Middle Eastern Dance, Music, and Cultural Studies
Curriculum-based Exploration

Overview: The curriculum program is geared for students dedicated to the study of Middle Eastern Dance as an art form, including individuals who aspire to a professional level and those currently performing or teaching Middle Eastern or other belly dance styles. The program aims to help students develop all of their talents by tapping into their mental, creative, artistic and physical potential, for the purpose of personal advancement, artistic enrichment and professional development. Through the structured exploration of a comprehensive curriculum, participants have the opportunity to enhance and enrich their personal and professional lives. While the program is goal oriented, it is highly individualized and meant to be a journey of experiences and adventures in discovery, exploration, and challenges on the way to realizing those goals.

Curriculum: The curriculum, which includes coursework in dance technique, music study and performance skills, is presented in trimesters similar to an academic school year. Although much of the program content is covered in one academic year, the rate and sequence in which participants reach each of the curriculum goals and objectives will vary greatly based on individual strengths and areas of development. In general, within the first four to six months of their dance studies most students find at least one area of strength which they can develop or advance relatively quickly. Most students will find at least one or two areas in which they find extremely challenging and require additional guidance and practice in order to fully develop and grow.
Participants in the program will be encouraged to build a portfolio documenting their achievements and personal growth throughout their experience in the program, as well as beyond. In addition, students invited into the program will have opportunities to learn from notable guest instructors and speakers, present their work to select audiences, receive positive and constructive feedback from instructors and classmates, and participate in special community events. At the end of each trimester, scored tests will be given that measure knowledge. Developmental evaluations will measure skills in technique and concepts.

While these assessments will be used to track each student’s knowledge, skills and progress, at this time participation in the curriculum program does not grant certification or a diploma.

Requirements: Candidates for the program must be Mosaïque members, at least 18 years of age, and successfully complete a minimum of one session of Middle Eastern dance classes at Mosaïque prior to applying to the program. This program is not for everyone. In order to be successful in the program, a significant commitment of time and effort is required. Only individuals sincerely dedicated to developing the skills, knowledge and concepts of the curriculum should apply. Once invited into the program, candidates must enroll in the following Mosaïque classes every trimester in which they participate in the program.
• Egyptian Dance Technique & Performance, OR
• Persian Dance Technique & Performance, AND
• Middle Eastern Music Education
• One other technique or fitness based class
• Candidates are expected to participate in additional Mosaïque classes, Specialty and Intensive workshops as their schedule permits

Application and Fees: While the program is open to all levels of ability and experience, space is limited. In order to give exclusive attention to each individual and provide a quality and personalized experience for all participants, the number of candidates invited to participate each trimester will be determined by available resources. The application process helps candidates determine if the program is right for them at this juncture, and helps the instructor design activities and lessons which will benefit the group based on their needs, goals and desired level of achievement. The application requires a basic skills assessment and evaluation, and a written statement of goals. An artist statement is also acceptable.

Tuition includes access to all weekly classes, Specialty and Intensive workshops, materials (books, CDs, etc), plus private and group mentoring sessions and consultations. Tuition is $390/trimester and can be paid $130/month. If paid in advance the fee is reduced to $320/trimester. If using Paypal, add 3% to each payment. The fee includes:
 Trimester Pass to all Mosaïque classes
 Materials - books, CD’s, etc.
 Workshops - at least one Specialty or Intensive offered each trimester
 One private session with Katayoun
 One group session with Katayoun and other participants
 Guest Experts - every effort is made to bring at least one instructor or speaker per trimester

Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. A partial refund or credit is available in extreme or extenuating circumstances.

Curriculum Goals

Course work includes dance technique in Egyptian/Arabic classical, modern and folkloric dance, Persian classical, modern and folkloric dance, plus study of music and dance styles, instruments and rhythms. Cultural context and language vocabulary are integrated where appropriate and relevant. Students will be expected to complete homework assignments and present their work in class. Students may also have opportunities to collaborate on projects.

• Gain a strong foundation and confidence in proper dance technique for continued progress
• Explore and study a diverse repertoire of stylistic and ethnic dance forms and develop working knowledge of various flavors of Middle Eastern dance, music and culture
• Become confident in independently exploring Middle Eastern music and rhythms, origins/purpose, corresponding movements and finger cymbal techniques
• Realize a vision of own dance style and strive to fulfill it
• Apply and modify course material independently to perform with artistry, showmanship, and musicality as a soloist and as part of a group
• Develop a critical eye for detail in others’ performances and continue to seek technical sophistication and precision
• Confidently create and perform sophisticated choreography and improvisational dances as a soloist
• Become confident and capable of promoting Middle Eastern dance as a sophisticated art form on and off the stage, and project image of self and colleagues as professionals and artists

Themes & Objectives

Elements of Movement
It is expected that students will use the elements of movement (body, space, time, dynamics, and relationship) with increasing degrees of refinement, complexity, and variety.
It is expected that students will:
• Demonstrate dance techniques specific to Near Eastern Dances
• Apply principles of movement (alignment, balance, breathing, flexibility, strength) to dance
• Apply principles of fitness, health, and safety to dance
• Use elements of movement in a variety of combinations, as appropriate to the given genre or purpose

Creation and Composition
It is expected that students will use the creative process of exploration, selection, combination, refinement, and reflection to compose movement sequences and dances.
It is expected that students will:
• Create movement in response to the expressive elements of sound and music
• Transform a given dance sequence for a specific purpose
• Choreograph a movement sequence for a variety of environments and purposes
• Apply the creative process to revise and refine dance

Presentation and Performance
It is expected that students will participate in the presentation and performance of dance.
It is expected that students will:
• Rehearse and perform dance for a specific environment
• Demonstrate dance movements in the appropriate style for the chosen genre or choreography
• Demonstrate skills and attitudes appropriate to a range of dance experiences as performer, participant, and audience, demonstrating:
o An awareness of a sense of community
o Audience and performer etiquette
o Performance skills
o Respect for others' contributions
o Use established criteria to analyze the work of self and others
o Professional Ethics and standards

Dance and Society
It is expected that students will demonstrate a growing awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the histories, diversities, roles, and influences of dance within Middle Eastern/Arab society as well as American innovations and attitudes.
It is expected that students will:
• Analyze dances of a variety of Near Eastern cultures, considering elements of movement, historical and social context, and use of music and stagecraft
• Describe the purposes of dance in various cultures
• Analyze roles in dance (e.g., of gender, status, age)
• Identify personal and career opportunities in dance (occupation, recreation, entertainment)

Skills and Standards

 A beginner dancer seeks more experience, reinforcement and repetition in order to master the foundation material, i.e.: posture/stance, basic movements, basic steps, learning choreography/combinations, basic veil techniques, basic finger cymbal techniques/rhythms, and a general understanding of cultural historical context of Middle Eastern Dance; discovering a variety of styles and cultures associated with Oriental/Middle Eastern dance.
 An intermediate dancer has successfully internalized and properly executes the foundation material; eager to learn more complex combinations of movements/steps and choreography; aware of and actively explores a variety of dance styles within the movement vocabulary of Middle Eastern/North African dance.
 An advanced dancer has mastered the foundation material; able to apply and modify the class material independently to perform successfully as a soloist; welcomes the experience to improvise and explore in a structured setting; continually seeks technical sophistication and precision; pursues knowledge and practice of a diverse repertoire of stylistic and ethnic dance forms; aware of professional standards and ethics.
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To apply to the Curriculum Program in Middle Eastern Dance, Music and Cultural Studies:
Step 1. Become a member of Mosaïque and enroll in a class. Your class fee may include membership in Mosaïque.
Step 2. Upon completion of your first session of classes, reflect on your experience and your goals, then consider the curriculum program.
Step 3. Request an application and send the completed forms and goals statement to katayoundance@hotmail.com before the deadline for the trimester you wish to begin the program.
Application deadlines are:
Dec 10, 2009 for winter 2010, Jan-Mar
Mar 5, 2010 for spring 2010, Apr-Jun
Aug 20, 2010 for fall 2010, Sept-Nov

Returning candidates may re-apply to the program for any trimester they wish to participate again. Returning candidates may be extended priority invitation if their assessments reflect progress and effort toward achieving personal and curriculum goals.

All prospective and returning candidates are invited to a casual meeting for more information and feedback.