Level II Fundamentals
for advanced beginner and intermediate I dancers
See course description below
Level III Beyond the Basics
See course description below
CITYREC COURSES
City Rec courses have a separate fee schedule & registration. Please
register through the Department of Recreation,
City of Whitehorse (see the City Leisure Guide)
No City Rec courses are being
offered this semester
Classes start on time! Punctuality is
appreciated by all
Course Fees:
-
$135 12-week
winter semester.
-
Students age 65 & better
receive a
$10.00 discount on all class fees
-
Drop-in fee: $15 per class.
-
Private Lessons: $40 hour
-
CityRec
classes have their own fee schedule. Please refer to the City's
Leisure Guide for more information.
Refund
Policy
I'm sorry, no refunds are given and registrations are for the current
session only and may not be carried over.
Making up missed classes
If you
have to miss a class, you are welcome to make it up by attending any of
the other classes that are offered during that semester.
Make-up classes do not
carry over to the next semester.
Class
Cancellation Policy
If I should ever have to cancel a class, I will either hold a
make-up class or credit the balance toward the next session, whichever
is most suitable at the time. The make-up class is typically one
class open to all, with a focus on fundamentals so that all levels can
benefit. This make-up class will not necessarily be held on the same
night as a regularly scheduled class due to scheduling constraints.
Cold Weather
Policy
Luckily, I have never yet
had to cancel a class due to cold weather. Classes run regardless of the
temperature. However, if we should be in the middle of a particularly
awful cold spell (below -40), I will phone or send an email in advance
advising of a cancellation and post the notice on the website.
How to Register
Class space is limited, so please
speak to me before registering to ensure there is space. Then...Print the
registration form from this site, fill it out and mail
or drop it off to me
with your tuition check enclosed. Please note: you are not
registered until you have sent in your form and paid your tuition.
Classes are first registered, first served - I cannot hold your spot for
you. Thank you.
Course
Descriptions
stay
tuned...a syllabus for each class will be posted soon!
Level I Fundamentals
(for introductory and beginner level dancers)
No prior dance experience necessary. The focus of level 1 is on the foundation
movement technique and is recommended for students of all levels, from
those at the introductory stage to advanced students who want to brush
up on the basics. This class is taught in a progressive manner, and
includes a short choreography.
Level I Fundamentals Curriculum
(click here)
Level II Fundamentals
(for advanced beginner and intermediate I dancers)
In this class you will expand upon the basic skills you learned in
Level I. Class content varies semester by semester and according
to the needs of the group. A short choreography is taught.
An example of some of the topics taught: walking shimmies, layering,
undulations, combinations, finger cymbals, beginning improvisation and a
simple choreography.
Level II Fundamentals Curriculum
(click here)
Level III Beyond the Basics
If you've mastered both fundamentals I & II, this is the class
for you. This class is about refining technique and learning to
rely on your foundation in order to dance from the heart rather than from the
head. Shimmies, undulations, layering and articulations are more
challenging. This class is a
blend of technique drills and creative exercises.
This class runs a bit like the Special Topics class at a more advanced
level, and a short choreography is taught.
Beyond the Basics Fundamentals
Curriculum (click here)
Belly-Hip!
Move outside of your
normal exercise routine with bellydance fitness! This class will focus
on movement drills and exercises to help you develop the muscle control,
core strength, balance and flexibility required by bellydancers.
Beneficial and accessible to everyone, dancers and non-bellydancers
alike can work towards developing a strong body fit for dancing.
Special Topics Classes
This class is offered periodically and will be listed when offered.
Each class is targeted to a different specific topic and/or skill in Oriental
dance. Topics may range from shimmy drills, finger cymbals, folkloric
styles, beautiful arms, veil, rhythms, or whatever strikes our fancy.
One week we may drill a movement family from it's fundamental
right up to "crazy" and another week we may focus on performance or
improvisation skills. Special requests are welcome, so
if you have something in particular you'd like to cover, just let me
know! No choreography is taught in this class.
This is a multi-level class.
Something for everyone!
Please note: This
isn't an introductory level course. Please be sure you have completed one semester Fundamentals I before enrolling. Thanks!
Private Lessons
One-on-one private lessons are ideal
for those whose schedule prevents them from enrolling in regular
on-going classes, those who want extra instruction or need a little
extra help in addition to classes, those who need performance coaching,
help with a choreography or special topic instruction.
Saba Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble
Saba is a performing group for those serious students who want to take their
dancing to the next level and share the joy and beauty of Middle Eastern dance
with the public. With this goal in mind, our focus will be to learn and
rehearse a broad repertoire of choreographies to a high performance standard.
You must be a student in the level III Beyond the Basics course or
dancing comfortable at that level, learn choreography
easily, be committed to growing in the dance, be committed to representing Middle
Eastern dance authentically, be willing & able to make a financial commitment to
your required troupe costumes, a time commitment to
rehearsals and performances and play nicely with others. Participation is by instructor invitation. Please speak to
me if you
would like to be considered!
Hafla!
Hafla is a bellydance party to acknowledge what you have
accomplished, to share it with each other and your invited family &
friends, to get to know the other students, to shimmy & shake and
generally have a good time celebrating - 'cause that's what Celebrations
Bellydance is all about! Haflas are for friends of Celebrations
Bellydance, my students and their invited guests
(not open to the
general public).
Hafla is also a safe
and comfortable performance venue where you can perform the class dance
you learned with that semester, get up and do a solo you've been working
on or perhaps an improvisation to a piece of music that you love.
Everyone, beginner through advanced, has the opportunity to perform at
hafla: it's a wonderful learning experience. If you would like to do a
solo, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in the weeks before
the performance - give it a try!
The Bare Belly Blues
(what do I wear?)
-
The good news is: you don't have to bare your
belly if you don't want to! Come dressed as
though for a yoga or exercise class. Comfy stretchy leggings and a crop top or
t-shirt that allow me to see your torso movements, legs and knees
are best. No baggy clothing or long skirts allowed,
please, because
I need to be able to
see a clean body line including knees and feet.
-
Most students
prefer to dance in bare feet; however, soft slippers, ballet or jazz
shoes may also be worn. Please do NOT wear just socks as they
are too slippery on the floor.
Throw it in Your Dance Bag and Bring it
Along
(what else do I need?)
-
A
hip scarf is highly recommended.
It allows you to see and feel your hip movements. A hip scarf
helps you to feel that you are really dancing. A lacy shawl or
fringy scarf folded into a triangle and tied around the hips works
fine. You may eventually want to purchase a fancy one with beads and
coins. You'll get lots of ideas on obtaining, making, and
decorating scarves from your classmates. Part of the fun!
-
Veil. We will occasionally be
dancing with veils in class. Veils are made out of a length of
lightweight fabric 45" wide and 3 yards long. I have "loaner"
veils to share in class. Level 2 and 3
students are expected to bring their own.
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Finger cymbals. You will be introduced to finger cymbals, and will
start learning to play them in level 2. Please purchase actual
finger cymbals, not toys (I know, it's hard to know the difference
when you're just starting out! We'll talk about it in class). I have
loaners for the introduction, but after that, students are
expected to bring their own. Information on purchasing will be
given in class.
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Water bottle
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Yoga mat to use for floor
exercises and stretches. If you don't have one of your own, there
are some mats available at the studio. CityRec students
must bring their own.
