Classes

      Summer Session '08

All classes are instructed by Jamila Zahran. and will continue for six weeks.  Please note that classes must have a preregistration of at least five students who are paying for the entire session (may be made in two payments) in order to be offered. PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO LACK OF SUFFICIENT ENROLLMENT THE START DATE OF SPANISH DANCE CLASS AS BEEN POSTPONED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE SUBMIT A REGISTRATION FORM AND AS SOON AS NUMBERS ALLOW, I WILL BEGIN THE CLASS. WE HAVE THREE SIGNED UP FOR THE THURSDAY, BEGINNING MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE CLASS AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS SOON. I WILL LET YOU KNOW ON WEDNESDAY IF THE CLASS IS GOING TO "MAKE" ON JULY 3rd; IF NOT AGAIN CLASS START DATE WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL SUFFICIENT PRE-REGISTRATIONS COME IN.

Please see specific info below or for further info, please contact jamilaz1@aol.com.

Class Descriptions     Instructors     Pertinent Class Info     Online Registration Form    

THE ART OF MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE

Class Descriptions:   

General-Middle Eastern Dance classes focusing on women's dances of the Near, Middle East and North Africa including folkloric movements and their translation to Raks Sharki/Danse Orientale (belly dance). Minimum age is 15 (with accompanying adult and consent of instructor)- females only, please.

• Beginning  class will include an introduction to the art of Middle Eastern dance, stressing such concepts as correct body stance, basic undulatory, hip/percussive movements and traveling steps.  Students who have eight weeks or less of Middle Eastern dance class will benefit from this level. All classes will begin with full body warm-up to prevent injury and a cool down or slower movements at end of class. 
• Continuing  class is for students who have had at least eight weeks of classes and have mastered the basic steps of Middle Eastern Dance as given in Beginning  classes. This class will focus on developing use of basic zill patterns and continue through reinforcing  your skills in repertoire of movements and finish with step combinations and choreography.
• Private Dance Classes in Middle Eastern and Spanish dance  will consist of material personalized to individual student including general technique, specialized forms and choreography.

Spanish Dance classes focusing on dances of Spain. This is NOT a salsa class but rather will focus on  basic information about flamenco-culture, beginning flamenco "palos"-steps; "braseo"-arm work;  "palmas"-hand clapping; castanets; and some basic choreography. This class would help dancers develop the "character" for Spanish variations in ballet, theatre, etc. or would introduce the student to the exciting world of flamenco dance.

Instructors :All classes instructed by Sandra Hanes/Jamila Zahran unless otherwise noted.  Jamila has been studying and performing Middle Eastern dance since the late 70's and is a charter member of MEDSOK. Her major style is Egyptian style Raks Sharki though she also has experience in a number of other sub-forms of the dance such as Saidi, Khaleeghee, Nubian, etc. Ms. Hanes has studied Spanish dance since the late 70's and was a member of Ballet Español for over 15 years, studied with masters in the field during that time and is currently continuing her training at various workshops.  References available upon request.  E-mail address - jamilaz1@aol.com    

Pertinent Info

Beginning/Cont. I MED Class: For first meeting, if you have not previously registered please arrive 15 minutes early in order to do so.  If arriving late please take a position in the back of the class. If taking Cont. I class, please bring zills/sagat (finger cymbals) and veil to class.  A minimum of at least five students must sign up for full session and must pre-register for this class to be offered .