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Classes and Workshops with Mirah Ammal Mirah teaches regular belly dance classes in the Twin Cities area, plus special workshops throughout Minnesota and around the country. Mirah is also available for private lessons, private women's parties with small group lessons, and special workshops. For details or to receive announcements about upcoming session schedules, email Mirah at mirah@mirahammal.com.
Click to jump ahead to: Aalim School of Dance classes (Mpls & IGH) - Spring session starts in March! Burnsville and other classes (Spring session begins in April!)
Aalim School of Middle Eastern Dance Classes through Aalim School are taught by Mirah and other professional instructors. See specific class listing for instructor and location. View the registration forms for more complete information and class descriptions or call 612-703-7002 or email Mirah at mirah@mirahammal.com.
Aalim School Spring break: March 17-March 21, 2008
Spring session classes for most classes begin the week of March 31 and run for 8 weeks, with the following exceptions:
Be sure to check studio designation for which of the Inver Grove Heights or Minneapolis studios is hosting a particular class. Click on class titles to view class descriptions.
Level 1/Beginner: Mon. 6:00-7:30 p.m. with Amina, Studio IGH-FA Level 1/Beginner: Wed. 7:30-9:00 p.m. with Amara, Studio IGH-FA Level 1/Beginner: Thurs. 7:00-8:30 p.m. with Afrita, Studio Mpls-CP Level 1/Beginner: Sat. 10:00 a.m.-11:30. with Alicia & Mirah, Studio Mpls-SR Level 2: Thurs. 6:00-7:30 p.m. with Mirah, Studio IGH-FA Levels 3 & up: Thurs. 7:30-9:00 p.m. with Mirah, Studio IGH-FA Advanced Technique & Style: Sat.11:30 a.m.-1:00 with Mirah, Studio Mpls-SR** Monthly Specialty Workshop Classes: Sundays 1-3 at Studio IGH-RS as scheduled For full descriptions and registration information click here. * Note: Class "level" curriculum and expectations are not the same in all belly dance programs. If you have been taking classes with another school or program and are uncertain what level is right for you in ours, please contact Mirah at mirah@mirahammal.com or call 612-703-7002.** Note: No Advanced class January 19--Minneapolis Women's Expo.
Specialty Workshop Classes at the Aalim School Try new specialties and styles with excellent local instructors in a 2-hour workshop-style format! The Aalim School will offer monthly workshop classes, each with a different theme and taught by an experienced regional teacher who is recognized for her expertise in the style or technique presented.
Winter-Spring Schedule (click titles for class descriptions and info): - Sunday March 30 with AminaDancing with Isis Wings: Creating Drama, Interest, and Flow - Sunday April 13 with Mirah AmmalOther workshops, coming soon: * Persian Dance * More drumming workshops with Dave "Dr. D." Lake
Time and Locations: Sunday afternoons as scheduled, Studio IGH-RS unless otherwise noted.. Fee: $20 for one workshop, $80 for a 5-workshop card (good for one full year) For more information on workshops, click here.
Locations Inver Grove Heights Salem Square at 5300 S. Robert Street, Inver Grove Heights (at 494 and S. Robert Street.) Click for driving directions. Studio IGH-FA: Fred Astaire Dance Studio (Suite 550) Studio IGH-RS: Rhythm and Shoes Studio (Suite 200)
Minneapolis Center for Performing Arts at 3754 Pleasant Ave. S. (38th and Pleasant) Studio Mpls-CP: Chapel Room, 2nd floor Studio Mpls-SR: Sun Room, 1st floor
Isis Wings: Building Drama, Interest and Flow Sunday April 13, 2008 Big, bold and beautiful, Isis wings are an exciting addition to belly dance fusion! In this workshop class you'll learn techniques and tips for using Isis wings to make your spins, turns, swoops, swishes and walks look fantastic. Plus, learn to look beyond the obvious and find creative ways to use your wings to build drama, create visual tableaus, and emphasize your dancing and the music. Note:For this class it is recommended that students either have or borrow a set of Isis Wings. (Mirah is working on an agreement with a vendor to allow workshop participants to order a set of wings at a discount to receive them in time for this workshop. If you're interested, contact her at mirah@mirahammal.com.) Due to space considerations, enrollment will be limited to 14 people. Click here for full workshop description and fee info.
Beautiful and Dramatic Veil Dance Sunday September 30, 2007Whether you use it for a dramatic entrance or for a complete piece, veil work can add beauty, grace, drama, and mystery to your performances. This workshop will address basic techniques, but will also introduce more complex veil techniques and help dancers improve their grace and presentation with veil. You'll learn techniques and combinations you can use in your own pieces, plus a short choreography. Appropriate for all levels.
Dynamic Drum Solos & Working with Live Music Thursday July 19, 2007 Dynamic drum solos are key to many belly dance shows--whether to live or prerecorded music. But, when working with live musicians, the interplay of dance and music takes on a life of its own! In this class we'll explore techniques and tips for creating dynamic drum solo performances. We'll also address some basic issues in working with live musicians and explore rhythm changes and "signals" between drummers and dancers. A seasoned drum solo performer, Mirah has worked with many live bands and percussion ensembles in both rehearsed and "pick up" situations, and for this class she is joined by Dave Lake, local tabla player and former founding member of the Ancient Sonic Libido percussion ensemble.
Melaya Leff & Hagalla Workshop Thursday June 28, 2007 Expand your folkloric vocabulary and get a taste of two of popular dances used in Egyptian folkloric and theatrical tableau dance. The Meleya Leff is fun and flirtatious dance based on the nature and dress of women in the Nile Delta region in lower Egypt. You'll learn about the playful style and character epitomized in this dance, and learn how to wrap and maneuver with the meleya leff--a large modesty garment from which the dance takes its name. The Haggala is a dance from comes from the Western Desert region of Egypt. Earthy yet delicate in its way, it is unique from other forms of Egyptian dance and belly dance you may have seen. We will spend approximately one hour on each dance.
Rock Your Raks Assaya: Cane and Saidi Workshop Sunday February 24, 2008 Join Mirah for a fun and lively workshop on the beautiful art of raks assaya (cane dance) and earthy Saidi dance style. Today many dancers incorporate cane into folkloric, Orientale, and even fusion style performances. Learning to spin and hold the cane is one part of the picture. Understanding elements of Saidi style (and what differentiates it from "Orientale" style) enhances your performance too. In this workshop, learn to go beyond simple cane swings and holds to capture the feeling of raks assaya. We will cover cane techniques, and address combinations, stylization, and Saidi "feel" that you can incorporate into your own dance style and your own performances. This workshop is intended for intermediate through advanced dancers; no previous cane experience is required.
The Art of the Unexpected: Subtle Surprises Summer, 2008Use dramatic shifts, subtle surprises, and exciting variations to create super accents and memorable moments in your dance. In this workshop, we’ll explore combinations and techniques—ways of using muscle contractions, facial expressions, movement textures, layers, and more—to draw your audience in and leave them begging for more. We'll also work on how to use layering and accents effectively, peppering just the right amount into your performance without overdoing it. This workshop is intended for intermediat throug advanced dancers.
The Shimmy 411 Summer, 2008In this workshop we'll work on distinguishing more than a dozen different shimmy and vibration variations and work on building technique with each of these types of shimmies and their different applications and layering techniques. We'll also cover exercises to help you improve your technique and be able to differentiate and even combine different shimmies and vibrations in performance while still keeping each distinct.
Workshops for Children and Youth Mirah offers workshops for children and youth. Mirah can also prepare a special cultural presentations or educational workshops on Middle Eastern dance, music or culture for schools, scout groups, and youth organizations. Contact Mirah for more information.
Exploring Middle Eastern Dance and Music Workshop for Kids Learn about the beautiful dances, music and costumes of the countries of the Middle East. In this specially designed kids' workshop, you'll learn where the Middle East is, see examples of costumes and dances from the region, and get to know some of the musical instruments from the area. Plus, you'll get to try out some of the percussion rhythms and dance moves yourself!
The workshop includes demonstration plus age-appropriate dance and music activities with Mirah and percussion instructor, Dave Lake, both of whom are teachers experienced in working with children. Open to boys and girls, no previous dance or music experience is required. Parents or adult guardians encouraged to participate! A fun bonding experience for you and a youngster in your life!
Next workshop not yet scheduled. Contact Mirah if you or your organization would like to schedule a workshop.
For these locations, class registration is handled by the venue. Please use the contact information listed to register. **PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this location is done through the school district and they require advanced registration. For best results, be sure to register no less than four days before the start of class session.
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Classes with Mirah AmmalBurnsville-Eagan-Savage Community Ed. Please note: Classes are located near Hwy 13 and 35W in Burnsville.
Diamondhead Education Center 2nd floor Great Room (new room!) 308 W. Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville Click for driving directions. 952-707-4141 (registration hotline) 952-707-4100 (information)
Spring Session: 4/9 - 5/28 Beginner Level 1: Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Advanced Beginner & Level 2: Wednesdays 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Mirah teaches private lessons for individual or small groups. A lesson or mini-workshop can be a great way to liven up a private party. For small groups and dance troupes, a private lesson with Mirah can help you work toward group goals or choreographies. For individual dance students, private lessons are a great way to work specific techniques, enhance performance skills, get critical feedback, and work on personal dance development. Mirah tailors your private session to suit your individual needs and circumstances. She can come to you, or locate a studio for the session. For specific pricing information, contact Mirah
Mirah also teaches group workshops in Middle Eastern dance and belly dance. She is available for bookings throughout the country. Call 612-703-7002 or email mirah@mirahammal.com to talk with Mirah about teaching a workshop or being a guest instructor for your event.
Some of Mirah's private lesson and workshop specialties include: Egyptian style Raks as-Sharki (belly dance) Dynamic drum solos and combinations Solo performance skills Raks Assaya (cane dance) and Saidi style Dancing with veils Dancing with Isis wings Shamadan (candelabra dance) Eskandarani (meleya leff) Karsilama (9/8) Haggalla Creating a performance set Dancing with finger cymbals...and LIKING it! Developing improvisational dance skills Creating compelling choreography (for soloists, groups, or troupes) Entrances and exits Spectacular shimmies and layering techniques Beautiful hands and arms Isolation and articulation Belly dance for positive body image Overcoming stage fright Exploring Middle Eastern dance and music for kids
To Aalim School Classes in Inver Grove Heights Salem Square Center 5300 S. Robert Trail Suite 550, Inver Grove Heights Fred Astaire Dance Studio (Suite 550) and Rhythm and Shoes Studio (Suite 200) From eastbound 494 take the South Robert Street exit. At the top of the exit ramp, do not turn, but continue straight ahead (turns into 53rd). Turn left at the first parking lot entrance. The studios are located in the row of storefronts (Salem Square).
From westbound 494 take the Highway 110 exit and the South Robert Street exit. Turn right (south) onto S. Robert Street. Take a left at the first light. Turn left at the first parking lot entrance. The studios are located in the row of storefronts (Salem Square). .
To Aalim School Classes in Minneapolis Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave S., Minneapolis. From northbound 35-W take the 35th-36th Street exit. Go past 36th street and take a left onto 35th Street (one way). Cross the overpass, go two blocks, and take a left onto Nicollet. From Nicollet, take a right onto 38th Street. Go four blocks to Pleasant. The Center for Performing arts is on the northwest corner of the intersection. Parking is on street.
From southbound 35-W take the 35th-36th Street exit. Take a left onto 35th Street (one way). Go two blocks, and take a left onto Nicollet. From Nicollet, take a right onto 38th Street. Go four blocks to Pleasant. The Center for Performing arts is on the northwest corner of the intersection. Parking is on street.
From I-94, either direction follow signs for 35-W southbound. Stay right, and follow the southbound 35W directions.
To Burnsville Classes
Diamondhead
Education Center, 308 W Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville
From southbound 35-W
From 35 W take the Burnsville Parkway Exit (just
south of the river). At the top of the off-ramp, turn right to go over
the freeway. Turn left at Pillsbury (if you reach Nicollet, you've gone
too far). As you go down the hill, take your first left into the parking
lot. Enter through the glass double doors and go down the corridor to
the atrium and up the stairs. The Great Room is on the second floor.
From northbound 35-W From 35 W take the Burnsville Parkway Exit (just south of the river). At the top of the off-ramp, turn right to go east. Turn left at Pillsbury (if you reach Nicollet, you've gone too far). As you go down the hill, take your first left into the parking lot. Enter through the glass double doors and go down the corridor to the atrium and up the stairs. The Great Room is on the second floor. From Eagan/Hwy 77 via Hwy 13 Take Highway 13 south/west to Nicollet Avenue (just before 35W). Turn left at Nicollet. Turn right at Burnsville Parkway, and take the next right onto Pillsbury Ave. As you go down the hill, take your first left into the parking lot. Enter through the glass double doors and go down the corridor to the atrium and up the stairs. The Great Room is on the second floor.
From Savage and points south/west via Hwy 13 Take Highway 13 north/east to Nicollet Avenue (just past 35W). Turn right at Nicollet. Turn right at Burnsville Parkway, and take the next right onto Pillsbury Ave. As you go down the hill, take your first left into the parking lot. Enter through the glass double doors and go down the corridor to the atrium and up the stairs. The Great Room is on the second floor.
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