Classes & Workshops
60–90min classes are $22 drop in.
Class cards available for discounted classes too.
New classes added. Check it out!
Class & Workshop Schedule
Classes Held at Desert Dream Dance and Movement (*unless otherwise noted)
1515 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95062
Janelle’s classes are in person with some classes offered as hybrid
Questions contact: janelledance@gmail.com
Class fees for Janelle Belly Dance ongoing classes:
5 class pack $75
12 class pack $140
Class cards expire 90 days from purchase date, no refunds. Drop in welcome, $22.
Private Lessons, $125 per hour, OR $450 for a block of 4 private lessons to be used within 60 days of purchase date. NO REFUNDS.
Class attire: Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for a dance class, and a light hip scarf is optional. no skirts or coin belts please. Dance shoes optional, but recommended. Yoga mat recommended.
Go to Janelle’s Webstore to register for class or contact Janelle for Venmo or Zelle options.
Spring Session 2025 is here!
Monday
NEW SERIES! “Golden Era Belly Dance”
April 28-May 26 6:00–7:00pm
Level 2 Belly Dance (technique & vocabulary) 7:10–8:40pm
Tuesday
Level 1 Salimpour Belly Dance (technique) 6:00–7:30pm
Wednesday
NEW SERIES! “Veil Magic” Dancing with veils ~ technique and combos
April 30–May 28, 5:30–6:30pm
Saturday
Intro Belly Dance 10:30–11:30am
Salimpour Vocab 1 11:40 –12:40pm
*check out social media for UP-TO-DATE events
Class Descriptions
Belly Dance Level 1 Technique
L1 is designed to teach students the necessary skills to safely execute the movements used in belly dance. Suhaila Salimpour’s format focuses on muscular control, dance posture and alignment to efficiently execute belly dance movements. Build strength, stamina, and increase flexibility to develop strong technique, precise isolations and balance for traveling movements and turns. We also introduce basic finger cymbal technique and musicality.
Belly Dance Level 2 Technique
In L2 we take our fundamentals to the next level and explore increased timing in movement, introduce layering concepts and more complex foot work patterns and combos. Finger cymbals drills and more complex patterns introduced.
Veil Magic!
Veil Magic! In this 5 week series workshop we will learn techniques used in AmCab style veil wraps, modern and classic entrances, framing & flourishes and traveling. All levels welcome.
We will learn different concepts and contexts for using veil in our belly dance practice and performance. Technique for holding and maneuvering the veil and tips for holding veil with cymbals on!
Golden Era Belly Dance: a dancer study of the dancing stars of the Egyptian Cinema Golden Era. Each week I will feature a different dancer and we will build a beautiful combo inspired by their lines and personal dancing style.
Each time I do this series or workshop it evolves and gets better, I hope you will join me for this fun workshop. You will see how deeply influenced my personal style is to this particular era of belly dance and of course the music is just so exceptional.
L1 Salimpour Vocabulary (New Day and Time)
Intro to Jamila Salimpour Step Vocabulary – Level 1 (fundamentals) classic steps from the Salimpour School step vocabulary, first codified and published by Jamila Salimpour with additional steps added by Suhaila Salimpour. Learn the rich history, cultural and regional context, and sentimental element behind each step. These steps are not “vintage” they are classic and are still a huge part of our dance practice and modern representation of the music and dance we do today. Finger cymbals are optional but will be briefly reviewed and used in this class. Each class will end with a fun dance combo using our “steps of the day”.
Introduction to Belly Dance technique
This class is perfect for students brand new to Salimpour School format & terminology or students wanting a review. Each week we will focus on a new step or isolation and drill in home position as well as basic stepping patterns. There will be optional level increases as well. All levels welcome!
Level 1 Belly dance combo!
Each technique class ends with a fun belly dance combo focusing on our class topic of the day.
Level 2+ Belly dance combo!
Combo time! Most classes end with a fun combo. Each class has a different topic or theme. Music: Zay El Hawa on the album “Dalaa El Nawaem” by Fadi El Saadi.