CLASSES
Photo by Isabelle Marchand
Classes are open to all ages and skill levels and offer a fun, safe, and supportive atmosphere in which participants can explore and enjoy this beautiful dance form. Classes are currently offered in Blacksburg, VA and are taught by Danielle D. and Jennifer Speiden of Mandara.
You can find out more about Danielle D. and her classes at her website www.moreshimmy.com.
Jennifer has several years experience not only as a dance instructor but also as a physical therapist, yoga instructor, and Pilates teacher. Her understanding of the human body and how it moves will help students become more body aware thus making this dance form accessible to everyone.
Classes cover world fusion and tribal style belly dance movements, technique drills, group improvisation (leading and following), choreography, and zils (finger cymbals). There is an emphasis on technique and healthy posture. Proper warm-up, conditioning techniques, and cool-down are strongly emphasized to help safely prepare the participants for the dance.
Please wear clothes in which you feel comfortable moving but which are not too baggy. You can dance in bare feet, socks, or dance shoes. If you have one, please bring a hip scarf to tie around your waist to accent your movement.
Jennifer is also available for private and group lessons. Please contact her for more information at (540) 552-2596 or mandaradance@yahoo.com.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Belly Dance Fundamentals
This class is an introduction into the theory, style, and fundamental moves of belly dance. This class is suitable for students who are beginners, those that may have some belly dance or comparable dance experience, or experienced students wishing to refine their understanding of these foundation movements. We will explore fundamental belly dance technique focusing on posture, basic isolations, and traveling moves while weaving them into simple combos and flows
Belly Dance Core
This class reviews and refines the foundation moves of Belly Dance Fundamentals. Using the basic movements introduced in Belly Dance Fundamentals, students will learn how to build on these moves using them in combinations, adding layers (including playing finger cymbals) and how to dance with others. Classes focus on technique drills, isolations and combinations from the American Tribal Style (ATS) and Tribal Fusion movement vocabulary.
Pre-requisite: An understanding of
basic belly dance fundamentals is required for this class.
Belly Dance Flow -
Monthly 2-Hour Workshops
This workshop / seminar series is designed for students of at least intermediate skill level who wish to cultivate a personal dance practice, improve technique, develop their own creative voice as artists as well as gain a deeper understanding, appreciation and respect in regards to the historical and contemporary issues that affect this dance form. This class is an exploration of belly dance performance focusing not only on belly dance technique, but also exploring personal stylization and bringing emotion into your dancing. Each month will focus on a special topic (which will be announced in advance) with the intention of having the participants be able to take home the skills and concepts introduced in the workshop and be given the tools to be able to further explore and develop these elements within their own dancing.
SUMMER CLASS SCHEDULE
June 7th - July 19th, 2010 (no class June 28th)
| Mondays 5:30 - 6:30 pm |
Belly Dance Fundamentals |
$50 for
6 wks |
This class meets in the Stuart Room at the Y Center, 1000 North Main St., Blacksburg,VA
To register for the above class, please contact
VT YMCA OPEN UNIVERSITY
1000 North Main St.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 961-YMCA
May 18th - July 13th, 2010 (no class June 29th)
| Tuesdays
5:45 pm - 7:00 pm |
Belly Dance Core |
This session,
the CORE class payment will be
donation based
with a suggested donation of $10 - $15 per class. It is our hope
with this sliding scale, we can provide public classes at a
price affordable to all. Please note: A basic understanding of the fundamental moves introduced in the Belly Dance Fundamentals class is necessary for this class. |
This class meets in the Stuart Room at the Y Center, 1000 North Main St., Blacksburg, VA
To register for the above class, please contact
Jennifer Speiden
(540) 552-2596