Professional Belly Dance Classes

Now at three locations in

Carbondale and Carterville IL!

 

Learn to belly dance beautifully! All the Nile Breeze Instructors are experienced teachers and performers with extensive and ongoing formal training. We stress proper posture, correct technique, cultural context and understanding, and musicality in a fun and relaxing environment.

 

Fall 2010 Class Information:

 

Special Introductory Workshop

Belly Dance Basic Bootcamp with Sedonia

Saturday, Sept. 11 10am to 12 noon

 

Tedi’s Monday classes at the SIUC Student Recreation Center (Carbondale) Begin August 30. Classes are 1.5 hrs long and run in 6-week sessions.

• Beginning Belly Dance: Mondays 5:45-7:15 pm (class description)
• Continuing Belly Dance: Mondays 7:30-9:00pm (class description)
• Session A begins Aug. 30
• Session B begins October 18
• Class location: Dance Studio, SIUC Recreation Center, lower level
• Price: $40 students / $55 non-students per 6 week session
• How to register: Register with credit card over the phone by calling (618) 453-1277 or pay by cash, check, or credit card in person at the Rec Center administrative offices. Register before the first class session.

 

Sedonia's Thursday classes at RhythmEffects (Carterville)

• Belly Dance Fundamentals: Thursdays 6-7pm $35/mo. (class description)
• Continuing Belly Dance: Thursdays 7-8:30 $40/mo. (class description)
• Fall classes begin Sept. 9
• Class location: Dance Hall, RhythmEffects, 115 E. Illinois Ave. Carterville
• How to register: Register in person at RhythmEffects before the first class session. If you plan to register immediately before class, please show up at least 15 minutes early. There is a $10 registration fee paid once per semester in addition to monthly class rates. Studio phone is (618) 985-2050. Single class drop-in rates are available ($14/class), but all students must pay before attending class. Pay by cash or check.

 

Shiira's Classes at Great Shapes Fitness for Women (Carbondale) are 1 hr long, 6-week sessions.

• Fundamental movements, drilling: Tuesdays 7-8pm
• First fall session begins Sept 7
• Class location: 2121 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale IL
• Price: Great Shapes Members $35 per 6-week session, Non-members $45 Drop-in rate $8/class members, $10 non-members
• Babysitting available for a small fee
• How to register: Pay in person at Great Shapes before first class session. Gym phone number is (618) 529-4404

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Tedi and Sedonia are also available for private lessons and group workshops. Private lessons can be shared by two students at similar level. Inquire about pricing for small groups.

 

About the Nile Breeze Instructors

 

Tedi has over 28 years of experience and formal training in Middle Eastern dance, and over 20 years of teaching experience. Her classes are oriented towards the American style of belly dance, also called American oriental, vintage oriental, or American Caberet (“Am-Cab”). The American style is a mixture of elements from Arabic, Turkish, Armenian and other ethnicities. Props such as veil, finger cymbals are used extensively, and balancing props such as swords may be used as well. This style of dance evolved in the latter half of the 20th century as immigrants (including dancers and musicians) from many countries interacted with Americans in the clubs and restaurants of ethnic neighborhoods across the country. Artemis Mourat has referred to this style as “rare and endangered”, because the trends of belly dance in the U.S. have moved more towards either the Egyptian side of the spectrum, or towards fusion forms such as American Tribal, Urban Tribal, world dance, jazz-influenced, etc.

Sedonia has over 11 years of experience and formal dance training in Middle Eastern dance, and over 6 years of teaching experience. She is also an SIUC professor and thus has drawn extensively on her professonal academic pedagogical skills in developing a philosophy of dance instruction. Sedonia’s classes are oriented towards the Egyptian style of belly dance. The Egyptian style is relaxed yet precise, and features internalized movements and layering of movements. Veil and finger cymbals are also used, but in more limited capacity.

Both Lisa and Rose have been belly dancing for around ten years, and have recently begun teaching under the mentorship of Tedi and Sedonia. Lisa has had extensive training and a strong backgorund as a troupe performer under the directon of Zada Al Gaziyeh of Lawrence KS. Additionally, her background as a trained musician and academic enhances her dance instructional skills. Rose began her training with the Jasmin Jahal School of Dance in Chicago, and has continued to train extensively with Tedi and Sedonia, as well as with Diana of St. Louis, and other regional and national instructors. Her academic training also enhances her teaching skills.

 

All of the Nile Breeze dance instructors are eternal students of the dance, and constantly continue their dance education in the form of master workshops and private coaching. Additionally, we work collaboratively together to constantly refine and improve our teaching skills to bring the best possible learning experience to our students.

Tedi's Class Descriptions:

Fundamental level: Add a new dimension to your life and discover the many health benefits of belly dancing -- a fun and lower impact workout. Belly dancing strengthens the whole body, improving muscle tone, posture, flexibility, coordination, and stamina. It helps students obtain confidence and poise, in addition to promoting a positive self-image. Learn the basics of belly dancing in a supportive and structured class. No previous dance experience necessary. (It is suggested that students learn at this level for a minimum of two sessions before moving on to the continuing level class.)

 

Continuing level: Tedi's continuing level description will be added soon

 

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Sedonia's Class Descriptions

 

Level 1 Egyptian Belly Dance: Will stress basic technique and drills, basic veil technique, musical rhythms, and simple step combinations, with an emphasis on the Egyptian style. In addition to building the foundation for further study, this class will improve your posture, build core strength, and tone your torso, arm, and leg muscles. Open class format: new students can join or drop in at any time, but are strongly encouraged to sign up for the next available Belly Dance Basic Bootcamp workshop.

 

Continuing level Egyptian Belly Dance: will accommodate advanced beginners through more advanced levels, and will be taught as semester-long special topic courses (see below). Within each course, classes will build on previous classes, so students are encouraged to attend course in its entirety.

 

Fall 2010 Topics

Egyptian Folkloric I: Egyptian balady (first half of semester - Sept 9-Oct 14) the earthy, traditional folk dance from which Egyptian belly dance evolved. Structure of the balady taqsim progression music, improvisation exercises, and technique will be stressed. Performance tips including appropriate costuming will be covered.
Egyptian Folkloric II: Egyptian Saiidi women's cane dance (second half of semester) Rhythm and structure of Saiidi music, movement and cane technique, and a very short choreography will be covered. Performance tips and appropriate costuming will also be covered. Bring a cane if you have one, otherwise wooden sticks will be available for use in class.

 

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