Kids
Ages 6 to 10
Rhythm, footwork and confidence. Small groups, lots of energy, and the first steps of a dance their grandparents grew up with.
Learn real Lebanese
Dabke in Laval.
Structured classes for kids, youth and adults. Five levels, a real exam every session, and a stage to perform on.
HBB DABKE
Who we teach
Four ways to dance with us.
Youth
Ages 11 to 17
Sharper technique, faster combinations and formation work. This is where students start building toward the performance team.
Adults
18 and over
Beginners welcome, no experience needed. Learn the steps well enough to lead the line at the next family wedding.
Private and wedding training
One on one coaching, or a full session for the wedding party. We choreograph the entrance, drill it until it is clean, and make sure nobody freezes when the drums start.
Five levels. One exam at the end of every session.
You do not drift between classes hoping to improve. You are placed at a level, you are tested, and you move up when you have earned it. Your wristband colour shows where you are.
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LEVEL 1
Foundations
Posture, timing, the basic six count and holding the line. Everyone starts here.
Black wristband
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LEVEL 2
Control
Cleaner footwork, tempo changes, and the first regional variations.
Navy blue wristband
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LEVEL 3
Formation
Group choreography, spacing, and dancing to a live derbake instead of a count.
Red wristband
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LEVEL 4
Lead
Leading the line, improvising breaks, and carrying a floor that is watching you.
White wristband
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LEVEL 5
Instructor and performer
Pass Level 5 and you can teach with us as an official HBB Dabke instructor, or join the team we send to weddings and get paid for it.
Military green wristband
Every registration comes with more than classes.
A free customized t-shirt
Printed with the student's own name. Theirs to keep, and worn at every performance.
A wristband in your level colour
Black, navy blue, red, white or military green. Everyone in the room knows what you have earned.
Online access to our training videos
Practise the week's combination at home, at the cottage, or anywhere you have a screen.
An end of session exam
Pass it and you move up a level, with a new wristband to prove it.
The year at HBB
Eight sessions, one class per week.
SEPTEMBER TO APRIL, TWO MONTH SESSIONS
Sep, Oct
8 classes
Nov, Dec
8 classes
Jan, Feb
8 classes
Mar, Apr
8 classes
MAY TO AUGUST, ONE MONTH SESSIONS
May
4 classes
June
4 classes
July
4 classes
August
4 classes
Summer month session
$150CAD
4 classes, one hour once per week. Runs May through August, one month at a time.
RegisterA 50 dollar deposit plus taxes is paid online when you register. It is refundable for 24 hours, then it becomes non refundable, and it is deducted from your balance at your first class.
Meet our founders.
Two dancers, over fifteen years each in Dabke, and one shared reason for opening HBB. They wanted the dance taught the way they were taught it, with structure and respect for where it comes from.
Joseph
Co-founder and instructor, 15 plus years in Dabke
Joseph builds the curriculum. He is the one who decides what a Level 3 dancer has to be able to do, and he does not hand out a wristband before it is earned.
Jean-Claude
Co-founder and instructor, 15 plus years in Dabke
Jean-Claude runs the floor. Formations, wedding choreography and the performance team are his, and he is usually the loudest person in the room.
Our mission
At Habibi Dabke, we are dedicated to preserving and sharing the beautiful tradition of Lebanese folk dance. Our school provides a welcoming environment where students of all ages and skill levels can learn authentic Dabke techniques while connecting with their cultural heritage.
Through our comprehensive online platform, we bring the joy of Dabke directly to your home, making it accessible to everyone regardless of location. Our structured curriculum ensures progressive learning while maintaining the authentic spirit of this ancient art form.
Questions
Before you register.
Something not covered here? Send us a message and we will answer the same week.
Contact us
Do I need any dance experience to start?
No. Every new student starts at Level 1, where we teach footwork, timing and the core Dabke steps from zero.
How long is a session and how many classes do I get?
From September to April we run two month sessions of 8 classes, one hour once per week. From May to August we run one month sessions of 4 classes.
How much does it cost?
A two month session is 250 dollars CAD and a one month summer session is 150 dollars CAD. A 50 dollar deposit plus taxes is paid online at registration, is refundable for 24 hours, and is deducted from your balance at your first class.
What is included with a session?
Every registered student receives a free customized t-shirt with their name on it, a wristband in the colour of their level, and online access to our training videos so they can practise from anywhere.
What happens when I reach Level 5?
You can become an official HBB Dabke instructor and teach with us, or join our performance team and get paid to dance at weddings and events.
Which languages do you teach in?
French, English and Arabic. Say whichever one you are comfortable in and we will match it.
The next session fills up before it starts.
Pick your program, choose your session, pay the 50 dollar deposit and your spot is held.
Register