Professional Belly Dance Classes

Now at multiple 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 2011 Class Information:

 

 

Tedi’s Tuesday classes at the Holistic Wellness Center(Carbondale) Begin Sept 6. Classes are 1.5 hrs long and run in 4-week sessions.

• Tuesdays 5:30-7pm (class description)
• Class location: Holistic Wellness Center, 1827 W. Main, Murdale Shopping Center (3 doors down from Neighborhood COOP), Carbondale IL
• Price: $40 per 4-week session, $10 for drop-ins
• For more information, contact Tedi at (618) 303-9788

Sedonia's Thursday classes at RhythmEffects (Carterville) begin Sept. 8. Classes are 1 hr long and can be joined at any time.

• Beginning Belly Dance: Thursdays 6-7:30pm; Continuing Belly Dance Thursdays 7:30-9pm (class description)
• Class location: RhythmEffects Dance Studio, 115 E. Illinois Ave. Carterville
• Price: $40 per month
• For more information, contact Sedonia At (618) 924-7223.
• 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) if you wish to try the class, but all students must pay before attending class. Pay by cash or check.

Top of Page

 

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.

 

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.)

 

Top of Page

 

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 Jumpstart 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.

 

Top of Page