We recently announced an exciting update to our Sahara Dance curriculum. This latest blog post will answer some common questions that students ask about progressing through the technique levels. If you’re looking for placement advice about what class to sign up for right now, check out our other blog post What Class Should I Take Now?
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!