For those new (or returning) to the studio, guest passes are also a good way to help figure out which class(es) are best for you.

How long should I stay at this level?

This is a question we get a lot, about how many times a student should repeat a level before moving on. The answer is not straightforward, as each student’s dance journey is unique and may be impacted by things like whether you have previous dance experience, if you’re looking for casual fun or are driven to progress quickly, how consistently you attend class, and lots of other factors. However, the guidelines below will help give you a general idea of the path you can expect to take.

Beginner Classes

Beginner 1 covers belly dance “A to Z” as a full 15- or 16-week semester. The full semester teaches the complete Beginner 1 curriculum, including both the Aziza and Zeina choreographies (thus belly dance “A to Z”).

Beginner 1 class can also be taken as an 8-week, half-term class. The half semester includes only half of the curriculum (either the Aziza or Zeina choreography, depending on the session).

Both options are designed to be an introduction to the joy of belly dance. Most students will only take Beginner 1 for 15 or 16 weeks, but all are welcome to repeat it as many times as they like!

Beginner 2 and Beginner 3 are where you develop your foundational technique to set yourself up for future success. Most students will take these levels 2-6 times each.

Intermediate Classes

Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 3 are about adding complexity to your dance. At these levels, you will work on combining basic moves with traveling steps, turns, and more intricate layers. You’ll also work on developing skills such as spatial awareness, musically, and expression. Most students will take these levels anywhere from 2-6 times each.

Intermediate 2 is all about learning how to use props. A good foundation in using the 3 core props – veil, finger cymbals (sagat/zills), and cane (assaya) – is required to move up, but additional experience may be gained in balancing props, fan veil, Isis wings, or other fun accessories for your dance. Most students will take this level 2-6 times.

Advanced Classes

At the advanced level the focus shifts away from learning new movement vocabulary and towards developing a dancer’s individual skill set. There is no set length of time that a dancer will spend at each level mastering the skills needed to move up. It will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

• Consistency of class attendance
• Performing and rehearsing as part of a student company
• Participation in workshops and master classes
• Personal at-home practice
• Previous dance background
• Outside learning through books, articles, videos festivals,, or lectures
• Cross training for strength, endurance, flexibility and body awareness

At this level each dancer’s journey will be very individualized and will depend on how much dancing and training one does each day and week. One dancer might be ready to progress after a few semesters while another spends several years at the same level. Advanced classes are designed to keep a full repertoire of dance movements honed as a regular maintenance practice for professional dancers. Advanced dancers are also encouraged to occasionally return to lower levels to refresh the fundamentals.

Most importantly, remember to embrace dance as a journey of enjoyment. There’s no stagnant end point, or finish line. Our bodies are unique and ever-changing.  We can relish the fresh, new feeling of each movement, without expectations. Our experience of the music, and of dancing together, is always alive with newness. What will it be like this time, in this moment?

With intention, dance can be vehicle for cultivating curiosity, delight, and unconditional friendliness toward ourselves and the world around us. May we always let the inherent joy of movement and expression lead our dance.

Have More Questions?

If you still want additional guidance on what level you should sign up for, check out our blog post ‘What Class Should I Take Now?’ or talk to your teacher!

Level Map

To get started, check out this mapping of our new technique levels to the old class names. 

Core Techniques

One of the features of the new curriculum is a list of core techniques for all Beginner and Intermediate levels. Look at the Sahara Dance Curriculum Summary page for the key things you need to become proficient in at each level, alongside general skills of musicality, expression, and body awareness. Identifying the technique that you are still working to learn will help you know where you should be.

Core Elements Skill Levels

For the Advanced technique levels, we have identified the 6 essential elements of a dancer’s toolkit and provided a description of the skill level you should be able to demonstrate for each element before progressing onto the next level. A student should be able to perform at the Advanced 1 level for all 6 elements before moving to Advanced 2. 

For example, If you are brilliant at turns but still working on layering, we recommend that you sign up for the lower level class and focus your personal practice and in-class attention on developing the areas that you need to work on before moving up. 

Specialty Classes

Our workshops and specialty classes, such as fusion, samba, and bollywood, don’t fall under the curriculum revision; however, you can look for the 3 level labels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) in the class descriptions to help know if a workshop or specialty class is right for you.

Technique Assessments

Still need advice or have questions? Sign up for a Technique Assessment where you can get review the curriculum choreographies of each level. Select two Sahara Dance curriculum teachers of your choice to offer feedback and placement recommendations on how to best level up your dance.

For those new to the studio, guest passes are also a good way to help figure out which class(es) are best for you.

From a 3-day intensive to a personal dance feedback opportunity, Shahrzad will guide you through a transformative dance experience, based on her deep experience in Egyptian-style belly dance also known as raqs sharqi. Shahrzad has had an exhilarating dance career in Cairo that has taken her all over the world, and she is also known for her high-quality belly dance instruction.

Please note that these workshops are best suited for intermediate and above-level dancers. If you’re not sure if these workshops are right for you, please discuss with your Sahara Dance teacher!

 Read on to explore the offerings and secure your spot!

1. 3-Day Belly Dance Intensive with Shahrzad  **Sold out in-person – online spots available**
   

Start 2024 by infusing new life into your dance journey through 11 hours of belly dance over three days! Shahrzad’s intensive will focus on improving technique through drills and conditioning, developing body awareness and personal style, and establishing dance goals for the year with actionable plans.

Dates and times:

• Friday, January 5: 6 – 9 pm
• Saturday, January 6: 1:30 – 5:30 pm
• Sunday, January 7: 1:30 – 5:30 pm

Spaces are limited, and this intensive is expected to sell out quickly. Secure your spot now for an immersive dance experience.

2. Advanced Drum Solo Workshop (2-hours)

Date: Sunday, January 7, 2024, 10:30 am-12:30 pm

Challenge your technique with a detailed tabla solo routine prepared by Shahrzad. This workshop is tailored for intermediate-advanced dancers who have mastered shimmy layering and belly/chest isolations. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your skills and add an exciting drum solo to your repertoire.

This workshop, a part of Al Fanaanat Project, invites dancers to delve into the intricacies of a fast-paced tabla solo choreography. Shahrzad has meticulously crafted a routine that combines basic shimmies and isolations with exciting details tailored for the stage. Geared towards intermediate-advanced dancers, this workshop is perfect for those who have mastered the basics of shimmy layering and belly/chest isolations.

Register today! 

For those seeking artistic development feedback and aspiring to perform the workshop choreography at “Under a Desert Moon,” register for Al Fanaanat Project, detailed in the next section. However, participation in the project is optional, and you can register for the workshop alone.

3. Al Fanaanat Project Add-On: Personal Dance Development Opportunity and Audition

Video or video auditions due: February 11, 2024

As an add-on to the advanced drum solo workshop, Al Fanaanat Project offers the chance to record yourself dancing the choreography by February 11 to receive personal, artistic development feedback from Shahrzad and, if you choose, use your video recording as an audition to perform the drum solo choreography at Under a Desert Moon on April 27, 2024.

Invest in your dance development by signing up for personal feedback from Shahrzad and take your dance journey to new heights. 

We encourage dancers of all levels to take advantage of the opportunity to receive personalized feedback from Shahrzad!

Sign up today. 

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Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities to dance with Shahrzad at Sahara Dance! Secure your spot today and embark on a transformative dance experience.