Middle Eastern Dance Classes: Schedule 2012
Welcome to the 2011-2012 class schedule. Classes are held at Portage Central High School or Excel Dance Studio. All classes at Portage run on six-week sessions and start the day of the week listed within the weekly schedule below. Classes at Excel run monthly on a 4 week schedule.
Portage Central High School
6 week schedules |
Excel Dance Studio
4 week schedules |
January 31 - March 8 |
September 6 and run through June on a 4 week schedule. |
March 13 - April 28 (no classes April 3 & 5)
May 1 - June |
No classes being held this Spring. Classes will resume in the summer.
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 Class Registration and Sign-up
Or contact Portage Public Schools online registration at Portage Public Schools at www.PPSCommEd.org or by calling 269-323-6700.
Zumba and Slim &Tone Classes will be held at Excel Dance Studio at 6775 West Q Ave near Texas Corners and signup is complete by calling Excel at 568-0582
Workshops and events
Class Info & Guidelines
Most students should start with a Beginner I Technique class. If you don't think you fall into this category, please contact us to discuss placement.
After completing Beginner I Technique class, deciding to move up or repeat a level depends on your dance intentions. There are many valid and good reasons to study belly dance and we welcome and support your personal dance goals. NO auditions are ever required and classes are to support your dance dreams.
If you are taking classes primarily for fun and exercise, your enrollment should be based on personal preference. Combinations classes are a great workout and fit this category well. If you aspire to master the dance, perform, and/or join one of the student companies, your training should be more diligent. For those in the second category, we recommend the following:
 As a general rule, it's best to stay at a class level until you feel you've built the movements into your muscle memory. Mastery of the movement includes being able to easily execute isolations, in time with the music, without the teacher in front of you.
For most people, this means taking technique classes at the same level several times. Moving up a level before you're body has absorbed the prior foundational material can build sloppy dance habits and can lead to poor form. Most importantly, study of the dance is not something to rush, but to savor! Your dance development and persona will be fully realized by experiencing the joy of the dance along the way.
As we get a lot of questions about this, we recommend using the parameters below as general guidelines and asking your teachers for placement advice. Additionally, most students take technique classes multiple times each week to reinforce movement vocabulary and musical interpretation. As always, ask if you're feeling a little lost.
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| Class Level |
Recommended Repetition |
| Beginner |
2–3 enrollment sessions (3–6 months) |
| Tribal Corps |
Must take 2 beginner class sessions (12 weeks ) & then based on individual. No audition required. |
| Intermediate Technique |
5–10 enrollment sessions (1–2 years) |
| Intermediate Choreography |
5–10 enrollment sessions (1–2 years) |
| Advanced |
Based on individual evaluation/teacher recommendation and by invitation only. This class only holds 9 dancers at a time and space becomes available once a year. |
WM School of MED offers belly dance classes covering a wide range of topics and styles. NO audition is ever required to move up class levels.
Specialty
Supplement your technique and training with specialty classes that are offered annually at local workshops held at various locations and at Sangha Yoga Studio. These classes explore the historical, contextual, and specific styles of belly dance. Specialty classes focus on a variety of styles & skills including:
- American Tribal
- Folkloric Dances
- Developing Choreography
- Belly dance 101 for friends
- Spanish/Latin
- Hula
- Flamenco
- Modern Oriental
- Golden Age Belly Dance
- Bhangra
Performance
The performance classes are designed to allow students to learn stage presence and challenge themselves with public performances. These classes are a lot of fun and a bonding experience for students. These classes encourage concurrent enrollment since dance opportunities and choreography change frequently.
Class Format
Class structure is based on a Western format of clear movement breakdowns, drilling the basics, hands on corrections and integrating movements through combinations, choreography and improvisational exercises.
Beginning class structure is based on a Western format of clear movement breakdowns, drilling basics, hands on corrections and integrating movements for an overall workout. Intermediate class format includes movements through combinations, choreography and improvisational exercises. Intermediate and advanced classes follow the Egyptian style of leading by dance movement.
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Levels
Level I (Beginner)
The beginner class involves gentle, curving, circular movements guided by beautiful music that improves flexibility and coordination. Plus, its lots of fun and a great workout for arms, shoulders, upper and lower abs, and legs, while improving your posture too. In Level 1, you will learn basic movements and combinations in Middle Eastern dance. It's a terrific way to burn calories and learn to dance at the same time. No prior dance experience necessary. Level 1 must be completed twice to advance.
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Level II (Intermediate Choreography)
The intermediate class is a continuation of the first level, concentrating on more isolated movements and combinations while learning the essence of this dance. The Tuesday night intermediate class at the Portage Administration building is for students who would like to perform oriental and folkloric routines locally. This group constitutes the performing group Raks Harem. The Thursday Level II class is technique only.
Prerequisite: Two session of the Beginner I or belly dance experience.
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Level II (Intermediate Technique)
The intermediate technique class focuses on mastering technique by making it your own, incorporating it into body memory and vocabulary until it comes effortlessly to express yourself. Drilling consists of working through many variations and including ornamentations, as well as learning intermediate and advanced techniques. Finger Cymbals and a veil are required within this class and a description is below of these specialty classes that are taught during six week intervals. Contact instructor to see if these items are needed for the session.
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 Veil Class
Learn introductory veil dancing technique and movement repertoire, including placement, turns and wafting. Veils will be available for purchase in class or students may provide their own (china silk recommended; approximately 3 yards of chiffon, silk, or other soft, flowing, hemmed fabric).
Zills (Finger Cymbals)
Learn introductory zill playing technique and basic rhythms, along with new movement vocabulary. Drill movements with zills and learn combinations to dance and play with ease. No previous zill experience required; zills available for purchase at class for $18.50 and requires fitting / sewing before use. Zills will never be expected of a beginner student until they have basic movement of the body.
Prerequisite: Two session of the Beginner I or belly dance experience.
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Level III (Advanced)
The advanced class teaches professional techniques, dance routines, and combinations from all areas of the Middle East. The focus is more on cardiovascular exercise and professional dancing. The members of this class constitute our performing troupe and are expected to travel and perform across the Midwest. The advanced class is by invitation only.
Prerequisite: Instructor’s approval
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 Tribal Corps (Intermediate)
American Tribal Style Belly dance is a fairly new dance form with its origins in traditional Middle Eastern dance. The focus here is to study Tribal Style Belly dance, which has its roots in the gypsy dances of the Middle East, but carries the modern touch of American artistic sensibilities. Tribal style merges a range of dance elements, such as the strong posture, proud chest and strong arm movements of the Flamenco, with the influence of countries such as Turkey, Egypt and those that line the North African coast. It uses as its basis a set vocabulary of movements commonly associated with raqs sharqi and folkloric dance — hip lifts and drops, hand floreos, tribal arms, head, hip and torso isolations, shimmies and traveling steps. These movements are learned in combinations or sets of movements to form a simple common dance vocabulary and posture, unique to the ‘tribe'. Once learned, as with any tribal or community dance, this specific dance vocabulary frees the dancers from the need to faithfully follow or count steps in a set choreography, enabling dancers to interact with each other and the music, and to follow cues initiated by the designated ‘leader.'
The dancers also learn signals or cues to indicate distinct movement patterns and transitions. While dancers basically perform the same steps at the same time, leaders in the chorus and in the front line choose the order of movements and variations offering an ever-changing interpretation of the music.
A yoga matt, towel and lots of water are encouraged for this class. You must have completed 12 weeks of beginner belly dance to attend this class.
Prerequisite: Two session of the Beginner I or belly dance experience.
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Zumba (Beginner/Intermediate)
Zumba is a fusion of Latin, Belly dance, Flamenco, Hip Hop, and Ballroom to International and modern music with easy to follow dance steps that combine fast and slow rhythms. This is a high energy workout that will tone and sculpt while you enjoy dancing at the same time. Don't miss this stimulating and complete workout while learning to move and groove your body at the same time. Learn more at www.zumba.com. Water and a towel are highly recommended.
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Little Arabian Jewels
This fun dance class is specifically designed with a young child in mind (ages 5–9) with emphasis on the fundamentals of dance movement. Classes will touch on many dance forms but will have a strong emphasis on Middle Eastern dancing. Students will learn grace and good posture, feet positions, stage presence and how to enjoy the natural movements of the body while improving coordination. Opportunity will be available to perform at local events, festivals, and retirement centers. Comfortable clothing is needed. A shawl or hip accent is optional. Don't let your aspiring dancer miss out on this unique class.
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