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: Spring 2010 6-week Session
LOCATION: Dance Fusion Studios, 3785 Kingston Road (just east of Scarborough Golf Club Road)
Intro/ Lower Beginner Bellydance
Sundays, 11:00 - 12:00 pm Mar. 7 - Apr. 18 (No class Apr. 4)
Upper Beginner Bellydance
Sundays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm Mar. 7 - Apr. 18 (No class Apr. 4)
Intermediate Bellydance Variety Class
Sundays, 12:00 - 1:00 pm Mar. 7 - Apr. 18 (No class Apr. 4)
LOCATION: Star Dance Academy, 4637 Kingston Road (at Manse Road), Scarborough
Upper Beginner Bellydance
Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Mar. 1 - Apr. 12 (No Class Mar. 22 & Apr. 5)
Low Intermediate Bellydance
Mondays, 7:30 - 8:30 pm Mar. 1 - Apr. 12 (No Class Mar. 22 & Apr. 5)
Intro to Middle Eastern Folkloric Dances
Mondays, 8:30 - 9:30 pm Mar. 1 - Apr. 12 (No Class Mar. 22 & Apr. 5)
CURRENT SCHEDULE: Winter 2010
LOCATION: Dance Fusion Studios, 3785 Kingston Road (just east of Scarborough Golf Club Road)
Intro/ Lower Beginner Bellydance
Sundays, 11:00 - 12:00 pm Jan. 10 - Feb. 21 (No class Feb. 7)
Fridays, 6:00 - 7:00 pm Jan. 15 - Feb. 26 (No class Feb. 5)
Upper Beginner Bellydance
Sundays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm Jan. 10 - Feb. 21 (No class Feb. 7)
Low Intermediate Bellydance
Sundays, 12:00 - 1:00 pm Jan. 10 - Feb. 21 (No class Feb. 7)
LOCATION: Star Dance Academy, 4637 Kingston Road (at Manse Road), Scarborough
Upper Beginner Bellydance
Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Jan. 11 - Feb. 22 (No class Feb. 15)
Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm Jan. 14 - Feb. 25 (No class Feb. 11)
Low Intermediate Bellydance
Mondays, 7:30 - 8:30 pm Jan. 11 - Feb. 22 (No class Feb. 15)
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
***NEW*** Flexi-i-Belly Rates (Rates are per registered class)
6 classes in 6 weeks: $90 ($15 per class)
5 classes in 6 weeks: $85 ($17 per class)
Student Rates (with current, valid ID)
6 classes in 6 weeks: $80 ($13.33 per class)
5 classes in 6 weeks: $75 ($15 per class)
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Introductory/ Lower Beginner
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
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
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.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
WINTER 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. We also now offer more flexible class packages, so that if you know you will have to miss 1 or 2 classes in a session, you can get a package with fewer classes, so you don't have to worry about making up classes. Please be advised that we do not offer refunds on any missed classes or workshops.
Do you offer drop-in options for students?
We do not currently offer a drop-in option for students 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. 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.
However, we have now introduced a new flexible payment system for students who know that they will miss 1 or 2 classes in a session. See our Price List above for all the details.
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.