Belly Dance Tucson Class Descriptions
Intro To Belly Dance
This is where all new dancers start. This class gives you the understanding of basic belly dance technique, posturing, language, move execution and it helps you to build necessary strength. You must have a working knowledge of the material in the intro class to move into the level 1 class. Moving into the level 1 class must be approved by your instructor. This class is drop in friendly.
Level 1
This class is adding on to the technique that you learn in the introduction class. You will start layering the moves that you learn in the Introduction class. You will start putting together combinations and you will begin traveling with layers. You must have a full working knowledge of the Introductory material and it must be cleared by the teacher before joining this class. Finger cymbals are required in this class. Once you are approved to be in this class it is drop in friendly.
Dance Movement and Conditioning For Belly Dancers
Prepare to sweat! This is an all level class that focuses on building strength and endurance. Dancers are athletes too and this class is where your inner athlete and inner dancer get to become friends! Half of the class is conditioning DANCER style and the other half of class utilizes traveling movements that help you build coordination and speed. When you are new to the class your focus will be on learning the movements and strengthening your body. If you have experience with this class you will focus on cleaning up your movement to achieve that “effortless” look and you will be required to play finger cymbals with the traveling portion of class. This class is drop in friendly.
Zills
Zills, also known as Zagat in Egypt, are finger cymbals that belly dancers use as a prop in their dance. In this class we will work with the Jamila Salimpour format of zilling. This class is open to all levels. The focus is on zills. Those dancers with higher skill level will be given harder work while working with the same zill patterns as the rest of class. You can borrow a pair of zills for your first couple classes but you must invest in a pair of zills to take the class regularly.
Introductory UNMATA Style ITS
Improvisational Tribal Style is a style of belly dance where the choreography for a group is made up on the spot. This is done by dancers learning particular movements and movement combinations that are “cued” by a leader letting the other dancers in the group know what is coming next. Here at Belly Dance Tucson we are honored to have studied with Amy Sigil, director of UNMATA. We are inspired by her format and focus our ITS classes on the UNMATA style format. This class covers the introductory syllabus to the UNMATA format. You must have a working knowledge of the 7 week introductory syllabus to move into the beginner syllabus. Movement into the beginner syllabus must be approved by your instructor. This class is drop in friendly.
Beginner UNMATA Style ITS
This is the next phase in the UNMATA format. The Beginner syllabus is 12 weeks. During the 12 weeks the movement combinations become longer than in the Intro syllabus. Once you are approved to be in this class it is drop in friendly.
Student Troupe
This is an exciting new addition to Belly Dance Tucson! This is for dancers of mixed levels that wish to move into choreography and that have a desire to perform in student recitals and small community events. A working knowledge of the Introduction To Belly Dance class is required and it is encouraged for students to be taking at least one of the following classes weekly: Level 1, Dance Movement and Conditioning, or the Intro to UNMATA ITS class, before auditioning for the student troupe. Auditions for the student troupe are held once a year and it will be posted well in advance so that dancers can practice and prepare for the audition.
Belly Dance Tucson Troupe
This is for dancers that have shown the commitment, strength, endurance, and dedication required to step up their dance to a professional level. Dancers are required to play finger cymbals and use a veil fluently. The troupe dancers must have a full working knowledge of all the technique material through the level 1 class as well as the UNMATA style ITS Beginner class.
Private Class
Jessica is available for private lessons. If you have an area that you have been struggling with and want some one on one help this is perfect for you. If you are wanting to move into the next level of classes but you are not sure what you need to focus on a private lesson is a great way to narrow the focus of your dance practice. Or if you just want some personal feedback about how you can improve a private lesson is a great way to do so! Private lessons can be split by two people.
Classes Taught By Fonda Hamilton-Insley
Beginner Tribal Improv
This class is basic Tribal Improv based primarily on the Gypsy Caravan format. Students will learn the basic elements of belly dance, along with a basic vocabulary of Tribal moves. You will learn to lead a group and the follow in an improvisational language. This class in no impact and a fun way to get in shape and learn to dance with others or alone.
Tribal Combos And Anatomy Of Steps
This class is designed for students who have had some exposure to Group Tribal Improv or are attending the Beginning class. Each week we will either learn anew combo for use in group or solo Improv, or we will take a very deep look at the anatomy of one of our moves this entails breaking the move all the way down and working to perfect every nuance of a move.
Specialty Workshops
Veil
In this class you will be introduced to dancing with a veil. You will learn how to handle a veil, proper way of holding the veil, and appropriate veil size. This class will generally run in 4 week sessions, require a minimum # of students and due to space considerations are limited to 9 people per class.
Dancing With A Drummer
This class features a talented local musician (bio of current drummer will be listed when we are running a workshop). He/She will go over the basics of Middle Eastern rhythms and drummer dancer communication. This class will be co-taught by both a drummer and a dancer. This class is for all levels and can be structured both as a workshop and a 4 week session. A minimum of 12 people are required for a session to run.
Specialty Workshops With Local Guest Teachers
We are always interested in bringing in other styles of dance such as Indian and Folkloric dances or ballroom style dances. These classes will be posted on the schedule. Sometimes registration will go through Belly Dance Tucson and sometimes it will go through the class instructor. It will be indicated here and on the calendar.