Hadrah Dance Company is dedicated to creating a community for belly dancers and elevating the art of belly dance. We dance to share the joy and beauty of Middle Eastern dance through artistry, thoughtful innovation and quality classes. We began Hadrah to create a community around the shared vision of belly dance as a art form. A unique blend of modern Egyptian, American and urban tribal style dance characterizes the signature Hadrah technique. Particular emphasis is placed on body awareness, proper alignment and clean movement execution.
Class structure is based on a Western format of clear movement breakdowns, drilling the basics, hands-on corrections and integrating movements through combinations, choreography and improvisational exercises. Above all else, Hadrah celebrates the joy, femininity and individual expression inherent in every dancer. We accept everyone of all ages, shapes and sizes. Male and female students are accepted. Visitors are not allowed inside the studio while class is in session.
Saffa Nawal breaks the class and the drills and choreographies done into 4 dance levels: (based on Suhaila Salimpour's 5 Levels of Dance).
Level 1 (Basics Breakdown) These are things you learn your first few weeks in class and keep building on as you dance, especially during your first year. Really you never stop learning, building on, and perfecting your Basics - your Basics just become more and more complex.
- Body posture
- Isolating muscle groups
- Identifying movements -- by name, visually, ....
- Grace and presence
- Music awareness
Level 2 (Fundamentals) -- A student has learned a bit but wants to take it farther. A student begins learning choreography and generally begin playing with designing their own choreos. During Level 2, a student should feel comfortable enough with their dance that they want to begin to take workshops, perform in front of an audience, and/or dance with outside teachers.
- hipwork and isolations
- arm & hand positions
- muscle development
- rhythm identification
- finger cymbals
- dance combinations
Level 3 (Intermediate) -- A student must be at Intermediate level before they are eligible to join the main troupe.
******You must have danced with Zayna Ziyad prior to joining Hadrah.******
- introduction to layering
- syncopation, i.e., the shifting of an expected accent , moving it from the usual strong beat to a beat that is usually weak, or the shifting of an expected accent , moving it from the usual strong beat to a beat that is usually weak, and/or syncopation by resting (failing to step)
- building speed & stamina
- arm patterns - fusing dance forms
Level 4 (Advanced)
- emphasis on layering
- speed & control
- complex combinations
- vibrations
Periodically throughout the year specialty classes will be offered. These classes might include:
- performance classes which are designed to allow students to learn stage presence and challenge themselves with a fun, bonding experience
- developing choreography best suited for a student's own body type
- costuming and makeup classes
- use of specialty dance props including but not limited to, cane, veil, or swords.
Dress Code: Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful and enjoy celebrating your body! Comfortable dance clothing such as stretch pants and a close-fitting sports/tank tops or t-shirts are recommended for dance technique correction. If you wear clothing that is loose (such as sweat pants or long t-shirts), the teacher will not be able to see if you are executing the movements correctly.
A hip scarf is highly recommended to help see the movement as you develop those fabulous shimmies. Any shawl will do, though fancy hip scarves are available for sale at the studio. You can dance in bare feet, ballet or rubber-soled jazz shoes (no black-soled, street or hard-soled shoes please).
Membership to Hadrah Dance Company will only be granted by the Director. A dancer must display competence equal to or exceeding Hadrah’s Level 3 requirements. A troupe member or potential troupe member must demonstrate ability to master the choreography, show up reliably for rehearsals and shows, show a team attitude toward sharing the goals of the group, and perform competently in student shows.
If you don't practice, you don't dance. Period. All absences must be coordinated with the Director.
- Willingness to invest in required costuming and wear required make-up
- Little fear of performing
- Good interpersonal skills
- Willingness to take direction
- Willingness to learn about and respect the cultures we represent
- Respect and consideration for your dance family
Troupe Members are expected to attend ***a minimum of 2 workshops per calender year*** - one “major” with a regionally, nationally, or internationally known/recognized dancer and one “minor with a “lesser known” regional dancer.
Individuals looking to join the troupe to “strut their stuff” and wear pretty costumes will be disappointed.
We are much more than a show troupe, or a vehicle for “starlets.”
We are a dance family committed to honoring our art form and supporting the talents of the collective - above and beyond ourselves. This art form is often misunderstood and so it is imperative that each member of the troupe understands that when we are performing we are representing a culture—and in so doing you must take the dance seriously.
This troupe experience is not for everyone, but for those who understand and appreciate our troupe philosophy---we welcome you!