Middle Eastern/North African Dance (Belly Dance) Classes
~Photographs by John McCarthy
Explore an exciting and ancient art form that traditionally adorns celebrations in North Africa and the Middle East, and today is performed worldwide. Technique depends on fine muscle control of the torso, arms, and hips, and on the interpretation of intricate music. Men ARE welcome! (Yes, men DO belly dance -- click here!) To learn about the benefits of studying belly dance, click here.
The Beginning and Advanced Beginning Classes focus on the foundation movements common to all styles of North African/Middle Eastern Dance. Veil work is also taught as well as beginning rhythm identification. In the Intermediate/Advanced class, more advanced movements, drum solo, and finger cymbals are taught as well as various folkloric/ethnic dance styles. Improvisational dance skills are also developed. Students need a year of regular Middle Eastern dance study and practice at home before the Intermediate/Advanced class.
A major emphasis in all classes is the cultural context of this dance form and in HAVING FUN!
Students wishing to enroll in Advanced Beginning must have completed at least one session of Beginning (not counting the abbreviated Summer Session) and have proficiency in the movements taught, or have the instructor's permission. Students wishing to enroll in Intermediate/Advanced must have completed two consecutive sessions of Advanced Beginning and have proficiency in the movements taught. Intermediate/Advanced students are required to have finger cymbals which may be purchased from the instructor at the first class for $20.
During some sessions, choreography for performance will be taught in the Beginning, Advanced Beginning
and Intermediate/Advanced Classes. All the choreographies I teach are my own
creations. Student performance opportunities are available throughout the year.
See Calendar.
Due to the current popularity of this dance form, classes will
fill up quickly. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, I highly recommend preregistration. See
Gaithersburg, MD Classes
See Rockville, MD Classes
Here is what some former and current students had to say:
| “I have taken belly dance classes with 3 other instructors and you are the best! You teach us how to dance,
not just the movements.” —Andrea
|
| “Amara really loves what she does and it shows.”
|
| “Thanks for making learning so much fun.
You are the best teacher I've ever had.” —Shahnaz
|
| “Amara is incredibly talented and
accessible as a teacher. She's fun, funny, and patient and did a wonderful job
of emphasizing cultural aspects of dance and of educating us about the tradition behind the dance.”
—Erin
|
| “You are inspirational to me and you give
me confidence to explore a side of me that I never knew existed!”
—Maureen
|
| “Amara turned off most of the lights in
the studio; our backs were turned away from each other, and she
confidently says, 'Ladies, use what I have taught you with your veils, and
make it yours.' Amara's class is empowering, and serves as a healthy
outlet for me to stay balanced in such a world, filled with so many twists
and turns. I am a motivational speaker for girls, and it is important for
me to strive to live out the virtues, and express myself passionately
daily. Amara is a great example of this philosophy. “Creative, classy, down to earth, smart and fun to be around is how I would describe my teacher Amara. She not only teaches us students how to belly dance, but how to dance respectfully and passionately as women. Her spirit is a burst of sunshine that is well grounded in the here and now, and she exudes inner and outer beauty while instructing and dancing. Amara has the gift of breaking down complex belly dance moves so that even a novice can understand. “Amara is truly a master teacher of the art of belly dance, and her class is truly a treat worth indulging.” —Skye
|
| “I was drawn to belly dance because my
daughter was interested and I thought it would be a great workout for the
abs and fun too (it is). Amara makes almost everything seem easy, and is
very encouraging to the student dancer. You're really dancing almost
immediately. She is great at breaking down difficult steps. She showcases
the folkloric aspects, and also teaches zills. Performance opportunities
are low-key and friendly. I especially remember some wonderful classes
when her musician friends joined us. She is energetic in her efforts to
promote Middle Eastern dance in the local area. I was thrilled to catch
her recently on the Fox 5 Morning News, teaching a Tunisian dance step to
the Bellydance Superstars. I also saw her at the Takoma Park Folk
Festival, where she taught some Bandari and debke steps in the heat.”
—Peggy
|
| “Since I have been a little girl, I have
always wanted to learn to bellydance — the women looked so beautiful in
their costumes. In 2002, I met Amara and El Naar at the Montgomery County
Women's Fair. They were giving a two-hour bellydance class; I never
sweated so much in my life and it was actually fun! I had finally found my
teachers after 35 years. “I am now an intermediate bellydance student taking classes at the Casey Community Center in Gaithersburg, MD. When my time permits, I like taking two classes back to back like advanced beginning and intermediate classes, or Amara's 1.5 hour intermediate class. It seems like I have really loosened up my desk/computer job muscles after an hour and want to continue. “I took the classes to learn to dance. I found I learned much more than just bellydance movements. In Amara's class, we learned fun Turkish movements and she always teaches an ethnic dance for one class, so we feel even more well-rounded as Middle Eastern dance students. She also invites guests, her friends, who come for an evening to share their drum skills with us, so we can dance to live music. “El Naar and Amara are wonderful teachers of bellydance and of life.” —Claire
|
| “With my daughter extolling the fun of her
belly dancing class with Amara, and a class five minutes from my office at
the time I usually leave for home, what excuse did I have for not trying?
At first, my under-exercised body, with six decades+ of mileage and
chronic back problems, wasn't thrilled. And my ego didn't particularly
like comparing myself to the other "girls" — most about half my age. But
the chuckles Amara elicited with her depictions of "sexy girl," the "I
gotta p..." position, and "hiding the goodies" (by keeping our legs
together) soon made us a CLASS and not just a bunch of students. With a
Guy (yes, really, and he's great!) in the class as added interest, Amara
had the opportunity to put special emphasis on the background of Middle
Eastern dance, and its cultural roots — and to point out how to make a
movement feminine or masculine. Only not fair factor? Too busy doing hip
thrusts ourselves to get to enjoy watching her! "Now into our third class together, we've laughed a lot, learned a lot, shed some sweat, and have begun to think maybe, just maybe, we're ready to shimmy for a more active audience than the mirrors. Best thing I've done for myself in years. Thanks, Amara, for making Thursday fun!” —Roseanne
|
| “I signed up for this class just for fun
and I was greatly surprised by the great quality of teaching. Amara is a
wonderful teacher who makes it fun to learn without losing the discipline
and technique. She has definitely transmitted her love for dancing and
I'll attend and recommend her classes. Thanks, Amara!” —Chantal
|
Classes are held on Tuesday evenings at the
Lakelands Park Middle School dance studio and on Wednesday and Thursday evenings
at the Casey Community Center dance studio.
Lakelands Park Middle School is located at 1200 Main Street, off of Lakelands
Drive. Casey Community Center is located at 810 South
Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, near the intersection of Frederick Avenue
(route 355) and Shady Grove Road with easy access to routes 370 and 270. Please
note that the City of Gaithersburg requires that students be at least 16 years
of age. Also, unfortunately, no child care is available. Class registration is
through the City of Gaithersburg's Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Ways to register:
1. To download a registration form, please
CLICK HERE.
Mail this form with payment to: City of Gaithersburg, 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
2. You can register in person at the Bohrer Park Activity Center located adjacent to Gaithersburg High School at 506 South Frederick Avenue.
3. You can fax the registration form with your credit card number to 301-948-8364.
4. You can also register online with a credit card by
CLICKING HERE.
If you contact me with your mailing address, I will be happy to mail you a registration form.
Gaithersburg resident registration starts June 8th and non-resident registration starts June 10th.
Tuesday classes are taught by Ananke.
If you have questions regarding Ananke's classes, you may email her at anankedance@comcast.net.
| Beginning (Class is full!) | 7:30 - 8:30pm |
|
Start: |
June 23rd |
|
End: |
July 28th |
|
Session Length: |
6 weeks |
|
Location: |
Lakelands Park Middle School -- 1200 Main Street, Gaithersburg |
|
Session Cost: |
Gaithersburg residents - $51/6
weeks |
Wednesday classes are taught by El Naar Haninah. I am taking the summer off, but will return to teaching in the fall.
If you have questions regarding El Naar's classes, you may contact her at 301-977-3040 or by email at elnaar@yahoo.com.
| Beginning (Class is full!) | 7:00 - 8:00pm |
| Advanced Beginning | 8:00 - 9:00pm |
|
Start: |
July 1st |
|
End: |
August 12th |
|
No Classes: |
August 5th |
|
Session Length: |
6 weeks |
|
Location: |
Casey Community Center -- 810 South Frederick Avenue |
| Session Cost: |
Gaithersburg residents - $51/6 weeks Non-Gaithersburg residents - $58/6 weeks |
Thursday classes are taught by El Naar Haninah.
If you have questions regarding El Naar's classes, you may contact her at 301-977-3040 or by email at elnaar@yahoo.com.
| Beginning | 6:30 - 7:30pm |
| Intermediate | 7:30 - 9:00pm |
|
Start: |
July 2nd |
|
End: |
August 13th |
|
No Classes: |
August 6th |
|
Session Length: |
6 weeks |
|
Location: |
Casey Community Center -- 810 South Frederick Avenue |
|
Session Cost: |
|
Gaithersburg residents |
Non-residents |
|
|
1 hour class |
$51/6 weeks |
$58/6 weeks |
|
|
1.5 hour class |
$75/6 weeks |
$82/6 weeks |
After teaching regular, weekly classes in Rockville for 6 years, I have decided to take a leave of absence to explore other interests. I will still continue to teach Wednesday evenings in Gaithersburg.
 |
|
Students in Amara's Advanced Beginning class after performing at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. |
 |
Back row: Mirage, Chanya, Basané and Basmah. Front row: Amara and Mathias. |