Belly Dance Classes | Samira Shuruk | Belly Dancer in Baltimore & Washington, DC

Samira’s teaching philosophy:

Belly Dance is fabulous for fitness; but these are not geared as fitness classes, or “social hour” classes, Samira teaches dance technique classes. Students are active learners and to this end Samira will provide feedback for improvement along with lots of encouragement.

If you’re looking for a dance workout, RaqFit is here!

Belly Dance is a beautiful cultural art and you will be learning from a full-time performer who specializes primarily in Arabic style.  Authentic Middle Eastern music will be used and musical expression and understanding will be incorporated throughout.
We will have opportunities for girls night out “field trips” to see shows, discuss dance videos for comparison and contrast and share a wide variety of learning methods for the dance. The classes will develop organically to cover various aspects of the dance to help you take your understanding and skills as far as you like.  Multiple level students will be taught in the same class.  While one may be learning a technique new to them another will be refining and adding layers.
Samira has been teaching fitness and movement since 1986.  This healthy movement background is combined with her knowledge as a dance major in addition to her knowledge and experience as a full time belly dance performer for over a decade. Her unparalleled background combines with her desire to see her students flourish and grow toward their goals.
Learn and empower the beauty of the dance, the cultures and yourself!
A minimum of 4 registered students is required to run classes

DATES: There are five sessions a year. Fall, winter and spring run 11-13 weeks. Summer 1 and Summer 2 are 5 weeks.
Current session dates, Spring:

Tuesday classes April 9th – June 25th (12 weeks)

Wednesday class April 24th – June 26th (10 weeks)

Upcoming sessions!
Summer 1: Tuesday 6:30-7:30 and 7:30 – 8:30: July 9- August 13 (no class July 30th). 5 weeks $80.

Wednesdays 8-9:30: July 10- August 14 (no July 31st). 5 weeks $115

Summer 2: Tuesday 6:30-7:30 and 7:30-8:30: August 20-Sept 17. 5 weeks $80

                        Wednesdays 8-9:30 August 21- Sept 18. 5 weeks $115

Class Descriptions

Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Basics and Drills 1- This is a multi level class geared towards novice dancers as well as those new to Samira’s techniques.  Class will include warm up, posture, isolations, arms, traveling steps, shimmies as well as dance basics. Summer 1 July 9-Aug 13 (no class July 30). 5 weeks. $80 or Summer 2 August 20-Sept 17. 5 weeks. $80.

Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm
Basics and Drills 2 is a multi level class.  With warm up, posture, isolations, arms, travel steps, shimmies, culture, musicality, layers and more we will learn and refine techniques, movement quality and expression.  This is the perfect companion class to Wednesdays class, and also the place to be if you’ve taken from other teachers but are new to Samira’s techniques. We incorporate more independent guided movement in this class to foster the dancer’s ability to access their own knowledge and translate that with music. Summer 1 July 9-Aug 13 (no class July 30). 5 weeks. $80 or Summer 2 August 20-Sept 17. 5 weeks. $80.

Wednesdays 8:00-10:00 pm
Technique and Performance Skills- This  one and a half hour class is a multi level class geared towards belly dancers with some class experience that want to brush up on and drill all the basics (and some “not so basic”). We will work on the foundations of belly dance; posture, arms and hands, steps, spins and turns, shimmies traveling and isolations. Bring your sagat or zills! We will also
further develop your dance vocabulary and technique while refining your lines, movements, transitions, musicality, expression and understanding of this beautiful art. Different parts of a dance show will be explored and props will also be covered over different sessions.  Class format will include warm-up and conditioning, arms, sagat drill, stationary drills, across the floor, improvisation follow, concepts of improvisation and choreography and cool down. We incorporate video critiques each session. Technique and Performance Skills Belly Dance is not for novice dancers.  You will be expected to practice at home and do homework. Students also do exercises to learn to access their own movement vocabularies, learn to develop stage presence and develop an understanding of how this dance form expresses the dancer and the music. Each session we have a different focus. Summer 1 and 2 are technique and how to create beautiful dances, whether you prefer improvisation or choreography.

Location: L’Etoile Russian Ballet Academy
3240 Suite E Corporate Court
Ellicott City, MD 21042

Call or email Samira with questions
410-977-7978

Fees-
*Tuesday Drop in: $20/class
*Tuesday (Basics and Drills 1 or 2)Partial session fee: 7 classes (to be used within the session) $126
*Tuesday Full Session Spring (12 weeks Basics and Drills 1 or 2) $192.
*Wednesday drop in Spring (2 hr class): $35
*Wednesday Partial session classes: (7 x 2 hr classes to be used within the session): $240
*Wednesday Full Session: (10 weeks): $300

NEW!
SUMMER RATES!
*Tuesday Drop in: $20
*Tuesday (Basics and Drills 1 or 2) Summer Session 1, 5 weeks: $80
*Tuesday (Basics and Drills 1 or 2) Summer Session 2, 5 weeks: $80
*Wednesday Performance Techniques and Skills. Summer (1.5 hour class) Drop in: $27
*Wednesday Summer Session 1, 5 weeks: $115
*Wednesday Summer Session 2, 5 weeks: $115

Want to start next session?  Sign up for the email list and click the “classes” option!

*if you miss a class during the session ask Samira about making up on the other day.

Student FAQs

For Samira’s Pilates classes, which are an excellent supplement for strength, flexibility and balance, please visit The Yoga Center of Columbia.