll learn the structure, behavior, and emotional flavor of each Maqam so you can finally move with the music, not behind it.
  • ​6 Live Group Q&A Sessions
    Get direct access to me in 60-minute, interactive sessions. Ask questions, get feedback, and break through anything that’s been keeping you stuck.
  • 2 Ear Training Sessions
    Discover my 11 easy tools to recognize Maqam by ear — no theory overload, just instant, intuitive results.
  • ​Taqsim Breakdown Session
    Learn the 7 hidden stages every musician follows to build an authentic Taqsim — and how to mirror that flow in your dance.
    This has NEVER been taught to dancers… until now.
  • ​Private Pop-Up Community
    Connect with dancers worldwide who are on the same journey. Share breakthroughs, ask questions, and grow together in a safe, supportive space.

Fast Action Bonus — Ends April 8th!

The Maqam Listening Library
Get instant access to my hand-curated playlist featuring the essential tracks for all 9 main Maqamat — carefully selected to help you truly hear, feel, and internalize the sound and soul of Arabic music. This exclusive bonus will save you years of scattered searching and second-guessing, while deepening your musical intuition and building unshakable confidence from the inside out. 

Early Bird Bonuses — Join by April 30th

🎁 2 Bonus Q&A Sessions
Get personalized feedback and clarity before the program begins (May 2025 – dates TBC).

🎁 Live Musical Analysis & Ear Training
Sharpen your ears as we break down a beloved Arabic song live — so you can spot Maqam shifts in real time.

🎁 The Maqam Masterclass Bundle + Building Block System
Get instant access to my signature home-study courses — and start recognizing Maqam by ear right away.
Maya FINALLY Demystified Maqamat and Taqsim
"Maya's teachings and methods are true game changers in learning and understanding Arabic music.

I was told by others not to bother with maqam and taqasim.

That I would hopefully just magically «get it» when I had copied other people for a decade or three.

Not with Maya. Her teachings make you really understand even the most complex maqamat, without being simplistic. Maya has given me all the tools, understanding and support I need to master taqsim from the beginning. I am forever grateful to her for this gift of music."

Lene Dalen

Dancer & Qanun Player
Norway

Here is a Reminder of What’s Included Inside Maqam for Dancers Intensive

🎶 9 Maqam & Dance Tune Analysis Sessions
🎶 6 Live Group Q&A Sessions
🎶 2 Ear Training Sessions
🎶 Taqsim Breakdown Session
🎶 Private Pop-Up Facebook Community
Bonuses: 
🎁 2 Bonus Q&A Sessions
🎁 Live Musical Analysis & Ear Training Session
🎁 The Revolutionary Maqam Home Study Courses 
Fast Action Bonus When You Join by April 8th: 
🎁The Maqam Listening Library
Your Investment: Early Bird (until April 30th):
Pay in Full:
£750
After April 30th: £1,000
3 Monthly Payments of:
£297
After April 30th: 3 Paymens of £397
This is a fraction of what it would cost to piece this together alone over years of trial and error — or to work with me privately.
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Meet Your Mentor: Maya Youssef
I’m the world’s leading Maqam & Taqsim mentor, an internationally celebrated musician and the BBC’s "Queen of the Qanun."

I’ve spent my life mastering the rich, complex world of Arabic music.I grew up in Damascus, Syria, trained at one of the Arab world's most prestigious music institutes, and went on to earn a Master's in Ethnomusicology from SOAS University of London, where I also taught maqam.

I’ve been recognized internationally as a multi-award-winning performer, composer, and an Exceptional Talent by Arts Council England. I’ve performed at world-class venues like the Royal Albert Hall and WOMAD Festival, and shared my music across the globe.

But most importantly — I’ve helped hundreds of dancers and Arabic music enthusiasts finally crack the Maqam & Taqsim code using my clear, step-by-step method.

A method that cuts through stiff theory and confusing advice — and makes this music accessible, joyful, and easy to embody.

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start dancing with confidence, authenticity, and emotional power — I’m here to show you how.

"Maya is one of a Kind! A true virtuoso musician"

Salim Sarwe

 Umm Kulthum’s Wanted Qanun Player

Imagine What’s Possible In Just Two Months…

You step on stage. The melody begins to shift and you feel and hear it before it happens.

The Taqsim begins and instead of tensing up, you smile because you know exactly what’s happening.

You’re no longer dancing to the music. You’re dancing with it.

No more guessing or feeling anxious trying to catch up with the music.

You move with clarity, confidence, and deep connection. You become the dancer who doesn’t just follow the beat ; you become the dancer who becomes the music.

Maya's Method of Breaking Down Arabic Music Really Works
I struggled with Maqam for a long time until I found Maya. 

Maya begins from the foundations, and works her way up to taqasim, providing you both with the tools and expert feedback to help you achieve your goal. She also gives you the opportunity to ask questions – even ones you think are obvious or too simple.

She has the ability to breakdown and explain the music in a way that really works.

Majida Wahid

Keyboard Player & Dancer
New Zealand

Imagine What’s Possible In Just Two Months…

You step on stage. The melody begins to shift and you feel and hear it before it happens.

The Taqsim begins and instead of tensing up, you smile because you know exactly what’s happening.

You’re no longer dancing to the music. You’re dancing with it.

No more guessing or feeling anxious trying to catch up with the music.

You move with clarity, confidence, and deep connection. You become the dancer who doesn’t just follow the beat ; you become the dancer who becomes the music.

Is Maqam for Dancers For You?
This is for you if:
  • You’re a passionate Raqs Sharqi or belly dancer hobbyist, performer, or teacher — who wants to connect deeply to Arabic music.
    • You’ve tried to learn Maqam before but felt overwhelmed or confused.
    • You want to stop second-guessing and start dancing with clarity. 
    • You’re ready to finally understand how Arabic music works without needing years of theory. 
    • You want to feel emotionally free, confident, and connected every time you dance.
        This is NOT for you if: 
        • You’re looking for a dance class — this isn’t about choreography or rhythm!. 
          • You want a shortcut without doing the work. 
            • You think "just feeling it" is enough — and aren’t ready to understand how the music really works.
            • You are searching for a one size fits all answers! (Arabic music is super quirky and each maqam must be studied as a unique case). 
            For over 30 years, I was mystified and confused by Maqam and Taqasim.
            When Maya explained Maqam, a light went on and I finally understood it! Maya explains the steps of performing a Taqsim in a specific Maqam in a way that even someone as intimidated as I was could grasp and execute.

            There is no way I could have produced a taqsim or even had understood the rules and the steps of a taqsim without Maya's guidance.

            Whether you think you're a fantastic musician or are terrified of Maqam and Taqsim, I cannot recommend Taqasim Mastery highly enough.

            Maya is a miraculous teacher with the patience, passion, generosity, and expertise to help anyone advance musically."

            Andrea Fishman

            University Lecturer, Dancer & Singer
            USA
            Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
            CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML

            This isn’t another music theory course.
             It’s not a dance class.
             It’s not a playlist of songs you’re supposed to “just feel.”

            This is the only step-by-step system designed to help dancers instantly recognize maqam by ear, understand how taqsim actually works, and finally dance with the music — not just to it.

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            @Copyright 2025, All rights reserved. @Maya Youssef