Belly Dancing Styles and Levels
*** NB Beginners 'Taster' Classes can be started anytime as they are technique only classes - they can be purchased class by class for $8, or in blocks of 5 for $40, and blocks of 10 for $80, and are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. They are a great way to try belly dancing so come along - bring a friend!
About the Styles
A contemporary style of dance that blends ATS tribal steps and movements with Tribal Fusion, Belly Dance and other ethnic styles such as Turkish and Indian, using a range of music from electronica to Hip Hop, and Goth, incorporating exotic rhythms like the Turkish 9/8 or break beat, we can also use finger cymbals or swords. |
Blends the Belly Dance repertoire with modern moves taken from a variety of dance disciplines for dramatic effect, using more modern Middle Eastern music and rhythms from electronica to Hip Hop incorporating props such as veils, swords and finger cymbals (zills).
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From the swirl of an arabesque, to the percussive intensity of a shimmy: belly dance is all this and more. We use a variety of tempos, rhythms and melodies from drum solos to rich orchestral music, from light hearted to deeply romantic, using flowing, lyrical, and sharp movements, improvisation and veil work, focusing on emotional connection to the music. |
The word Baladi or Beladi means “of the country” and is unique to Egypt. You could call it “Urban Folk” - much more sophisticated than folk but with its roots in tradition. In a typical Baladi routine the dancer would begin by improvising to a taksim, the music would slowly become faster and more rhythmic, this would be mirrored by the dancers movements, finishing with a firey tabla solo. |
Saidi is the earthy style from Upper Egypt, performed with a stick or Assaya, or even finger cymbals it uses strong rhythms, bouncy unsophisticated movements, with a fun, earthy, and ethnic aesthetic. |
Tribal is a community dance using Middle Eastern, Gypsy, Indian and Flamenco dance to create a free flowing dance style. Classes cover posture/technique breakdown, playing finger cymbals (zills), drilling the tribal moves, steps and combinations, using a vocabulary of cues and transitions.. |
About the Levels
Level 1: The fundamentals of Belly DanceClasses cover posture and technique breakdown. Teaching the basic steps and movements that form the foundations of Belly Dance. We will learn a simple choreography to put the steps and movements into perspective. Classes can include folk and regional styles adding props such as veils and sticks.
Four terms at level 1 are recommended.
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Level 2: The next stageBuilding on the strong foundations learned in level 1, classes cover posture and technique breakdown adding layers to basic movements and steps from level 1, and introducing new movements and stylization. Classes can include folk and regional styles, World Fusion and contemporary styles, using props like zills, veils or sticks. Again, choreography will be taught to put the movements into perspective.
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Level 3: For the more advanced dancerPutting together everything learned in levels 1 & 2. Classes cover posture and technique breakdown, performance skills and troupe work, the use of props, group choreographies working with formations and floor patterns. |
Tribal Drill: Open to all levels.
Tribal is a community dance using Middle Eastern, Gypsy, Indian and Flamenco dance to create a free flowing dance style. Classes cover posture/technique breakdown, playing finger cymbals (zills), drilling the tribal moves, steps and combinations, using a vocabulary of cues and transitions. |
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