All classes held at: Mid-East Dance by Yasmine, 540 Griffith Road, Charlotte NC 28217 (704-525-3606) Directions To Studio (printable)

Click Here for Yasmine's Class Card Rates & Registration Fee for New Students
OR Drop-in on Thursdays at 6pm or Tuesdays at 7pm for only $15 and give Belly Dance a try!
*New students will need a hip scarf & zills (finger cymbals) which may be purchased through our local vendor: Go to The Belly Dance Shop for Bellydance Accessories & Supplies

Click Here for Private & Semi-Private Lesson Rates at the studio
Visit the Performance Page to find out How to Hire a Dancer(s) for your Special Events

Give ATS(American Tribal Style Bellydance) a try with Jenny of Moonsister Bellydance
Level 1 ATS on Mondays at 6pm - separate pay system for session series or Drop-in for only $15 and give Level 1 ATS a try! New Sessions: Level 1 Tribal Dance Fundamentals starting
Aug 3rd, & Sept 21st! visit:www.moonsisterbellydance.com

Beginner Drumming classes with Ken of The Secondhand Gypsies - All individuals welcome! Fridays at 6:30pm (separate pay system) go here for more details


Yasmine's Class Schedule (updated 6/25/09)
scroll down to view Current schedule or click here for printable version July schedule & rate info

All classes unless otherwise indicated are taught by Yasmine.
*Click on class name for details or scroll down page for Yasmine's Class Descriptions
All New & Current Students welcome in Bellydance Basics, Yasmine's Choice & Belly Dance Essentials. Sorry, Students may not move up in Yasmine's ensemble classes during recital rehearsal during the months of June & July.

**Already have bellydance experience with another instructor, then you should start with Yasmine's Belly Dance Essentials and Yasmine's Choice classes and let Yasmine know you are interested in finding out what Ensemble Level class will be the right fit for you.

MONDAYS:*New Level 1 ATS session begins August 3rd*
6:00pm Level 1 ATS with Jenny (separate pay system - click here)
7:00pm Level 2 ATS with Jenny (separate pay system - click here)
8:00pm Level 3 ATS with Jenny (separate pay system -click here)

TUESDAYS:
6:00pm Dance Ensemble level:Mystical Mayas (recital rehearsal)
7:00pm Belly Dance Essentials (multi-level: beg/int/adv *see topics below)
8:15 pm Magic Hips (by audition only)

WEDNESDAYS:
6:00pm Dance Ensemble Level:Shimmering Sands: (recital rehearsal)
7:00pm Dance Ensemble Level: Oriental Elegance (recital rehearsal)
8:15pmUnveiled Jewels:(recital rehearsal:Gyspy Skirt 7/1 & 7/15 ; Funky Fusion 7/8 & 7/22)
*** 7/29 8:15pm will be Funky Fusion Combos / New Fusion choreography starts August***

THURSDAYS:
6:00pm Bellydance Basics (New Students/Beginner Technique & intro to Zills)
7:00pm * Yasmine's Choice (multi-level: beg/int/adv **see topics below)
8:15pm Beledi Beat (by audition only)
FRIDAYS:
6:30pm Beginner Drum Classes with Ken (separate pay system/go here for details)


*Belly Dance Essentials
6/30 Rhythmic Drills; 7/7 Veil Combos; 7/14 Zill Drills; 7/21 Precision Belly Workout;
7/28 Rhythmic Drills

**Yasmine’s Choice
6/25 Shimmy to the Max; 7/2 Elegant Arms & Hands; 7/9 Shape Up & Shimmy;
7/16 Essential Technique & Combos; 7/23 Shimmy to the Max; 7/30 Elegant Arms & Hands

*Class Schedules Subject to change*

Studio Closed for Special Events & Holidays (Click Here)

Dancers should always have zills & hip scarf/dancewear on hand for each class - go to The Belly Dance Shop for accessories and store hours. Some classes may require a yoga mat, veil, gypsy skirt, fans or other props/accessories as specified in class description.

Bellydance Basics This class focuses on explaining an overview of the technique and execution of fundamental bellydance movements per Yasmine's dance curriculum such as posture, basic arm positions, slides, circles, figure8's, basic hipwork and the Egyptian shimmy to help students build a strong foundation in Middle Eastern dance. This class will also include an introduction to basic Finger cymbal (zills) technique. Students will need zills for this class. Recommended for New Students / Beginner Level Students.

Belly Dance Essentials This class is geared toward the beginner, intermediate & advanced level dancer and will focus on fundamental drills & exercises to enhance essential dance practice.This multi-level class will focus on a given topic each week listed below and is a great practice companion for all levels to polish technique. Suggestions for optional level increases may also be given.
Precision Belly Workout: This class includes conditioning & isolation drills for bellydance designed to increase muscle memory, coordination and range of motion along with a shimmy drill for a complete Bellydance workout! A yoga mat may sometimes be used for some floor exercises.
Rhythmic Drills: This class will drill dance movements to specific Middle Eastern Rhythms so that the dancer will recognize the rhythm by name as well as the placement of the "Dum" & the "Tek" in each rhythm with a dance movement. Repetition in drilling dance movment to these rhythms will help the dancer to feel the rhythm and gain more control and become connected to the music.
Veil Combos & Technique: This class will cover single veil moves, transitions, wraps and spins that can be used in your own choreography or improvisational dance so that you can be one with your veil! This class requires partcipant to bring a 3-4 yard silk veil which can be purchased thru The Belly Dance Shop.
Zill Drills: Patterns & Rhythms: This class will provide drills for continued study of finger cymbal patterns and rhythmic study mixed with movement.


Yasmine's Choice This multi-level class will focus on a given topic each week listed below and will compliment Belly Dance Basics and Belly Dance Essentials practice companion to improve upon overall dance skill, performance & presentation. Suggestions for optional level increases may also be given.
Elegant Arms & Hands: This class will focus on posture,upper body, hand and finger placement and range of motion in arm placement and positions so you can move elegantly through space. Verbal cues and combinations will also be used to help you add a graceful & fluid touch to your dance.
Essential Technique & combos: This class will focus on the precision, poise and grace of Oriental & Cabaret style movements to step up your dance skills through drills and building short combinations. Beginners are welcome in this class but should feel comfortable with foundation movements as well as with traveling steps.
Shape Up & Shimmy: This class will require a yoga mat & a pair of 2-4 lb hand weights or you can always add your own resistance without weights! Class will include warm-up & cool-down, toning exercise for lower & upper body and a shimmy endurance drill as we Shape Up & Shimmy. Class will also include Bellywork for Belllydance to aid in strengthening your abdominals and the secrets necessary to add Abdominal technique in your dance covering exercises for flutters, abdominal accents, undulations, belly rolls, and basic layering of abdominal technique.
Shimmy to the Max: Refine Skills and improve your shimmying power & endurance with various types of shimmies, drills, techniques, vibrations & more! This class may also introduce percussive dance movements including various hits, locks & pops! So let's Shimmy, Lock & Roll!


Yasmine's Mid-East Dance Ensemble Levels:
Recital Rehearsal Classes Rehearsal classes will review & polish all dances for ensemble performance and will include formation line-up/staging for each routine. See class schedule for your ensemble's rehearsal class time. This class is required for those wishing to particpate in concert performance. Regular attendace is highly recommended and appreciated for Dance Ensemble Rehearsal classes.
Mystical Mayas: includes "intermediate" technique and choreography.
Oriental Elegance:includes "Intervanced" (adv. intermediate/advanced) technique and choreography.
Shimmering Sands: includes "advanced" study, technique & choreography
Unveiled Jewels: Specialty Interest and Focus Ensemble (see Special Interest & focus topics below). This is a multi-level dance ensemble and is open to all dance members with a strong foundation. Current Focus will be listed on class schedule.
Beledi Beat Dancers (Student Troupe) Not open to general public
Troupe Study & Performance / by audition only to current Oriental Elegance & Shimmering Sands students and by Yasmine/Magic Hips recommendation. Auditions are held each year on as-needed basis. on
Magic Hips Dancers (Professional Troupe) Not open to general public.
Pre-requisite for auditioning for professional troupe is 1 year as Beledi Beat dance member and by Yasmine/Magic Hips recommendation. Auditions are announced on an as-needed basis.

Specialty Interest & Focus:
Sword : This class is geared for Oriental Elegance level however Mystical Mayas are welcome with interest in dancing with a sword and will Introduce dance techniques, balance drills & combinations with a Sword. Learn how to present your dangerous curves Yasmine style.*Dancers will need to bring a sword for this class & kneepads. Yasmine has limited swords available for use at studio.
Gypsy Skirt -Gypsy Dancer:In this class we will cover the fusion of Spanish/Arabic styling for Danza Mora (Amaya's Signature Dance Style) This gypsy flamenco style is combined with oriental flair and the addition of the skirt for accent and attitude. This class will include technique and combos leading into a full choreography. (all dancers welcome with strong foundation.( *Dancers will need a Gypsy Skirt for this class)
Funky Fusion:This class is geared toward the Begintermediate & intervanced levels & includes cabaret technique mixed with a spicy blend of tribal/alternative bellydance fusion, club, and jazz topped with Yasmine’s own Funky flare & cutting edge style that can be used for a variety of modern fusion routines. This class will include a choreography with East Coast Tribal Fusion influence.