Genie
Dance Classes!
&
Mother/Daughter
Miramar’s Danse Arabesque presents
Introduction
to Girl's Genie Dance (ages 5 -10)
Fun, Stress-free, Gentle Loving Encouragement
Discover the ancient dances of Jasmin’s homeland!
Gypsy Tambourine - Floating Veil - Tribal Dancing
Dear Mothers of Young Daughters,
For years, parents have asked me to start a dance class for girls and about ten years ago I held my first Aladdin dance classes for girls (ages 4 – 10). More recently, I have held dance classes for younger girls (ages 3-5) where moms attend class with their daughters. Both of these classes were created and designed to offer dance classes for girls who might otherwise not be able to take classes. The classes are offered in 6-week sessions with no year-long contracts as is common in many dance studios. This way, they are easily affordable and your daughter(s) can take just one course or several.
The emphasis of Aladdin Dance Classes is to have fun while learning about dance movement, rhythms and different instruments. The class encourages girls to have good posture, poise and self-assurance. Included in my lessons are cultural and historical information. Girls keep a dance notebook that will include pictures of costumes and maps which they can color.
Throughout the Middle East, Central Asia and N. Africa, children participate in the dances of the tribal villages. Dancing and music are a fundamental part of the life of these people. Children learn to dance as toddlers, mostly by imitating their parents (most often their mothers). In most of these countries, women have been segregated from the lives of men. They are often left to entertain themselves. Until fairly recently, most homes were without television and even radios. Women and children entertained themselves with live music and dancing.
There are many dances from the Middle East, Central Asia and Northern Africa that are suitable for young girls to perform. I believe children’s dance movements should be child appropriate. While there are some sensuous movements in Middle Eastern dance, many more movements can be described as cute, joyful, demure, and athletic. These are the type dance movements that I teach to young girls.
Costuming should also be “child appropriate.” An ethnic, covered look is practical and fun for young girls. Opaque harem pants, long full skirts, Gypsy style blouses, vest tops, turbans, scarves, bracelets and necklaces can be combined to make a dance costume both colorful and providing ample coverage. We will work on making costumes from items we find around the house or in Grandma’s closet!
Often we work on dancing to a beledi rhythm (Dun Dun tek a tek, Dun tek a tek) while playing the tambourine. Choreographed dances as well as the art of improvisation are presented. Girls will need a tambourine with a head (preferably goatskin, wooden frame) if they wish to practice at home. We may also incorporate the use of small veils in our dances, which will also be made available at the lowest cost possible.
Happy Dancing, Miramar
Miramar’s
Danse Arabesque presents
Introduction
to Girl's Genie Dance (ages 5 -10)
If
you are interested in Genie Classes for Girls (ages 5-9) or a Mother/Daugther
class please e-mail Miramar to be placed on special waiting lists.
Thank you. Miramar
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