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.

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: One session of Sahara Dance Beginner I Technique or other 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: Zills (Finger Cymbals)

Learn introductory zill playing technique and basic rhythms, along with new 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 or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate III: Veil

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 (china silk recommended; approximately 3 yards of chiffon, silk, or other soft, flowing, hemmed fabric).

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

Intermediate

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 and Drills

Practice weekly conditioning for maintaining a full movement repertoire. Each class will focus on one movement from the Intermediate curriculum, in addition to rhythm-based drills for muscle memory development and musical training. Emphasis is on quality movement execution, alignment, stamina and whole-body awareness.

Intermediate Repertoire Technique Class

Students will build movement repertoire in preparation for performing complex ensemble choreographies. Learn to perform intricate floor patterns, arm paths and turns with confidence and strong alignment.

Prerequisites: mastery of Sahara Dance Low intermediate I, II and III (zills and veil) material and permission of instructor.

Intermediate/Advanced

Concentrate on components for raqs sharqi performance sets, including more advanced turns, entrance veil work, cane, taqsim and drum solos. Emphasis is on emotional expression, improvisation and musical interpretation.

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

Sahara Dance Samplers

Experience a variety of dance/teaching styles through the exploration of various topics. Each class will focus on a different component of belly dance, including: drum solos, pop music, fusion, and tribal inspired.

These sampler classes are designed to help students piece movements together and feel the music within each dance.

Special attention will be given to musical understanding and discovering authentic, joyful expression while dancing. This class is ideal for those seeking a high energy, fun workout and a complement to Sahara Dance technique classes.

Summer 2010 Schedule
Low Intermediate Belly Dance Combinations is on Sundays from 12:15-1:15 pm
Intermediate Belly Dance Combinations is on Sundays from 1:30-2:30 pm

Sahara Dance Samplers: Rhythm Combos

Experience a variety of dance/teaching styles while learning various Middle Eastern rhythms! Each class will feature live percussion by Sahara Tabla, while dancers drill rhythm-based movements and combinations. Master several rhythms during the semester, including: Malfuf, Samai, Khaleeji, Maqsum, Sa’idi and many more!

These sampler classes are designed to help students piece movements together and learn to dance to the foundational rhythms of Egyptian dance.

Special attention will be given to musical understanding and discovering authentic, joyful expression while dancing.

Fall 2010 Schedule coming soon!

African Tribal Fusion Technique

African Tribal Fusion combines Tribal Style belly dance and West African dance, with a handful of other styles thrown in, including hip hop, Bhangra, and theater. Practice full body movements executed with clean control and drill crisp isolations, and explore a variety of world and modern music rhythms. This class is recommended for students of any style of belly dance who wish to add depth and range to their repertoire, as well as build strength, stamina, and confidence. Classes are high energy, fast-paced and full of fun!

This class fulfills the technique requirement for the Raquettes AfroStomp performance class.

Introduction to Tribal Improvisation

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. Tribal dance often fosters friendships; a strong sense of community can evolve from improvising as a group.

Latin-Belly Dance Fusion Technique

Infuse your belly dance with Latin rhythms! Designed for students who wish to learn the different Latin dance rhythms, this class will combine belly dance technique and drills with meringue, salsa, cumbia, cha-cha, reggaeton, bachata and more!

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

This class fulfills the technique requirement for the Latin-Belly Dance Fusion Performance class.

Tribal Style Drills: Beginner II / Low Intermediate

Tribal Style is a fusion of various belly dance styles and world dance, with an emphasis on posture, muscle isolation, clean execution of movement, rhythm and community. Class is ideal for a student of any style of belly dance who wishes to add depth and range to repertoire, as well as build strength, stamina, and confidence. Structured to challenge body and mind, this class will help students find their own creative dance voice.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or one year of previous belly dance instruction.

Tribal Style Drills: Low Intermediate / Intermediate

Tribal Style is a fusion of various belly dance styles and world dance, with an emphasis on posture, muscle isolation, clean execution of movement, rhythm and community. Sensual, graceful, serpentine movements, and sharp, crisp, pop, lock and tick-tocking… all have a place in tribal style and will be broken down and drilled in this 90-minute class. Condition to build strength, stretch to maintain flexibility, and drill, drill, drill! Structured to challenge body and mind, this class will help students find their own creative dance voice.

Enrollment is limited to 12 students.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Shara Dance Low Intermediate Technique or two years of tribal style instruction.

Urban Fusion Technique (LI+)

Urban fusion combines unique hip-hop combinations with traditional raqs sharki belly dance and tribal-style belly dance, through edgy isolations, locks, waves and other urban-inspired movement. Build coordination, isolation and an expanded repertoire with a variety of choreographies. This class will be high energy, prepare to sweat and have fun.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Shara Dance Low Intermediate Technique.