Beginner II Performance Class

Designed for students who’ve completed Sahara Dance Beginner II technique and wish learn an ensemble dance for stage performance. Master a choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Beginner II curriculum.

Prerequisite - Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or permission of instructor / concurrent enrollment in either Beginner II Technique or above required.

Low Intermediate I Performance Class

Designed for students who’ve completed Sahara Dance Low Intermediate technique and wish learn an ensemble dance for stage performance. Master a choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Low Intermediate curriculum.

Prerequisite - Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique or permission of instructor / concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate I Technique or above required.

Intermediate Repertoire Performance Class

Designed to prepare students to perform ensemble pieces for stage and to experience the camaraderie of group performances. Participants in this class will continue to refine technique while gaining confidence and performance skills. Choreographies may incorporate zills, veil, or other props.

Prerequisites: Low Intermediate Veil and Zills; concurrent enrollment in Intermediate Repertoire Technique class.

Developing Choreography

Learn the essentials for developing a solo or small group choreography to Middle Eastern music or music created for belly dance. Explore song selection, musical interpretation, transitions, diagramming music and other keys to creating a dance that dynamically reflects and highlights the music. This intensive class will include homework, videotaped reviews and group feedback to guide each participant’s choreographic process through revision to completion. Participants will perform their pieces in the Sahara Dance Salon at Casablanca in Alexandria, VA on August 22, 2009.

Offered during summer semester.

Prerequisite: Completion of the Low Intermediate Belly Dance & above classes; concurrent enrollment in a Technique class.

Introduction to Tribal Performance Class

Learn the fundamentals of Sahara Style Tribal, characterized by rhythm-based combinations, structured improvisation and folkloric fusions. Tribal dancers share basic movement vocabulary, standard dance formations, improvisational cues and transitions to create pieces as a tribe for performance. Tribal dance often fosters friendships; a strong sense of community can evolve from improvising as a group.

Prerequisite - Completion of Sahara Dance Beginner II technique or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate Technique or above is required.

Nubian Tribal Fusion Performance

Learn tribal movement repertoire with upbeat combinations drawing from Nubian dance traditions. Master the comprehensive folkoric fusion movement vocabulary used in structured tribal improvisation for performance. Tribal dancers share basic movement vocabulary, standard dance formations, improvisational cues and transitions to create pieces as a tribe for performance. Tribal dance often fosters friendships; a strong sense of community can evolve from improvising as a group.

Prerequisite: Completion of Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Beginner II Technique or above is required.

Sword Tribal Fusion Performance

Learn sword and tribal fusion combinations including traveling steps, undulations, level changes and floor work. Master a choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Low Intermediate curriculum with sword. Class will focus on sword balancing techniques and tricks of the trade useful for all balancing props (cane, basket, tray, or anything else). Balancing props provides an intensive workout based on isolations and control, strengthening your overall dance technique. Knee pads are recommended. Students must provide their own swords for class (ask teacher for recommendations).

Prerequisite: Mastery Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique or permission of instructor / concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate I Technique or above required.

Hula-Belly Dance Fusion Performance

Hula-Belly Dance Fusion Performance class is an introductory performance class to the basic art of hula and Tahitian dance, combined with foundational belly dance movements. Designed for those who have little or no hula background, class will concentrate on the fundamentals of hula movement, posture and stylization. Share in the true aloha spirit by sampling the music and dance traditions that have inspired Laura. Aloha!

Prerequisite - Sahara Dance Beginner I Technique or some previous belly dance experience. Concurrent enrollment in a technique class is required.

Urban Fusion Performance

Designed for students who have completed Sahara Dance Beginner II technique and wish to learn an ensemble dance for stage performance. Master a choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Beginner II curriculum fused with modern urban and retro funk styles, such as popping and locking.

Prerequisite - Completion of Sahara Dance Beginner II technique or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate Technique or above is required.

Industrial African Fusion Belly Dance Drills & Performance (90 min)

Experience the fun and freedom of West African dance contrasted with the beauty of crisp belly dance isolation. Our goal is to fuse these two different dance forms seamlessly to industrial beats, adding healthy doses of hip hop, bhangra, modern, and theater! Our performance piece will weave together a powerful story that is fun, fast and refreshingly furious! Master the exciting and explosive movements of West African dance by drilling digestible steps. Learn theatrical expression, projection for stage and discover your own artistic dance voice. Students will find inner strength to shine and roar! Bring water and a sense of adventure (90 minute class).

Prerequisite - 1 year of previous belly dance experience minimum - 18 months prior belly dance experience recommended.

Low Intermediate: Zills & Isis Wings Performance (zills optional)

Designed for students who have completed Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I technique and wish to learn an ensemble dance for stage performance. Master a multi-faceted choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Low Intermediate curriculum. Each dancer will perform with Isis wings and some can choose to also play zills.

Prerequisite - Completion of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate I Technique or above is required.

Low Intermediate: Drum Solo Technique and Performance

Designed for students who have completed Sahara Dance Low Intermediate technique and wish to learn an ensemble drum solo dance for stage performance. Master an upbeat and vibrant choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Low Intermediate curriculum. This 90-minute class will focus on dynamic expression and precise hip work, accents and shimmies.

Prerequisite - Completion of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate Technique or permission of instructor.

Low Intermediate: Fan Veil Performance

Designed for students who have completed Sahara Dance Low Intermediate technique and wish to learn an ensemble dance for stage performance. Master a choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Low Intermediate curriculum with fan veils.

As an example of fan veil use, here’s Bozenka performing with fan veils. (Note: this is not the choreography that will be learned in this class).

Prerequisite - Completion of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate Technique or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate Technique or above is required.

Jazz Fusion Belly Dance Performance

Designed for students who have completed Sahara Dance Low Intermediate technique and wish to learn an ensemble dance for stage performance. Master a choreography that draws upon the Sahara Dance Low Intermediate curriculum fused with movements inspired by “old-school” jazz style and 80’s Flashdance fun.

Prerequisite - Completion of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate Technique or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate Technique or above is required.

Intermediate Melaya Leff Performance

Learn a coquettish and playful character piece, using the Melaya Leff (an Egyptian modesty garment) as a prop for character development. Costuming will be a colorful, one piece dress. This summer fun piece is perfect for those wishing to explore the flirtatious and expressive side of Egyptian dance. The ensemble dance will draw upon Sahara Dance Intermediate technique.

Prerequisite – Completion of Sahara Dance Intermediate technique or equivalent belly dance training (discuss with instructor). Concurrent enrollment in Sahara Dance Intermediate Technique or above required.

Low Intermediate I: Sha’bi Performance

Sha’bi (or Sha’abi) is the popular, danceable music that originated in the streets of Cairo. From “sha’b,” meaning the people or the community, sha’bi music is extremely upbeat and fun, and celebrates anything from mundane aspects of daily life to love and romance. Performers will dance to “Bel Arabi” by Saad, one of the most popular sha’bi singers since this music arose in the 1970s. Like Hakim (one of the first modern sha’bi singers), Saad’s energetic music is inspired by the Egyptian streets, and “Bel Arabi” sings of love to an infectious beat.

Prerequisite - Completion of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate Technique or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate Technique or above is required.