MUSIC

Students have asked about CD recommendations the easiest way to i could do this was to create a wish list on amazon

This weeks study (w/c 19th July)

Tues Fun Beginners (WG) Tuesday class will start with a taster session for those who are interested in the course and those who are keen to get back to their course and start dancing again. Anyone is welcome whateveer the skill level or experience - even none.

Wednesday Fun Beginners (WG) Wednesday class also starts wit a taster to which anyone is welcome, come along to see what belly dance is like, see if you enjoy the class and fancy joining the course.

Tuesdays Intermediate/Improvers class starts again at the beginning of term, unless i get specific requests from existing students who have achieved at least 3 terms of beginners and are happy they know most basic moves, that they would like to try intermediate level. (Or from existing intermediate students that they just want an extra class of dancing and don't want to have to wait!)

FEEDBACK

If you still have a feedback form to returnor would like to fill one in for this term please do they are always useful to me, either drop it off with me in Greenaway or bring it along to class. If you would like a form drop me a line as I'm always keen to get student feedback.

CONGRATULATIONS, THANKS

AND GENERAL NEWS...

UPCOMING 21st August Woolsgrove Court is having an open day from 10am to 4pm. I will be there representing the belly dancing classes. Do come along and find out about (and maybe sample) some of the different things which go on at Woolsgrove they have lots of different treatments for health, beauty and happiness. If anyone wants to come down and perform we could do one of the choreographies, but I will be outside on the grass or the deck most of the time when it's not raining most likely.

NEW TERM Don't forget new classes start soon and I need to know who is coming to tasters. No point in me writing a lesson or booking the room if no-one is coming so if you are coming don't forget to let me know to make sure i come too. :)

Tasters are on the 7th 8th and 9th at 7pm and 1:30pm

The new term's courses start the next week:

14th 7+8pm 15th 7+8pm 16th 1:30pm

so long as there is sufficient demand for each class.

I'm sorry but I really do also need you to let me know that you are coming to the courses. Just turning up and hoping i have the room booked is likely to result in either there not being a course because no-one booked, or in your not getting a place because the class is full of new students as I am advertising lots this term, so don't forget to book onto the course before it starts!!

Choreographies

Fun beginners classes on Tuesdays will be learning a choreography, it will probably be to western music (Ernie K-Doe is a contender).

Fun beginners classes on Wednesday will be learning another choreography - this term the classes aren't interchangable and wednesday will be a different course.

Fun beginners on thursday daytime will most likely be learning the classic Pink choreography.

The Improvers/Intermediates are dancing a choreography with canes this term - either to something traditional and Egyptian or to some western pop (scissor sisters). Though I haven't yet decided which.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the ladies from both beginners and Intermediates who danced at the Morchard Bishop VR& Family Fun day. Dancing Both Simarik and Alaoui. It was a great day and the audience enjoyed it. Videos of both dances are on youtube - just search on morchard bishop and bellydance.

I have a couple of photos and the video - any other photos always welcome. August 2010

Improvers/Intermediate - who's it for

This class runs from 8-9 on Tuesday. Talk to me about whether it would suit you if you are interested.

Usually a student will have *at least* 3 terms of beginners to ensure they have covered most moves at least once, and got a good vocabularly to call on. For many students it's nice to cover moves the once and then polish them further terms, so often attending up to 6 terms gets people more in the place they want to be for improvers/intermediate. Some people spend longer getting confident with moves and may want up to 3 years rather than 3 terms. It also allows a group of friends who's joining or development was staggered to move up at the same time. Some people chose to stay in the beginners class simply as it is more convenient to them.

If you have attended between 3 and 9 terms of belly dance classe; if you feel confident you are at least familiar with the majority of the moves on the handout of dance moves i give out in class, are competent at at least half and maybe even starting to see how you might become expert at some, and are interested in some slightly more challenging dancing some of the time, then you are definitely ready for improvers/intermediate class.

There is no competition, no race, just your choice which class is most appropriate to you. In intermediate I expect students to have a different level of starting point and goals. If you're still not sure check the following list:

Intermediate/improver students...

have 3-9 terms of beginners

have a general grasp of many/most of the basic moves

want to move forward with isolation and layering, undulation and pivoting

are confident that good posture is natural to them

willingness to get to work with combination moves

to have an interest in exploring different props

to want to be pushed a teeny bit more, with higher expectations, but still the same friendly fun atmosphere (no high pressure, just greater challenges)

wiling to think about making their moves smaller sometimes, or larger sometimes demonstrating control and awareness

to start thinking about separating out the different shimmies,

to be growing in confidence in freedance,

to aim to always have good arms.

have a concept of their own abilities and the desire to continue improving (this doesn't mean you have to be roaringly confident, just to understand that after this long you probably really do have some ability)

be happy to move to the intermediate time (Tues 8-9)

and be happy to leave friends for a while until they join the i/i class (if not I recommend waiting in beginners until you can move up together - no point in interfering with your fun for the sake of rushing, and you can always take in extra shimmy fit sessions in the mean time)

a big thank you for all my willing guinea pigs as I have now completed my ncfe sports coaching course, passed and am a qualified sports coach as well as enthusiastic belly dance teacher. April 2010.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to wednesday class who danced Tarkan's Simarik choreo at the alternative Womens Institute Turkish Evening as part of my talk/demo on bellydancing. I believe a good evening was had by all you did a lovely job of it and we have at least three new students joining us next term as a result. :)

If anyone gets to see any of the photos or the video which were taken I would really, really like copies. July 2010

Congratulations to "Turkish Delight", 5 ladies who danced the pink choreography (copyright Sara Shrapnell) to much applause and cheers at the Morchard Bishop "Evening of Entertainment". You did wonderfully, I'm very proud of you all. After only 2 terms (just 1 in some cases) you did well performing in front of an audience and it really showed you'd been practicing outside class time. Watch them on youtube! December 2009.

Articles to read about belly dance

I am starting a collection of useful articles for those who are interested. Some support workshops, some are just general interest and some are particularly intended to help you develop and learn in class. Some are my writing some others, with permission.

* What style of belly dance do I teach? - coming soon

* Different stages of development- coming soon

* Balance workshop notes - coming soon - workshop 12/6 Mersin

* Super stretches workshop notes - coming soon - workshop 12/6 Mersin.