Colorful Happenings

Mosaïque News: August 2010

Greetings!

The summer session is wrapping up nicely! As we finish our specialty workshops we put all the concepts from our class material into a Drum Solo Workshop this Sunday August 22. Let me know if you'd like to register for this class, there are still a few spots open.
For all new and returning students of dance, we will have Intro to Belly Dance and Intro to Persian Dance on Sunday Aug. 29. Email me for details if you did not receive the original notice in your inbox.
The fall 2010 schedule is confirmed for the most part. The second session of Tuesday classes will be confirmed in early October. Check the schedule and registration page for updates and changes.
In the coming weeks, like many of you, I will be pre-occupied with back-to-school preparations and activities…preparing my children (both in high school now…yikes!) and myself to return to the classroom. I do my spring cleaning in late summer. Out with the old, in with the new as we get organized and ready to start school again with a clean slate
The obstacles and challenges we overcame last year have given us new strength and a fresh perspective.

Whether you are a parent, teacher or student, I wish you a wonderful start to a great new year. And remember, regardless of the new challenges that await us this school year, we will be stronger and smarter when we overcome them.

Sincerely,

Katayoun

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Fall Course Offerings: Class Descriptions 
As you review the class descriptions below, remember your feedback and questions are welcome and appreciated. If you need clarification or additional information about classes and programs, please feel free to call (571)283-9494 or email.

Middle Eastern Dance Technique & Artistry

Beginner Level: Posture, Alignment, Isolations, Movements, and Steps - Perfect for absolute beginners and those with less than six months experience. Most students will benefit from and enjoy this class for up to one year or more. You will be introduced to the basic concepts, movements and steps of Egyptian and Persian dance styles and develop a working movement vocabulary. You will learn about various styles of Oriental (belly dance), folklore and Persian dances.
Six components of fundamental dance skills are developed over three 6 or 8 week sessions:
1)Posture/Alignment, 2)Footwork/weight distribution, 3)Vertical hip movements, 4)Horizontal hip movements, 5)Steps/transitions/turns, 6)Coordinating arms/hands.

Each class begins with a detailed warm-up and drills of basic movements. While the focus of instruction is on proper technique, additional concepts such as music interpretation, cultural information and performance dynamics are integrated where appropriate. Activities include drills, choreographed sequences and exploring stylistic variations. Throughout the course it is expected that students will become more proficient and confident in the basic movements and steps.

Intermediate/Advanced Level: Multi-dimensional movement, Fluidity, Precision and Infinite Variations!
Dancers with six+ months experience and intermediate to advanced dancers will develop an expanded and sophisticated movement vocabulary. This class is designed to be challenging. Although some basics are reviewed in each class, the course progresses with increasing difficulty. The curriculum includes movements and concepts from Oriental (belly dance), folklore and Persian dances.

Each session will focus on one of ten possible topics or themes:
1)Shimmies, 2)Circles, 3)Figure 8's and undulations, 4)Folkloric flavors, 5)Baladi and taqsim, 6)Traveling, turns and transitions, 7)Upper body, 8)Essential Egyptian steps, 9)Melody and movement, 10)Rhythm and movement.

While the focus of instruction is on proper technique, additional concepts such as music interpretation, cultural information and performance dynamics are integrated where appropriate. Variations are developed from the basic movements and progress to increasingly more sophisticated combinations. Activities include drills, choreographed sequences and exploring stylistic variations.

Each week combinations are reviewed and new ones added. As the weeks progress, the combinations culminate in a series of short choreographed sequences which can be used as a springboard for full choreographic works.

Mixed Level - All concepts, movements and steps presented in this class include basic and challenging variations as determined by the median ability of the class. However, it is NOT recommended for absolute beginners. If you are brand new to dance or to Middle Eastern dance as a performing art, start with the Beginner Level class.

Persian Dance Technique & Performance Skills

Persian dance styles are characterized by upper body fluidity, intricate floor patterns and expressive movements. In this class you will become familiar with the diverse dance styles of Iran, the country formerly known as Persia. From the funky and playful social dances to the fiery regional folk dance, Bandari!
Each class begins with classical postures and poses which develop the fluidity and flexibility required for the graceful nature of these dance forms. As you practice and improve this deceptively simple technique, you will develop solo performance skills in capturing the essence of Persian dance on stage. Technique drills, structured improvisation and choreographic sequences are an integral part of the course. Ballet shoes required.