FAQ
Unfortunately, as we are a student club practicing in the campus recreation center, we have to limit membership to those who have access to the rec center (students, college employees, alumni with gym memberships, and their household members with gym memberships). We welcome anyone else to attend our shows, however! If you are not associated with NCSU but still interested in learning how to bellydance, feel free to email us and we will be happy to provide you with information regarding classes in our community.
Nope! Come in at any point you like. Feel free to try a drop in class before committing to purchasing a pass for the rest of the semester.
Whatever you’re comfortable in, although tighter clothing is better so it is easier for the instructor to see and correct your body action. Yoga pants, leggings, or flared bellydance pants work well for bottoms. Make sure your top is stretchy enough that it does not ride up or bother you when you extend your arms over your head. Tank tops, fitted shirts and t-shirts, and sports bras are popular choices. Feel free to show your stomach or cover it up, whatever makes you most comfortable. You may want to wear a hip scarf as well, as they draw attention to your hip action and make it easier to see. If you’re feeling creative, there is a multitude of fun bellydance practicewear available, and it’s easy to make practicewear yourself. Keep an eye out for club practicewear crafting socials. Most bellydancers take classes barefoot, although flexible dance slippers, foot wraps, or “foot undies” are also popular choices.
Our club has a commitment to developing strong performers and is always looking into performance opportunities both on- and off-campus. However, all performances are completely optional. Beginner classes focus on building a strong foundation for future bellydance study. Therefore, performance opportunities are typically not available for students with less than one semester of experience. Intermediate on-campus classes learn both choreography and improv skills. Performance opportunities are typically available a few times a semester, but are not required (some opportunities may require an audition). Advanced classes learn routines and professional performance skill. They have the opportunity to perform them with Tapestry Academy at local venues such as restaurants, international festivals, expos, and retirement homes. At the end of this semester, we will have a small, in-house hafla (informal bellydance show/social/dance party) where anyone interested can perform a short routine for other club members and friends.
Not at all! The goal of the club is to spark a love of bellydance in the campus community and provide affordable, convenient bellydance instruction to NCSU students, faculty, and staff. Our bellydance lessons start at square one.
Yes! The intermediate/advanced class is taught by Amara Al Amir, a professional instructor with over 40 years of bellydance dance experience. These classes are held off-campus at her studio, Tapestry Academy (we will carpool from campus). In addition to choreography and performance skills, she also provides subtle nuances and challenging variations for those who have been dancing longer. Even if you have quite a bit of dance experience under your belt, you can expect to learn new and exciting things at every class. We can also direct you to additional resources in the community to help supplement your growth as a dancer and performer. We encourage advanced dancers serious about growing their skills as performers to take private lessons from Amara Al Amir and perform solo routines.
Stop by one of our beginner or intermediate classes and talk to us! Which class you choose to take is largely a matter of personal choice. As long as you know some basics, you will be fine in the advanced class, although obviously the more experience you have the easier it will be. The main difference between the beginner/intermediate and advanced classes is that the advanced class pushes you more to be a serious performer, emphasizing performance skills and improvisation. Beginner and intermediate classes are a bit more laid-back and recreational. If the advanced class seems like something you’d be interested in, go for it!