Weekly Belly Dance Classes in Baltimore, MD
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Student Resources Page

To register for classes or for more information please contact Shems at shemsdance@gmail.com

Classes are broken into 6 week sessions for ease of payment and to give each session a focus. Essentials this coming session is focusing on finger cymbals, Musicality is focusing on the Egyptian Oriental Entrance. Fundamentals will be delving in to dance creation tools this coming session. It will be a very exciting summer for dance!

Next Sessions start the first week of Sept 2008!

Ongoing Weekly Classes at Baltimore's Harbor East MAC
You will love the friendly staff and the luxurious studios, wonderfully suited to bringing out your inner dancer. I want to take you on a dance journey to discover the depth and richness of Middle Eastern Belly Dance. Shems' class offerings will be expanded over time to give you the opportunity to study a full and diverse curriculum, allowing you to reach the highest level that you desire.

Location:
Harbor East MAC
655 President Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410.625.5000

Class Schedule

Classes Currently Ongoing
Belly Dance Basics - Tues 7:15 pm
Belly Dance Essentials - Tues 8:15 pm
Sunrise Belly Dance - Wed 7:00 am
Belly Dance Fundamentals - Thurs 7:15 pm
Technique and Musicality - Thurs 8:15 pm

Fall Schedule of Classes Starting Sept 4th, 2008
Belly Dance Basics - Thurs 6:00 pm
Belly Dance Essentials - Thurs 7:15 pm
Technique and Musicality - Thurs 8:15 pm

No Belly Dance Classes will be held on the following dates:

• Thursday July 31, 2008 (I will be in Dallas, TX)
• Tuesday August 5, 2008 (the MAC is closed for maintenance week)
• Wednesday August 6, 2008 (the MAC is closed for maintenance week)
• Thursday August 7, 2008 (the MAC is closed for maintenance week)
• Tuesday August 12, 2008 (I will be traveling this week)
• Wednesday August 13, 2008 (I will be traveling this week)
• Thursday August 14th, 2008 (I will be traveling this week)

Classes will resume as normal the following week, Aug 19th and forward, 2008.

Class Prices

Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15 for members, $20 for non-members. (special exception for Sunrise Belly Dance which is free to MAC members and a $5 drop in fee for non-members).

Class Descriptions

Belly Dance Basics
This class will introduce basic belly dance vocabulary, isolations and musical phrases. There will be some cultural background given and a simple choreography will by taught. Special attention will be paid to proper body alignment, and clean execution of movements. It is recommended you repeat this class until you have a good mastery of your basic belly dance movements and isolations. Open to all levels.

Belly Dance Essentials
Utilizing basic belly dance vocabulary covered in "Belly Dance", introduce more difficult techniques and explore musicality more deeply. Finger Cymbals, Veil and Various special focus topics will be covered. This class is meant to be taken continuously for about a year. This coming session will focus on playing and dancing with finger cymbals. Pre-req Belly Dance Basics.

Technique & Musicality
Steps & movements are taught built into musical phrases. Focusing on building both dance vocabulary and musical connection, this class will also delve into transitions between movements, rhythms & cultural context. Previous belly dance experience required, this is an advanced class. This upcoming session will focus on the Egyptian Oriental Entrance. This class will be continually introducing new material and is meant to be repeated in an ongoing fashion. Pre-req Teacher Approval.

Belly Dance Fundamentals
This class will cover basic belly dance technique with special attention to the details, such as posture, arms, feet, head & body angles. This class is encouraged for experienced belly dancers who want to deepen and refine their movement quality and polish, but is open to multiple levels. There will be challenging and improvisational exercises. Further exploration of performance concepts such as music analyzation, creating choreographies, improvisation, transitions, staging, emotional connection, music interpretation will also be covered. Pre-req Belly Dance Basics.

Sunrise Belly Dance
Utilizing belly dance movement, this class is a gentle and energizing workout to give you an invigorating dancing start to your day. Open to all levels.

If anybody is interested in classes at the MAC's Timonium Location, please contact me. If there is enough interest in that area I will arrange to start classes up there.

I'm also in the process of designing downtown course offerings, catering not only to those new to dance, but to the serious dancer. More details to come. I'm looking forward to a lengthy and rewarding relationship with my future students.

Student Resources
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Intro to Belly Dance Homework

Belly Dance Essentials Homework

Belly Dance Fundamentals Homework

Technique and Musicality Homework

Other Resources

Places to buy practice wear for class & hip scarves

Belly dance movement vocabulary guide

Picking a belly dance name

Music used in class

Lyrics of songs used in class

FAQ:
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Do I have to be a certain age, weight, body-type or gender to participate?

No, in fact one of the wonderful things about Oriental Dance is that it's body friendly, low impact exercise as well as a beautiful art form appropriate for all different kinds of people. I have personally witnessed all genders, body types and ages excel in Oriental Dance even as professional level performers as well as gain great enjoyment and other health benefits from it's practice.

What do I wear to class?

Wear something which will allow me to see your body to check you alignment and will allow you to move freely. I recommend stretchy, fitted exercise or dance clothing. In addition to this I ask that everyone wear some sort of shawl or scarf around their hips to accentuate hip movement. Soft soled dance shoes are optional.

What will I be learning? What style do you teach?

I teach a combination of Egyptian, a little Lebanese and Vintage Oriental approaches to Oriental Dance (aka belly dance). I will specify where the steps are coming from and discuss their musical and cultural context. Appropriate folkloric and ethnic dance forms and their contributions to Oriental Dance will be covered. Over time, props, performance skills, improvisation, musical understanding, and more will be covered. If it is your desire, I'll be happy take you all the way from understanding basic movements to dancing like a professional.

What class(es) should I take?

Wondering where the familiar beginner, intermediate & advanced labels are?
- If you are entirely new to belly dance, take Intro to Belly Dance, if you like an extra challenge from the beginning, I will also welcome newcomers into Fundamentals
- If you've trained in belly dance before, but not with me, I recommend taking Fundamentals, it may be merely a refresher on some basic movements, but it may also introduce new movements that I consider fundamental, but your previous teachers may not have. It will also give you an opportunity to fine tune some of the details, rechecking posture, being more thoughtful with your arms, feet, head & body angles.
- If you've trained to an advanced level with another instructor and want more of a challenge than you feel Fundamentals offers alone, I recommend taking Fundamentals in conjunction with the Technique and Musicality class.

If it seems like I'm pushing Fundamentals, that because the title describes how I feel about the class. This information is fundamental to enable you to succeed as a dancer. I'll liken it to a musician: If a musician doesn't first learn how to properly hold her instrument and get a beautiful tone, then from there on out no matter how complex and grand the pieces she learns to play are, they will never sound right. If you feel that you've perfected all the fundamentals fully with another instructor, then I wont deny you entry to the other classes. I just want to help you be as fully prepared as possible. Truly I am, myself, continuing to improve on the fundamentals, and I look forward to the practice I will receive from helping to train you.

What does it cost?

The pricing is listed at the end of each class description.

How do I pay?

Registration is being set up at the MAC facilities. In the meantime you may contact Shems to reserve your place in your class or classes of choice.

Teaching Philosophy
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There are many different reasons people choose to study Oriental Dance, however my objectives in teaching are to help each person who studies with me to become a beautiful and skilled dancer with cultural knowledge and sensitivity as well as the ability to entertain an audience. Rather than just teaching a set of moves, I try to offer building blocks for creating polished performances from the most simple choreography to the most complex. The natural side effects of my classes are exercise, fun and a great feeling of confidence and accomplishment.

In the Middle East dancing is used for celebration and to build a sense of community between friends and family. This feeling of community is what I encourage. I want my students to get to know each other and to cheer for each other. It is not a competition, each person will progress at her own pace and each person will become a beautiful dancer in her own right.

My Dance and Teaching Style

I have been trained in American, American Tribal, Egyptian, Turkish and Lebanese styles of Oriental Belly Dance. I've supplemented this with a great deal of study and research in ethnic & folkloric dances from all over the Middle East and North Africa. (Please see my dance resume to get an idea of the range of my studies). My teaching reflects the common foundation found in all of the Oriental Belly Dance styles. However, I do lean heavily towards Egyptian style Oriental technique, especially as my students become more advanced. Props that I'm trained in include sagat (finger cymbals), veil and double veil, sayf (sword), assaya (cane) and shemedan (candelabra). Other areas I consider my particular dance strengths include Egyptian Oriental technique, musical interpretation, drum solos, sagat and veil. I also teach floorwork.

To supplement my Oriental Dance education I've also studied modern dance, ballet, body mechanics, yoga, weight training and athletic training. Although I do not claim to be an expert in any of these areas, these further studies have allowed me to assist my students in finding proper body alignment, and help them in learning exercises to stretch and strengthen their bodies to improve their fitness and ability to excel in Oriental Dance.

I have made it a point to study Middle Eastern history, culture and language. I've taken a particular interest in the subjects of women and dance within the region. I try in my teaching to help my students to avoid cultural faux pas, as well as to help them to understand the context of the dances we learn in association to Middle Eastern culture. I am continuing to pursue my studies in these areas, with plans to travel to the Middle East to study these dances in their countries of origin.

In my teaching, I utilize both improvisation as well as choreography to help my students to learn. What you can expect when you come to my classes includes warm up, technique drills, a focus topic and associated activity, then cool down. I try to respond to the requests of my students as to what direction in particular they would like to take their personal learning. I also try to focus on helping my students to get beyond just doing a series of movements into actually polishing the movements, utilizing their whole bodies, making smooth transitions, feeling the dance, connecting emotionally and becoming more complete dancers. I am constantly seeking new ways to break things down and teach concepts and ideas. I also continually attend workshops and further my own dance education however I can in order to have more to offer my own students.

Testimonials
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I would love to hear your feedback: shemsdance @ gmail . com

"Shems is the best kept secret in Baltimore! She is a beautiful performer, an excellent and conscientious teacher and a lovely person!"

-Artemis (www.serpentine.org) is a master teacher, writer, historian and one of the best Turkish style dancers in the US.

"Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your class. I took BD for 10 years from an teacher (and well know performer) in Texas who's method of teaching was either drills or strict choreographies. She is excellent and I learned the basic, however, something has always been missing. Although I am a soloist performer, I've never felt confident about my dancing. Anyway, I finally feel like I am learning how to perform, with feeling, knowledge and from the inside. Thanks."

-Linden, a great dancer who splits her time between Texas and Maryland, about Shems' weekly classes in Baltimore.

"Hi, I was at your workshop yesterday, it was one of the best I've ever been to! Thank you!"

-Jen, Maryland Dancer, after a drum solo workshop

"I have to say that she does promote good posture, she works on it as well with her dancing. I find that she is a fun teacher that has really honed her skills as I have known her. She has become a great knowledgeable teacher. She shares important information on history and folkloric styles, she has the ability to communicate technique and flair for making it enjoyable. Works at a good pace for the students. She is always still a student and trains with others and seeks new information and ideas that is one reason why she will continue to be an awesome teacher!"

-Sumra (www.bellydancingwithsumra.com) is the driving force behind the Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance Club (USUMED www.usu.edu/shimmy). She directs troupe Shazadi, choreographs and teaches.

"Your classes contributed so much to my growth as a dancer that it was difficult for me to think of anything that you could improve upon. That said, here's what I came up with: I know that for you dancing is a very high priority, and sometimes it seemed as though you couldn't sympathize with those who wanted to dance more for relaxation than for beautiful performances and rapid improvement. The flip side of that, however, is really positive: you also push people to excel.

Your enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. You seem to know as much about Middle Eastern music, interpretation, and various dance styles as any other instructor I've come in contact with; you're also much more willing to share everything you know than any other instructor I've met.

Although students in our classes sometimes seemed uncomfortable with dancing (especially improv) in front of the rest of the class, you were always encouraging and made it fun.

As far as specific instructional techniques, I think you really excel in teaching shimmies and creative combinations (both with and without veil). Tracy Pace and I have joked many times about how we couldn't really 3/4 shimmy until you explained it in a new way to us. You're also a great posture policewoman, and your zagat instruction is awesome (I can't play a bland beledi anymore - I keep putting in the zagat beats without meaning too- heehee)."

- Sara Goeking is an avid dance student, instructor, exceptional performer and Shazadi troupe member in the Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance Club (USUMED www.usu.edu/shimmy)