Emerald Sanctuary Retreat

🌟 Instructor Feature: Faisal

Great musicians perform, but great educators know how to make complex rhythms feel completely approachable.

Faisal is both. With over three decades of experience, he has traveled the globe teaching at music camps, seminars, and workshops across the United States and abroad.

As a dedicated ambassador for Arabic music, Faisal doesn't just play the drum. He teaches the history, the cultural heartbeat, and the structure of the music. His workshops are designed to inspire curiosity and give you a deeper, richer window into this vibrant artistic tradition.

Come learn from a true master under the big sky this summer.

📆 August 26-31, 2026 🔗 http://emeraldsanctuaryretreat.org

🌟 Instructor Feature: Nisaa

Have you ever wondered how the dance we love evolved from traditional folk styles into modern classical Raqs Sharqi?

Nisaa has the answers. Based in St. Louis, she is a world-renowned researcher who literally wrote the books on the subject, including Egyptian Belly Dance in Transition and her recent 2024 release, Raqs in the City: The Belly Dance Landscape of Cairo.

Nisaa brings her incredible wealth of original historical research right to the studio floor. Through her brilliant instruction, she makes history feel alive, approachable, and deeply relevant to how we move today.

If you love dance that has soul, context, and deep roots, you won't want to miss her workshops this summer.

📆 August 26-31, 2026 🔗 http://emeraldsanctuaryretreat.org

🌿 Want to come to Emerald Sanctuary and help make the magic happen?

We’re now accepting applications for Werker Bees, our work exchange crew who support the retreat in exchange for a discounted registration.

You’ll assist with things like setup, teardown, registration, light cleaning, and general good-vibes support.
It’s not full-time labor, it’s a way to be part of the behind-the-scenes team that helps Emerald shine.

✨ In exchange, you’ll receive a significant discount on your retreat fee.
🛏️ You still get to take all the classes, join the events, and enjoy the full experience.

If you’re someone who loves pitching in, being part of a team, and doesn’t mind a little dust and sunshine in the high desert, we’d love to hear from you.

📧 To apply, email [email protected] with the subject line “Werker Bee” and tell us a bit about yourself!

August is for dancing in the desert. 🏜️

If you’ve been thinking about coming to camp, now is the time to register for the Early Squirrel rate. Here is a quick look at the registration windows to keep on your radar for your summer planning:

🌿 The Registration Calendar:

Early Squirrel Rate: Now through May 31

Open Registration: June 1 – July 31

Late Registration: August 1 – August 20

No matter when you decide to join us, we can't wait to share the fresh air, the lake swims, and the dance floor with you this summer.

📌 Save or pin this post to map out your summer.

👇 Full details and registration page: https://www.emeraldsanctuaryretreat.org/registration

The magic of our 2026 schedule is officially taking shape, and we’d love your hands on it! 🌿

We want to make sure this year’s workshops feel like they were made just for you. We’re running a few polls in our Facebook group to get your input on topics and styles—come tell us what you're excited to learn!

Cast your votes here: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/emeraldsanctuaryretreat