Drum Solo Competition 2026

Drum Solo Competition
at our Friday Fantasia International Bellydance Showcase
This was so popular last year we are making it even better.

Tabla Solos with Joelle Barker
Competitors perform a 2 minute live tabla solo with our amazing tabla player:  Joelle Barker.  This is a unique opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of creating a live tabla solo with a great percussionist.

• The competition will take place as part of the Fantasia International Bellydance Showcase on the Friday night.  
• To enter this competition you must book at least 1 workshops at the Fantasia Festival.  Click here to see the timetable and booking links
• Buy a ticket for the Fantasia International Bellydance Showcase
• Pay to enter the competition. The competition itself costs £40 to enter.  Spaces are limited.  
• OR buy the Drum Solo Package

We are holding two workshops on the Friday afternoon to help you get the most from this experience:  Performance skills with Dorte and ‘Communicate with your drummer‘ with Carmen Tormo and tabla player Joelle Barker.  These are included in the Drum Solo Package.

For your tabla solo you can decide:
Start on or off stage
What rhythm you would like to start with – you will have a short conversation with Joelle to agree a few basic details.
After this, the solo will be a conversation between you and Joelle as you both improvise to create something unique and bring your own brand of magic to the stage.
As the 2 minutes draw to a close, Joelle will lead into a standard ending which we will explain on the day.
We have a monitor on stage timing each person.

We have had a lot of interest and decided it is only fair to the participants to split the competition into two categories – You can choose the category you want to be in.
Development Category: this is your category if you haven’t danced much to live music but really want to challenge yourself and work on your development as a dancer. 
Experienced / Professional Category:  for the competition girlies and semi-professional dancers. This is your time to shine and show our panel of judges your personality and skills! 

How will you be judged?
Our panel of judges will be looking at:
Technique – variety / definition / quality
Musicality – making effective use of the rhythms / phrasing
Presentation – professional appearance / costuming
The ‘Wow’ factor – bringing something extra special to your solo.

Your Judges:
TBC

Your prize?  Also TBC

READY TO SIGN UP?  BOOK YOUR PLACE IN THE TABLA SOLO COMPETITION HERE.