Classes

Bellydance Classes

Due to a significant increase in studio hire, the price of class will increase from £6 to £6.50 from 1st November. Block bookings will increase from £30 for 6 weeks to £33. Also, for those wishing to attend 2 classes, I will keep this at £10 for 2 hours. 

There will be no classes during half term week (wednesday 20th February). Class times are changing after this date!

About Bellydance 

Bellydance or Raks Sharki is an ancient art form dating back thousands of years in the Middle-East. It is an excellent form of exercise for all levels of fitness and many women use it to:

• Gain confidence
• Strengthen muscles
• Improve flexibility
• Isolate specific muscle groups
• Build core strength
• Feel feminine
• Make friends and most of all, have fun!
• Suitable for all ages, shapes and sizes including pregnant women!
  

When & Where?

Every Wednesday:

Drop in Class at Bishop Bell School Dance Studio - Priory Rd, Eastbourne.

Mixed/ Il Nana 7pm - 8pm See Il Nana dancing on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m06T6wCleHw  

Zaphira - Advanced Troupe (Zaphira) 8pm - 9pm (By Audition / Invitation only) (See video page to watch them perform!)

After half term week class times will be changing!

Mixed level / il Nana 7 til 8pm

Advanced / Zaphira 8 til 9pm

£6.50 per class, £33 for 6 weeks block booking, (Save £6)  

If this class is not convenient for you, please contact Lianna for details on other classes in the South East!
 

Private classes:

£25 for 1 hour,  teaching from her home in Hailsham. If you are a complete novice, then the classes would probably be better for you, most people tend to use the private classes for working on specific technique, or help with performance, solos, etc. Lianna has assisted advanced and professional dancers and teachers in choreography technique and high levels of musical interpretation actively using and promoting Hossam and Serena Ramzy's philosophy on Egyptian Dance.

Zaphira:

If you would like to audition, please contact Lianna with a pic and your previous dance history and she will arrange an assessment/audition class with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I wear?

Comfortable clothes to move around in, e.g. leggins and a t-shirt or skirt and a crop top, we dance in bare feet or ballet slippers. I provide practise belts to borrow for the evening. As you become more confident, many women enjoy "dressing up" to come to class, and start to collect Bellydance practice wear. This is available from local events throughout the year, or check out the links page for internet based suppliers.
 

Can anyone Bellydance?

Yes! This art form is wonderful because you can be any age, shape, size or fitness level! For classes, I am only allowed to teach from age 14 and upwards, due to insurance purposes, and the eldest I have had to date is 72 years old! You can enjoy this form of exercise regardless of your background, and have lots of fun in the process!
 

When do I move up a level?

This is a decision made mutually between student and teacher. Some students with previous dance experience and/ or naturally dance ability may move a little quicker than others, but would be encouraged to attend a double class for a time to learn the basics if dancing for less than one year - ( a double class at Bishop Bell, Eastboune is £10 for 2 hours). This helps to fill in any gaps of knowledge and you get additional exercise!
 

What styles will I learn?

There are many styles of Bellydance, Egyptian, Fusion, Turkish, Tribal, Traditional and folkloric, to name but a few! I specialise in Egyptian, (classical and modern), and some fusion styles, so before embarking on a class, it is worth finding out the style your instructor specialises in. I also have a number of keen students who attend other teachers alongside my classes, which is great. Students are able to learn at a quicker pace and pick up on other styles of bellydance, and I actively encourage them to do this if they so wish. Also, students can discover what style of bellydance suits them, as each style is so different from the next.

What Qualifications do you have?

Up until recently, there has been little regulation in bellydance performance and teaching, where many "teachers" have set up classes after attending a handful of lessons or with very limited experience, and then marketed themselves as a professional dancer or instructor! Unfortunately, this means that you have to be incredibly thorough as a student or event organiser when you are searching for someone to learn from or perform for you. Luckily, those that are active in the bellydance community are generally those that have committed the time and energy into continually learning and progressing so that they can represent this art form in a safe, authentic and respectful way. For example, most teachers should attend regular workshops to continue to learn themselves.Therefore, the above scenario is gradually changing, albeit slowly. Below are some examples of my studies to date and why I feel they are important...

My JWAAD Foundation certificate covers health and safety aspects along with safe teaching practise. My work over the past 3 years with the Drumzy course covers advanced/professional performance skills, musical interpretation, and understanding and playing of middle eastern rhythms on the Duff and Tabla, (middle-eastern drums). I have now graduated and this qualification alone and what I have learnt  from it is based on Hossam Ramzy's philosophy that "the art of oriental dance is to visually hear the music", which I now actively practice, as a teacher and bellydance performance artist.

This year i became a finalist for Bellydance Mania 2010 competition, one of 10 dancers picked from the UK and Europe, judged by the Legendary Nagwa Foaud and Randa Kamel. 

In addition to this, i have extensive training as a midwife and have assisted many women in bellydance throughout their pregnancies. For work within adult education, it is a pre-requisite to undertake membership with the Institiute of Learning, and I will also be progressing onto a 7307 course in teaching adults safetly in the Summer of 2009. I believe that regular attendance of dance workshops with a variety of teachers to be paramount to learning, and I know I will never stop!

There is an extensive number of talented and experienced teachers in the UK, but obtaining certain qualifications demonstrates a commitment to studying the artform and being able to teach it safetly, and professionally, therefore students should make sure they check qualifications and experience with any instructor they decide to learn from.

Where do you and Zaphira perform? 

We perform regularly throughout the year at haflas, shows, corporate and charity events. I perform at regular professional showcases in London and all over the UK. Please see the news pages for more information.
 

Will I get a chance to perform?

Yes! But, only if you want to! At present, the Intermediate class - Il Nana perform 2 to 3 times per year, at the October Egyptian Nights Show and other local haflas, (dance parties for bellydancers). This gives the students ample time to really get to know the routine, and therefore are encouraged to perform to the best of their ability. However, there are several students within that class who do not wish to perform, and this is absolutely fine. They still learn the routines along with the other students and continue to support one another. Performing is not for everyone.

What is the Bellydance Community all about?

One of the major differences between bellydance and other forms of dance is the social scene attached to it. Beginners tend to just attend classes, but you can, as a student become as involved as you like!

As a teacher, i hand out regular newsletters informing students of events all over the UK, particularly in the South East, as well as workshops and performance platforms. There is a huge network of dancers, teachers and students, and a wealth of knowledge to be gained from attending such events. I believe you learn from so many teachers, and many of my students attend other instructors.

I run bi-yearly Harem Afternoons, (run with Hipsinc teacher Chloe Dent), including Open stage, treatments, and shopping. I run yearly shows with my performance troupe. My students are encouraged to attend local haflas and workshops, and I regularly have guest teachers in to take class in my absence. I also attend major bellydance festivals as a guest professional, and have supported some of the biggest stars in the business!

However, unfortunately it is sad that not all teachers are involved in the network, refuse to promote events and forbid their students from attending. When considering to join a class, it is always worth enquiring as to the kind of events they are involved in, and it will be very easy to discover which kind of teacher you are talking to, just remember to always ask questions.

Testimonials

"I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Lianna's Bellydance class. Not only is she a very talented dancer and teacher, she is also a lovely person and has a very warm and encouraging teaching style. 10/10" - Claire - ACRES student.

"Have really enjoyed this class - such fun and lovely to meet so many other smashing women. Lianna is a wonderful teacher, so patient. A great giggle!" - Christine - ACRES student.