Intro to Belly Dance - 101
taught by Christiana & Rose & Hayley & Bridget
Pre-Registration based class...First time in belly dance? Then this is the class for you! This primer class is where you start; helping you better in understand the movements that create the foundation of all styles of belly dance - technique through isolations and muscular training. This class focuses on break down of basic belly dance steps so that you begin with the correct methods to 'do' any of the common movements. Adds up to a great no-impact workout however the goal of the class is learning the verbiage, proper posture & being introduced to the different facets of Mid-East Dance.
As a new student to this art form we do recommend you take this class 1 full 7-week session before starting any of our other beginner belly dance classes, denoted with a blue star. See Class Attire here - no long skirts, as the instructors need to evaluate your knees & lower back position. You need no prior dance experience for this class - a minimum of 5 students needed by the end of week 1 in order to run for the full session. All classes run on week 1!
Offered Mondays at 8:30pm & Tuesdays at 6:10pm & Wednesdays at 7:20pm & Saturdays 10:45am

Fundamentals of Belly Dance
taught by Sonya & Christiana & Hayley
Pre-Registration based class...After the minimum 7-week session of INTRO class, this Fundamentals class expands to teach you a wider vocabulary of basic belly dance traditional Orientale movements, traveling steps & turns common to the "classic" Egyptian-style of Mid East dance, & most importantly how to connect them. Here you learn where in the music these steps are best used, why we do it, & more about where in the world it comes from. Class works on clean technique with full break-downs & step-combos that can improve your posture, flexibility, balance & grace through muscle isolation and control. Each week we put these new moves into a dance routine, finishing the session with a full choreographed dance & a strong sense of body awareness.
This class is ideal for your first 6-10 months of your training, however you feel free to stay in this level (blue star) until all these fundamental moves are comfortable to you. You will always come away with something new from week-to-week, session-to-session, even year-to-year. Performance opportunities as a class troupe Enti Albi. See Class Attire here -- no long skirts, as your instructor needs to evaluate your knees & lower back position. No prior dance experience is necessary for this class however please complete 1 full 7-week session of INTRO to Belly Dance class first (see above, green star). All weekly offerings of the 'Fundamentals' class contain the same lesson plan/choreographic routine, therefore interchangeable from week-to-week. Email us for music info.
Offered Mondays at 7:20pm & Wednesdays at 7:20pm & Saturdays at 12pm

Intro to Fusion Bellydance
taught by Kamrah
Pre-Registration based class...This introduction to the Fusion-style of bellydance tones your muscles, improves your dance posture, and prepares you for the snaky and powerful signature movements of Fusion bellydance. Class begins with a warm-up and some strength training, so be prepared to sweat! The basic isolations and dance movements used in Kamrah's Fusion style are demonstrated and then extensively drilled. Short combinations are then offered for integration and practice. Intro to Fusion is a great primer for those intrigued by the darker, deeply sensuous, and powerful movements of this beautiful dance! Performance opportunities will occasionally be available as troupe Ahsena with certain requirements. See Class Attire -- Sorry, but no baggy pants/long skirts, as Kamrah needs to view knees/lower back position. This is not your first class of belly dance - If you've never taken any belly dance you should complete 1 7-week session of INTRO to Belly Dance first (see above) & perhaps 1 7-week session of Belly Dance Fundamentals before trying this specialty class. Offered Mondays at 6:10pm

Belly Dance Musicality & Technique - Spring 1
taught by Lisha
Drop-in or Pre-Register...If you’re interested in exploring the relationships between Middle Eastern music and dance, this is the class for you. Lisha will be focusing on one classic song per semester, but this is not a choreography class. Instead, using the song as our guide, we will explore the song’s rhythms and melodic phrases. Drop-in on a weekly basis to learn new movements, combinations or improvisational exercises. Or register for the entire semester to gain a deeper understanding of the featured song. This class is open to all students with at least 9 months to a year of belly-dance experience. Offered Saturdays at 1:15pm beginning 2/29 for Spring 1

Dynamics of Belly Dance
taught by Rose
Drop-in or Pre-Register...Learn to belly dance in a way that lifts your heart, opens your mind, and strengthens your body. Whether you’re a beginner or a more seasoned dancer (of any style), this class will help you find the ease and joy of dancing with fluidity, precision, and grace – all while preventing injury by moving mindfully. By tuning into the energy naturally flowing through our bodies, we will let go of the stress of thinking about how to dance, and instead enjoy feeling the movement and music. Class begins with a thorough review of proper alignment & energy awareness, and a fun, full-body warm-up that will introduce some belly dance (Arabic: Raqs Sharqi) movements and styling. We will naturally flow with the music, briefly noting its origin and meaning, while breaking down the essentials of Middle Eastern belly dance. We will weave those moves together in short combinations, focusing on both technique and artistry, and end class with deep stretching and a cool-down to gently increase flexibility and prevent soreness. Please wear form-fitting leggings of any length; no loose pants or long skirts, as Rose needs to evaluate your knees & lower back position. See Class Attire here - Offered Tuesdays at 7:20pm

Modern Fusion Bellydance
taught by Eliza & Christiana
Drop-in or Pre-Register...Modern Fusion Bellydance combines or "fuses" movements of traditional belly dance (Egyptian, Turkish & Tunisian) with elements of western dance formats such as Modern Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop & others. Designed for the long-time beginner & intermediate dancer, this class focuses on developing a clean & fluid belly dance technique infused with elements of western dance. Class starts with a short warm up to improve flexibility, & get muscles & joints moving followed by exercises & drills that strengthen & tone primary muscles used in our dance practice. The second part of class focuses on learning a short combination or "choreo chunk" that will be repeated & refined over a couple of weeks as we build layers & add footwork to develop a multidimensional dance practice. Emphasis is placed on proper posture, fluid & concise movements, & seamless transitions. Drop-in friendly class although regular attendance is encouraged as you build your combinations into a full dance to perhaps be performed at a future Arabesque Hafla. Offered Mondays at 8:30pm

Fun with Finger Cymbals; Combos & Technique
taught by Christiana
Pre-Registration based class...Belly Dancing with full-tempo Finger Cymbal Accompaniment - In this class, dancers will begin to work on the fundamentals of playing and dancing with finger cymbals! Theory, technique and review of basic patterns will be emphasized. In addition, dancers will begin to explore the concept of movement while playing finger cymbals. See Class Attire here -- no long skirts, as your instructor needs to evaluate your knees & lower back position. No prior dance experience is necessary for this class however please complete 1 full 7-week session of INTRO to Belly Dance class first (see above, green star). Offered Wednesdays at 8:30pm

Moving Up; Belly Dance Choreography
taught by Sonya
Pre-Registration based class...Open to students who feel they've mastered the basic belly dance movements introduced in the blue star classes (typically after 6-10 months of the Fundamentals of Belly Dance class, comfortable with ALL those beginning moves), this choreography class is geared for those long-time beginners who feel they learn more through choreography, drills & routine. Every move you know has 100 variations, add-ons and layers... want to learn them? Take Yourself to that NEXT LEVEL! The dances learned in this weekly class can be auditioned for & performed if desired as class troupe el Amar. While everyone is unique, Pre-Requisites for this class are completion of the Fundamentals class (typically 4 sessions) - Feel free to ask your instructor if you seem ready for the challenge or ask Sonya's advice before signing up & for music info.
Offered Wednesdays at 6:10pm & Saturdays at 12 noon

Vintage Middle Eastern Dance; Reda Troupe Style - Winter
taught by Lisha
Pre-Registration based class...The Reda Troupe was the most influential troupe to come out of Egypt beginning in the late 1950’s. Reda’s style came from studying the folk dances of Egypt and adapted them to a stage setting. The Winter 2020 semester will feature an intermediate level choreography influenced by the work of Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy. We will be exploring floor patterns through various traveling steps and turns as well as adding strong, earthy hip movements. This class is recommended for dancers who want a challenge in learning weight shift and traveling the stage. Possible performance opportunity for April 11th "Cairo By Night" Hafla as part of troupe el Hawanaem. It’s recommended that you complete 8 to 12 months of Fundamentals or equivalent experience before taking this class. You may want to wear half-sole dance shoes or ballet slippers for this class. Feel free to speak with the instructor for advice on beginning this class, Offered Saturdays at 1:15pm until 2/22

Fusion Bellydance Technique
taught by Kamrah
Drop-in or Pre-Register...Sharpen your Tribal Fusion technique! This intermediate class will focus primarily on drills and intensive technique instruction, with small combinations offered for maximum retention and for an introduction to stage presence practice. Class will begin with strength training for those muscles critical for strong, clean technique. Kamrah then offers intense drills for strong fusion technique, concentrating on sharp isolations, layering, and more tricky fusion movements. The focus will be on taking your practice further, learning the anatomy of fusion movement, and working on learning layering and how to use these techniques in performance. Offered Sundays at 12pm

Layers & Traveling (70-min.)
taught by Sonya
Pre-Registration based class...For the dancer who is strong in ALL the fundamental movements and their myriad of intermediate variations, we offer a more advanced view of combinations with the moves you already know, new moves you've never seen before, as well as transitions from one move to the next, a "volume knob" approach to speed and expectations of layering movements simultaneously while traveling with them.
Longer, more difficult step combinations stretch the mind and muscle memory and a few improvisational dance techniques appear, while the content of a full session includes a challenging choreography with a new focus week-to-week on different dance skills, occasional prop use, and special "tips & tricks" you've always wished you knew!
A mastery of intermediate belly dance curriculum is expected in this fast-paced class for rather experienced students. Being comfortable in the intermediate/purple star classes and having good attendance is expected to keep up in this high-level offering.
Students are always expected to come to class prepared with their Veil and Finger Cymbals.
New students accepted only on the 1st week of the session, after already having spoken with Sonya regarding qualifications.
Choreographies learned in this class do have the opportunity to be auditioned for and performed, as Sonya's award-winning revolving student dance troupe, Ro-He.
This class is not a drop-in class; weekly attendance is expected.
Email Sonya for music info and request to join our private facebook group for troupe/Ro-He communication.
Offered Tuesdays at 7:20pm (7-70-min. classes $125)

SpellBound (Troupe Class)
taught by Eliza
Pre-Registration based class...This 2-hour performance-focused class/rehearsal consists of a group of Eliza`s dedicated dancers who are striving to reach their optimal dance potential. Rehearsal focuses on learning a complete choreography - to be performed at local, regional, and national events - with special attention on performance skills, musical interpretation, theatrical expression, and the clarity and articulation of technique. Entry into this class is by invitation only, seek Eliza's input regarding this class. Must also commit to the costuming needs of SpellBound - Offered Mondays at 6:10-8:20pm