Teressa-Belly Dance Artist in Toronto

Belly Dance Classes

Teressa’s classes are invigorating and fun for all ages! Each class begins with an energetic warm-up and conditioning routine, followed by movement and technique practice, putting it all together in a fun bellydance routine, and finally, a cool-down and stretch. Teressa is certified Level II in Hadia’s Middle Eastern Dance Instructor Training course, and has extensive education and knowledge in anatomy and physical precautions in teaching movement.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: Fall 2010

ClassDay/TimeLocation
Beginner BellydanceSundays, 11:00 – 12:00 pm
Sept. 12 – Nov. 7 (No class Sept. 26/Oct. 10
Dance Fusion
Beginner BellydanceMondays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Sept. 13 – Nov. 8 (No class Oct. 11/25)
Star
Beginner BellydanceThursdays, 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Sept. 16 – Nov. 11 (No class Oct. 14)
Star
Upper Beginner BellydanceThursdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sept. 16 – Nov. 11 (No class Oct. 14)
Star
Intermediate BellydanceSundays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Sept. 12 – Nov. 7 (No class Sept. 26/Oct. 10)
Dance Fusion
Intermediate BellydanceMondays, 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Sept. 13 – Nov. 8 (No class Oct. 11/25)
Star
Middle Eastern Folkloric Dances (Port Said)Mondays, 8:30 – 9:30 pm
Sept. 13 – Nov. 8 (No class Oct. 11/25)
Star
BollywoodSundays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Sept. 12 – Nov. 7 (No class Sept. 26/ Oct. 10)
Dance Fusion

CURRENT SCHEDULE: Summer 2010

CLASSDAY/TIMELOCATION
Beginner BellydanceSundays, 11:00 – 12:00 pm
June 27 - Aug 15 (No class Aug 1)
Dance Fusion
Beginner BellydanceTuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
July 6 - Aug 17
Dance Fusion
Intermediate BellydanceSundays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
June 27 - Aug 15 (No class Aug 1)
Dance Fusion
Intermediate Bellydance TechniqueMondays, 7:30 – 8:30 pm
July 5 – Aug 23 (No class Aug 2)
Dance Fusion
Intermediate Bellydance ChoreographyMondays, 8:30 – 9:30 pm
July 5 – Aug 23 (No class Aug 2)
Dance Fusion
BollywoodTuesdays, 7:30 – 8:30 pm
July 13 – Aug 24
Dance Fusion
Soca BellyTuesdays, 8:30 – 9:30 pm
July 13 – Aug 24
Dance Fusion

LOCATIONS

Dance Fusion, 3785 Kingston Road, Scarborough (just east of Scarborough Golf Club Road) Click here for Google Map!

Star Dance Academy 4637 Kingston Road, Scarborough (at Manse Road) Click here for Google Map!

For more information or registration, e-mail Teressa at teressabellydance@gmail.com

PRICES

BY SESSION CLASSES:

7-week Session: $105

6 classes in 7-week session: $90

7-week unlimited classes: $250

DROP-IN/CLASSCARDS:

6 Class Card: $99

Drop-In: $18

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Introductory/ Lower Beginner Bellydance

Beginner classes are for everyone, whether you are a novice who has never danced in your life, or an advanced student looking to perfect the foundational belly dance skills. In this class, proper body posture is developed, as well as the essential muscular isolations that are necessary for all genres of belly dance. In this level, students work on hip accents, shimmies, figure eights, travelling steps, and more! Students will build strength and coordination, experience an intense workout, as well as develop flexibility and grace.

No experience necessary!

Upper Beginner Bellydance

After at least 2 sessions at the Introductory/Lower Beginner level, students are ready for the Upper Beginner level. At this level, students review and begin to layer their foundational isolations and movements to create a cohesive, graceful dance. Students will learn new arm placements, foot patterns, and serpentine movements to add to their movement vocabulary. Combinations, short choreographies, and the beginnings of musicality and rhythmic knowledge light the spark of creativity as students begin to move in ways natural to the belly dancer.

Low Intermediate Bellydance

At the Low Intermediate level, students must have a strong foundation of isolations, circles, figure eights, undulations, and 3/4 shimmies. Once in the Intermediate level, students will continue to learn more complex movement layering and challenging combinations/choreographies in different styles of bellydance such as classical Egyptian, entrances, drum solos, and modern/contemporary styles. A focus on Middle Eastern rhythms is established, as well as working on improvisation and extensive use of props such as veil, finger cymbals, and veil.

Students should have 1 year of bellydance experience. Please speak to the instructor if you are unsure of your level.

Bollywood (All Levels)

Our Bollywood classes are a great aerobic workout and awesome dance training! Classes are open to dancers of all levels. Students will learn the foundational isolations, footwork patterns, and hand and arm patterns that are common to Bollywood style dances. In addition, students will also work with other dance forms including jazz, hip-hop, bellydance, Latin dance styles, and more as these dance forms also play an integral component in Bollywood styles! Short combos and choreographies are taught in each class.

No experience necessary!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

FALL 2010 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE COMING SOON!

Prices:

$35, 1 workshop

$30 each, 2 workshops
$25 each, 3 or more workshops

***Please note that all workshops are pre-registered.***

Location:

Dance Fusion Studios, 3785 Kingston Road (at Scarborough Golf Club Road)

To register or for more info:

E-mail: teressabellydance@gmail.com
Phone: 416-732-1304

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I register and pay for classes or workshops?

Contactus to book your spot by e-mailing teressabellydance@gmail.com or calling 416-732-1304. We accept cash and cheque payment for classes and workshops. Please address cheque payments to T. De Souza. Contact Teressa for your registration form. Payments can be made on the first day of class.

What do I wear to class?

Please wear comfortable athletic/ dance clothing (i.e. yoga or jazz pants, tanks or crop tops, etc.). Avoid garments that will restrict your movement, such as jeans and skirts. You may also bring a scarf to wear around your hips. Teressa also sells hip scarves for your convenience. Also, please be advised that we dance in bare feet.

What happens if I’m not able to make one of my classes?

That’s no problem! You can make up your class by taking another one in the same session. Missed classes may not be transferred to the next session of classes.  Please be advised that we do not offer refunds/credits on any missed classes or workshops.

Do you offer drop-in options for students?

We have now started to offer drop-in options for students not able to complete a whole session of dance classes, which is $18 per class or $99 for a 6 class card, which gives you 6 months to do 6 classes in your own time. However, our classes still run in 6 and 7 week sessions as we feel that it is most beneficial for students to enroll in a session of classes so that the instructor has a greater ability to ensure that the session progresses at a high level of engagement and challenge for all students and the goals of Teressa’s Dance Curriculum is met. This also gives students an optimal learning experience as the instructor is able to work with them for a longer period of time and better assist them with their bellydance goals.

I’ve never danced before; can I still take belly dance classes?

Absolutely! You do not need any experience to come to our Intro/ Lower Beginner classes as they are geared towards those with little or no dance experience.

What is a typical class like?

All classes begin with a fast-paced warm-up to re-awaken and energize your muscles. We then do a short conditioning and strengthening drill, preparing your body for dance, while giving you an aerobic workout. In the main portion of class, we focus on technique and movements, drilling and trying out exciting combinations of movements. We also include an intense drum solo in which we work on lots of fast paced shimmies with crazy layers. Finally, we stretch out our muscles and cool down. Classes may also include instruction in a particular folkloric dance, as well as the use of props, or exploration of Middle Eastern dance history.