FAQ

Answers to some of the more frequently asked questions about the studio.

What if I miss a Class?

You may make up missed classes with the class recording for up to 30 days following the class (or anytime within the session for performance classes). If you are registered for in-person attendance, you may also take the class remotely, live-streaming.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO CLASS?

Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful! Comfortable dance clothing such as stretch pants and a fitted sports/tank top or t-shirt is recommended for dance technique correction.

Loose clothing (such as sweat pants or long t-shirts) prevents the teacher from seeing if you are executing the movements correctly. A hip scarf is recommended to frame hip movement as you develop those fabulous shimmies, but you won’t need one for your first class. Please do not wear glass beaded hip scarves as they can break and cut feet.

You can dance in bare feet, ballet slippers or non-marking rubber-soled jazz shoes (no black-soled, street or hard-soled shoes please).

Sahara Dancewear and hip scarves are occasionally available for purchase in our souk (store) in the studio. If you have a request for merch you would like us to carry, please let a Studio Assistant know your ideas!

WHAT CLASS MATERIALS SHOULD I BRING?

Hip Scarf

A hip scarf is highly recommended to help see the movement as you develop those fabulous shimmies. Fun Sahara Dancewear and hip scarves are available for sale at the studios, or you may use a large scarf, shawl, or evening wrap. Please do not sit down in glass beaded hip scarves as the beads can easily break and end up cutting our feet.

Finger Cymbals

Not required for Beginner students; required for Low Intermediate and above. Recommended professional brands include Saroyan “Arabesque” or Turquoise 2-1/8″ size; or other small, two slot designs.

Veil

Not required for Beginner students; required for Low Intermediate and above. Beautiful china silk veils are available for purchase at the studio. You may also make your own with approximately 3 yards of chiffon, silk, or lightweight, flowing fabric. Hemmed fabric is recommended.

Dance Shoes

Optional. You can dance in bare feet, ballet or rubber-soled jazz shoes (no black-soled, street or hard-soled shoes please).

WHAT IS SAHARA DANCE?

Sahara Dance is a boutique dance studio dedicated to creating a community for belly dancers and elevating the art of belly dance. We dance to share the joy and beauty of Middle Eastern dance through artistry, thoughtful innovation and quality classes. We opened Sahara Dance to create a community around the shared vision of belly dance as an art form.

Our recipe for quality belly dance classes includes:

consistency among faculty in following a shared curriculum
low student-to-faculty ratios
thoughtful lesson plans and choreography
high-quality performance opportunities for students
a commitment to growth as dancers and individuals

Come join us as we shimmy in the next generation of belly dancers!

WHAT STYLE OF BELLY DANCE IS TAUGHT?

A unique blend of modern Egyptian, American and Lebanese style dances characterize the signature Sahara Dance technique. Particular emphasis is placed on body awareness, proper alignment and clean movement execution.

Class structure is based on a format of clear movement breakdowns, drilling the basics, hands-on corrections and integrating movements through combinations, choreography, and improvisational exercises. Above all else, Sahara Dance celebrates the joy, femininity, and individual expression inherent in Middle Eastern dance.

WHERE ARE THE SAHARA DANCE STUDIOS?

Currently, we are offering classes in-person at our Sahara Dance Tenleytown location and online, live-streaming via Zoom. All Zoom links and instructions are sent to students when you register for a class, the day of the class.

Where Can I Park?

There is plenty of metered and unmetered parking available on streets adjacent to the studio, and there are parking garages available at Whole Foods and The Container Store one block away. Note: There is no parking during rush hour on Wisconsin Avenue directly in front of the studio, though plenty of metered spaces available after 6:30 pm. Tenleytown Metro (red line) is a half block away, and the studio is served by the 30N, 30S, 31, 33, 37, N2, H2, H3, H4, 96, and X3 WMATA buses.

WHEN DO CLASSES START?

Classes are taught on a 15- or 16-week curriculum. Within each series, we offer several Beginner I & II, Low Intermediate, Intermediate, and Advanced Belly Dance classes, as well as specialty and conditioning classes. Every class series also includes performance classes at every level. Please visit our classes page to see our current schedule of classes.

DO YOU OFFER DROP-IN CLASSES?

Our classes are enrollment-based and follow a cumulative curriculum (i.e., each lesson builds on material learned the previous week), so for the most valuable experience we recommend registering for 12-week sessions. Please check our current class schedule to find an available class. We also offer workshops both in-person and online, which can be a way to experience a belly dance class before committing to a series (though note that workshops are two hours, so longer than a regular class).

WHICH CLASS SHOULD I TAKE?

Most students new to belly dance or seeking a belly dance refresher should start with a Beginner I Technique class. This class goes in-depth and provides a strong foundation in the basics, required for progressing to more advanced levels. Read more about our class levels. If you have questions, please contact us to discuss placement.

DO YOU OFFER BELLY DANCE PERFORMANCES AT WEDDINGS, BRIDAL SHOWERS, ETC?

Yes, members of Sahara Dance Entertainment regularly perform at bridal showers, birthday and bachelorette parties, weddings, festivals, and embassies throughout the DC metro area. To inquire about performance rates and availability, please complete the Sahara Dance Entertainment booking form.

DO YOU HAVE TO BE THIN TO BELLY DANCE? FULL-FIGURED?

No way! Belly dance is great fun and exercise for everyone of all ages, shapes, backgrounds, and sizes. The movements are natural, friendly, and flattering for all body types. Come see for yourself!

Policies & Etiquette

As a student, you become a part of a community of belly dancers. Our timeless art form is practiced by women and men of all ages. Sahara Dance seeks to be your home for Middle Eastern dance and we hope you’ll join in the many community events we offer such as performances, costume trunk shows, student salons and live drumming jams.

At Sahara Dance, we want you to have a fun and fulfilling experience in our studios! We hope that these guidelines will help make your experience a positive one. Questions or suggestions are welcome anytime, just send them through our contact form. Our goal is to provide a supportive and fun environment for you to cultivate the art of belly dance. We look forward to sharing the joy of dance with you!

STUDIO POLICIES

Class Cancellations: Sahara Dance reserves the right to cancel any class due to low enrollment. Students enrolled will be given the option to transfer the class or receive a refund. Notice of class cancellations due to inclement weather or other events will will be posted on the homepage and/or emailed to enrolled students. Cancelled classes will not be rescheduled; extra make-up classes may be offered.
Substitute Teachers: Sahara Dance reserves the right to have substitute teachers for classes. All efforts will be made to provide a Sahara Dance teacher.
Liability: Sahara Dance and its teachers are not liable for any injuries sustained during class. Sahara Dance reserves the right to bar any person from online classes based on disruptive behavior and/or management discretion.
Dress Code: Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful and enjoy celebrating your body! Comfortable dance clothing such as stretch pants and a close-fitting sports/tank tops or t-shirts are recommended for dance technique correction. If you wear clothing that is loose (such as sweat pants or long t-shirts), the teacher will not be able to see if you are executing the movements correctly.; A hip scarf is highly recommended to help see the movement as you develop those fabulous shimmies. Any shawl will do, though fancy hip scarves are available for sale at the studio. Please do not sit down in glass beaded hip scarves as the beads can easily break and end up cutting your feet. You can dance in bare feet, ballet or rubber-soled jazz shoes (no black-soled, street or hard-soled shoes please).

CLASS ETIQUETTE

Work at your own pace. Do not do any anything that causes you pain; if you find that you are in pain during or after class, please notify the teacher immediately. If you have any preexisting injuries or physical limitations, or if you are pregnant, consult with your doctor before taking classes.
For online classes, please stay muted unless you are asking a question.
If you have technical difficulties, a Sahara Dance Studio Assistant (SA) will be there to assist you.