Intermediate / Advanced Bellydance Spring Course

$265.00

Intermediate/Advanced Bellydance Spring Course

Join Chloe on Mondays, 7:00-9:00pm, from April 20th to June 1st for an in depth bellydance course made for intermediate to advanced dancers. 

Location: Whim W’him Contemporary Dance Center

1716 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Detailed descriptions of the course schedule

Week 1 & 2 - Beladi

Technique

Raqs Beladi (رقص بلدي - sometimes spelt “baladi”) is one of the foundations of Egyptian bellydance. While the technique can vary, the true essence of beladi comes from the spirit and feeling of the Egyptian people. To embody this style, dancers must not only develop confidence in their movement vocabulary, but also study how Egyptian dancers interpret and respond to beladi music. Observing and critically listening are essential parts of the learning process. 

Before this class begins, students will be sent a few videos of various respected dancers dancing to beladi music. In class, we will practice dance and movement technique as well as learn how to identify and follow a beladi progression. 

Choreography & Structured Improv 

We will primarily work with one beladi song. Select sections will include choreography, while other sections will be dedicated to improvisation. The first week will focus more on learning and refining the choreographed portions, and the second week will emphasize exploring and engaging with the improvised sections.

Certain exercises to improve improvisation will be given to challenge, guide and develop stronger listening skills and intentional choice making. 

Week 3 & 4 - Drum Solo

Technique

Drum solo’s for bellydancers are one the most fun and exciting experiences in this dance. Learning more about the essential rhythms from the tabla (or “darbuka”), and adding the element of isolations, accents, shimmies and footwork will elevate your ability to execute a well rounded and joyful drum solo. 

This class will breakdown and drill essential hip techniques and footwork to the base rhythms such as maqsoom, beladi, saidi, malfouf and more. 

Week two, we will be accompanied by a live tabla player to better listen to and understand these rhythms. 

Choreography & Structured Improv

This class will focus on one drum solo that includes a choreographed section and dedicated space for improvisation. To strengthen your improvisation skills, we will practice exercises to follow the base rhythm through footwork and highlight accents using isolations, pauses, and shimmies. As you build confidence, you’ll be challenged to shift between dancing with the underlying rhythm and responding to accents, refining and simplifying your movement to create a polished drum solo performance.

Week 5 & 6 - Classical Tarab

Technique

For technique, we will break down movements to match a more stylized and classic genre of Egyptian music. This class will also focus on the meaning of tarab and why it’s important to understand as a dancer.

Tarab is a feeling more than a genre. Tarab is a shared state of musical ecstasy where listeners and performers surrender to the music, experiencing emotional intoxication and profound connection.

Many people in the Arab world find themselves in the state of “tarab” when listening to the classics. Such as music by Um Kalthoum, Abdel Halim Hafez, Farid Al Atrash, Warda and more. 

Choreography & Structured Improv  

We will work with one particular section of an original classic Egyptian song, breaking down each section’s rhythms, translations, and melodies. The class will focus on set choreographed sections while also exploring structured improvisation as a creative challenge.

Week 7 - Taqsim 

Technique

The final technique class will be a well rounded review of shimmies, belly isolations, arms, undulations, hips, accents & figure 8’s. 

Structured Improv

The last class will focus on purely improvisation to taqsim music. Taqsim in Arabic within the context of music refers to a solo from a melodic instrument, often without a backing rhythm. This class will explore improvisation to Qanun, Violin, Accordion, Ney and Oud.

Taqsim music is some of the best and most beautiful music to practice our listening and improvisation skills as dancers.

- Disclaimer -

This course offers no refunds or drop in options.

Intermediate/Advanced Bellydance Spring Course

Join Chloe on Mondays, 7:00-9:00pm, from April 20th to June 1st for an in depth bellydance course made for intermediate to advanced dancers. 

Location: Whim W’him Contemporary Dance Center

1716 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Detailed descriptions of the course schedule

Week 1 & 2 - Beladi

Technique

Raqs Beladi (رقص بلدي - sometimes spelt “baladi”) is one of the foundations of Egyptian bellydance. While the technique can vary, the true essence of beladi comes from the spirit and feeling of the Egyptian people. To embody this style, dancers must not only develop confidence in their movement vocabulary, but also study how Egyptian dancers interpret and respond to beladi music. Observing and critically listening are essential parts of the learning process. 

Before this class begins, students will be sent a few videos of various respected dancers dancing to beladi music. In class, we will practice dance and movement technique as well as learn how to identify and follow a beladi progression. 

Choreography & Structured Improv 

We will primarily work with one beladi song. Select sections will include choreography, while other sections will be dedicated to improvisation. The first week will focus more on learning and refining the choreographed portions, and the second week will emphasize exploring and engaging with the improvised sections.

Certain exercises to improve improvisation will be given to challenge, guide and develop stronger listening skills and intentional choice making. 

Week 3 & 4 - Drum Solo

Technique

Drum solo’s for bellydancers are one the most fun and exciting experiences in this dance. Learning more about the essential rhythms from the tabla (or “darbuka”), and adding the element of isolations, accents, shimmies and footwork will elevate your ability to execute a well rounded and joyful drum solo. 

This class will breakdown and drill essential hip techniques and footwork to the base rhythms such as maqsoom, beladi, saidi, malfouf and more. 

Week two, we will be accompanied by a live tabla player to better listen to and understand these rhythms. 

Choreography & Structured Improv

This class will focus on one drum solo that includes a choreographed section and dedicated space for improvisation. To strengthen your improvisation skills, we will practice exercises to follow the base rhythm through footwork and highlight accents using isolations, pauses, and shimmies. As you build confidence, you’ll be challenged to shift between dancing with the underlying rhythm and responding to accents, refining and simplifying your movement to create a polished drum solo performance.

Week 5 & 6 - Classical Tarab

Technique

For technique, we will break down movements to match a more stylized and classic genre of Egyptian music. This class will also focus on the meaning of tarab and why it’s important to understand as a dancer.

Tarab is a feeling more than a genre. Tarab is a shared state of musical ecstasy where listeners and performers surrender to the music, experiencing emotional intoxication and profound connection.

Many people in the Arab world find themselves in the state of “tarab” when listening to the classics. Such as music by Um Kalthoum, Abdel Halim Hafez, Farid Al Atrash, Warda and more. 

Choreography & Structured Improv  

We will work with one particular section of an original classic Egyptian song, breaking down each section’s rhythms, translations, and melodies. The class will focus on set choreographed sections while also exploring structured improvisation as a creative challenge.

Week 7 - Taqsim 

Technique

The final technique class will be a well rounded review of shimmies, belly isolations, arms, undulations, hips, accents & figure 8’s. 

Structured Improv

The last class will focus on purely improvisation to taqsim music. Taqsim in Arabic within the context of music refers to a solo from a melodic instrument, often without a backing rhythm. This class will explore improvisation to Qanun, Violin, Accordion, Ney and Oud.

Taqsim music is some of the best and most beautiful music to practice our listening and improvisation skills as dancers.

- Disclaimer -

This course offers no refunds or drop in options.