Baile: 7 estilos de aprendizaje

* English version below 

AUDITIVO (Musical)

Prefiere: Sound and music

Qué hacer:  Crear ritmos al memorizar

                   Hacer grabaciones de sonido (para ayudar a visualizar)

                   Anclar emociones a una canción que nos toca

Consejo personal:

Todos los ritmos árabes, Vol-1

- Antes de bailar usando una nueva canción (ya sea improvisar o coreografear), siéntate, apaga todas las distracciones a tu alrededor, y escucha la música atentamente. Identifica los ritmos y de ser posible, síguelos con las palmas.

- Compra un CD de ritmología (como los CDs instruccionales de Osvaldo Brandan, Argentina, que están disponibles en Amazon o Ebay), y escúchalos al manejar, cocinar, etc. Esto te ayudará a familiarizarte con diferentes ritmos, y cuando estés bailando a esos ritmos en particular, te sentirás más comoda ya que tu cerebro lo identificará con mayor facilidad.

 - Haz que tus estudiantes escuchen la canción que usarás para la clase o coreografía. Si harán una presentación, asegúrate que la canción esté disponible para ellas, así pueden familiarizarse con la melodía antes del performance.

 

VISUAL (Espacial)

Prefiere: Fotos, imágenes, entender el espacio

Qué hacer:   Medios visuales (fotos e imágenes)

                    Colores (para resaltar puntos más importantes)

                    Mapas mentales (organización espacial) 

                    Reemplazar palabras por imágenes

Consejo personal:

- Al coreografear, te puedes ayudar dibujar el camino que recorrerás en el espacio o escenario.

- Antes de bailar o competir, tómate un momento para cerrar los ojos, respirar profundamente, y visualizar la coreografía en tu mente. Haz esto repetidas veces, y te ayudará a incrementar y fortalecer tu confianza en el escenario.

VERBAL (Lingüístico)

Prefiere: Palabras (Al hablar o escribir)

Qué hacer:   Practica escribir más párrafos o guiones

                    Al leer en voz alta, juega con los tonos de tu voz

                    Practica juego de roles con alguien más

Consejo personal:

- Cuando estés preparando una clase, escribe los puntos primordiales que quieres enseñar. (Ej. Pops y Locks, Shimmy egipcio, Maya), y una línea o dos extra si es que quieres recordar algo en particular (Ej. Practicar despacio y rápido, agregar brazos en diferentes posiciones)

- Al enseñar ritmos a estudiantes, quizá les ayude escribir los sonidos de los ritmos. Por ejemplo, con el Baladi: Dum Dum Taca Tak Dum Taca Tak Taca.

FÍSICO (Kinestético)

Prefiere: Sentido del tacto (cuerpo, manos)

Qué hacer:   Enfócate en las sensaciones de cada situación

                    Describe los sentimientos físicos de tus acciones

                    Usa tantos objetos físicos como puedas

                    Escribir y dibujar son consideradas actividades físicas 

Consejo personal:

- Antes de bailar, siéntate, relájate, y en vez de enfocarte tanto en la coreografía, intenta enfocarte en cómo te hace sentir. Por ejemplo, qué sensación recorre tus brazos al hacer esa vuelta? El Baladi te causa mariposas en el estómago? Recordar estos sentimientos te ayudará a hacer una mejor presentación.

- Grábate ensayando, y nota cualquier combo, paso o expresión que te gustaría corregir o eliminar. Enfócate en recordar cuál era el sentimiento físico que tenías el paso o movimiento. La próxima vez que empieces a tener ese sentimiento al bailar, se te hará más facil recordar el paso que quieres corregir o mejorar.

LÓGICO (Matemático)

Prefiere: Sistemas, lógica, razonamiento.

Qué hacer:  Extrae los puntos más importantes y haz una lista

                   Crea asociaciones al aprender

                   Piensa acerca del sistema para entender el panorama general

                   Entiende la razón detrás de cada contenido o habilidad

Consejo personal:

- Al hacer coreografías, me gusta hacer que mis combinaciones sea fáciles para seguir por inercia. Por ejemplo, estás haciendo un uno y medio con la cadera derecha (peso en la pierna izquierda), y luego cruzas la pierna derecha para completar una vuelta a tu izquierda. En otras palabras, trabaja en hacer una secuencia que sea lógica para tu cuerpo - así evitarás quedarte "en blanco" y olvidarte qué sigue en tu pieza.

- Al enseñar un movimiento en particular, asegúrate siempre de explicarlo paso a paso. De este modo, tu estudiante entenderá cómo se construye ese movimiento. Esto ayudará a que lo haga mucho mejor!

SOCIAL (INTERPERSONAL)

Prefiere: Learning in groups

Qué hacer:   Comparte tus opiniones con el resto del grupo

                    Comparte técnicas de asociación y visualización

Consejo personal:

- Al enseñar, puedes hacer diferentes grupos (2-3 estudiantes cada uno), asignarles una parte de la canción, y pedirles que trabajen en grupo para hacer un combo con esa música. Esto los ayudará a poner en práctica lo que están aprendiendo y ayudará a nutrir su desarrollo.

- Pide a tus estudiantes que compartan cómo se sienten con un movimiento, canción, clase o coreografía en particular. Qué es lo más complicado? Qué los hace sentir más cómodos? Esto ayudará a ampliar la perspectiva de las otras bailarinas, y nutrirá sus sentimientos acerca de la pieza.

SOLITARIO (INTRAPERSONAL)

Prefiere: Autodidático, trabajar solo.

Qué hacer:  Encuentra un interés personal en lo que estés haciendo

                   Alínea tus metas y objetivos con tus valores (sé coherente)

                  Auto confianza (Te conduces a tí mismo por la manera en que tú mismo te ves internamente)

                   Piensa positivo (Tus pensamientos tienen una influencia muy grande en tu desarrollo y performance)

 

Consejo personal:

- Recuerda la frase de Albert Einstein "Genios son 1% talento y 99% trabajo duro". Practica, practica y practica. Esto ayudará a que te sientes en mayor confianza con tus habilidades.

- Graba un "buen" ensayo y guárdalo. Cada vez que empiezas a tener dudas de tu trabajo o talento, míralo y recuerda que las dudas están solo en tu cabeza. Sólo sigue practicando. "Somos lo que hacemos repetidamente. Excelencia, entonces, no es un acto, sino un hábito." - Aristóteles

- CONÉCTATE a la canción. Si es que tú escoges la canción, escoge una que te haga sentir. Cuando tengo que cerrar mis ojos al oír una canción para poder disfrutarla mejor, sé que esa canción me está tocando a un nivel más profundo. Si no tienes la opción de escoger la canción, encuentra una manera de sentirte conectado a ella. Saca memorias, busca asociaciones, escucha la canción con una mente abierta.

Miami Belly Dance Convention 2012

Dance: 7 styles of learning

AURAL (Auditory-Musical)

Prefer: Sound and music

What to use: Create rhymes when memorizing

                    Sounds recording (as background to help you visualize)

                    Anchor your emotions with a song that touches you

Personal advice: 

Todos los ritmos árabes, Vol-1

- Prior dancing to a new song (whether improvising or choreographing), sit down, shut down all distractions and carefully listen to the music. Identify the rhythms and if possible, follow them with your claps and mouth.

- Buy a CD with plain rhythms (such as the instructional CDs from Osvaldo Brandan, Argentina, which are available in Amazon or Ebay), and play while driving, cooking, etc. This will help you get familiarized with how a particular rhythm goes, and when dancing to it, you will feel more comfortable since your brain already recognizes it.

 - Make your students listen to the song you are introducing them to in class (if they are performing to it, make sure the song is available to them so they can get familiarized with it by listening constantly prior performance).

 

VISUAL (Spatial)

Prefer: Pictures, images, understanding space

What to use: Visual media (pictures and images)

                    Colors (to highlight major and minor points)

                    Mind maps (spatial organization) 

                    Layouts (spatial organization)

                    Replace words with pictures

Personal advice: 

- When choreographing, it may help to draw out the foot pattern you follow on stage. 

- Before performing/competing, take a moment to close your eyes, breath deeply, and visualize your choreography in mind. Do so repeatedly, and it will help improve your confidence on stage.

VERBAL (Linguistic)

Prefer: Words (in speech and/or writing)

What to use: Practice scripting and more writing

                    When reading out loud, play with the tones of your voice

                    Role-play with someone to learn verbal exchanges (i.e. negotiations, sales)

Personal advice:

- When preparing a class, I write down the main points I want to teach (i.e. Pops and Locks, Traveling shimmy, Figure eights), and a line or two extra if I want to remember something in particular (i.e. Practice slow and fast, add arms at different positions, etc).

- When teaching rhythms to students, it may help writing down the sounds of the rhythms as for example with baladi: Dum Dum Taca Tak Dum Taca Tak Taca.

PHYSICAL (Kinesthetic)

Prefer: Sense of touch (body, hands)

What to use: Focus on the sensations on each scenario

                    Describe the physical feeling of your actions

                    Use as many physical objects as possible

                    Writing and drawing are considered physical activities

                    Practice skills and behaviors with a partner

Personal advice:

- Before performing, sit down, relax, and rather than focusing much on remembering the choreography as it is, try focusing on how it makes you feel. For example, what sensation do you feel in your arms when doing that turn? Does that Baladi gives you stomach butterflies? Remembering these feelings will help you go through with your performance with much ease.

- Record yourself rehearsing and point out a particular combo, step or expression you will like to work on/eliminate. Focus on remembering what was the physical feeling you had while doing so. Next time you start getting that feeling while dancing, you will remember easier what you need to work on/correct.

LOGICAL (Mathematical)

Prefer: Systems, logic, reasoning.

What to use: Extract key points and make a list

                    Do associations when learning

                    Think about the system to learn the bigger picture

                    Understand reason behind content and skills

Personal advice:

- When choreographing, I like making my combos easy to follow for my body by inertia. For example, I am doing a hip drop with my right hip (weight on the left), and then cross my right foot to complete a turn to my left. In other words, work on doing a dance sequence that is logic for your body - that way you will avoid getting "blanks" and forgetting what comes next.

- When teaching a step, always break it down so the student can understand how that particular move is built up. This will help them perform better!

SOCIAL (INTERPERSONAL)

Prefer: Learning in groups

What to use: Share your key assertions with your group members

                    In group, practice behaviors to learn how to deal with variation

                    Share association and visualization techniques

Personal advice:

- When teaching, you can make different groups (2-3 students each), give them a piece of a song, and ask them to work together to choreograph to it in 15-20 minutes. This will help them put in practice what they are learning and the experience will feed their own development.

- Ask your students to share how they feel with a particular move/song/choreography/lesson. What is more challenging? And what feels more comfortable? This will most likely broaden the perspective the other dancers have, and nurture their own views/feelings on the piece.

SOLITARY (INTRAPERSONAL)

Prefer: Self-study, work alone.

What to use: Find a personal interest in your topics

                    Align your goals and objectives with your values (be coherent)

                    Self-confidence (you drive yourself by the way you see yourself internally)

                    Positive thinking (your thoughts have a large influence on your performance)

 

Personal advice:

- Remember Albert Einstein's quote "Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work". Practice, practice, and practice. This will be of great help to increase your confidence about your skills and performance.

- Record one "good" rehearsal and keep it. Whenever you start feeling dubious of your work or anxious, look at it and remember it may all be in your head. Just keep practicing. "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle

- CONNECT to the song. If you get to choose it, choose one that touches you deeply. When I close my eyes listening to a new song just to enjoy it, I know it is reaching to me at a deeper level. If you do not get to choose it (as a student or teacher), find a connection to the song. Bring out memories, look for associations, listen to it with an open mind.

Miami Belly Dance Convention 2012

Baile: 10 razones por qué bailar te hace más inteligente

* English version below 

 

1) Incrementa tu nivel de inteligencia y habilidad para resolver problemas

 

Jean Piaget, un psicólogo y filósofo suizo define inteligencia como "aquello que usamos cuando no sabemos qué hacer". Cuando el cerebro evalúa diversas posibilidades ante una situación poco familiar, y escoge uno de esos caminos (no por respuesta automática o costumbre), entonces este proceso cognitivo es considerado ser inteligente.

Bailar, en especial improvisar, requiere una gran capacidad de decisión (en particular tomar decisiones al segundo). Esto entrena a tu cerebro para crear nuevas rutas neurológicas, lo cual incrementa tu nivel de inteligencia así como tus habilidades para resolver problemas.

2) Mejora tu enfoque/concentración

Justo después de hacer ejercicios, estás en tu punto más alto de atención y habilidades de enfoque. El Dr. John Ratey, autor del libro "Spark - La nueva ciencia revolucionaria del ejercicio y el cerebro" dice que ejercitar (ej. bailar) mejora tu cerebro a corto plazo también, incrementando tus habilidades de enfoque y concentración por 2-3 horas después del ejercicio. Esto sucede porque ejercitar incrementa la neuroplasticidad y niveles de serotonina en tu cerebro y cuerpo (Para más información mira los puntos 5 y 6 abajo).

3) Aumenta tus habilidades de aprendizaje

Estudios demuestran que ejercitar ayuda a incrementar las habilidades de aprendizaje y memoria. Ejercitar (ej. bailar) incrementa la cantidad de oxígeno en tu cerebro, mejorando la producción de energía y la eliminación de desechos. También ayuda a incrementar el nivel de factores de crecimiento en el cerebro - lo cual ayuda a reponer las células del cerebro y establecer nuevas conexiones. Esto aplica, especialmente, a ejercicios que desafían la coordinación física y visual, como el baile, o ejercicios que nunca has probado antes (quizá un nuevo estilo de baile como Flamenco).

"Un grupo de científicos Alemanes descubrieron que estudiantes de secundaria que completaron 10 minutos de complicadas rutinas de ejercicios sacaron mejores notas en trabajos que requerían altos niveles de concentración, en comparación a aquellos que hicieron 10 minutos de actividad regular. Notablemente, aquellos que no hicieron ningún tipo de ejercicio sacaron las peores notas" 

Referencia: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/how-exercise-can-help-us-learn/

4) Ayuda a controlar los impulsos 

 Bailar provoca que tus niveles de endorfina aumenten, lo cual mejora la habilidad de tu cerebro de priorizar. Después de hacer ejercicios, tu capacidad de ordenar prioridades mejora, lo cual te permite bloquear distraccione y concentrarte mejor.

5) Incrementa el nivel de serotonina ("la hormona de la felicidad")

Serotonina es un neurotransmisor que se encuentra en el tracto intestinal, sistema nervioso central, plateles de la sangre, y en la glándula pineal (al centro del cerebro). Es responsable por mejorar las funciones del cerebro, como el aprendizaje. Estudios han demostrado, también, que altos niveles de serotonina enriquecen tu estado de bienestar, mejorando así tu estado de ánimo, apetito y sueño.

 

Un estudio hecho en la Universidad de Princeton (USA) dice "la serotonina es también conocida como la hormona de la felicidad porque contribuye con los sentimientos de bienestar."

Referencia: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248.php

6) Incrementa la elasticidad del cerebro

La corteza cerebral y el hipocampo del cerebro son muy elásticos. Bailar ayuda a "reconfigurar" nuestros cerebros -  impulsa a formar nuevas rutas neurológicas incrementando la estimulación de nuestro cerebro. Las funciones de la corteza cerebral incluyen memoria, reconocimiento, conciencia y atención. El hipocampo es un componente primordial del cerebro humano - y juega un rol de suma importancia en la memoria espacial y navegación.

7) Incrementa tu energía (y habilidad de pensar con claridad)

Después de bailar, te sientes lleno de energía. Bailar (ejercitarse en general) regularmente no sólo mejora la fuerza muscular y aumenta tu resistencia; además te da la energía necesaria para pensar con mayor claridad. Si estás realizando alguna tarea que requiere altos niveles de concentración pero no mucho movimiento físico (como estudiar), de vez en cuando tómate un descanso de 10-15 minutos, muévete un poco o baila. Esto incrementará la producción de energía en tu cuerpo, y mejorará tu habilidad de pensar con claridad y formar nuevas ideas.

8) Incrementa/Mejora las funciones cognitivas a TODAS las edades

Las funciones cognitivas incluyen nuestras habilidades de procesar pensamientos. Esto incluye memoria, atención, habilidades de comunicación, comprensión de lectura, y la capacidad de aprender nueva información. Envejecer, así como ciertas enfermedades, pueden afectar estas funciones con el tiempo, resultando en pérdida de memoria y problemas de comunicación. Bailar mejora tus habilidades cognitivas, independiente de a qué edad empiezas.

Referencia: http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2006/12/18/what-are-cognitive-abilities/  

9) Reduce el riesgo de demencia (incluyendo el Alzheimer)

Bailar mejora nuestras funciones cognitivas con el tiempo, lo cual reduce nuestro riesgo de demencia, incluyendo la enfermdad del  Alzheimer (la clase más común). Un estudio de 21 años, realizado por Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City demostró que bailar reduce el riesgo de demencia por un 76%, en comparación a otras actividades físicas y cognitivas como leer, pasear en bicicleta, jugar golf, hacer crucigramas, etc.

Referencia: http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm

10) Activa diferentes áreas en tu cerebro (áreas que no están típicamente involucradas en movimiento)

- Giro Temporal Superior: Procesar la música oída

- Putamen: Movimiento rítmico

- Tálamo: Información sensorial con movimiento irregular

- Cerebelo (Lóbulos III, V, VI): Sincronizando movimientos con música

- Lóbulo Parietal Superior: Kinestesia guiando el movimiento de piernas

 Referencia: http://bboyscience.com

Dance: 10 reasons why dancing makes you smarter

1) Increases your intelligence and solving problem skills.

Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist and philosopher defines intelligence as "what we use when we don't already know what to do". When the brain evaluates many viable responses to an unfamiliar situation, and choose one of them (not by automatic response or habit), then this cognitive process is considered to be intelligent.

Dancing, especially improvising, requires a great amount of decision-making (split-second decision making in particular). This trains your brain to create new neurological pathways which overall improves your intelligence and ability in solving problems.

2) Improves your focus

Right after exercising, you are at your peak of attention and focus abilities. Dr. John Ratey, author of "Spark - The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" says that exercising (i.e. dancing) improves your brain in the short term by increasing your focus abilities for 2-3 hours afterwards. This is because exercising increases the neuroplasticity and serotonin levels of your brain and body (Points 5 and 6 below).

3) Enhances learning abilities

Studies demonstrate that exercising helps increase your learning and memory abilities. Exercising (i.e. dancing) increases the amount of oxygen in your brain, enhances energy production and waste removal. It also increases the level of growth factors in the brain - which helps replenishing brain cells and establishing new connections. This applies especially to exercises that challenges physical or hand-eye coordination, such as dancing, or exercises you have never tried before (may be a new dance style such as Flamenco). 

"A team of German researches found high school students who had completed ten-minutes of complicated fitness routines scored better on high-attention tasks than those who did 10 minutes of regular activity. Notably, those who did not exercise scored the worst."

Reference: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/how-exercise-can-help-us-learn/

4) Helps impulse control

Dancing triggers your endorphin levels which actually improves the ability of your brain to prioritize. After exercising, your ability to sort out priorities improves, which will allow you to block distractions and concentrate better.

 

5) Increases serotonin ("happiness hormone") level

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in your intestinal tract, central nervous system, blood plateles and the pineal gland (at the center of your brain).  It is responsible for enhancing brain's functions, such as learning. Research studies have also demonstrated that increased levels of serotonin improves your sense of well-being by improving your mood, appetite and sleep. 

 

A study done at Princeton University says "serotonin is also known as a happiness hormone because it contributes to feelings of well-being."

Reference: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248.php

6) Increases elasticity of the brain

The cerebral cortex and hippocampus of our brains are very elastic. They "rewire" themselves after each use. Dancing helps "rewire" our brain - it helps forming new neural pathways increasing the stimulation of our brain. The cerebral cortex's functions include memory, awareness, consciousness and attention. The hippocampus is a major component of the human brain - and plays a role in spatial memory and navigation. 

7) Increases your energy (and ability to think clearer)

After dancing, you feel energized. Dancing (exercising in general) regularly not only improves your muscle strength and boosts your endurance, but it will also give you the energy needed to think clearer. If you are performing a task that requires high levels of concentration but not much physical movement (i.e. studying), every now and then take at least a 10-15 minutes break, move around or dance for a while. This will increase the production of energy in your body and enhance your ability to think clearer and come up with new ideas.

8) Increases/Improves cognitive functions at ALL ages 

Cognitive function refers to our ability to process thoughts. It includes memory, attention, speech abilities, reading comprehension, and ability to learn new information. Aging and certain diseases may affect these functions over time resulting in memory loss and trouble with communication. Dancing improves your cognitive functions, regardless at what age you start.

Reference: http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2006/12/18/what-are-cognitive-abilities/  

9) Reduces the risk of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease)

Dancing improves our cognitive functions over time, which reduces our risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (which is the most common type of dementia). A 21-years study done in Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City demonstrated that dancing reduced the risk of dementia by 76%, in comparison to other physical and cognitive activities such as reading, bicycling, playing golf, doing crossword puzzles, etc. 

Reference: http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm

10) Activates different areas in your brain (areas that are not typically engaged in movement alone)

- Superior Temporal Gyrus: Processing the heard music

- Putamen: Rhythmic movement

- Thalamus: Sensory information with irregular movement

- Cerebellum (Lobules III, V, VI): Synchronizing movements with music

- Superior Parietal Lobule: Kinesthesia helping guide leg movements

 Reference: http://bboyscience.com

 

Dance: Festivals around the world (reviews).

1. BellyFest Peru (Lima, Peru)

9th - 11th (approx) of August each year.

Workshops

Annual and gala show

No competitions

Vendors (costumes, CDs/DVDs, props)

Organized by Luna Dance Peru 

Www.bellyfestperu.com

Teachers:      Amir Thaleb, Tito Seif, Saida, Yamil Annum, Shanan, Tarik, to only mention a few, have already been part of this amazing event. For this 2014 not only the wonderful couple, Saida and Yamil have confirmed their attendance, but also has the amazing Egyptian teacher Khaled Seif. 

Workshops:   Usually includes two days of workshops starting as early as 9 am and going all the way until 7 pm with short breaks in between (a longer break for lunch).

Location:       Workshops usually happen in a large convention center, and so does the Gala Show. The annual show, the biggest one, has been at the one of the beautiful auditories of Museo de los Incas (Incas Museum) for the last two years. If you are coming from a different country I highly recommend asking the staff/students for help with directions and transportation (buses, taxis, etc).

Show/Gala:   The festival usually starts with their 2hrs annual show. They also have a Gala Show where they feature dancers not only from Luna Dance school but from many other schools as well. Last year, dancers from various countries in South America had the chance to dance at the Gala. They also had the chance to receive feedback - at no additional cost - from Amir Thaleb, Saida, Yamil, among other teachers.

Quality:          One of the highest quality annual shows I have witnessed. The workshops organization runs smoothly as well. Everything starts on time and there are no long lines to wait on. They also help you out finding lodging, among others, if you are flying in from another city or country!

Cost:             Last year the cost ranged from $180 (early registration) to $210 for the VIP package (all workshops included). It is truly a VERY affordable price in comparison to other international festivals, especially taking into account the quality of teachers and organization.

2. Miami Belly Dance Convention (Miami, USA)

Labor Day Weekend (August 29th-Sept 1st 2014), each year.

MBDC Publicity

Workshops

Two gala shows

Competitions (Rising, Professional, Tribal Fusion, Group, Junior, Teen) No cash prize

Vendors (costumes, CDs/DVDs, props) 

Organized by Nathalie 

Www.miamibellydanceconvention.net

Teachers:        Saida, Yamil Annum, Jillina, Sadie, Zoe Jakes, Amar Gamal, among other wonderful artists... Including Nathalie herself of course! 

Workshops:     There are 4 days of workshops, from Friday to Monday. Usually there is only one master class on Fridays right after the preliminaries for the competitions. Saturday and Sunday include most of the workshops, some of them going on at the same time on different rooms at the hotel.

Location:          The whole weekend (workshops + galas) happens in an amazing hotel/convention center. You get an amazing view of Miami Beach! Don't forget your bikini ;) 

Galas:               Usually things run smoothly, and each gala lasts about 2 hours with a break of 15 minutes. The gala on Sunday includes the performances of the finalists (risings dance to a CD while professionals do to a live band). Beautiful showcases full of talent and elegance!

2nd Place Winner Rising Star MBDC

Competition:     This is one of the most prestigious competitions in the U.S. Be on TOP of your game. You don't get to know who your judges are until the moment you are about to perform, and the teachers judging the preliminaries may not judge the finals. The organization underneath the competitions is excellent. You will always find someone to help you if needed, and the environment - despite the fact that is a competition - is really friendly and comforting. It's an amazing opportunity to challenge yourself and to get your name out there! I am proud to say I was the Second Place Winner for the MBDC Competition 2013 Rising Star.

Quality:              Excellent. Nathalie is truly amazing, and despite all the stress that may bring being in charge of a large event like this one, she will always have a smile for you. Everything starts in time, and if you have a VIP pass you don't have to wait on any line!

Vendors:           Hollywood Music Center, Atelier Balily, to mention only a few have been present both years I have attended the event. There are SO many BEAUTIFUL items on sale. They are present throughout the whole weekend (which gives you time to really look around and choose!)

Cost:                 $347 early bid for the VIP package this 2014 (all workshops - except the one on Friday - and galas). I highly suggest taking this package if you are looking to make the best out of this great event. You get to try as many classes as you want! The hotel is not included, but there is always a very nice discount if you are attending the MBDC. 

3. Raks Madrid Festival (Madrid, Spain)

First week of July (approx), each year.

Workshops

Gala shows

No competitions

Vendors (costumes, CDs/DVDs, props) 

Organized by Nesma Al-Andalus

http://english.raksmadrid.com/

Teachers:       Yousry Sharif, Nour, Said El Amir, Nesma, Rafael Jimenez (Flamenco Fusion) were some of the teachers last year. They have had Mahmoud Reda, among other icons in the past as well! 

Rosa and Said El Amir (Germany)

Workshops:    Three days of intense learning. The organization was excellent as well, the timing for classes (2-2.5 hrs each workshop usually) was right on schedule every time. Several workshops were held at the same time in different rooms (which actually makes it so hard to decide which one to take!).

Location:       Last year all the workshops were held at a Hotel/Convention Center in the middle of Madrid. Conveniently located next to a train/bus station. Excellent rooms, extremely large and beautiful. The 2 gala shows were held at a local restaurant/bar named Galileo Galilei (it's a very famous place for concerts, dance showcases, etc). The stage is not too big nor small, the place holds a pretty huge amount of people, and all the staff is wonderful. Delicious food, and a very welcoming environment!

Rosa dancing at the Opening Gala

Galas:           I was given the opportunity to dance at the Opening Gala, which was such a huge honor for me. Nesma allowed us to get there earlier in order to test the music, the stage, etc. Both galas lasted about 2-3 hours, and both of them touched me so deeply. The Closing Gala brought me to tears after watching the performance of the famous singer Yasser Alswery and the beautiful Nour (Russia/Egypt). All the artists, both local and international are amazing. I met dancers not only from Spain but also from Japan, Korea, and various countries in Europe.

Quality:        The workshops were unbelievable amazing (Just look at the list of teachers!!). The galas were full of so much talent from all over the world. Nesma and all her staff are prone to help you with anything you may need, and everything is handled with a lot of professionalism. HIGHLY recommend it.

Vendors:       The costumes that you could find there were to die for... all original, beautiful pieces. The CDs are also unique. You find a lot of fusion (flamenco especially) music, and original CDs from Nesma's Music Company - I highly recommend "Nesma, Memories of Cairo" and "Nesma, El Nasseem". www.nesma.es

Cost:            Although prices are a bit high (about 65-70 euros for each class), I definitely encourage you to join this festival if you are around Europe at the time.

4. Orient de Luxe (Berlin, Germany) 

24-26th May (approx) each year (these are held many more times throughout the year though)

Workshops
Dinner

Gala shows

No competitions

Organized by Beata and Horacio Cifuentes

http://oriental-fantasy.com/

Rosa and Marta Korzun

Teachers:       Beata and Horacio Cifuentes, Marta Korzun, Eman Zaki, Shafeek (Egypt), Engin (Turkey) were the teachers in 2013, the year I attended. All extremely great, with so much knowledge to share! I personally had never tried Turkish style until then, which I truly find energetic and unique. 

Workshops:     Two days full of classes (about 2 hrs/workshop), small breaks in between. The organization was excellent, no delays. The environment was really friendly, they all make you feel at home!

Location:        The workshops and gala show were both held at Beata and Horacio's dance school in Berlin. The classroom is really large, tall, and just beautiful! It is one of the most beautiful classrooms I have seen. For the gala show, a beautiful fabric was used to cover the mirrors, and half of the room was filled with chairs. Lighting was beautiful, and sincerely, it all looked gorgeous.

Galas:             Beautiful showcase of all the talent in Europe and more! Beata and Horacio Cifuentes they both performed as well. If you haven't seen this couple dancing yet, whether together or individually, I encourage you to do so. Such delicate and elegant technique.

Quality:          EXCELLENT. Workshops were fulfilling, and the gala show was beautiful to watch. 

Dinner:           You get the chance to have delicious food and great conversation with the other students AND the great teachers. It's an amazing opportunity to get one-to-one interaction with them outside the dancing scenario. 

Cost:              Each workshop was around 40-50 euro. Excellent price for the amazing teachers you get the chance to study with.

5. Belly Dancer of the Universe (Long Beach, California, USA)

February, each year

Workshops

Gala shows

Competitions (Egyptian, Universal, Drum solo, Taksim, Fusion, Junior, Duet) Cash Prize

Organized by Atlantis Long and Tonya Chianis

http://bellydanceroftheuniverse.com/

Rosa and Atlantis Long

Teachers:    Atlantis, Tonya, Angelika Nemeth, Sadie, Amir Sofi, Amina Goodyear! And this year they are having Aziza, Issam Hoshan, among other fantastic dancers such as Anjelica Scannura (Canada) and Mireya Yamilett (Puerto Rico)...!

Workshops:  Amazing. Any workshop that you attend to during this event is just wonderful. I highly recommend you complete the Certification Program! You have to attend three master classes, compete, and do 1 final performance at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday. I had the chance to dance next to Sadie (live music by Amir Sofi!) and Angelika Nemeth. A truly UNIQUE opportunity.

Location:    The whole festival is held at a big Convention Center (except the Opening Gala and first workshop - which were held at a local place near the Long Beach Bay). There are plenty of very affordable hotels near by as well.

Galas:         The Opening Gala is a very nice opportunity to watch beautiful performances in a very loving environment, while enjoying good food. The next day, competitions are held throughout the whole day while at night some of the teachers will peform. The day after that, the finalists will dance, and so will the dancers completing the Certification Program. Some of the other teachers will perform as well. This festival is full of intensity and TALENT! The best of the best.

Competition:   This is one of the MOST renowned belly dance competitions in the world. Getting the title of "Champions of Champions at BDUC" is an amazing success. It brings you closer to many great opportunities in your dancing! So if you are planning on competing, PREPARE. You will compete with many dancers (both locals and internationals) that may already have a prestigious belly dance career, and hence, lots of experience along with it. The four finalists of both Egyptian and Universal category will then compete on Sunday night. The four dancers of each category get on stage, and dance to a new song, at the same time. That way the judges can simultaneously appreciate their technique, stage presence, creativity, etc. I have to admit, watching this competition is OUT OF THIS WORLD! 

*If you are taking all the workshops and competing as well, the time you have in between is very short. Always be ready to go! It is very useful to have someone to help you, but if that is not the case, then keep your organization skills up at all times and you should be fine.

Quality:       The quality of dancers is the best. So much talent that gets discovered in this festival! The organization is pretty good as well, although because of the large amount of people attending, I would suggest you arrive each day a bit earlier to avoid doing any waiting (nothing major anyway). You get to meet so many dancers from so many countries, that I will highly recommend this festival to anyone that is serious with their belly dance careers. It's an eye opener! And plus, Atlantis is such as a delight, always prone to help you out.

Cost:           It depends on the amount of workshops you take. The price per workshop range. The registration for competitions vary as well. The Egyptian and Universal categories cost $98 (and the cash prize is $1000), while the other categories are around $78 (cash prize between $300 and $500). 

Have you attended any of these Festivals? If so, what is your opinion?

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any question!