Amanda - Dancer

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Amanda - Dancer

Amanda - DancerAmanda - DancerAmanda - Dancer
  • Home
  • About
  • Calendar
  • Classes
  • Karavansaray Dance Co.
  • Performances
  • Projects
  • Contact
  • Join Email List

Classes with Amanda

Near Eastern Dance: 

Bellydance and Beyond
Classes in Traditional Bellydance 

and Folk Dances of the Near East

Weekly Group Classes

Bellydance Basics

for Beginners

Saturdays 9:30am - 10:30am

Learn more

Bellydance & Beyond

for Intermediate / Advanced

Saturdays 10:30am - 12pm

Learn more

Download a Class Information Flyer

Amanda_Classes2022 (pdf)

Download

Bellydance Basics

for Beginners

Learn and master basic moves for the beautiful artform of Bellydance. We will break down new movements each class and practice them in combinations. A new rhythm each session provides the basis for the movements and combinations so students will become familiar with the key rhythms that underlie Bellydance. Each class begins with a thorough warm-up and workout to prepare the body for dance, as well as drills to improve isolations. Throughout class, Amanda emphasizes proper posture and mindful movement to execute moves correctly and to avoid injury. 

Perfect for Beginners to Bellydance, as well as Intermediate students who want to hone dance technique. No prior dance experience needed. New sessions for Bellydance Basics begin every two months. Students may join any time.

Please note: Amanda does not incorporate Finger Cymbals (zills) in the Basics class so students can focus on body movements, but all Basics students are welcome to join Finger Cymbal warm-up/practice during the first 15 minutes of the Saturday 10:30am class for no extra charge.


*Please see below for information regarding COVID Safety Protocols in the studio and in class.


Class times: Saturdays 9:30am - 10:30am
Location: Roundhill Studios, 1043A Garland Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 - Studio C
      (Studio C: turn left inside entrance; enter Studio C through first door down the hall)
Class fees:   

  • $15 for single class
    $60 for 5 classes pre-paid ($12/class)
    $100 for 10 classes pre-paid  ($10/class)  

Tuition Policy: All class pre-payments are valid for 6 months from purchase date. 
Registration: 

  • Please fill out the Reg Form and bring to your first class 
  • Payment taken in class 
  • Cash or Check preferred
  • Credit cards taken only via PayPal, by special arrangement 


New students should check below for useful information prior to attending classes.

Current Session

Dates: March 4 - April 29

Topic: Chiftitelli  


Slow and slinky Chiftitelli rhythm and movement, including undulations, circular isolations, arms, and easy floorwork.

Please note: no class on March 11 




Next session: 

Dates: May 6 - June 24 

Topic: Drum Solo 


Register

Bellydance and Beyond

for Intermediate / Advanced

Expand your knowledge of Bellydance... and Beyond!

Bellydance & Beyond aims to improve each student's technical abilities, train skilled performers, and deepen students' understanding of Near Eastern dance.


Similar to the Basics class, Amanda leads students through a warm-up and isolation drills, and teaches steps and combinations. This class, however, takes students to the next level with layering of movements, incorporating finger cymbals, emphasizing presentational skills, and working towards making the student comfortable with dancing improvisationally. The class also explores topics with a wider geographical and musical breadth, including brief discussions of cultural context when relevant. In addition, Amanda teaches a new choreography each session; performance opportunities will be available for interested students (performing is entirely optional). Each class also begins with a 10-15 minute zill practice to learn rhythms covered in that class. 


New sessions for Bellydance & Beyond begin every three months. Students may join any time during a session, although early and regular attendance is encouraged in order to progress in each subject and the choreographies.  

Recommended: Competence with Basic Bellydance movements: hip and shoulder shimmies, 3/4 shimmy, bodywaves, chest and hip articulations (circles, figure-8s), snake arms, simple turns. Students should complete a year of Basics (or equivalent) before joining Bellydance & Beyond. 

 

*Please see below for information regarding COVID Safety Protocols in the studio and in class.

 

Class times: Saturdays 10:30am - 12pm
Location: Roundhill Studios, 1043A Garland Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 - Studio C
      (Studio C: turn left inside entrance; enter Studio C through first door down the hall)
Class fees:   

  • $15 for single class
    $60 for 5 classes pre-paid ($12/class)
    $100 for 10 classes pre-paid  ($10/class)  

Tuition Policy: All class pre-payments are valid for 6 months from purchase date. 
Registration: 

  • Please fill out the Reg Form and bring to your first class
  • Payment taken in class 
  • Cash or Check preferred
  • Credit cards taken only via PayPal, by special arrangement 

Current Session

Dates: January 7 - March 25  

Topic: Maqsum & Baladi  


This session we play with the most common rhythm, Maqsum (DT TD T), and the earthy Baladi rhythm (DD TD T). Learn movement layering techniques, combinations with zill practice, and a fun choreography. 

Folk dance: Armenian halay  

Please bring finger cymbals.

Please note: No class on March 11 



Next session: 

Dates: April 1 - June 24 

Topic: Chiftitelli  


Register

Download Registration Form

New Students: Please fill out Class Reg Form and Liability Waiver and bring to first class. 

(Note: Continuing students do not need to fill out a new form for a new session.)

ClassRegForm (pdf)

Download

Notes for New Students

Welcome to Dance Classes with Amanda!

We will have a great time exploring this beautiful artform and taking this cultural journey together! If you are new to Bellydance, the following information will help you prepare for your first class. If you have taken Bellydance but are new to Amanda's classes, this information will give you an idea of what to expect.

What to Wear:

Clothing: 

Comfortable, movable, breathable workout wear - preferably close-fitting so instructor can see body movements more clearly : 

  • yoga pants and leotard or t-shirt 
  • unitard
  • skirts or loose pants (harem pants or shalwar) are also okay

 

Shoes:
optional -- some students prefer bare feet -- but light ballet slippers or jazz shoes are very good to have, particularly for folk dance sections; also good are "Hermes" or "Grecian" sandals
 

Hip Scarf:

also optional, but fun to wear and very common in Bellydance classes
preferably without small beads as these often end up on the floor and will embed into bare feet (ouch!) 

What to Bring:

Finger Cymbals, AKA Zills or Sagat - 

available at Adira's Dance (Willow Glen)   [tell Adira Amanda says Hi!]
Amanda will also have a few sets to borrow


Props (e.g., veil, cane, etc.), if needed for the session topic  
OPTIONAL --> Amanda will have any relevant props available to borrow in class


Patience, Perserverance, and a Positive Attitude
You will discover muscles you did not know you had, develop new connections between mind and body, explore movement "isolations," and work toward "multi-tasking" body movements. Depending on your backgound and intensity of study, mastering basic Bellydance technique can take months or years, so be patient with yourself. Use only your personal progress as a metric. Every class has a range of abilities among the students, and each student progresses at her or his own pace, so celebrate your own breakthroughs as they come. And be sure to smile!
: - )

What to Expect:

In all classes, Amanda emphasizes understanding the rhythms and music of each style as the basis for expressive interpretation and improvisation. Her dance style is traditional, but often includes modern music and always a sense of fun. Amanda takes the teaching and learning of these beautiful dance forms very seriously. Her goals are to give each student a thorough grounding in dance technique, to provide an appreciation of the cultural context of the dances and music, and for each student to become comfortable with the movements, music, and rhythms -- and thereby, ultimately, be able to perform improvisationally. Just as important is that the student enjoys the learning experience, because above all, these dances are about Joy. Therefore, Amanda keeps the tone light and encourages smiling and projecting enjoyment even as students focus on difficult movements. So, let's work hard and have fun together! 

COVID Safety Protocols and Information

Safety Notice - Updated Jan. 2, 2023

.

Roundhill Studio Requirements

- Masks are no longer required to enter the studio.

In-Class Requirements

- Masks are recommended for all students, but are not required for fully-vaccinated attendees. However, if any student requests that attendees wear masks, Amanda will ask students to comply so that all students can feel safe in class. 

- Masks are required for un-vaccinated attendees. 

 

If you have any questions or concerns about these protocols, please contact Amanda. 

Karavansaray Dance Company Rehearsal

By Invitation Only

Rehearsal for members of Amanda's dance troupe, Karavansaray Dance Company, to prepare for troupe performances. Karavansaray presents traditional, folkloric, and classical dance styles from throughout the Near East: from North Africa, Egypt, the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula, the Balkans, Turkey, Armenia, Iran, and Central Asia. 

 

Prior dance experience is required. Company membership requires Director's approval, but Amanda welcomes inquiries from experienced dancers who seek performance opportunities in Near Eastern dance and who enjoy working within a troupe environment. Amanda's regular students also receive preference.

Karavansaray Dance Company members are expected to know the dances thoroughly prior to any performance, and the Company will focus on polishing performance pieces in rehearsal prior to any upcoming shows. Performers are also expected to attend weekly rehearsals to support everyone in the Company, to learn the continually expanding troupe repertoire, and to maintain performance readiness of the Company's existing dances. 
 

Rehearsal time: Tuesdays, 7:30pm-9pm + 9pm-9:30pm (special circumstances)
Location: studio in San Jose -- please contact Amanda for details
Rehearsal fees: $25/month (to help cover rehearsal space rental)

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