Winter 2012 Class Schedule
Winter session runs January 2 through March 11

See the latest video about our classes!

Online Registration

Winter Session Printable Flyer

Note: Check the Calendar for last minute class cancellations.

Fundamentals of Belly Dance
$16 single class, $70 for 5 classes

Can't wait until March? This class teaches you basic belly dance movements that you’ll use as a foundation for future classes. We won’t play finger cymbals, so we can focus on the movements only. This class provides a good head start when Level 1 begins the week of March 19th!

First class in Minneapolis? Check out the parking hints here.

STARTS  FEBRUARY  7TH.

Register for this class online, or just come to class and register there!

Level 1 Beginning Belly Dance
$16 single class, $140 for 10 classes

This is the perfect class for beginners: basic dance movements, rhythms, dance combinations, conditioning, isolation practice, and introduction to finger cymbal patterns with dance steps. First class? Check out the Minneapolis parking hints here.

Level 2
$16 single class, $140 for 10 classes

Dance movements built on the basics learned in Level 1. Continuation of basics, conditioning, isolations, and addition of more complex movements. Introduction to veil dancing, with additional work on finger cymbals and coordination of dance movements and music. NOTE Jenny's NEW class on Thursdays in Bloomington!

Monday	Bloomington	Kathy McCurdy	6:00-7:30 P.M.
Wednesday	Minneapolis	Kathy McCurdy	7:30-9:00 P.M.
Thursday	Bloomington	Jenny Piper	7:30-9:00 P.M.
Saturday	Minneapolis	Melanie Meyer	11:30 A.M.-1 P.M.

Mixed Levels 2 & 3
$18 single class, $160 for 10 classes

Saturday

St. Paul

Renee

9:30 - 11:30 A.M.

Level 3
$18 single class, $160 for 10 classes

Introduction to advanced rhythm and movement concepts, improvisation, intermediate cymbal and dance techniques, and layering of specifically Oriental dance movement. More rigorous conditioning included. Introduction to Arabic/North African folk styles. Continuation of all prior techniques.

Monday	Minneapolis	Helen Voelker	6:00-8:00 P.M.
Wednesday	Bloomington	Kathy McCurdy	10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
Wednesday	Bloomington	Jenny Piper	6:00-8:00 P.M.

Mixed Levels 3 & 4
$18 single class, $160 for 10 classes

Monday

Minneapolis

Jenny Piper

9:00 - 11:00 A.M.

Level 4
$18 single class, $160 for 10 classes

Advanced movements, layering, combinations, choreography and concepts, improvisational class work, individualized performance exercises; continuation of folk styles and rhythm explorations. Advanced cymbal proficiency with movements.

Wednesday

Minneapolis

Theresa Kane

6:00-8:00 P.M.

NEW: Level 5: Technique Topics
$18 single class, $160 for 10 classes

These exceptionally talented Jawaahir members are sharing their expertise with you!
The Technique Topics are:
   • Aliyah Sahar - January 3 & 10: Undulations and Abdominal work
   • Monique - January 17 & 24: Texture and Dynamics
   • Theresa - Jan 31 & Feb 7: Shimmies and Vibrations
   • Helen - February 14 & 21: Advanced & Syncopated Cymbals
   • Jenny - Feb 28 & Mar 6: Ballet for Belly Dancers

NEW: Choreography by Cassandra
$180 for 10 classes (no single classes)

Learn some of Cassandra's extensive repertiore of choreographies. We'll learn as many as time allows, with staging and explanations of "why what goes where," information that will be informative and help you create your own unique dances.

Cassandra has been a successful Oriental dance performer for over 35 years, and has a wealth of information to share with students who want to perform in any belly–dance–related style.

Dress for dance, and bring a notebook.

Dance Conditioning
$14 single class
This class will probably NOT meet until after Cassandra gets her new hip.
Check the Calendar to confirm before you come.

This class focuses on increasing your range of motion and strength in the muscle groups used in your dancing. You will slowly go through a one hour routine of relaxing into your stretches and working your muscles that will improve your dancing.

You must check the Calendar to see if class will be held.

NEW: Costume Construction
$70 for 5 classes (no single classes)
CLASS CANCELLED

Want a gorgeous, professional-looking , well-constructed costume, but can’t fit it into your budget? Jawaahir Dance Company member and choreographer Helen Voelker, who has been making her own costumes for years, will teach you, and guide you, through how to construct your own beautiful, tailored-to-fit costume. She’ll share resources on where to get the materials and how to make patterns and designs.

This class is offered as a 5-week session in January, followed by another 5-weeks in Spring session. Time off between class sessions will allow for students to work on projects.

Students must register for all 5 weeks for $70 tuition.
No drop-ins.
Costume Construction 1 is required for registration in Spring class (returning students from previous costume construction classes welcome!)

Tuesday

Minneapolis

Helen

5:30-7:00 P.M.

Arabic Language
$14 single class, $120 for 10 classes

Level 1
This class includes an introduction to the Arabic alphabet and positions of letters in words. We'll be reading basic vocabulary. We're also coveringbasic grammar concepts: masculine vs. feminine, singular vs. plural, and conjugation of verbs. New students, as well as those who need a refresher, are welcome.

Level 2
From Arabic texts, students expand their vocabulary and reading skills, and start communicating by sentences in role play. Anyone who has had Arabic before is welcome to attend.

Malika Benachour is a native speaker of the Maghrebi (North Africa), and studied standard Arabic literature and Islamic studies at the University of Orleans, France.

Techniques and Rhythms for Arabic and Middle Eastern Drums
$16 single class, $140 for 10 classes

Tim O'Keefe focuses on Arabic/Middle Eastern drums such as doumbeck, riq, and tar. He pays special attention to proper technique, tone production for each drum, and simple to complex rhythms, along with rhythmic analysis of well-known dance pieces.

Tim has performed with many exceptional artists in Arabic, Persian, and Kurdish music, including Simon Shaheen, Sattar, Sussan, the Georges Lammam Ensemble, and Siwan Perwar. He has performed at the Jerash Festival in Jordan and the International Music Festival in Bethlehem. He recorded a CD with Jordanian oud master Sakher Hattar. You probably saw him in Jawaahir's 2010 show at the Ritz Theater: The Dark Nightingale.

A limited number of drums are available for rent for class use only.
Please contact Tim at 612-282-1917 or tokdrums@yahoo.com to reserve a drum.

Regular class fees apply.