Class Descriptions
:: About Nicola's classes :: Class schedules ::
:: Class Descriptions :: Studio Locations ::
:: Registration :: Class 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 :: Recitals ::
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There are the new and the returning classes being offered in 2011-2012. Levels have been revamped based on a collaborative agreement with Za'ina Dilshad.
Please refer to the Class Schedule to see what's currently running.
Adult classes generally have a minimum of 5 and maximum of 15 students, with some exceptions.
Read through all class descriptions and prerequisites to be sure of what level you should register for and what you will need to bring. If you have some experience and need more specific information about which level is best, please contact Nicola at <nicolaraks@mts.net>.
All students, new and returning, must read Class Policies & Guidelines. You are asked to make a copy and keep it for your reference.
Each regular Level's content takes 1-2 seasons (3-6 sessions) to master, depending on student attendance, practice, attitude, ability, and aptitude. Going "up" a level should be done in fall or winter session, by February of any given year. This is because the choreography for each level will be in progress by that time.
Girls ages 12-17 welcome with permission of guardian; girls under 12 welcome with parent/guardian also attending.
Beginner 1, 2, and 3 are now compatible with Za'ina Dilshad's levels of the same name.
We don't use the same methods and techniques for teaching, but we believe our approaches are complimentary, coordinated, and allow our students to take classes with both us and get an equally high-quality experience. We invite you to sign up for multiple classes and hope this new approach means better dancing, better teaching, and a stronger generation of aspiring performers. We respect and admire each other's unique contribution to the local dance scene and have completed a number of the same professional training courses as teachers and performers.
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CLASSES:
BEGINNER 1: FOUNDATIONS
For absolute beginners, anyone who's been out of class for more than 3 years, and those wishing to re-learn authentic Egyptian dance. Shake it up and discover your inner dancer. Dynamic warm-up/cool-down then 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. All ages and abilities welcome.
Supplies:
water bottle,
yoga or exercise wear,
hip scarf or shawl (decorations optional),
thick cotton socks or jazz dance slippers/shoes.
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BEGINNER 2:
On with the dance! The fun continues with practice and polish of the foundation isolations, circles, and figure 8's, adding undulations, more travel steps, turns, and combinations. We use combinations strung together to make longer sequences, and begin to use more games and partner work to get creative with movement. Introduction to American and Egyptian veil, using the rhythms typical for veil dance and veil entrance. Veil choreography is taught. Recital participation is voluntary and we'll choose and easy, affordable costume to wear.
Prerequisite: 20+ hours of Beginner 1 or previous experience in "beginner" level
Supplies:
water bottle,
yoga or exercise wear,
hip scarf or shawl (decorations optional),
thick cotton socks or jazz dance slippers/shoes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BEGINNER 3:
Getting comfy with bellydance? Time for new challenges. Introduction to finger cymbals using 3 of the longa or basic patterns plus lots of games. Continuation of veil, as well as practice and polish of Beginner 2 movements, steps, and combinations. New undulations, layering over travel steps and shimmies, all done to more of the basic rhythms. Learn to listen and hear what the instruments are inviting you to do. Short, Orientale-style choreography will be taught, with veil entrance.
Prerequisite: Beginner 1 and 2, or, 40+ hours of "beginner" classes.
Supplies:
water bottle,
yoga or exercise wear,
hip scarf or shawl (decorations optional),
thick cotton socks or jazz dance slippers/shoes.
Dance veil--see "Supplies for more information on size and fabric.
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INTERMEDIATE 1:
Still lots of fun, but now we take a closer look at what you are doing and how.
A technique-based class that provides your starting point for more advanced movements and deeper understanding of Egyptian raks sharqi as well as folkloric dances. Building on the foundation movements and common steps, we use more complex combinations and sequences to authentic rhythms and music. More layering and adding "texture" to movements.
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, not simply "the next step" from where you are now. More longa (basic) finger cymbal patterns. Introduction to basic cane dance and drum solo technique.
2 choreographies will be taught.
Prerequisites: 50+ more hours of "beginner" or higher with any instructor--those without finger cymbal experience should expect to practice more often
Supplies:
yoga or exercise wear (dance pants plus tank or short sleeve top),
hip scarf or shawl (decorations optional),
thick cotton socks or jazz dance slippers/shoes.
--see "Supplies for more information--
2 veils--one silk, one chiffon
1 dance cane (bring your own or purchase one in class)
finger cymbals
notebook and pen; access to computer/ ability to open pdf and mp4 files
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INTERMEDIATE 2:
Sink your teeth into the fruits of Middle Eastern dance. All your classes and practice will start to come together in this level. Polish all the moves, steps, combinations, and sequences from Beginner 1 through Intermediate 1. We add in some hipper, yummier dance styles requiring a little attitude--shaabi and beginning baladi including the basics of taksim.
Learn to move with your finger cymbals, improvise with your veil and cane, build combinations and sequences for more of the rhythms, and explore nuances and variations on moves you already know. We begin to look at stylings of the Egyptian stars of bellydance.
2 choreographies will be taught--shaabi and either drum solo or Orientale (by class vote)
Prerequisite: 3+ sessions of Intermediate 1, or, 30+ hours of "intermediate" with any instructor
Supplies: as for Intermediate 1
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INTERMEDIATE 3:
This class is focussed on performance skills for aspiring amateurs and professionals. It is designed to support your development of a personal expression of authentic Egyptian Orientale and folkloric styles, through interpretation of the rhythms and melodies, via improvisation (spontaneous or "made-up" dance), and choreography ("dance written" or scripted dance)-- for solo and group dance, for fun and for performance.
Drills, zills, skills, and thrills, oh my! Learn techniques, strategies, tips, and tricks for better understanding music, for dancing "from the hip", and to better understand, create, remember, analyze, and adapt choreography. We will use movements and music typically used for improvisational dance styles in Egypt-- shaabi, taksim, baladi, Ghawazee ("gypsy"), and Saudi Khaleegi. We will also use a well-known classical, full-length Orientale composition 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. 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.
Prerequisites: 5+ sessions of Intermediate 2, or 3 or more years (80+ hours) of "intermediate" or above (any variety, any instructor)
Supplies: same as for Intermediate 1 and 2, more as requested
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ADVANCED
By private and semi-private lessons only. As this would involve Nicola teaching a colleague (another working, professional, experienced dancer), she cannot schedule Advanced classes by session. Nicola welcomes colleagues who would like a second opinion on a choreography, a custom choreography, or collaboration on a special project.
SPECIALTY CLASSES:
These classes run only on pre-registration. They will appear in the Class Schedule once sufficient names are on a pre-registration list. Contact Nicola at <nicolaraks@mts.net> to be placed on a pre-registration list.
Due to the tremendous quantity of dance classes offered, especially for children, Nicola prefers to have a host studio or organization run these classes to help ensure minimum numbers are met. If you work or volunteer for a group, facility, or institution that would like to host, please let Nicola know! Weekday bookings at corporate or institutional locations are welcome.
BELLYDANCE BLAST/ FITNESS FLOW (mixed level)
Prerequisite:
Fun, funky, hip-shaking, bellydance-based flowing movements, plus some standing core work and safe, effective stretching. Shimmy, undulate, and groove your way to better fitness in this low-impact, joint-friendly class. Builds stamina, coordination, and balance. A great way to mobilize your spine, hips, and shoulders.
Supplies: Dance or yoga pants, tank top, hip scarf (suggested), water bottle. Dance veil required--please bring your own or purchase from Nicola in class ($15 and up depending on fabric). Footwear is optional. Nicola teaches barefoot, but if you need a shoe, she suggests a jazz or ballet dance slipper, or half-slipper such as Footies. NO runners or street shoes, please.
NAVEL ACADEMY
Prerequisite: 40+ hours of "beginner" or more
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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CHILDREN'S & TEEN CLASSES/PROGRAMS
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). She is currently the only teacher of bellydance with a teaching degree.
Nicola is fully insured, and has passed criminal record and abuse registry checks. Any and all dance teachers of children should be expected to provide the same kinds of qualifications.
MOM & ME BELLYDANCE
For yummy mummies and wee jelly bellies, ages 2 months to 6 years. Move, groove, shake, and shimmy with your little one! Using Middle Eastern and North African music, we'll 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. Maximum 3 children per mom. Dads welcome on request.
TWEENS & TEENS BELLYDANCE
For girls ages 8 to 15. Using adapted 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. Non-competitive, positive dance exploration with fitness benefits that grow as you get better at it. 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.
Some high schools may allow this class or an adult class as an alternative physical education credit, and Nicola welcomes input and involvement by teachers and administratrs looking for more P.E. options. This course may be delivered in-school over 4 or more weeks.
*Class maximum in studio is 9, in school is 25.
GLOBAL GROOVERS
For kids ages 2-5. Move, groove, shake, shimmy, wiggle, and giggle. Take a trip around the world, using a variety of global and world-beat music. We'll explore fundamental dance and music concepts such as rhythm, tempo, volume, and melody in a fun, creative, expressive atmosphere. Developmentally-appropriate, with proven and current educational practices, with emphasis on play, joy, and discovery. Non-competitive and no commitment needed for costuming or recitals. We use a variety of props including dance scarves, parachutes, silks, bean bags, ribbon wands, rhythm instruments, hoops, bubbles, and balls--all provided.
Class maximum is 8.
SCHOOL & DAYCARE PROGRAMS
Nicola offers activity-based cultural and dance education programs for children's groups from babies-in-arms up to teens. Nicola has developed related craft, art, and literature learning invitations that are connected to the Manitoba Curricular outcomes.Nicola will provide supplies for groups of up to 25. School or facility staff must be present and participating. Please contact Nicola for bookings. Daily rate available. Nicola will also develop alternative physical education programs for middle and high school credits, in collaboration with teachers of phys ed, for use in the shool, or, to help individual students meet their credit requirements.
PREVIOUS CLASSES OFFERED
These classes are examples of Nicola's previous levelling system in the 2008-2010 sessions. "Foundations" and "Beginning Basic" were adapted from the Cassandra School's "Level 1". "Beginning Intermediate" was based on the Cassandra School's "Level 2". "Intermediate" was based on the Cassandra School's "Level 3". "Foundations" is now "Beginner 1". All other levels have been revamped.
Syllabus - Foundations
Syllabus - Beginning Basic
Syllabus - Beginning Intermediate
Syllabus - Intermediate