CLASSES
Photo by Isabelle Marchand
Classes are open to all ages and skill levels. They offer a fun, safe, and supportive atmosphere in which participants can explore and enjoy this beautiful dance form. Weekly classes are currently offered in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, VA and are taught by Jennifer Speiden of Mandara.
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 more accessible to everyone.
Classes cover world fusion and tribal style belly dance movements, technique drills, solo and 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
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Bellydance Fundamentals
This class is an introduction into the theory, style, and fundamental moves of bellydance. This class is suitable for students who are beginners, those who may have some bellydance or comparable dance experience, or experienced students wishing to refine their understanding of these foundational movements. We will explore fundamental bellydance technique focusing on posture, basic isolations, and traveling moves while weaving them into simple combos and flows.
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Bellydance Core - Winter
Topic: Choreography
Dates: Meets on Thursdays January 12 – February 16
IIn this class, students will be taught a tribal fusion choreography, and time will be spent focusing on the technique behind all the moves, combinations and phrases of the dance piece. Each week will build on the previous, and students will be given “homework” to help explore the concepts and themes introduced and developed in class.
Pre-requisite: An strong foundation and understanding of basic bellydance fundamentals is required for this class.
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Bellydance Core - Spring 1
Topic: Performance Prep and Musicality
Dates: Meets on Thursdays March 1 – April 5
In this class, we will stage the choreography learned in the previous session of Bellydance Core in preparation for the Spring Hafla Saturday, March 24 in Blacksburg. We will work with concepts that maximize the artistic use of space and explore the beauty of dancing with others using everyone's strengths. We will also explore concepts in musicality to help enhance one's ability to express the music she or he is dancing.
Pre-requisite: An understanding of basic bellydance fundamentals is required for this class, and participants need to have taken the previous 6 week winter session of Bellydance Core .
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Bellydance Core - Spring 2
Topic: TBA
Dates: Meets on Thursdays April 19 - May 24
Pre-requisite: An understanding of basic bellydance fundamentals is required for this class.
WINTER / SPRING 2012 CLASS SCHEDULE
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Tuesdays 5:45 - 6:45 pm |
Bellydance Fundamentals |
$60 for 6 wks |
Section 1: January 24 - February 28, 2012
Section 2: March 13 - April 17, 2012
Section 3: April 24 - May 29, 2012
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
http://www.vtymca.org/openu.html
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Thursdays 5:45 - 7:00 pm |
Bellydance Core |
$60 for 6 weeks $110 for 12 weeks $160 for 18 weeks |
Section 1: January 12 - February 16, 2012 - Choreography - FULL as of 1/12/2012
Section 2: March 1 - April 5, 2012 - Performance Prep and Musicality (Attendance in Session 1 required)
Section 3: April 19 - May 24, 2012 - Focus TBA
This class meets at Inner Awareness, Christiansburg, VA.
To register for the above classes, and for directions, please contact
Jennifer Speiden at mandaradance@yahoo.com or 540.552.2596.
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