Belly Dance Basics

Belly Dance Basics is a beginning level belly dance class to introduce you to the art and
exercise of belly dance.  Learn basic stationary and traveling movements that will be put
together in dance combinations.  This class is paced slower than Beginning Belly Dance and
is perfect for those women who have never danced before, consider themselves to have "2
left feet," are beginning an exercise program or are healing from an injury.


Beginning Adult Belly Dance

Beginning belly dance class focuses on learning the basic technique of isolations in belly
dance.  The dancer learns to move certain parts of her/his body "in isolation" from the other
parts.  From there we will add isolations together to make combinations and then really start
moving.   This class is for the absolute beginner and the beginner "in progress."  Our
instructors tailor the class to fit the specific needs of each student, so that you are always
challenged to move to the next level.  Students who have mastered isolations will begin
layering those.   This class explores belly dance technique focusing on isolations, posture,
kinesthetic awareness, and the bio-mechanics of movement.  This is an entry level class
suitable for women who have a dance or movement background (even as children), who are
in good physical condition or who like a faster paced class.

Level 1 Cassandra's School of Belly Dance
(Level 1 CSBD)

This time honored curriculum created by Cassandra is now available in Rochester.  Familiarize
yourself with the basic techniques necessary for classical Egyptian Dance in this 8 week
course.  Middle Eastern dance improves your core strength, body image, and sense of
rhythm.

Advanced Beginning- moving beyond the basics

Advanced Beginning Belly Dance
This class is for the dancer who has mastered the basic technique, isolation and beginning
layering of belly dance.  Focus will shift to strength training, attention to technique for
layering and more advanced moves, and harder combinations and choreography.  We will
introduce the use of zills, or finger cymbals, and begin to listen for common rhythmic
patterns.  Completion of a beginning belly dance class is required to move into this class.

Intermediate Belly Dance

Intermediate Adult Belly Dance

Completion of Advanced Beginning or a similar class is necessary for enrollment in this class.  
Dancers eligible will have mastered the basics of layering, have strength and stamina for
more complex dance and is recommended by an instructor.  We will focus on complex
layering, understanding middle eastern rhythms, utilizing concepts of space/time/energy and
improvisation.   Members of either of these classes are eligible to perform in Sadiya's or
Nahimana's student troupes.

Choreography for Belly Dance: Egyptian/Lebanese

This class will mix the beautiful, flowing movements of classical Egyptian dance with the
sharp, sassy pops, locks and energy of modern Lebanese dance.  You will learn and have the
opportunity to perform choreographies in this class. Bring water and wear comfortable
clothing.

Advanced Belly Dance

Advanced Adult Belly Dance

Advanced classes are for students with at least two years of instruction or the instructor's
permission.  Students will learn professional level choreography and use of props, advanced
performance skills and be challenged as solo and group dancers.

Advanced Technique Class- 2 hour Workshop
(Cassandra Shore's School of Belly Dance Level 3 Class)


This two-hour class focuses on CSBD Level 3 technique and dance conditioning. Have fun
incorporating advanced finger cymbal patterns with the movements. A long stretch to finish
makes you an even better dancer.


Tribal Fusion Belly Dance

Tribal Style represents everything from Folkloric inspired dances to a fusion of ancient dance
techniques from North India, the Middle East and Africa. As a general category, Tribal Style
covers many flavors of American Belly Dance both the folkloric, fusion and cross over styles
which explore modern, jazz, dance theatre, and hip hop with belly dance, as well as fusion
with traditional classical ethnic dance forms like Bhangra, Bharata Natyam, Flamenco and
now even Polynesian and West African Dance.

Tribal Style dancers (like Raqs Sharqi dancers) often use finger cymbals, but the focus is on
the group as opposed to emphasizing solo performance. Tribal Style does feature solos
within the group as well as call-and-answer performance with another dancer (duets), or as
a whole group. Often there is a chorus which provides a "drone" in the background while the
featured pod is the focal point. Both the pod and the chorus are improvised in the moment.
Staging for the pod and the chorus is also formalized within the ATS form to maximize dancer
visibility on behalf of the audience and likewise maximizing group visibility of the leader.

Specialty Belly Dance Classes
Costuming Class

In this "Working" Costume Construction class you will go from "Fabric to Fitting".  This is
practical costuming at it's best, with hands-on instruction for creating your own costume.  Be
prepared to sew and bead your way towards a complete costume that will fit you perfectly,
and be well on it's way to finished, by the end of the session!

Drills for Zills

Brush up on your finger cymbal playing with this challenging 1/2 hour 8 week class that
teaches new rhythms and combinations that will improve your zilling in no time!

Belly Dance Fitness or Bellyrobics

Experience the belly dance exercise craze without joining a gym!  Laura or Jenn will be
teaching this low impact aerobic dance/fitness class with a flair of Middle Eastern dance
added.

Dance Conditioning

Join in on a dance conditioning class designed to increase muscle strength and flexibility, two
essential components of total fitness and a dancer’s  well rounded training regimen!  We will
focus on working and stretching  all the major muscle groups commonly used in dance.  Bring
a mat for floor work if you’d like!

Contact Sadiya's Rochester International
Dance Studio at 507-884-1375
or info@rochesterinternationaldance.com