Spring 2024 classes for beginner dancers

Beginner I technique classes (8-week session)
This class is perfect for anyone brand new to belly dance! We recommend all new belly dancers take Beginner I for four 8-week sessions for a total of 32 weeks. In the first round dancers are exposed to the movements and in the second round dancers are able to integrate the movements with attention to alignment and musicality more fully.

• Tuesdays at 6pm with rotating belly dance instructors
• Wednesdays at 8:15pm with Florencia
• Saturdays at 12:30pm with Florencia

Beginner I/II technique class (16-week session)
Have you completed 16-32 weeks of Beginner I? Join us for Beginner I/II technique, which will expand your movement base to include foundational undulations and accents, turns and layering, and explore Middle Eastern music rhythms and structure. This class will set you up for success for joining Beginner II, while reinforcing all the technique you learned in Beginner I.

• Saturdays at 10:30am with Jennifer Anya

Beginner II technique (16-week session)
Continue your dance journey after you’ve completed 32 weeks of Beginner I or combined Beginner I/II by expanding your dance vocabulary and expression and awareness of cultural context. Beginner II will solidify your belly dance foundation and prepare you for the next level of classes and a wide range of specialty topics.

• Saturdays at 12:30pm with Jennifer Anya
• Thursdays at 8:15pm with Gretchen

FAQ: How many beginner belly dance classes should I take?

Great question, and one we hear a lot at Sahara Dance! We broke it all down in this blog post. Do not hesitate to reach out to your teacher or to Rachel (rachel@saharadance.com) if you have questions.

Beginner and Low Intermediate performance opportunities at Under a Desert Moon 

We are already excited for our glamorous annual spring show, Under a Desert Moon, at the American University Greenberg Theatre on Saturday, April 27. But it will be even more special to have you with us!

Performing early and often is one of the best ways to accelerate your dance journey, share what you’ve learned with your family and friends, and deepen your dance friendships. The entire Sahara Dance community loves to cheer on our new and early dance journey performers.

We hope you will join us for this special show.

• Saturdays at 11:30 am: Beginner I Performance class with Florencia – perfect for those enrolled in Beginner I or Beginner I/II.
• Saturdays at 11:30am: Raqqesat Badia Company Beginner I/II performance class with Jennifer Anya – perfect for those enrolled in Beginner I/II or Beginner II technique.
   
• Thursdays at 7:15pm: Raqqesat Samia Company – Beginner II/Low Intermediate with Gretchen – perfect for those enrolled in a Low Intermediate Technique class, who have completed the BII curriculum.

Check out a video from one of our past Under a Desert Moon (UDM for short) shows to get a sense of what to expect from this exciting show! 

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Questions about which class and performance opportunity would be best for you? We want to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher or to Rachel at rachel@saharadance.com.