Sahara Dance Performance Curriculum
To dance, put your hand on your heart and listen to the sound of your soul.
~ Eugene Louis (Luigi) Faccuito ~
While providing a strong learning environment for students, both beginner and advanced, Sahara Dance also provides a creative outlet for faculty and students alike with our performance dance companies.
Participation in the student companies is for students with goals of developing performance technique, stage personality, ensemble dance experience and enjoying the camaraderie of dancing together.
Please note class prerequisites, where applicable.
For dancers interested in joining a performance company, the best ways to receive placement recommendations are consulting with current dance technique teacher(s) and receiving personalized feedback through Technique Assessment(s).
Student Dance Companies
The Raqqesat companies are Sahara Dance student companies specializing in preparing students for the stage. There are two types of Raqqesat companies: Egyptian-inspired belly dance companies and specialty companies. The Egyptian-inspired companies are named after famous Golden Age belly dancers, and are designed for students of raqs sharqi. We chose to honor these influential dancers to help students connect with the dance and gain a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of belly dance. The specialty Raqqesat companies are named for style-specific dances. Members train in a specialized branch of belly dance, such as fusion, Lebanese, and folkloric.
Raqqesat Badia Company
Raqqesat Badia is named after Badia Masabni, the godmother of Egyptian belly dance, and is a foundational company for students seeking to develop as belly dance performers and make new friends.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Beginner 3
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): one semester of Beginner 3 technique
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Beginner 3 technique class or above
Other Requirement(s): None
Raqqesat Samia Company
Raqqesat Samia, named after Samia Gamal, the national dancer of Egypt, is designed for those who have mastered the foundational Beginner II steps and are ready to elevate their dance journey to the next level.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Intermediate 1
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): Intermediate 1 Technique class
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Intermediate 1 technique class or above
Other Requirement(s): None
Raqqesat Arabi Company
Raqqesat Arabi is the Sahara Dance Student Company specializing in performing folkloric dances of the Arab world.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Intermediate 1
Style: Folklore
Completion Requirement(s): Beginner 3 Technique class
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Beginner 3 technique class or above
Other Requirement(s): None
Raqqesat Tahia Company
The Raqqesat Tahia Company is a Intermediate 2 level company. Raqqesat Tahia Company is named after famed Golden Age belly dancer and actress Tahia Carioca, considered by many to be a true ‘bint al balad’ (“daughter of the country” or working class woman who is “intelligent, lively, straightforward, charming and most importantly dependable”) and known for her iconic gestures and flirtatiousness in her dancing.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Intermediate 2
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): Simultaneous enrollment in any Sahara Dance Intermediate 2 Technique class or above for the duration of the performance class, with a strong recommendation to enroll in the Intermediate 2 props class preceding the company class.
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Intermediate 2 or above
Other Requirement(s): None
Raqqesat Kitty Company
Raqqesat Kitty is a Sahara Dance student company dedicated to enhancing belly dance skills for stage and mastering the Intermediate curriculum, and is home for students seeking to further develop as belly dance performers. Raqqesat Kitty honors Alexandria-born dancer Katy Fotsaty by incorporating versatile styling, elegance and playful movements. Special focus is placed on polished and elegant movement execution, stage charisma, traveling steps, layering and use of props. Choreographies may include props.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Intermediate 3
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): Intermediate 3 technique class
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Intermediate 3 technique class or above
Other Requirement(s): Permission of Company Director
Raqqesat Naima Company
Raqqesat Naima is a Sahara Dance student company dedicated to mastering the Intermediate/Advanced curriculum for stage performance. Naima Akef, considered by many the greatest Egyptian dancer of the Golden Era, was renown for her impressive technique, versatility, and stage savvy. Raquettes Naima members practice the stylistic nuances for performing Egyptian dance with a broader movement repertoire and dynamic expression. Special focus is placed on polished and confident movement execution, intricate layering, personal expression and mastery of complex choreographies.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Advanced 1
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): Advanced 1 technique class
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Advanced 1 technique class or above
Other Requirement(s): Permission of Company Director
Raqqesat Soheir
Raqqesat Soheir is a Sahara Dance student company dedicated to deepening mastery of the Advanced curriculum through refined stage performance. Inspired by the legendary Soheir Zaki—renowned for her authenticity, musicality, and the subtle power of her precise, controlled movements — Raqqesat Soheir dancers strive to develop their own authentic voice within the dynamics of complex group choreography.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Advanced 2
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Advanced 2 technique class (or equivalent as assessed by teachers)
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Advanced 2 or 3 technique class with minimum 80% live attendance required
Other Requirement(s): Invitation Only by Company Director
Raqs Caravan East Company
Raqs Caravan East is a Sahara Dance student company specializing in raqs sharqi for stage. Students learn ensemble choreographies for performances at student shows, community events and in other educational environments.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Advanced 3
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Advanced 3 technique class (or equivalent as assessed by directors)
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Advanced 3 technique class with minimum 80% live attendance required
Other Requirement(s): Invitation Only by Company Directors
Raqqesat Indigo Company
Raqqesat Indigo is a new student company with its roots stemming from one of Sahara Dance’s original creations, Raqs Caravan West. Paying homage to the Indigo Belly Dance Company, founded by Rachel Brice and Mardi Love in 2003, Raqqesat Indigo will continue the tradition of fusion belly dance. Dancers will perform to an array of different styles of fusion music, French classics and much more. Slow and sassy to vaudevillian inspired choreography will be accompanied by theatrical props.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Intermediate (mixed)
Style: Fusion
Completion Requirement(s): Intermediate 1 technique class
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Intermediate 1 technique class or above, or Sahara Dance Fusion Combos class
Other Requirement(s): None
Raqqesat Latin
Designed for students who wish to learn Latin Fusion and embrace the spirit of Latin dance which is to have fun! This performance class will combine belly dance with a different rhythm each term like Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba and Bachata.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Intermediate (mixed)
Style: Belly dance with Latin rhythms
Completion Requirement(s): Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Intermediate 3 Technique or permission of teacher.
Concurrent Requirement(s): Any Sahara dance technique or specialty class, with a strong recommendation to take the Intermediate technique class before the performance class
Other Requirement(s): None
Raqqesat Tsifteteli
Tsifteteli, the Greek belly dance, is a social style performed in homes and at parties. In this performance class, we are setting a social style to the stage while retaining the key characteristics and components of the dance in its original form- such as its distinct kinetic patterns, flirtatious expressions, elegant hand movements, and subtle hip and chest movements.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Intermediate (mixed)
Style: Greek belly dance
Completion Requirement(s): Intermediate 1 or at least two years of belly dance
Concurrent Requirement(s): Any Sahara dance technique or specialty class, with a strong recommendation to take the Tsiftiteli technique class before the performance class
Other Requirement(s): None
Raqqesat Nadia Company
Raqqesat Nadia is a Sahara Dance student company dedicated to mastering the Intermediate / Advanced curriculum for stage performance. Nadia Gamal, known as “The Queen of Bellydance,” was highly revered for her graceful movements, extensive use of footwork, and dynamic stage performances. She influenced many dancers including Ibrahim Farrah, and is often credited with originating and inspiring the modern Lebanese stylization of Raqs Sharqi.
Type: Student Dance Company
Level: Advanced 1
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): Advanced 1 technique class
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Advanced 1 technique class or above
Other Requirement(s): Permission of Company Director
Status: On Hiatus
Professional Dance Companies
Raqs Sahara Company
The award-winning Raqs Sahara is the featured dance company at all Sahara Dance productions. Raqs Sahara performs regularly throughout the DC metro area at private parties, weddings and festivals.
Type: Professional Dance Company
Level: Advanced/Professional
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): None
Concurrent Requirement(s): None
Other Requirement(s): By invitation
Al Fanaanat Project
Audition to perform choreography by world-renowned guest artists as part of the Al Fanaanat Project! Al Fanaanat Project aims to help dancers develop professional level artistry in raqs sharqi, while enjoying the camaraderie of performing together. Al Fanaanat translates as “The Artists” in Arabic.
Type: Professional Dance Company
Level: Advanced/Professional
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): None
Concurrent Requirement(s): None
Other Requirement(s): By audition.
Mandatory attendance of coached reherasals, if audition is selected for the performance project.
Mandatory attendance of coached reherasals, if audition is selected for the performance project.
Sahara Dance Entertainment
Sahara Dance Entertainment provides professional belly dance entertainment for corporate parties, weddings and private events. We specialize in creating captivating and memorable performances, including solo dance performances and spectacular troupe performances with exciting choreographies and props. Our award-winning dancers have performed throughout the DC/MD/VA area at numerous restaurants, embassies and private events.
Type: Professional Dance Company
Level: Professional
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): N/A
Concurrent Requirement(s): N/A
Other Requirement(s): By audition
Performance Classes
Beginner Performance
Designed for students who are currently taking (or have completed) Sahara Dance Beginner 1 or Beginner 2 technique and wish to practice an ensemble dance for stage performance. Master a beginner choreography, which draws upon the Sahara Dance Beginner 1 & 2 curriculum...
Type: Performance Class
Level: Beginner I
Style: Raqs Sharqi
Completion Requirement(s): None
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance Beginner 1 or Beginner 2 technique class or above
Other Requirement(s): None
Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance Fusion Performance
Get ready to turn up the heat! Back by popular request – we’ll blend the sass and spice of Latin dance with the elegance and power of belly dance—all set to the picante track Hip Hip Chin Chin. This playful and dynamic piece is designed for dancers who want to explore fusion movement in heels, emphasizing sharp isolations, juicy hip work, and bold stage presence. Whether you’re looking to boost your technique or stage presence, this class will leave you feeling strong, expressive, and unstoppable. This piece will be done in dance heels.
Type: Performance Class
Level: Intermediate or above
Style: Fusion Technique
Completion Requirement(s): Prior Experience with Advanced Belly Dance Fusion with Crystal
Concurrent Requirement(s): Dancers must be enrolled in Crystal’s Fusion Technique class
Other Requirement(s): None
Developing Choreography
Do you have a bit of inspiration, a fragment of a dance that you’d like to develop and bring to the stage? You can start with even the smallest hint of inspiration – a costume, a prop, a favorite song – or just the desire to explore the creative process of developing a choreography! Delve into your creativity to discover and practice your own style of movement.
Type: Performance Class
Level: Intermediate 1 and above
Style: Raqs Sharqi, Folklore or Fusion
Completion Requirement(s): Intermediate and above
Concurrent Requirement(s): Sahara Dance technique or specialty class
Other Requirement(s): None
Jazz Belly Dance Fusion
Explore your groove with this dynamic jazz – belly dance fusion performance class. The class will bring together the sassy feel of jazz with more foundational contemporary dance technique and the playfulness of belly dance that allows for individuality.
Type: Performance Class
Level: Beginner 3
Style: Jazz
Completion Requirement(s): None
Concurrent Requirement(s): Beginner 3 and above
Other Requirement(s): None
Status: On Hiatus
South Asian Fusion Performance
This class will focus on a unique fusion of South Asian dance (including classical, Bollywood and subcontinental dances) and belly dance. These two rhythm-rich regional styles share a natural kinship. The art of intricate hand movements (mudras) and shapes in South Asian dance, the expressive gestures, isolations and turns perfectly complement the techniques of belly dance. The class will focus on range of expressions and emotions that can be expressed through joyful and dramatic South Asian music and also include a focus on layering and accents.
Type: Performance Class
Level: Intermediate 1
Style: Bollywood
Completion Requirement(s): Intermediate 1 Technique class
Concurrent Requirement(s): Any Sahara Dance 16-week technique class
Other Requirement(s): None