Please note that the following classes are canceled:
- Intro to Belly Dance (April 6th)
- Level 2 Fusion (April 17th)
- Intro and Level 1 on Easter
- Layer Lab (April 22nd)
Sometimes our Level 1 & 2 classes teach choreography sessions. We recommend checking in before attending those classes for the first time (or if returning after a break from classes) so you don't join in the middle of the series. A few ways to stay in the know:
- This page gets updated when choreographies are in session
- We send emails out when sessions are beginning
- You can email us and ask if it's a good time to join ([email protected])
- Please note that PunchPass will not specify if a class is a choreography
Intro to Belly Dance - This class focuses on breaking down basic isolations, arm patterns, and footwork to prepare you for a Level 1 class of any style of belly dance (Raqs Sharqi, Fusion, or Sirena Sync). No dance experience is needed to join this class! We recommend taking Intro to Belly Dance for at least 2 months before registering for Level 1.
Level 1 Raqs Sharqi - Raqs Sharqi is Arabic for Oriental Dance (commonly known as Belly Dance) and covers American Cabaret, Classical Egyptian, Egyptian Pop, and some folkloric Middle Eastern stylings of dance. This class goes a step beyond an Intro Class by focusing more on stylization, Middle Eastern Rhythms and cultural context, combos, and choreographies. Beginners are welcome in this class, but it does move faster than an Intro level class. We recommend taking Level 1 Raqs Sharqi for at least 6 months before registering for Level 2.
Level 1 Fusion Belly Dance - In this class, students learn to stylize their basic isolations and steps learned in Intro to Belly Dance to fit the Fusion aesthetic. This alternative style of Belly Dance blends MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic, and Turkish) elements with other styles of dance; often times Flamenco, East Indian Dance, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. It is a style that developed in the 90s and early 2000's in the US, pioneered by dancers such as Jill Parker, Zoe Jakes, Rachel Brice, Mira Betz, and more. We recommend taking Level 1 Fusion for at least 6 months before registering for Level 2.
Mixed Level Belly Dance Drills - This class is suitable for Level 1 and Level 2 students with an understanding of basic belly dance movements such as traveling undulations, 3/4 shimmies, hip figure 8s, etc. In a mixed level class, basic movements are not broken down. This class will drill movements from both Raqs Sharqi and Fusion style belly dance.
Level 2 Raqs Sharqi - Students will use what they already know of basic belly dance movements and take them to another level by adding layers of movements on top of one another. They will play with different timing of movements and use drills to develop technique and exude feeling. Students will learn through combinations (sequences of movements) and choreographies, and props such as veils, canes, finger cymbals, and more are added.
Level 2 Fusion Belly Dance - In this class, we take the technique learned in Level 1 and build full length choreographies with more advanced layers. We will also add props such as finger cymbals, swords, pots, and fan veils.
Level 2 Sirena Sync - This class is suitable for students with a solid understanding of belly dance movements (Raqs Sharqi, Fusion, or both). While this is called a Level 2 class, it teaches Level 1 & Level 2 Sirena Sync vocabulary. This style is inherently more advanced (even the Level 1 vocab) because it uses finger cymbals, has specific arm pathways for each move, and involves group improvisation (lead and follow).
Sirena Sync blends elements of Raqs Sharqi and Fusion Belly Dance to create a vocabulary of movement that groups of dancers can use to improvise together. No dance is ever the same because the possibilities are endless! Through physical cues and patterns, dancers follow a leader (who changes throughout the dance) to create magic on stage.
Level 2 Layer Lab - In Layer Lab, Sadie teaches mind bending layers to get us out of our dance boxes! Challenge yourself with new pathways and patterns as we play with tempo changes, mixing smooth and staccato movements, and more! Through technique breakdown and drills, we will expand our dance vocabulary together.
Level 1 Raqs Sharqi - Raqs Sharqi is Arabic for Oriental Dance (commonly known as Belly Dance) and covers American Cabaret, Classical Egyptian, Egyptian Pop, and some folkloric Middle Eastern stylings of dance. This class goes a step beyond an Intro Class by focusing more on stylization, Middle Eastern Rhythms and cultural context, combos, and choreographies. Beginners are welcome in this class, but it does move faster than an Intro level class. We recommend taking Level 1 Raqs Sharqi for at least 6 months before registering for Level 2.
Level 1 Fusion Belly Dance - In this class, students learn to stylize their basic isolations and steps learned in Intro to Belly Dance to fit the Fusion aesthetic. This alternative style of Belly Dance blends MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic, and Turkish) elements with other styles of dance; often times Flamenco, East Indian Dance, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. It is a style that developed in the 90s and early 2000's in the US, pioneered by dancers such as Jill Parker, Zoe Jakes, Rachel Brice, Mira Betz, and more. We recommend taking Level 1 Fusion for at least 6 months before registering for Level 2.
Mixed Level Belly Dance Drills - This class is suitable for Level 1 and Level 2 students with an understanding of basic belly dance movements such as traveling undulations, 3/4 shimmies, hip figure 8s, etc. In a mixed level class, basic movements are not broken down. This class will drill movements from both Raqs Sharqi and Fusion style belly dance.
Level 2 Raqs Sharqi - Students will use what they already know of basic belly dance movements and take them to another level by adding layers of movements on top of one another. They will play with different timing of movements and use drills to develop technique and exude feeling. Students will learn through combinations (sequences of movements) and choreographies, and props such as veils, canes, finger cymbals, and more are added.
Level 2 Fusion Belly Dance - In this class, we take the technique learned in Level 1 and build full length choreographies with more advanced layers. We will also add props such as finger cymbals, swords, pots, and fan veils.
Level 2 Sirena Sync - This class is suitable for students with a solid understanding of belly dance movements (Raqs Sharqi, Fusion, or both). While this is called a Level 2 class, it teaches Level 1 & Level 2 Sirena Sync vocabulary. This style is inherently more advanced (even the Level 1 vocab) because it uses finger cymbals, has specific arm pathways for each move, and involves group improvisation (lead and follow).
Sirena Sync blends elements of Raqs Sharqi and Fusion Belly Dance to create a vocabulary of movement that groups of dancers can use to improvise together. No dance is ever the same because the possibilities are endless! Through physical cues and patterns, dancers follow a leader (who changes throughout the dance) to create magic on stage.
Level 2 Layer Lab - In Layer Lab, Sadie teaches mind bending layers to get us out of our dance boxes! Challenge yourself with new pathways and patterns as we play with tempo changes, mixing smooth and staccato movements, and more! Through technique breakdown and drills, we will expand our dance vocabulary together.