Venus -Bellydance Instruction

Bellydance Instruction - Spring 2008

SCHEDULE BELOW

Hadouin

REGISTER FOR CLASSES

ABOUT LEVELS ~~~ ABOUT DROP-INS

Please register early as classes may fill up and drop-ins may not be possible. Prices include GST.

Instructor Key:	Venus	Lisa	Michelle	Leona
Instructor Key:	Cherilyn	Saba	Nina

BEGINNER 1- Prices Include GST. Class Description REGISTER NOW
Day	Time	Location & Registration	Start	End	Reg. Fee	Drop-In
Sat	3:00 - 4:30pm	Hastings Studio	Apr 5	Jun 21	10 wks $110	$15
Tue	7:00 - 8:20pm	Roundhouse	Apr 1	Jun 10	10 wks $113	$12
Tue	7:35 - 8:50pm	Killarney	Apr 15	Jun 17	10 weeks $85	$11
Wed	8:00 - 9:15pm	Mt Pleasant	Apr 2	Jun 4	10 weeks $100	$12
Wed	6:45 - 7:55pm	Renfrew	Apr 2	Jun 11	10 weeks $85	$12
Thu	7:00 - 8:25pm	Roundhouse Cancelled due to low reg	Apr 3	Jun 12	10 wks $113	$12
No Saturday class Apr 12, May 3, No Monday class May 19
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DROP-INS
BEGINNER 2 - Prices Include GST. Class Description REGISTER NOW
Day	Time	Location & Registration	Start	End	Reg. Fee	Drop-In
Mon	8:30 - 9:45pm	Mt Pleasant	Mar 31	Jun 9	9 weeks $80	$12
Tue	8:55 - 9:55pm	Killarney	Apr 15	Jun 17	10 weeks $85	$11
Tue	8:25 - 9:45pm	Roundhouse	Apr 1	Jun 12	10 weeks $113	$12
Wed	8:05 - 9:15pm	Renfrew	Apr 2	Jun 11	10 weeks $100	$12

INTERMEDIATE - Prices Include GST. REGISTER NOW
Day	Time	Location & Registration	Start	End	Reg. Fee	Drop-In
Thu	8:25 - 9:45pm	Roundhouse	Apr 3	Jun 12	11 wks $113	$12

TROUPE REPERTORY 1/ REHEARSAL - By audition / permission only. REGISTER NOW
Day	Time	Location & Registration	Start	End	Reg. Fee	Drop-In
Fri	6:30 - 9:30pm	Hastings Dance	Apr 4	Jun 20	10 wks $130	Inquire
No class May 16, Jun 6
Note: The focus of Troupe Repertory Class is on preparing group choreographies for performance. This class learns existing Venus Bellydance choreographies & new ones. It is intended for focussed Beg 2 and Intermediate students registered in at least one Venus Bellydance Technique class, and who wish to commit to excellent long-term attendance in this class and regular participation in performances.
ADVANCED REGISTER NOW
Day	Time	Location & Registration	Start	End	Reg. Fee	Drop-In
Sun	2:00 - 3:15pm	Hastings Dance	Apr 6	Jun 15	10 wks $120	$15
Register for both Adv & Repertory for pkg price of $215. Add Rep 1/Rehearsal for only $75 Take all 3 classes with Venus & receive $25 merchandise coupon. Register for one Repertory + one Technique class and recieve $10 merchandise coupon.
No Sunday classes May 4
TROUPE REPERTORY 2/ REHEARSAL - By permission only. REGISTER NOW
Day	Time	Location & Registration	Start	End	Reg. Fee	Drop-In
Sun	3:30 - 5:30pm	Hastings Dance	April 6	Jun 15	10 wks $120	N/A
Note: The focus of Troupe Repertory Class is on preparing group choreographies for performance. It is intended for high Beg 2, Intermediate and Advanced students registered in at least one Venus Bellydance Technique class, and who wish to commit to excellent long-term attendance in this class and regular participation in performances.

VENUS BELLYDANCE INSTRUCTORS!

Venus at Roundhouse, Mt Pleasant, Hastings Studio
Lisa Jordan at Renfrew
Leona Planko at Killarney
Cherilyn Costack, Saba Akbari, Nina Parr, Mika Tanimura

Venus Bellydance Instructors

Headed by Venus and following the Venus Method of Instruction, our instructors are known for excellent technique, cultural knowledge, and ability to breakdown and explain the movements.

All our instructors

have studied and trained extensively with Venus
have completed the Venus 21-hour Middle Eastern Dance Instructor Training Level 1
continue their training with master instructors
perform regularly
choreograph for Venus Bellydance student recitals
take part in regular teacher training seminars

Venus has been studying and performing Middle Eastern Dance since 1981 and has been teaching since 1991. Venus also has an extensive background in ballet & Western Comtemporary dance. Venus is reknowned for her skill in clearly breaking down and explaining the bellydance movement vocabulary in a progressive, easy to follow format.
As the founder and head of Venus Bellydance, Venus strives for excellence in Middle Eastern dance instruction through the ongoing development of the Venus Method (TM). Venus obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Art & Culture Analysis in Spring 2005 and the following Dec. completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University (Spring 2006 graduation). In Nov 2007 Venus filmed a 20-epsiode TV series for Channel M, "Bellydance Workout with Venus" due to air in Spring 2008.

Leona Leona Planko began studying bellydance with Venus in 2001and performs as a member of Ala Nar dance troupe. .She has been teachig since 2003. Leona also didfolk dance for 10 years and hip hop for 5 years. Leona has completed her group fitness certification through the BCRPA.and is currently pursuing pre and post natal fitness certification. Leona appeared with Venus in the Channel M show, "Bellydance Workout with Venus" due to air in Spring 2008.

Lisa Lisa Jordan began studying with Venus in 2001 and has been teaching since 2002.
In addition to teaching she performs as a soloist and as a member of Ala Nar and also performs with Venus Bellydance.

Lisa also has a background in ballet and tap (10 years), music and theatre. She has been teaching bellydance at Renfrew since Fall 2002. Lisa appeared with Venus in the Channel M show, "Bellydance Workout with Venus" due to air in Spring 2008.

Cherilyn Costack
has been studying with Venus and visiting master instructors for 5 years. Cherilyn also performs with Venus Bellydance.

ABOUT LEVELS

Every bellydance school has different criteria for levels, and names for levels are somewhat arbitrary, e.g. one teacher's Beginner 2 may be another's Intermediate. Our Level Criteria seem to be higher than those of many other schools/teachers, owing to our precise specifications for correct technique and our desire to ensure good learning of movement skills.

Progressing to the next level is not simply a matter of attending al the classes of the preceding level. The fundamental building block skills in our Beginner 1 classes must be learned well enough that they are beginning to become automatic before progressing to the next level. Progression is at the discretion of the instructor.

Example of readiness to move from Beginner 1 to Beginner 2:
Piston hip shimmies are restricted to the vertical plane and can be perforned smoothly at slow and medium speeds without bouncing;
Slow walking 1-2-3 shimmy can be performed with proper knee-leg function, without requiring undue conscious attention;
Hip drops are isolated without bouncing throughout the body, mediated by proper pumping action of the supporting knee/leg (i.e. the supporting hip drops to allow the hip-drop hip to rise).

OUR AIM IS TO TEACH CORRECT TECHNIQUE FROM THE START SO YOU
DON'T INGRAIN BAD HABITS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO UN-LEARN
OR THAT MAY COMPOMISE HEALTH AND AESTHETICS.

Class Descriptions

Class Attire:

Exercise clothes
hip scarf/belt
bare feet or dance shoes (recommended)

T-shirts should not cover the hips.
Please do not wear baggy pants that cover the feet.
Instructors must be able to see your low back, hips,
knees and feet to ensure safe, correct technique.
Bring a water bottle.
For safety reasons, no gum chewing in class.
If you arrive to class late, you must do your floor warmup for proper safety.

Beginner 1
This course will introduce the beginner to the foundation steps and isolations of a wide variety of Middle Eastern dance styles, including raks sharqi (Egyptian bellydance), American Tribal bellydance and regional folkloric styles. Students are required to take Beginner 1 at least twice before proceeding to Beginner 2 (see Level Breakdown for more on this). Exceptions: students with extensive training in other dance styles MAY only need take Beginner 1 once. All students new to bellydance, regardless of other dance training, will need to take Beginner 1.

Beginner 1 Advanced, Ongoing skills
This class level is between the Beginner 1 & 2 levels and up and is open to all students who have taken at least one Beginner 1 course session. It will allow you to continue working on your dance skills as well as learn new moves, combos and choreographies and special topics like veil dance, improvisation, zills and folkloric styles. Taught by LISA (ARADEEYA) of Ala Nar troupe.

Beginner 2
For students who have taken the full Beginner 1 course at least once (many students need to take Beginner 1 twice for basic moves to become automatic. All Venus Bellydance instructors have taken Beginner 1 three times). This class builds on material learned in Beginner 1, refining technique, learning transitions, new movements and variations, adding travelling steps to isolations learned, and learning combinations and full dances. Students with at least 1 year previous bellydance experience who are new to Venus' classes are advised to start with this class (but may be re-directed to Beginner 1if solid technique is lacking).

Intermediate 1
In this class we continue to build on the Beginner 1 and 2 technique, adding layering, complexity and variations to the basic moves. Drills and exercises are used to refine technique while improving strength and alignment. There is more focus on learning combinations and whole dances. Students are encouraged to explore personal expression and creativity through the bellydance form.

Intermediate 2
Progression to Intermediate 2 will depend on individual learning pace (practice, practice, practice!) Students in this class have been studying 2 or more years. This is a faster paced class demanding proficiency in hip work, undulations and traveling steps. We continue to add more complex variations of foundation movements while improving general knowledge about the music, different styles of Middle Eastern dance and cultural contexts. Class format contains more "follow-the-leader" segments, demanding strength, solid technique, and analytical abilities developed in the lower levels.

Advanced Technique & Choreography for Performance
Pre-requisites: 3 to 5 years study of bellydance. Students transferring from other instructors may need technique evaluation before entering this class. This is a fast-paced class requiring high levels of technique and fitness. Content includes advanced versions of movements, i.e. travelling with chest and hip isolations, layering, combinations.

Important Information About Drop-ins
Dance classes are not like fitness classes--the technique is not designed to be easy to follow so that people can drop-in at any point in the session. The focus in dance classes is skill-building, which is progressive. In the Venus MethodTM of instruction followed by all our instructors, each class builds on the material and motor skills learned in the previous classes. For this reason, we cannot accept first-time drop-ins after the second class, as it will not be possible to bring newcomers up to speed. Previous Venus Bellydance students are welcome to drop-in after the first 2 classes. Also, since most of our beginner classes are fully registered before the first class, it is possible that we will not be able to accept drop-ins during the first two weeks. Please contact the centre before you come to do a drop-in. TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN CLASS, PLEASE REGISTER EARLY (full payment required for registration).

See info on Upcoming Workshops!

Year-End Recital (December)

Annual Revue (June)
Showcasing students from all Venus Bellydance Classes in Vancouver. Taking part in the show is not a requisite for registration in classes but is optional to those registered students who would like the challenge and satisfaction of preparing for performance. (Poor attendance may preclude participation in the recital.)

Class Locations & Registration

TO REGISTER FOR:

Community Centre Classes - PLEASE CONTACT THE CENTRE (click on logo or scroll down).
Hastings Studio Classes - REGISTER THROUGH Venus


Roundhouse	Masabo	Mt. Pleasant	Renfrew	Killarney

OUR PARTNERS IN DANCE
Sorry, we cannot accept unpaid registrations.

Killarney Community Centre
Intsructor: Leona Planko-Finlayson
Registration: 604 718-8200
6260 Killarney (at E 49th)
Vancouver

Masabo Studio
Instructors: TBA
Registration: 604 608-6608
40 Sixth St
New Westminster

Mount Pleasant Community Centre
Instructors: Venus
Registration: 604 713-1888
3161 Ontario St (at 16th)
Vancouver

Renfrew Community Centre
Instructor: Lisa Jordan (Aradeeya)
Registration: 604 257-8388
2929 E 22nd
East Vancouver

Roundhouse Arts & Recreation Centre
Instructor: Venus
Registration: 604 713-1800
Pacific (at Davie)
Vancouver

Hastings Dance Studio
828 East Hastings Street
Registration: 604 608-6608

Registration for Hastings Studio Classes (see photos below)

Please note: refunds will not be issued for missed classes.

NEW! PAY ONLINE TO REGISTER!

OR
Mail cheque or money order to:
Venus Bellydance
Box 114, 1895 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC V5N 4A6

Hastings Dance Studio 828 E Hastings
Hastings Dance Studio is part of the Strathcona Business Improvement Assocation. SBIA has a special security force called GENESIS SECURITY that patrols our studio between 9-10pm on week nights.

Studio A

Studio B

Last update April 14, 2008

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