I hope everyone has been working hard on the challenge for week two. On to week 3:

Beginner Track:

Week Three: 1. Work with repetition and body placement to adjust the 1-2 min of dance movement.  2.Add entrance and ending. 3. Write them down.

This week you will need to listen to your music and see if you can find sections that would work well with repetition. These are usually the refrains or melodies of your song. Do not be afraid to use repletion in your choreography. Audience usually find it comforting to the eye for a dancer to repeat a dance sequence when there is a repetitive part in the music. Not every minute of the dance needs to be brand new. This is also a time to think about body placement. Are you facing the audience the whole time? What would happen if you spin or turn on an angle. Experiment!

You will also want to work on your entrance and exit. For a new performer is it best to choreograph an entrance and not start on stage. It takes a great deal of confidence to walk onto a quiet stage (with everyone watching) and get into a starting position. If that seems like too much pressure, please choreograph an entrance. Usually an entrance can be a simple traveling move that will take you to your starting position (center of the stage). You can also use this move for your exit or choose a different one. It is also possible to choose to end on stage.  This should be that last thing you really need to put your dance together, so write it down and start practicing.

Note: Some dance performances expect bow music. This will usually be a short 15-30 sec replaying of your song after it finishes for a bow. In my experience this is not usually needed so please ask if it is required.

Advanced Track:

This week we have two challenges. You can choose one or both to try and complete.

1. No Music Challenge: This is one of my personal favorites. I find that often when I can’t figure out how to choreograph to a piece of music it helps to turn the music off. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but you will be surprised at the dancing you can create without the restraints of music. This challenge is to create a 1-2 min dance (keep it short) with out any music. Go for it.

2. Fun Prop Challenge: I love props and belly dancing has not shortage of them. This challenge is step outside your comfort zone and try a new a different prop. It may not be traditional, but it should be fun. No veils, canes, and swords! Please try and use something new like a chair or umbrella. I am interested to see what you come up with. Good luck.

Note: Some of these prop ideas may not be the best for balancing so please be careful.

-Nara

Are you trying the challenge? I would love to hear how it is going.