Belly Dance Workshops

This class is designed for students that have taken the introductory belly dance or already have a foundation in belly dance. Each series focuses on a different topic, such as choreography, improvisation tools, props (e.g. sword, veil, and stick), floorwork, and zils (finger cymbals). Continue to work on fundamentals while expanding your vocabulary and overall comprehension of dance in terms of grace, conditioning, endurance, and presentation. Each class includes dynamic warm up, technique, choreography or improvisation, and cool down.

Learn the beautiful and dynamic art of belly dance in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Explore Middle Eastern dance by developing a strong foundation in posture, isolation techniques, muscle control, choreographic sequences, and musicality. In addition, you will learn terminology and the history of Middle Eastern and Belly Dance. Each class includes dynamic warm up, technique, choreography or improvisation, and cool down.

No dance experience is required! This class is for students new to belly dance and those who want to refresh skills or practice the basics. Explore Middle Eastern dance by developing a strong foundation in posture, isolation techniques, muscle control, choreographic sequences, and musicality. In addition, you will learn terminology and the history of Middle Eastern and Belly Dance. Each class includes dynamic warm up, technique, choreography or improvisation, and cool down.

This class is designed for students that have a strong foundation and are ready to go to the next level. There is an emphasis on mastering high level material and developing personal dance styles. Each series focuses on a different topic, such as choreography, improvisation tools, props (e.g. sword, veil, and stick), floorwork, zils (finger cymbals), performance techniques, and creating dance. Continue to build upon fundamentals by combining layers, shimmies, and traveling steps with grace and refinement. Each class includes dynamic warm up, technique, choreography or improvisation, and cool down.

This class is great for students new to belly dance and those who want to refresh skills or practice the basics. Explore Middle Eastern dance by developing a strong foundation in posture, isolation techniques, muscle control, choreographic sequences, and musicality. In addition, you will learn terminology and the history of Middle Eastern and Belly Dance.

Improvisation is based upon your body deciding in the moment how to move within a dance’s aesthetics and flow with the music and audience’s response. Practice moving from one step to another in order to develop variety in your improvisations. Begin by creating an arsenal of moves that visually present a phrase’s characteristics (instrument, melody, rhythm, and beat). Then use this material to explore transitions which includes, solidifying where a movement starts and ends, knowing which moves begin weighted or un-weighted, cultivating your weaker side, responding to nuances in the music, and dancing fluidly in the moment.

Belly dance is traditionally an improvisational form. Come learn fun and exciting moves and choreographic phrases, while cultivating a strong foundation in technique, flexibility, and muscle control. Practice moving from one step to another in order to develop a sense of flow and beautiful musicality. Each class includes dynamic warm up, technique, improvisation exercises, and cool down. It is recommended that students take the whole series, but drop-ins are always welcomed.

Taqsim is a transcendental moment in which dancer and musician are improvising as one. Learn improvisational techniques that allow you to flow with a musician’s improvisation of melody and rhythm. Amara will guide you through an exploration of movement qualities, such speed, size, weight, and qualities so you can embody and portray the music while expanding your current vocabulary.

Beg/Inter: This level also includes an introduction to Middle Eastern instruments that covers how they look and sound. In addition, it explores ways in which instrumentation impacts your dance choices.

Inter/Adv: This level includes more difficult instrumentation that expects layering shimmies and flow seamlessly together. In addition, it trains dancers to focus on the melody instead of an accompanied repeating rhythm.

Explore the intricate connections between dance and music in an entrance section. Learn how to listen to music in order to become a visual presentation by understanding floor space, floor patterns, instrumentation, phrasing, and musical structures.

Come take the mystery out drum solos and replace it with fun improvisational moments. Learn common rhythmic patterns and drum sounds.

Understand both sides of the drum solo equation from world renowned Darbuka player Ozzy and dancer Amara. Through combos, drills, and improvisational tools, you will study the most important aspects of performing with a live drummer. Learn drum sounds and rhythms and moves that work with them. Dissect important transitions in order to get the most out of nuances and enhance your show. Explore the structure of an Arab drum solo including how they are composed and improvised. Understand the relationship between drummer and dancer and how to maximize your time on stage together.

A dance genre that comes from the Saidi region of Egypt. Learn to wield your assaya while also differentiating how the dance is performed in the Saidi region, in Staged folk dance shows (ala Reda Troupe and Qawmiya), and in raqs al-sharqi (belly dance) routines.

Audiences love swords Not only is the sword dramatic with a hint of danger, but is a wonderful prop that does not take up too much space in a crowded venue. You will learn spectacular ways to handle and present your sword, techniques to balance the sword quickly and securely, and more importantly, what to do once the sword is balanced: beautiful stationary movements and techniques for travelling all while balancing the sword. Sword work is not only a great way to expand your performance repertoire but is also extremely helpful with isolations and balance in your dance. Please bring a sword and a flat non-slick headband.

The Veil is a wonderful dance partner. It can expand your sense of being farther into space and adds texture and breath. Learn wraps, throws, swishes, throws, circles, and spins that will keep any audience enthralled and mesmerized. Please bring a standard 3 yard rectangular veil.

The Veil is a wonderful dance partner. It expands your sense of being farther into space and adds texture, color, and breath into a dance. We will learn figure eights, envelopes, one-arm circles, circles within circles, and spins that will keep any audience enthralled and mesmerized. Please bring a standard 3 yard rectangular veil.

The Veil is a wonderful dance partner. It expands your sense of being farther into space and adds texture, color, and breath into a dance. But why dance with one veil when you dance two? Learn how to hold them, separate, and bring together as well as swishes, envelopes, throws, circles, and spins that will keep any audience enthralled and mesmerized.

Please bring 2 veils or 2 circular veil.