Intro to Belly Dance - 101
taught by Bridget & Christiana
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 per class offering is 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 & Wednesdays at 7:20pm & Saturdays 10:45am

Fundamentals of Belly Dance
taught by Sonya & Christiana
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 8-12 months of your training, however you should 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. 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 8:30pm & Saturdays at 12 noon

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) & at least 1 7-week session of Belly Dance Fundamentals before trying this specialty class. Offered Mondays at 6:10pm

Modern Fusion Belly Dance
taught by Eliza
Drop-in or Pre-Register...Modern Fusion Belly Dance (MFDB) combines or "fuses" movements of traditional belly dance (Egyptian, Turkish & Tunisian) with elements of western dance formats such as Modern Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop and others. Designed for the long-time beginner & intermediate dancer, this class focuses on developing a clean and fluid belly dance technique infused with elements of western dance. Class starts with a short warm up to improve flexibility and get muscles and joints moving followed by exercises and drills that strengthen and 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 and refined over a couple of weeks as we build layers and add footwork to develop a multidimensional dance practice. Emphasis is placed on proper posture, fluid and concise movements, and seamless transitions.
Eliza brings her dance background in ATS/ITS and Tribal Fusion and fuses her dance style with qualities of western dance formats. She strives to honor traditional belly dance while also integrating contemporary, jazz and a bit of show girl to create fresh movements and unique choreography. Drop-in friendly class although regular attendance is encouraged as we build our combinations into a full dance to be performed at a future Arabesque Hafla. Offered Mondays at 8:30pm

Dynamic 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

Belly Dance CARDIO
taught by Kamrah
Drop-in or Pre-Register...Get your heart rate up with this fast paced belly dance cardio workout. Basic belly dance movements will be drilled and combined into mini-combos specifically designed to keep the heart going for a satisfying cardio workout. We’ll throw in some traditional fitness conditioning for an all-around, full-body workout. Bring water! Offered Sundays at 1:15pm

Performance Polish
taught by Eva La Feva
Drop-in or Pre-Register...Are you looking to take your performance to the next level? Do you feel like you've plateaued and you want to bring some refinement to how you move?
This is the class for you. In this one-hour class, we will work on extending your lines, drills for prettier hands/arms, creating organic facial expressions, tricks for remembering to point your toes/feet, tactics for creating compelling choreography, costume cohesion clinics and other skills that are the cherry on top of your dance technique. Take each class a la carte as a drop-in, or take the whole session for a crash course in upping your performance game. Offered Wednesdays 7:20pm
Each week is a different focus:
1/9: Lower body (posing, legs, feet, toes)
1/16: Upper Body (posture, arms, hands)
1/23: Full body awareness (putting it all together to create compelling shapes onstage, extension)
1/30: Facial expressions/onstage energy
2/6: Creating compelling choreography
2/13: Costume cohesion clinic
2/20: Semester recap

Moving Up; Belly Dance Choreography
taught by Sonya
Pre-Registration based class...Open to students who've mastered the basic belly dance movements introduced in the blue star classes (typically after 8-12 months of the Belly Dance Fundamentals 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 in upcoming showcases, farmers markets, & "In-House Halfas" if desired as troupe el Amar. While everyone is unique, Pre-Requisites for this class are completion of the Fundamentals class (typically 4 sessions, or more) - Feel free to ask your instructor if you seem ready for the challenge or ask Sonya's advice before signing up & for music info. SUMMER 1 Bring your Finger Cymbals!
Request to join our private facebook group for communication. Offered Wednesdays at 6:10pm & Saturdays at 12 noon

Vintage Belly Dance Choreography
taught by Lisha
Pre-Registration based class...The 1960’s through the 1980’s were the heyday of American Cabaret (aka Vintage Orientale) bellydance. This style was a fusion of Turkish and Arabic dances mixed with American theatricality. The live bands that performed had musicians from many of the diverse cultures of the Middle East. 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

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
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

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

Semi-Pro Soloist Training
taught by Sonya
Pre-Registration based class...Learning choreography, performing occasionally, and sweating in class is not enough if you take your dancing seriously. For the higher-level student with genuine intentions in this dance form we offer a laser-focused 1-hour weekly class on developing you as a knowledgeable soloist and expert of your field, Arab Dance Arts.
Over several sessions we will deeply explore the stylistic influences of many notable Mid-East dancers as well as those heralded in American Orientale; we will become knowledgeable to the names of the famous dancers, musical scores & composers of the "Golden Era" of belly dance, & even some Arabic word recognition, all while studying our own performance aspects (such as facial comportment, stage presence, body awareness, musicality, etc) and methods of self-assessment designed to foster communication and feedback skills of your own.
You will create a solo dance through week-to-week "homework" & mentor/peer evaluations, which when completed will stir up both your choreographic and improvisational skills, helping your dance excel to new heights, & enable you greater performance opportunities.
Class teaches YOU to build combinations that serve a purpose as well as how to recognize & identify 7 of the most usual Arabic rhythms (always come prepared with your finger cymbals/zill/segat & a veil). With an emphasis on deliberate self-practice, professionalism, history & dance community standards, this mentor ship with Sonya could complete each session with a solo performance opportunity & each year (7 sessions) with a certificate of completion.
Class Pre-Requisites:
Student must have been through a minimum 3 sessions/6 months of Moving Up (intermediate choreography class) or minimum 1 session/2 months of Layers & Traveling (interm./advanced choreography class) - AND maintain this level* of studentship during your time in Semi-Pro - this class is not a drop-in class; weekly attendance is expected. Also, weekly attendance in your other companion class is required. Student should not be afraid of finger cymbals (or math) & have a solemn desire for a whole-brain approach to basic belly dance movements & their variations; and come prepared each week ON TIME with homework completed. Failure to heed these strict rules forfeits your entry for the session.

Offered Tuesdays at 6:10pm