Beginner I Technique

This course is designed for students new to belly dance or seeking a belly dance refresher. No dance experience necessary.

Students will learn basic belly dance technique, including posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, context, and philosophy of belly dance, as well as a brief introduction to Middle Eastern music. Choreography will be taught to incorporate new movements. Come celebrate femininity through an ancient, life-embracing art!

Two separate and distinct Beginner I Technique classes will be offered each semester. Beginner I Technique (Zeina) is offered in the first half of each semester; Beginner I Technique (Aziza) is offered in the second half of each semester. Each course will be 7- to 8-weeks, and together provide a complete introduction to belly dance. Each course covers different material, and students can begin with either one (Zeina or Aziza).

We recommend that students take two full semesters of Beginner I (i.e., two sessions of Zeina and two sessions of Aziza) before moving on, and recommend taking different teachers for each class to gain full advantage of the different teaching styles.

Mastery of the Beginner I curriculum required for enrollment in Beginner II.

No dance experience necessary.

Beginner I / Beginner II Technique

Designed for students who would like a gradual transition to Beginner II Technique while continuing to refine their Beginner I movement vocabulary. This class reviews the Beginner I curriculum each week and introduces select new material from the Beginner II repertoire. Emphasis is on reinforcing proper alignment while mastering shimmies, isolations, accents, basic undulations, turns and introduces layering movements from both curricula. This level is also a good introduction to Sahara Dance Technique for students with previous belly dance experience.

Prerequisite: Previous completion of Sahara Dance Beginner I (Zeina) and Beginner I (Aziza) Technique, or equivalent belly dance experience.

Beginner II Technique

Expand your movement base to include foundational undulations and accents, turns and layering. Begin exploring Middle Eastern music rhythms and structure. Choreography and improvisational exercises will be taught.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Beginner I Technique or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate I Technique

Learn to travel with isolations and layering. Dance more complex combinations and floor patterns.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate II Technique: Introduction to Zills (Finger Cymbals)

Learn introductory zill playing technique and basic rhythms, along with a review of Low Intermediate (and below) movement vocabulary. Drill movements with zills and learn combinations to dance and play with ease. No previous zill experience required.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique (at least 2 semesters; 3 - 4 semesters recommended), or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate III Technique: Balancing Props

Learn the secrets for balancing a cane, basket, tray (or anything else) while dancing. Balancing provides an intensive workout in isolations and control, while strengthening your core and improving dance technique.

Dancers will develop poise and grace through traveling steps, undulations, level changes and floor work, all within the framework of balancing and isolation. Learn the musical contexts, combinations and movements that best highlight each prop to maximize dramatic effect.

Knee pads are recommended. Students must provide their own balancing props (ask teacher for recommendations). Please, no swords (sword substitutions will be provided)!

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique (at least 2 semesters; 3 - 4 semesters recommended), or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate III Technique: Veil

Drawing from modern Egyptian style entrances, dance traveling combinations and practice entrance moves. Learn introductory veil dancing technique and movement repertoire, including placement, turns and wafting. Veils will be available for purchase in class or students may provide their own (professional silk veils recommended; approximately 3 yards of chiffon, silk, or other soft, flowing, hemmed fabric may work).

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique (at least 2 semesters; 3 - 4 semesters recommended), or permission of teacher.

Intermediate Technique

Refine and master technique through advanced combinations and learning more intricate movement vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on spins, entrance steps, speed and layering.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique or permission of teacher.

Intermediate Technique: Veil

Drawing from modern Egyptian style entrances, dance traveling combinations and practice entrance moves. Learn intermediate veil dancing technique and movement repertoire, including placement, turns and wafting. Veils will be available for purchase in class or students may provide their own (professional silk veils recommended; approximately 3 yards of chiffon, silk, or other soft, flowing, hemmed fabric may work).

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate III: Veil Technique, or permission of teacher.

Intermediate / Advanced Intensive (75 min)

Enjoy a 75-minute class full of shimmies, drills, combinations, traveling steps and turns. Begin class with a comprehensive warm up to build core strength and flexibility. Emphasis is on quality movement execution, musical interpretation, alignment, stamina, and whole-body awareness. Class may include components and props for raqs sharqi performance sets, including more advanced turns, folkloric dance, improvisation, entrance veil work, cane, taqsim and drum solos. Practice weekly conditioning for maintaining and improving a full movement repertoire for belly dance performance.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I, II (zills) and III (veil) and Intermediate material, and / or permission of instructor.

Intermediate / Advanced Technique

Concentrate on components for raqs sharqi performance sets, including more advanced turns, drills, entrance veil work, cane, taqsim and drum solos. Emphasis is on emotional expression, improvisation and musical interpretation. Practice weekly conditioning for maintaining and improving a full movement repertoire for belly dance performance.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I, II and III (zills and veil) and Intermediate material and / or permission of instructor.

Intermediate / Advanced Tribal Technique

Concentrate on components for tribal fusion performance sets, including more advanced group improvisation, unified presentation, and fluid transitions. Emphasis is on group camaraderie, improvisation and experimentation.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I, II and III (zills and veil) and Intermediate material and / or permission of instructor.