Classes
Mixed Level Belly Dance Fundamentals Class
Mondays: 8:30-9:30pm
Learn the basics of belly dance, posture, muscle development, foundation steps and an understanding of the music and basic musical interpretation. Class is open to all skill levels from beginner up. Students are encouraged to bring a dance notebook to class. Dress for comfort of movement.
Basics for Belly Dance (Level 1)
Tuesday: 6-7pm
Saturday: 12:30-2pm
This class is suitable for all levels of dancer. In this class we explore the basics for belly dance: posture, hip work, basic torso isolations, arms, basic dance steps and introduction to finger cymbals.
Dress for ease of movement.
Basics Level Up! for Belly Dance (Level 2)
Tuesday: 7:15-8:20pm
Connect the dots and expand. This class bridges the gap between beginning basics and intermediate level classes. Dancers who are ready to take their dance to the next level, but not feeling quite ready for intermediate class, this is the class for you. In Level 2 Basics, we will work on honing basic dance technique while introducing some more complex steps and shimmies. Dancers will also be introduced to simple dance improv concepts such as fades and turning the wheel.
Intermediate Belly Dance and Intro to Prop Work
Wednesday: 7:00-8:15pm
Moving beyond the basics, students explore the beauty of group improvisation, working in pairs, trios, quartets, and larger ensembles. While exploring more intricate dance steps, students also learn how to move these steps around the floor, how to cue changes in formation including fades, spirals and more. Students will continue to improve their finger cymbal playing and develop their musicality with regard to the dance. We also will regularly work with belly dance props in this class such as balancing props(baskets, swords, trays), veils, and more. Students encouraged to bring a dance notebook to class.
*Tribaret Combos- 5 week Session begins April 5th
instructor: Matt Elliott
Wednesdays 8:30pm
class drop-in $15
5-week session: $60
Monthy Unlimited Member session fee: $50
It's time to sweat, shimmy, shake and undulate!
This class will fuse the sassy, dramatic and dynamic style of classic Egyptian shaabi and cabaret dance with the core elements of Rakadu style tribal fusion. After living and dancing in NYC Matt Elliott began to dance with both tribal and cabaret belly dancers in NYC and began to develop combinations that fuse the two styles that honor the energetic pop and shaabi music of Egypt.
Come and enjoy the high energy fun of shaabi style movements! Be prepared to sweat it out! This class with work your mind, body and Egyptian soul through the focus of combos and lite choreography. Yallah habibi!
Developing the Dancer:stagecraft, choreography drills, performance scenarios, skills, and drills.
Thursdays 7:30-9(esque)pm
In this class, students refine their dance skills by drilling choreographies, observing, practicing different performance situations and learning how to adjust appropriately to fit the situation. Learn how to craft your presentation for nightclub verses stage presentation. This class is open to multiple skill levels.
Belly Aerobics
Tuesday: 6:30-8pm (the extended mix)
Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm
Ultra Fun workout class!! Energetic and lively, think Zumba but with belly dance and a few other surprises! This class is open to all skill levels. The class typically begins on the floor for stretching and conditioning and works itself into fun frenzy designed to build your dance stamina.
ATS® Level 2, Part I: Getting Fluent with the Language of ATS *Session begins Sept. 7th
Saturdays: 2:15 – 3:15 pm
In Level 1 we learned the foundational steps for ATS® - the basic vocabulary (slow and fast moves) and grammar (cues and formations). From this beginning, we now build our vocabulary and grammar and become more fluent with improvisation. By the end of Level 2, you will be ready for your first ATS® Flash Mob on October 14!
You are ready for this class if you have learned what Teresa calls “the four food groups”: Pivot bump/choo choo, Egyptian basic, Arabic step, and Shimmy step as well as Floreo, Arm undulations, Taxeem, and Bodywave. It also helps to know the duet, trio, and quartet formations and to have some practice with a chorus line. (Also, feel free to talk to myself or Teresa if you’re not sure if you’re ready for the class.)
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear something comfortable that will allow me to see your torso so that I can correct your posture. I also want to be able to see your feet, so yoga pants or pantaloons will work well. If you want to wear a skirt, I’ll show you how to tuck it up. A hip scarf is always fun. I also recommend wearing your hair up off your neck since we’ll spend a lot of time checking the neck and shoulders for cues and placement. Please bring your zils (finger cymbals) to every class.
TEACHER BIO - PAT HOWARD
I started belly dancing in 1975 with Lexington teacher and dancer, Judy Said. Since then, I’ve supplemented belly dancing with many other styles, including West African dances, Caribbean dances, contemporary, and tap dancing. In 1993, I left belly dancing to pursue my Ph.D. in Dance Anthropology, but returned in 2002 to discover that there was this new tribal style of belly dancing that I had missed! In 2006, I took two Tribal Pura workshops with Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman and Megha Gavin and was hooked! I bought all the videos sold at that time by Fat Chance Belly Dance and learned what I could; and I took a couple of workshops with Blue Lotus Tribal from Chicago. There is no substitute for a live teacher and other dancers to practice with, so I searched for an ATS® teacher and finally found Heidi Capps-Hayden in 2013, driving 4 hours in one day to take classes. After repeating Level 2 a couple of times, I started dancing with Heidi and Sevanti Tribal Belly Dance which was so awesome that I want to continue improvising with dancers in Lexington!
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW MUCH?
Level 2 Part I will run for 6 Saturdays (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14).
Class Rates:
The class is $60 for the 6 weeks or $15 for drop-in.
If you have a 5-class ($60) or 10-class ($95) punch card, you can use it for this class.
If you have a monthly unlimited card, there is a discount of $50 for the whole session.
Class Location:
Classes held at Mecca Studio, 3270 Nicholasville Rd. (inside Artistry in Motion Studio) Lexington, Ky.
*Indian Fusion Class: (reoccurring class, currently out of session)
class drop-in $15
5-week session: $60
Monthy Unlimited Member session fee: $50
We're gonna put a little Hindi spice into our belly dance! Drawing from dance influences of India, this class will explore mudras (hand gestures), the art of expression and acting (abinaya), a little bollywood, bhangra, and folkloric dances of Rajasthan and layer them with some common belly dance steps. Fun, expressive and energetic. Open to all skill levels.
Other Classes
African Hand Drumming w/Tripp Bratton-Tuesday evenings starting at 7:30pm at Living Arts and Science Center
Hawaiian Hula Classes
Happy Hour Hula-Fridays at 5:30pm (currently out of session)
-In this class students will explore the basics of Hawaiian Hula dance. We will dance both Kahiko (Ancient) and Auana (Modern) styles of Hula as well as explore a touch of Polynesian Tahitian Ote' style. The class will focus on the hands, foot positions, gestures, hip movements as well as the history behind each of the dances.
Flamenco: Rhythm and Intention -Elena Rodriguez (currently out of session)
This session will include the percussive aspect of Flamenco rhythms (compas), technique, and the projection of its passion through intention.
Open to all skill levels from beginners up.
About Elena:
Elena discovered Flamenco around the age of 11 when she attended a beginner level Baile Folklorico and Flamenco class with a friend while on a break from gymnastics. Toward the end of the hour, the instructor asked Elena to stay for the intermediate class that followed. Elena was made the youngest performing member of The Margo Torea Dance Company in Las Vegas, NV, at the age of 13. As she tended to have an aversion to counting steps and always danced by ear, Torea decided to remedy this by assigning her to begin instructing classes at the age of 16. Although the company required and included multiple styles of dance, Elena always showed an extra passion and ability for Flamenco, particularly Bulerias. While she studied with several instructors, Elena credits her mentors Margo Torea and Maria “Cha Cha” Bermudez with igniting and fanning what was a natural spark into a permanent flame.
Class Rates:
drop-in: $12
*Specialty Classes- $15 drop-in
5 class card: $60
10 class card: $95
(class cards expire 3 months from purchase) .
*Monthly Unlimited belly dance card- $70/month
Applicable to all regular belly dance classes excluding *Specialty Sessions & Workshops
Class Location:
All Classes held at Mecca Studio, 3270 Nicholasville Rd. (inside Artistry in Motion Studio) Lexington, Ky.
Mondays: 8:30-9:30pm
Learn the basics of belly dance, posture, muscle development, foundation steps and an understanding of the music and basic musical interpretation. Class is open to all skill levels from beginner up. Students are encouraged to bring a dance notebook to class. Dress for comfort of movement.
Basics for Belly Dance (Level 1)
Tuesday: 6-7pm
Saturday: 12:30-2pm
This class is suitable for all levels of dancer. In this class we explore the basics for belly dance: posture, hip work, basic torso isolations, arms, basic dance steps and introduction to finger cymbals.
Dress for ease of movement.
Basics Level Up! for Belly Dance (Level 2)
Tuesday: 7:15-8:20pm
Connect the dots and expand. This class bridges the gap between beginning basics and intermediate level classes. Dancers who are ready to take their dance to the next level, but not feeling quite ready for intermediate class, this is the class for you. In Level 2 Basics, we will work on honing basic dance technique while introducing some more complex steps and shimmies. Dancers will also be introduced to simple dance improv concepts such as fades and turning the wheel.
Intermediate Belly Dance and Intro to Prop Work
Wednesday: 7:00-8:15pm
Moving beyond the basics, students explore the beauty of group improvisation, working in pairs, trios, quartets, and larger ensembles. While exploring more intricate dance steps, students also learn how to move these steps around the floor, how to cue changes in formation including fades, spirals and more. Students will continue to improve their finger cymbal playing and develop their musicality with regard to the dance. We also will regularly work with belly dance props in this class such as balancing props(baskets, swords, trays), veils, and more. Students encouraged to bring a dance notebook to class.
*Tribaret Combos- 5 week Session begins April 5th
instructor: Matt Elliott
Wednesdays 8:30pm
class drop-in $15
5-week session: $60
Monthy Unlimited Member session fee: $50
It's time to sweat, shimmy, shake and undulate!
This class will fuse the sassy, dramatic and dynamic style of classic Egyptian shaabi and cabaret dance with the core elements of Rakadu style tribal fusion. After living and dancing in NYC Matt Elliott began to dance with both tribal and cabaret belly dancers in NYC and began to develop combinations that fuse the two styles that honor the energetic pop and shaabi music of Egypt.
Come and enjoy the high energy fun of shaabi style movements! Be prepared to sweat it out! This class with work your mind, body and Egyptian soul through the focus of combos and lite choreography. Yallah habibi!
Developing the Dancer:stagecraft, choreography drills, performance scenarios, skills, and drills.
Thursdays 7:30-9(esque)pm
In this class, students refine their dance skills by drilling choreographies, observing, practicing different performance situations and learning how to adjust appropriately to fit the situation. Learn how to craft your presentation for nightclub verses stage presentation. This class is open to multiple skill levels.
Belly Aerobics
Tuesday: 6:30-8pm (the extended mix)
Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm
Ultra Fun workout class!! Energetic and lively, think Zumba but with belly dance and a few other surprises! This class is open to all skill levels. The class typically begins on the floor for stretching and conditioning and works itself into fun frenzy designed to build your dance stamina.
ATS® Level 2, Part I: Getting Fluent with the Language of ATS *Session begins Sept. 7th
Saturdays: 2:15 – 3:15 pm
In Level 1 we learned the foundational steps for ATS® - the basic vocabulary (slow and fast moves) and grammar (cues and formations). From this beginning, we now build our vocabulary and grammar and become more fluent with improvisation. By the end of Level 2, you will be ready for your first ATS® Flash Mob on October 14!
You are ready for this class if you have learned what Teresa calls “the four food groups”: Pivot bump/choo choo, Egyptian basic, Arabic step, and Shimmy step as well as Floreo, Arm undulations, Taxeem, and Bodywave. It also helps to know the duet, trio, and quartet formations and to have some practice with a chorus line. (Also, feel free to talk to myself or Teresa if you’re not sure if you’re ready for the class.)
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear something comfortable that will allow me to see your torso so that I can correct your posture. I also want to be able to see your feet, so yoga pants or pantaloons will work well. If you want to wear a skirt, I’ll show you how to tuck it up. A hip scarf is always fun. I also recommend wearing your hair up off your neck since we’ll spend a lot of time checking the neck and shoulders for cues and placement. Please bring your zils (finger cymbals) to every class.
TEACHER BIO - PAT HOWARD
I started belly dancing in 1975 with Lexington teacher and dancer, Judy Said. Since then, I’ve supplemented belly dancing with many other styles, including West African dances, Caribbean dances, contemporary, and tap dancing. In 1993, I left belly dancing to pursue my Ph.D. in Dance Anthropology, but returned in 2002 to discover that there was this new tribal style of belly dancing that I had missed! In 2006, I took two Tribal Pura workshops with Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman and Megha Gavin and was hooked! I bought all the videos sold at that time by Fat Chance Belly Dance and learned what I could; and I took a couple of workshops with Blue Lotus Tribal from Chicago. There is no substitute for a live teacher and other dancers to practice with, so I searched for an ATS® teacher and finally found Heidi Capps-Hayden in 2013, driving 4 hours in one day to take classes. After repeating Level 2 a couple of times, I started dancing with Heidi and Sevanti Tribal Belly Dance which was so awesome that I want to continue improvising with dancers in Lexington!
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW MUCH?
Level 2 Part I will run for 6 Saturdays (Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14).
Class Rates:
The class is $60 for the 6 weeks or $15 for drop-in.
If you have a 5-class ($60) or 10-class ($95) punch card, you can use it for this class.
If you have a monthly unlimited card, there is a discount of $50 for the whole session.
Class Location:
Classes held at Mecca Studio, 3270 Nicholasville Rd. (inside Artistry in Motion Studio) Lexington, Ky.
*Indian Fusion Class: (reoccurring class, currently out of session)
class drop-in $15
5-week session: $60
Monthy Unlimited Member session fee: $50
We're gonna put a little Hindi spice into our belly dance! Drawing from dance influences of India, this class will explore mudras (hand gestures), the art of expression and acting (abinaya), a little bollywood, bhangra, and folkloric dances of Rajasthan and layer them with some common belly dance steps. Fun, expressive and energetic. Open to all skill levels.
Other Classes
African Hand Drumming w/Tripp Bratton-Tuesday evenings starting at 7:30pm at Living Arts and Science Center
Hawaiian Hula Classes
Happy Hour Hula-Fridays at 5:30pm (currently out of session)
-In this class students will explore the basics of Hawaiian Hula dance. We will dance both Kahiko (Ancient) and Auana (Modern) styles of Hula as well as explore a touch of Polynesian Tahitian Ote' style. The class will focus on the hands, foot positions, gestures, hip movements as well as the history behind each of the dances.
Flamenco: Rhythm and Intention -Elena Rodriguez (currently out of session)
This session will include the percussive aspect of Flamenco rhythms (compas), technique, and the projection of its passion through intention.
Open to all skill levels from beginners up.
About Elena:
Elena discovered Flamenco around the age of 11 when she attended a beginner level Baile Folklorico and Flamenco class with a friend while on a break from gymnastics. Toward the end of the hour, the instructor asked Elena to stay for the intermediate class that followed. Elena was made the youngest performing member of The Margo Torea Dance Company in Las Vegas, NV, at the age of 13. As she tended to have an aversion to counting steps and always danced by ear, Torea decided to remedy this by assigning her to begin instructing classes at the age of 16. Although the company required and included multiple styles of dance, Elena always showed an extra passion and ability for Flamenco, particularly Bulerias. While she studied with several instructors, Elena credits her mentors Margo Torea and Maria “Cha Cha” Bermudez with igniting and fanning what was a natural spark into a permanent flame.
Class Rates:
drop-in: $12
*Specialty Classes- $15 drop-in
5 class card: $60
10 class card: $95
(class cards expire 3 months from purchase) .
*Monthly Unlimited belly dance card- $70/month
Applicable to all regular belly dance classes excluding *Specialty Sessions & Workshops
Class Location:
All Classes held at Mecca Studio, 3270 Nicholasville Rd. (inside Artistry in Motion Studio) Lexington, Ky.