BELLYESQUE WORKSHOPS (2 HOURS EACH)

Bellyesque Basics (Beginner)
Learn how to use the sensuality of belly dance in your next burlesque routine! The workshop begins with a stretching warm-up and conditioning exercises that target key muscle groups used in belly dance – specifically, the glutes, thighs, and abs. Basic belly dance movements are then broken down muscularly and drilled to establish muscle memory. The workshop will end with some short bellyesque-themed combinations to demonstrate how one can fuse the two dance styles. Add a few moves to your bag of dance tricks!

Bellyesque Choreography (Intermediate)
Students will learn a practical application of movements learned in the Bellyesque Basics workshop. This slow, sultry choreography challenges students to represent subtle sensuality to an audience as opposed to more overt sexuality. Belly dance movements are reinterpreted to become something distinctly burlesque. Students will learn a complete piece that is stage-ready.

CONTEMPORARY BELLY DANCE WORKSHOPS (2 HOURS EACH)

The Building Blocks of Contemporary Fusion (Beginner/Intermediate)
This two-hour workshop begins with a challenging stretching and conditioning/toning warm-up designed to target key muscles used in many styles of dance. Students then will participate in drills to refine and hone popping and locking technique and smooth and snaky movement. Modern dance, burlesque, and Odissi Indian dance technique will be introduced to give students more building blocks to pair with belly dance. Students are guaranteed to get a good workout and leave with new dance tricks up their sleeves from various dance forms.

“And Now For Something Completely Different…” (Intermediate)
This two-hour workshop opens with several “dance games” designed to get students to think creatively and to explore their own style of movement. Several dance combinations will follow that focus on each dance style from the previous workshop – a modern/belly dance combo, a burlesque/belly dance combo, popping/locking/belly dance combo, etc. Combinations be taught in a cardio-dance style workout – be prepared to work hard and keep moving!

Contemporary Fusion Choreography (Intermediate)
In this two-hour workshop, students will learn a choreography that re-imagines traditional belly dance technique and pairs it with emotive movement, burlesque-inspired theatrics, and modern dance basics. We will break down specific parts of the choreography in a cardio-dance style format. An entire choreography will be taught that is stage-ready.

CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Henry Mancini “Pink Panther” Choreography (2-3 hours, Beginner/Intermediate)
Learn a burlesque-inspired belly dance to a two-minute edited version of “Pink Panther.” The choreography takes approximately two hours to learn, and an extra hour can be added to work on burlesque character development and emotional preparation. Notes available; edited music can be emailed upon request.

“Pink Panther”/Drum Solo Choreography (3-4 hours, Beginner/Intermediate)
In this workshop, the “Pink Panther” choreography is paired with “Very Short Belly Dance Drum Solo” by Raquy and the Cavemen to create a three-minute choreography. Notes available; edited music can be emailed upon request.

Ratatat “Loud Pipes” Choreography (2-4 hours; Intermediate)
Low-tempo hip hop and belly dance are fused together for this two-minute choreography to an edited version of Ratatat’s “Loud Pipes.” Choreography takes two hours to teach, and an additional one-to-two hour introduction to snaking, popping and locking can be added to elongate the workshop. Notes available; edited music can be emailed upon request.

Beats Antique “Beauty Beats/Dope Krunk” Choreography (3-4 hours; Advanced)
This two-minute choreography to an edited version of two Beats Antique songs has a large focus on snaking, popping, and locking. Students will learn how to dance to music with irregular counting and learn strategies to interpret subtleties in music. A one-to-two hour introduction to snaking, popping and locking can be added to this workshop. Notes available; edited music can be emailed upon request.

TECHNIQUE WORKSHOPS

Bellydance Bootcamp
Loosely based on the Suhaila format, fundamental bellydance movements will be broken down and drilled. Finger cymbals can be added. Workshop will focus on muscular identification and isolation, strength building and flexibility. Good for beginners and highly adaptable for any time frame or skill level. Guaranteed to be a great workout.

Turns n’ Tricks (2 hours; Intermediate/Advanced)
Have you ever wanted to learn flutters, Turkish drops, laybacks, chené turns or Berber walks? This workshop breaks down the technique behind these and other flashy bellydance tricks so that you can execute them safely. Not recommended for those with knee or back issues.

Modern/Emotional Fusion (2-3 hours; Intermediate/Advanced)
Take your dance to a whole new level. The first part of this workshop focuses on emotional and character-building exercise to help get to the heart of any piece of music. The second part of this workshop focuses on modern movement that pairs well with bellydance. Martha Graham’s “contract and release” method and across the floor movement will be introduced. The workshop ends with combinations that pair modern and bellydance. Great for any style dancer.

Introduction to Finger Cymbals (2 hours; Beginning/Intermediate)
Learn the ins and outs of finger cymbal performance. The workshop begins with the history of finger cymbals and what to look for when purchasing finger cymbals. Then several common patterns will be broken down, and students will begin to move while playing. Combinations at the end are optional. Please provide your own finger cymbals; limited pairs will be available to borrow.