ok, cheesy title - my beginning classes are filling and rolling along wonderfully, but I need a few more experienced dancers to take a chance on my advanced classes. I know I'm fairly new to Baltimore, but I'm not new to belly dance. I've choreographed award winning routines for my former troupe, I've helped people get past just doing the moves to really starting to understand the music and the culture behind belly dance. Here is what one of my former students had to say about my classes:

"Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your class. I took BD for 10 years from an teacher (and well know performer) in Texas who's method of teaching was either drills or strict choreographies. She is excellent and I learned the basic, however, something has always been missing. Although I am a soloist performer, I've never felt confident about my dancing.Anyway, I finally feel like I am learning how to perform, with feeling, knowledge and from the inside. Thanks."

This session my advanced "Musicality & Technique" class as well as my "Belly Dance Essentials" class will be focusing on Shaabi, Baladi and Al Jeel. Come on and check it out. I'll be addressing a new focus topic every couple of sessions (the schedule will soon be posted on my website) to help my students to become well rounded and very knowledgeable dancers. Here are the details:

www.shemsdance.com/classes/classes.htm

Ongoing Weekly Classes at Baltimore's Harbor East MAC
You will love the friendly staff and the luxurious studios, wonderfully suited to bringing out your inner dancer. I want to take you on a dance journey to discover the depth and richness of Middle Eastern Belly Dance. Shems' class offerings will be expanded over time to give you the opportunity to study a full and diverse curriculum, allowing you to reach the highest level that you desire.

Location:
Harbor East MAC
655 President Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410.625.5000

Next Session Starts May 20th - Intro to Belly Dance - Tuesdays at 7:15 pm
This class will introduce basic belly dance vocabulary, isolations and musical phrases. There will be some cultural background given and a simple choreography will by taught. Special attention will be paid to proper body alignment, and clean execution of movements. Open to all levels. Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15.

Next Session Starts May 20th - Belly Dance Essentials - Tuesdays at 8:15 pm
This class will build on basic belly dance vocabulary covered in "Intro to Belly Dance", introduce more difficult techniques and explore musicality more deeply. Various special focus topics will be covered. This class is meant to be taken continuously for about a year. Open to all levels, Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15.

Next Session Starts May 21th - Sunrise Belly Dance -Wednesdays at 7:00 am
Utilizing belly dance movement, this class is a gentle and energizing workout to give you an invigorating dancing start to your day. Open to all levels, free for MAC members, drop in rate is $5 non-members.

Next Session Starts May 22nd - Fundamentals of Performance Quality Movement (aka Belly Dance Fundamentals) - Thursdays at 7:15 pm
This class will cover basic belly dance technique with special attention to the details, such as posture, arms, feet, head & body angles. Music, rhythms and culture will be discussed. Open to all levels, but will be a little more challenging to the novice than the Intro to Belly Dance class. This class is encouraged for experienced belly dancers who want to deepen and refine their movement quality and polish or to dancers who have studied with other teachers and would like a primer on Shems technique to better prepare them for Shems' more advanced classes. Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15.

Next Session Starts May 22nd - Technique & Musicality - Thursdays at 8:15 pm
Steps & movements are taught built into musical phrases. Focusing on building both dance vocabulary and musical connection, this class will also delve into transitions between movements, rhythms & cultural context. Previous belly dance experience required. Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for nonmembers Drop in with teacher approval only.
www.shemsdance.com/classes/classes.htm