Professional bellydancers make the art look effortless & easy but anyone whose ever dabbled in bellydance knows that it is a challenge! They say that it takes 10 years of study in any dance art to become a ‘dancer’ and 25 years to become a master. Bellydance is no exception! The good thing is that bellydance is more forgiving on the body then western dance styles because it is based on natural, organic movement. Middle eastern dancers often perform well into their 60’s! We all have to begin the journey and allow it to unfold with time. Heres are some guidelines to help you along the way.
The following info will provide students with some insights as to where you are in your dance training and some guidelines to consider in preparation for advancing to the next level. Your training and advancement into higher levels is influenced by your dance goals. A dancer who taking classes for fun & fitness as a hobbiest may feel at home in mixed or intermediate levels of classes and choose to stay in those levels indefinately. A dancer who is training to become a professional performer has a more focused & regimented approach to training .
As a general guide, a first year student should be taking at least 2 classes a week & putting in two hours of practice weekly (we offer Level 1 & Level 2 beginners for this track of learning) . If you do this, you will more than likely be ready to begin taking on Level 1 intermediate classes after one year but dont be discouraged if your not. Be patient with your development. As with all things, the more you apply yourself, the faster you will progress. I personally stayed in beginners level at 4-5 classes a week for 2 years before going to intermediate and then stayed in intermediate for several years before exploring advanced training -and I was a professional dancer (w/ a background in modern & ballet) for 5 years before getting into bellydance! I’ve now been bellydancing for 15 years. I still practice everyday take many master level classes yearly.
These are some things I consider when advancing students with performance oriented goals to higher levels.
Beginners level Graduation (minimum of 1 year of training)
development of correct Body Posture
Clear isolation of muscle groups
Movement identification
Muscular awareness & control
Some grace & presence
can follow & execute short combinations & basic choreographys comfortably
basic musical timings on finger cymals
Intermediate level Graduation ( 2-3 years of training)
Graceful Veil
Rhythm identification (2/4, 4/4 & 8/4)
can play basic rhythms on finger cymbals
movement combinations w/ clarity & confidence
Sequence memorization -short choreographies involving intermediate technique
Fluid arm/hand movements
Speed and stamina
comfortable w/ intermediate layering drills
Advanced level training (advanced training in ongoing. Theres always more to learn)
Recognition of various styles
Music identification
Comfortable, fluid complex layering
Complex combinations & choreographies
Complex finger cymbal patters
can perform to 6/8 & 9/8 rhythms
development of stage presence & persona
Speed and control
Ability to choreograph a full routine in classical form
Ability to improvise
Developement of style
Ability to entertain
Performance experience