Designed for those new to Egyptian style belly dance, those returning after a break, and more experienced learners looking to brush up on their basics, find new challenges, revel in the roots, or try a new-to-them style or instructor, this class will provide a basic understanding of Egyptian raqs (dance) movement, posture, technique, and music fundamental to many styles. Each class will both introduce new information and review movements and concepts presented in the previous class. All of Monica’s classes at all levels have a musical approach to movement. Along with focused technique and movement practice and combinations, each class will include a dance style warm-up, a focus on posture, shimmy drills, conceptual, cultural and informational dance context as appropriate, and a dance-along or a dance circle.

Intermediate/Advanced: This ongoing, musically-oriented, mixed-level class focuses on strengthening, refining and improving existing technique and expanding learner knowledge of movements, rhythms and common (and not so common!) songs. This class is great for intermediate and up learners and improvers committed to regular attendance, and more experienced dancers who want to find their own voice in Middle Eastern dance while staying within the Egyptian and Arab style. Classes will focus on maintaining strong technique, distinguishing between social, folkloric and stage styles, developing performance skills, advice for creating a home practice, learning and listening to lots of songs and lots of versions of songs, putting emotion behind the movement, finger cymbals, finding your voice and place within the dance form, learning about the larger bellydance community and events, learning about the larger Arab music scene and events, and ethics in belly dancing. All classes will include an improvised dance along. Note: We also have a lot of fun. Students in this class will have an opportunity to perform in student showcases as well as with Monica’s performance group, The Zakiyya Dancers. All classes at all levels have a musical approach to movement. Along with focused technique and movement practice and combinations, each class will include a dance style warm-up, a focus on posture, shimmy drills, conceptual, cultural and informational dance context as appropriate, and a dance-along or a dance circle.members alike. Expression - Prerequisite: A minimum of 12 to 24 months of consistent Arabic, Egyptian or belly dance class or equivalent, or instructor approval.