About Class Levels
:: Class Schedules & Studios :Registration: About Class Levels :: Class Requirements and Supplies::
:: Nicola's Class Policies and Guidelines ::
:: A note about your health:: Best type of class for you::
:: Private Instruction :: Interested in booking a workshop :: Teaching Rates ::
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There is several new classes offered this year (2010-2011). Please refer to specific class listings under the Class Schedule to see the schedule as it is currently running.
Adult classes generally have a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 students, with some exceptions.
Levels are rarely consistent from teacher to teacher. Please contact me prior to registering in anything above beginner if you are coming from another instructor.
Kindly read through all class descriptions and prerequisites to be sure of what level you should register for and what you will need to bring.
All students, new and returning, must read Class Policies & Guidelines. You are required to bring this document to class.
Click on the Level to see the class curriculum, supplies list and prerequisites.
PLEASE, NO COSTUMING IN CLASS, UNLESS IT HAS BEEN REQUESTED.
All levels will include drills, excercises and games for building strength, agility, isolation, grace, confidence and understanding.
Each regular Level's (e.g. "beginner", "intermediate") content takes 1-2 years to master, depending on student attendance, practice, ability and aptitude.
*Girls ages 12-17 welcome with permission of guardian; girls under 12 welcome with parent/guardian also attending.
*Breastfeeding moms are welcome. Please bring a sling, a soft play mat or towel, and note that finger cymbals are very loud--you may need to leave the studio during zills time.
Going "up" a level should be done in fall or winter session, by February of any given year.
All students, new and returning, should read Class Policies & Guidelines. Bring this document to class.
Please wear workout or yoga clothing. Bring a plain or decorated hip scarf/shawl, water bottle, dance slippers (optional). Level of physical strenuousness on par with yoga, jazz, or Pilates.
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CLASSES:
BEGINNER BELLYDANCE: FOUNDATIONS
For absolute beginners and those wishing to learn or polish authentic Egyptian dance. Shake it up and discover your inner dancer. Dynamic warm-up/cool-down and a focus on safe, fun, effective dance techniques that build grace, good posture, coordination, balance, muscle control, pelvic floor and core strength, confidence and acceptance of your body as it is right now. Please wear yoga or exercise wear, hip scarf or shawl (decorations optional), and thick cotton socks or jazz dance slippers/shoes. All ages and abilities welcome.
Class Syllabus: Syllabus - Foundations (PDF) These are the steps, movements and content taught at this level.
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BELLYDANCE FLOW FOR FITNESS (mixed level)
(Mixed Level-- 20+ hours of classes required) Shut up and dance!! Dynamic warm-up/cool-down plus continuous dance combinations focussing on common transitions, combining travel steps with belly dance foundation movements. Build stamina, coordination, and balance. For those with previous experience, beginner to intermediate. Dance veil required--please bring your own or purchase from Nicola in class ($20-$50 depending on fabric). Please wear dance/yoga wear and a hip scarf; dance slippers suggested.
Class Syllabus: This is a list of the steps, movements and content taught at this level.
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INTERMEDIATE TECHNIQUE:
Prerequisites: 20+ more hours of beginner or higher with any instructor--those without finger cymbal experience should expect to practice more often
Supplies: 2 veils--one silk, one chiffon; hip scarf; dance pants plus tank or short sleeve top; dance cane (please bring your own or purchase from Nicola in class); finger cymbals; notebook and pen; access to computer/ ability to open pdf and mp3 files; one blank Maxell or Sony CD for choreography music, if you are unable to download.
Description: A technique-based class that provides your starting point for more advanced movements and deeper understanding of Egyptian raks sharqi. Building on the foundation movements and steps, we use more complex combinations and sequences to authentic rhythms and music. This class includes most of the content from the Navel Academy, so we will be instilling good habits and correcting bad ones. Understand more of how your body moves and what makes bellydance look and feel so wonderful. We use actual intermediate techniques and movements as used and taught in other major cities and established studios, not simply "the next step" from where you are now. Learn Egyptian and American veil dance, basic finger cymbal patterns, and basic cane dance. Group and solo games and projects in class and some home-based work to bring to class. 2 choreographies will be prepared for the mid-winter and June recitals.
Class Syllabus: (PDF) This is a list of the steps, movements and content taught at this level.
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NEW!! INTERMEDIATE IMPROVISATION:
Prerequisites: 30+ hours of "beginner" (any variety, any instructor) --interest and enthusiasm most important. We recommend that you enroll in Intermediate Technique (or another intermediate class with another instructor) concurrently.
Supplies: variety of silk and chiffon veils, finger cymbals, hip scarf, dance pants plus tank or short sleeve top; cane and sword optional for designated classes; access to computer/ability to download mp3 and pdf files. Bring a Maxell or Sony CD for choreography music if you cannot download. All handouts will be available as pdf and/or downloadable from this website.
Description: This mixed-level class is designed to support your development of authentic Orientale style in the context of improvisation--spontaneous and "made-up" dance--for solo and group dance, for fun and for performance.
Relax and get in the groove! Learn techniques, strategies, tips and tricks for better understanding music and the steps that it invites, and get comfier with dancing "from the hip". We will use movements and music typically used for improvisational dance styles in Egypt--well-known popular compositions for shaabi, taksim, baladi, Ghawazee ("gypsy"), and Saudi Khaleegi. Explore and experience the rhythms, musical instruments and their typical patterning of melody, beat, phrasing, quality and mode. This will also involve working on occasion with live drumming and music.
Some home-based assignments as well as plenty of in-class projects and games, group and solo. Preparation of a full-length group improvisational piece for the spring recital in one of the dance styles--class choice.
Class Syllabus: (PDF) This is a list of the steps, movements and content taught at this level.
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NEW!! INTERMEDIATE CHOREOGRAPHY:
Prerequisites: 20+ hours of "intermediate" (any variety, any instructor) -- --experienced and enthusiastic beginners welcome if enrolled in Intermediate Technique (or another intermediate class with another instructor) concurrently
Supplies: variety of silk and chiffon veils, finger cymbals, his scarf, dance pants plus tank or short sleeve top; cane and sword optional for designated classes; access to computer/ability to download mp3 and pdf files. Bring a Maxell or Sony CD for choreography music if you cannot download.
Description: This mixed-level intermediate class is designed to support your development of authentic Orientale style in the context of choreography--dance steps written down or scripted.
Learn techniques, strategies, tips and tricks for better understanding, creating, remembering, analyzing and adapting choreography. We will use well-known classical, full-length Orientale compositions to study and dance with the rhythms, musical instruments and their typical patterning of melody, beat, phrasing, quality and mode. This will also involve studying the stylings of major-name Egyptian dance stars.
Home-based assignments as well as in-class projects and games, group and solo. Preparation of a full-length group choreography including drum solo for the spring recital, plus a collective piece we will create and present together. Participants are invited to bring one solo piece of their choice to work on throughout the year for possible presentation at the recital or in class. Due to different and higher expectations for participation and commitment, this class is for serious dancers only! This is not the class to take if you still in the "noodling around" stage of your dance classes.Class Syllabus: (PDF) This is a list of the steps, movements and content taught at this level.
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SPECIALTY /OCCASIONAL CLASSES:
These classes run only on pre-registration, for more information see Registration or contact Nicola.
NAVEL ACADEMY
The original, often-imitated, never-duplicated technique intensive that shows you how to do the basic isolations and undulations correctly, with innovative, effective hands-on learning, partner work, lots of repetition, and handouts. Special focus on alignment, injury prevention/management, isolation techniques, and more effective movement.
Fully updated and overhauled to reflect current movement and learning theory. Optimizes your brain power and learning styles.
The intent is to help you create choices in your movements through variety and quality of your isolations. Learn how to better self-evaluate, self-correct, develop your eye for watching dance, improve your visual learning, and identify if and how you are moving correctly. If you have been having trouble breaking bad habits, doing certain kinds of movements, or in a class without corrections or technique taught, this is the class for you!
Attendance in each and every class is critical! Please make arrangements to be present for all sessions. Anyone who attended the last session in 2009 but who missed classes should re-do the course.
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MOM & ME BELLY DANCE
For yummy mummies and their jelly bellies, ages 2 months to 9 years. Move, groove, shake and shimmy with your little one! Using Middle Eastern and North African music, we will explore rhythm, tempo and melody through games, props and creative dance. All supplies provided. Come wearing comfortable, stretchy clothing. Bring a beach towel or yoga mat. Sling recommended for infants. Breastfeeding moms are quite welcome! (Postpartum moms are advised to wait minimum 8 weeks, 12 weeks post C-section.) *Class maximum 10 moms plus kids.
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TWEENS & TEENS BELLY DANCE
For girls ages 8 to 15. Using basic belly dance movement, we will explore the rhythms and melodies of Egyptian dance and American veil dance, with an emphasis on expression, fun, and creativity. Body-friendly for all shapes, heights, and sizes. Parent/guardian permission required. No previous experience needed. Wear comfortable, stretchy clothes and a hip scarf/shawl. Dance slippers optional. All other supplies provided. Continuing students will learn a choreography for the June recital, affordable and appropriate costume TBA.
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GLOBAL GROOVERS
For kids ages 2-5. Move, groove, shake, shimmy, wiggle and giggle. Using a variety of global and world-beat music, we will explore fundamental dance and music concepts such as rhythm, tempo, volume, and melody in a fun, creative, expressive atmosphere. Developmentally-appropriate, proven and current educational practices, and body-friendly, with emphasis on play and discovery. We use a variety of props including dance scarves, parachutes, silks, bean bags, ribbon wands, rhythm instruments, hoops, bubbles, and balls. All supplies provided.
Nicola is a fully qualified Early Years Teacher (B.Ed., AFter-Degree, U of M, 2001), with additional professional training including Brain Gym, Feedback for Learning, and Inner City Arts (Winnipeg School Division training for its teachers, focusing on innovative use of various media, delivering the fundamentals of arts-based education, and curricula delivered through the visual arts).
Nicola is fully insured and has passed criminal record and abuse registry checks. Any and all dance teachers of children should be expected to say the same.
PREVIOUS CLASSES OFFERED
Syllabus - Beginning Intermediate