A Semester of Dance with Zoe-January 26 to June 3rd

A 3-month session of Fusion Bellydance with Zoe! Courses in dance are happening weekly from January to June. Classes are in person and online (choreography classes require in-person 3 out of 4 classes). This serpentine semester culminates in a school recital in Oakland, California, where students will be performing the group choreographies on June 3rd.

-Each session is 1 month long and sold as a 4-part series. All classes are 1 hour long and 100-115$ sliding scale for the 4-part series. (except dance conditioning, which is 85-100$) Each session ticket is for 4 classes.

-All classes are available online and in person.

-Choreographies offered in the final session will require in-person attendance for a minimum of 3 out of 4 classes.

-Students must sign up for sessions 1 and 2 (a technique level corresponding to their level) to be accepted into a choreography class in session 3.

-Studio will either be at 1741 Alcatraz in Berkeley or at 825 Athens in Oakland. Studio TBD closer to the event.

-All students will receive a link to the recorded classes and will have access to the classes for the entire series and 1 week after the series is completed.

SCHEDULE: (detailed class information found at the bottom)

SESSION 1: Jan/Feb session-4 weeks of classes

Mondays:

Level 1 Foundations (beginning): 5:15-6:15pm PST, Monday, January 26, February 2,9,16

Level 2: Formation (intermediate) 6:45-7:45pm PST, Monday, January 26, February 2,9,16

Level 3: Evolution (advanced) 8:00-9:00pm PST, Monday, January 26, February 2,9,16

Tuesdays:

Dance Conditioning 5:00-6:00pm PST, Tuesday January 27, February 3,10,17

Layering 6:30-7:30pm PST, Tuesday, January 27, February 3,10,17

Arm pathways and undulations 8:00-9:00pm PST, Tuesday, January 27, February 3,10,17

SESSION 2: March Session-4 weeks of classes

Mondays:

Level 1 Foundations (beginning): 5:15-6:15pm PST, Monday, March 9, 16, 23, 30

Level 2: Formation (intermediate) 6:45-7:45pm PST, Monday, March 9, 16, 23, 30

Level 3: Evolution (advanced) 8:00-9:00pm PST, Monday, March 9, 16, 23, 30

Tuesdays:

Dance Conditioning 5:00-6:00pm PST, Tuesday, March 10, 17, 24, 31

Dancing with Cymbals! 6:30-7:30pm PST, Tuesday, March 10, 17, 24, 31

Choreography creation 8:00-9:00pm PST Tuesday, March 10, 17, 24, 31

SESSION 3: May/June Session-4 weeks of classes

Mondays:

Level 1 Foundations (beginning): 5:15-6:15pm PST, Monday, May 11,18, 25, June 1

Level 2: Formation (intermediate) 6:45-7:45pm PST, Monday, May 11,18, 25, June 1

Level 3: Evolution (advanced) 8:00-9:00pm PST, Monday, May 11,18, 25, June 1

Tuesdays:

Dance Conditioning 4:45-5:45pm PST, Tuesday, May 12, 19, 26, June 2

Beginner choreography 6:00-7:00pm PST, Tuesday, May 12, 19, 26, June 2

Intermediate choreography 7:15-8:15pm PST, Tuesday, May 12, 19, 26, June 2

Advanced Choreography 8:30-9:30 pm PST, Tuesday, May 12, 19, 26, June 2

DETAILED CLASS INFORMATION:

All Classes are 4 parts and are sold as a single session ticket

Monday Classes-Offered all 3 sessions:

Level 1: Foundation 5:15-6:15pm PST Mondays

This adventurous beginner's class focuses on the elements for fusion bellydance, hipwork, isolations, fluid arm pathways, and fusion fundamentals.

Class is inspired by Zoe's Diamonds level format classes.

This class is suitable for all levels of dancers, and intermediate and advanced level students are encouraged to join if they are looking for review and foundational training.

Level 2: Formation 6:45-7:45pm PST Mondays

This intermediate level class works with faster timing and longer phrases, and endurance. Muscular isolations will be a big focus, with drills to grow articulation and timing. Layers will be introduced, and a focus on fluid and graceful arm pathways.

3 years of dancing with Zoe is required to take this class.

Level 3: Evolution 8:00-9:00pm PST Mondays

This advanced class brings everything together, with a focus on Layers, long challenging phrases, musicality, and improvisation.

This class is for dancers who have worked with mZoe minimum of 5 years, and can work at a fast pace. Movements and concepts will be explained and broken down much more quickly for a very fast-paced class.

Tuesday Classes:

Dance Conditioning. Offered all 3 sessions(session 1 &2 5:00-6:00pm PST)(4:45-5:45pm PST 3rd session)

How does Zoe make it look like that? This class is the answer to that question. Using active flexibility exercises, Zoe leads the class through mobility and strength-building exercises, helping build end-range motion and greater fluidity in unusual positions. As well as core work and balancing exercises, it helps to build the needed proprioception for dancers.

Layering 6:30-7:30pm PST-Offered 1st session.

Approach Layering with the mindset of mastery! Your brain needs to work just as much as your body, and Zoe has many techniques for helping you learn layering faster. This workshop is for intermediate to advanced dancers (and the adventurous beginner). We will get the brain-body connection going and then learn how to stack on ways that are challenging but accessible. Stuck? Can’t seem to get past a certain point? I got you! 3 years minimum fusion bellydance is recommended.

Arm pathways and undulations 8:00-9:00pm PST-Offered 1st session

We will ride the edge between exquisite and strange in this slow movement class series, creating delicious arm pathways and dance like snakes. All that ooey gooey stuff that is so fun and delicious to watch and do will be focused on, using elements from the head down through to the fingertips. Sidewinders, extreme undulations, and upper body technique, along with arm and hand work inspired by molasses. A focus on elbow and wrist work, oblique strengthening to get that horizontal pull that makes mayas and hip slides so exquisite and strange, and belly rolls with emphasis on stomach musculature.

Dancing with Cymbals! 6:30-7:30pm PST Offered 2nd session

Bring your own and make sure the elastic is tight:) Using Zoe's favorite drills, we will sharpen our musicality and Zill skills. You will be dancing lots, so plan on working out your brain and your body. Some experience recommended.

Choreography creation-8:00-9:00pm PST Offered 2nd session

Using flash cards, we will use a Zoe-created method to build choreo and help break you out of a creativity rut. Class starts with students learning a specific set of phrases, and those phrases are used in class with the method, and by the end of class, everyone will have lots of combos to take home. It's fun and oh so useful!

Beginner choreography max students in person 15, 6:00-7:00pm PST. Offered 3rd session

Building on all the techniques over the spring session, dancers will learn a dance to perform at the recital. This choreography will build on skills learned throughout the year. All choreography students are required to attend one previous Monday class throughout the semester (two months of one weekly Monday class corresponding to their level, 8 total classes)

Intermediate choreography max students in person 15. Offered 3rd session

Building on all the techniques over the spring session, dancers will learn a dance to perform at the recital. This choreography will build on skills learned throughout the year. All choreography students are required to attend one previous Monday class throughout the semester (two months of one weekly Monday class corresponding to their level, 8 total classes)

Advanced Choreography max students in person 15. Offered 3rd session

Building on all the techniques over the spring session, dancers will learn a dance to perform at the recital. This choreography will build on skills learned throughout the year. All choreography students are required to attend one previous Monday class throughout the semester (two months of one weekly Monday class corresponding to their level, 8 total classes)

-------------------

Classes will be recorded and shared in Zoe's online monthly membership. By signing up for class, students agree to be recorded in a class used for future viewing.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Zoe Jakes