Arrive with plenty of time: Build some extra time into your schedule to find the studio, check-in, use the restroom, and be prepared to dance with your hip scarf.

Turn off your cell phone ringer: Please turn off the ringer on your phone.  You don’t need it during class.

Pick a space that works best for you: Stand where you can hear and see the instructor.

Keep moving: If you get lost, keep moving and counting, and join in again when you can.

Stay focused: Be open to new ideas: Everything is challenging at first, so be open to new ideas and stay positive.

Don’t give up: If you get frustrated, try a simpler version or take it at half speed.

Wear form-fitting clothes: Wear form-fitting clothes, like a comfortable knit top with yoga pants, or workout clothes.  This allows the instructor to see your muscles work and help you if you’re doing something incorrectly.  Bring layers, if you tend to get cold.

Bring all supplies in one bag: Pack carefully only bringing the items you need for class.  Water, hip scarf, and a smile.

Be comfortable and wear something that allows you to move.  Your clothing shouldn’t be constraining and shouldn’t hinder any movement. We recommend any stretchy pants or yoga pants that will work. We also recommend wearing a sports bra when attending dancer stretch. You just want to be secure and comfortable in what you wear.

Lightweight workout clothes , or a leotard and tights are also fine. Dressing up is lots of fun, but you definitely don’t need to & it is not a requirement. We have some students who come in sweats while other students love to wear the harem pants, dance skirts and cool tops. We personally love to be fashionable while dancing. Zaira always claims that she cannot dance without earrings and lipstick, so there you have it.

As far as footwear is concerned, you will either be dancing on a hardwood-like suspended floor at Nicole Cote or a hard smooth floor at the Veterans Complex and The Yoga Gallery.  Although some students dance either with socks or barefoot, we encourage students to invest in a ballet practice shoes as class footwear, for long-term students. Tennis shoes are not allowed. Dance shoes are welcome as they provide the proper support. Visit The Melbourne Dancewear shop, 442 N Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935. They are more affordable than Amazon and will fit you for socks, ballet slippers, and/or dance shoes.

No, online registration is not required and you can sign up in advance online or in person.  If in person, we ask that you come 10-15 minutes before class to sign in with the instructor.  Our classes are on-going and we offer drop-in rates, class card discounts, and monthly VIP subscriptions.

No, you can still join after the class session has started.   Our class format repeats and there is flexibility in the curriculum.  We frequently cycle through material giving students an opportunity to catch up.   If you’re interested in joining a choreography class, work with the instructor and consider doing a private lesson to learn the material you missed.

The best way to find out what level you should start at is do drop in for a class and ask the instructor to assess your dance experience and help you find the right class. In general if you have taken classes continuously for less then a year you should drop into Beginner classes for an assessment and if you have taken classes continuously for more than a year you should drop into Advanced Beginner/Introduction to Intermediate class for an assessment.  Feel free to reach out to Zaira for help and guidance with any level, especially Advanced and Professional levels.

Introduction to Belly dance, Back to Belly dance Basics, and Beginner Belly dance Classes are designed to introduce new students to the movements, music, and props used in belly dance. The curriculum rotates though topics which includes a list of basic technique that must be learned to move on to the next level.  It also includes some veil and zills instruction.  This is a great level for people who are looking to get started belly dancing and those who are looking to revisit and clean up their technique!

Advanced Beginner/Introduction to Intermediate Classes allow students who have a good understanding of the basics to learn more complex Egyptian style movements, start to be able to identify Middle Eastern rhythms and musical structure, and dance with veils, zills, and canes.
Prerequisites- Completion of Beginner Classes or prior consent of instructor. Adv Beginner/Intro to Inter classes can be taken concurrently with Beginner Classes, after 3-6 months of Beginner lessons are completed.  Each dancer is unique and your instructor can help you with your advanced through the courses.

Intermediate/Advanced Technique Classes are for continuing students to start developing a deeper understanding of the Egyptian style dance as they begin to work on musicality, dance composition, improvisation, and advanced props.
Prerequisites- Completion of Beginner/Adv Beg/Intro to Intermediate and/or prior consent of instructor.

Intermediate/Advanced Choreography Class consists entirely of special topics and must be taken with the Inter/Adv Technique class. Examples of topics include the following formats: Folkloric and Raqs Sharqi styles like Mejance, Baladi, Drums, Shamadan, Veil, Wings, Sword, Candles, Zills, Raqs Assaya (cane).   Troupe members are by invite only, can dance professionally, and perform at local events.

The goal is not to advance through the levels as fast as possible but to enjoy and feel accomplished at the end of every class.

Since each level has rotating topics, students take many different sessions at the same level before repeating any material or advancing to the next level. In general expect to spend 6 months to 1 or 2 years at the Beginner/Adv Beginner/Intro to Intermediate levels, and 3 years and up for Intermediate through Advanced.

Belly dancing is a great way to exercise.  It’s low impact, supportive, and a great escape from stress and the mind.  Bring lots of water to class as the workout can be vigorous at times.

Belly dance combines natural, body-friendly movement with yoga, ethnic, and modern dance.  The middle-eastern diet is also very healthy and often recommended for those wishing to reduce their carbs to achieve their healthy weight goals.

Starting a belly dance class is like starting any other program of physical activity and we recommend checking with your physician first.  Prospective students with back and joint problems, pregnant, and, of course, people who haven’t exercised in a LOOOOOng time, should talk to their doctor prior to joining classes.

No matter what your disability, let us know if you have permission from your doctor, about your disability, and any movement restrictions.  We will work with you so that you can participate at the appropriate level.  With proper notice, we have taught classes with blind and deaf participants.

Our dance community is very supportive and know the benefits of dancing for the body and soul.  It heals by brining joy in a supportive environment.  We stand by our motto, “Belly dancing for Everyone”.

MBD instructors and students are given the opportunity to perform in our annual haflas.  We host two student showcase twice a year, usually the second or third week in May and the first Saturday in December.  This allows the students, at every level, to have a safe place to perform for their family and friends.  Sharing your new skills can be exciting, especially when you let everyone know what you’ve been working on in class.   There are also occasionally performance opportunities at community events throughout the year.

No, you are not required to perform and participate in our annual student showcases and/or community events.  If you come to class for exercise and fun, that is perfect line fine.  If you do want to perform though, we provide ample opportunities for you to join us onstage with a group or as a soloist.