Class Descriptions

Shems’ class offerings will adjust and expand over time to give you the opportunity to study a full and diverse curriculum, allowing you to reach the highest level that you desire.

Belly Dance Basics

Belly Dance Basics introduces and drills foundational belly dance vocabulary, body isolations, posture, movement articulation and body lines. There is some cultural background given. Special attention will be paid to proper body alignment, and clean execution of movements. This is the class you should start with if you are brand new to belly dance. It is recommended you continue to repeat this class until you have a good mastery of your basic belly dance movements and isolations. This is also a good refresher for more advanced dancers to practice and drill their basic movements and put extra work into improving the details. Open to all levels, drop ins welcome.

Belly Dance Essentials

Building on basic belly dance vocabulary covered in “Belly Dance Basics”, essentials introduces more difficult techniques and explores musicality more deeply. It also delves into props. Finger Cymbals, Sword, Veil and Various special focus topics will be covered. This class is meant to be taken continuously for about a year and revisited as often as the topics interest you. Pre-req Belly Dance Basics. Drop ins with approval only.

Technique & Musicality

Steps & movements are taught, built into musical phrases. Focusing on building both dance vocabulary and musical connection, this class will delve into complex technique, layering, transitions between movements, rhythms, dance building, improvisation, and cultural context. Previous belly dance experience required, this is an advanced class. This class will be continually introducing new material and is meant to be repeated in an ongoing fashion. Pre-req Teacher Approval. Drop ins with approval only.