Halanda Studio – for Dance and Fitness

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Classical Dance  |  Creative Dance for Kids    

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Amanda |   Farima  

Classical Dance

Explore the realm of Classical Dance from both Western and Eastern Classical Dance traditions. Structured as a Classical Ballet class with barre work and center work, this class will teach students traditional Ballet technique while introducing and synthesizing elements from Kafkazian, Persian, and Central Asian dance styles. Instructor will include technique and choreography, with opportunities for performance available. All levels welcome. No prior dance experience needed.

If you are interested in this class, please contact the instructor directly. When there are sufficient enrollees, we will contact you.

Amanda

Amanda is co-owner of Halanda Studio. She has over 20 years experience studying and performing Near Eastern Dance, as well as 19 years studying Classical Ballet. She was a member of Alexandra King's Seher Dance Ensemble for five years, and performed extensively throughout California as a Folkloric Dancer with the UCSB Middle East Ensemble, a 60-member university music ensemble under the direction of Dr. Scott Marcus. Amanda has been a member of San Francisco's Hahbi'Ru Dance Ensemble since 1999. She also performed Turkish folk dance with the Yore Folk Dance Ensemble from 2003 through 2006, Algerian dance with Danse Mahgreb in 2004 and 2005, and Bollywood Dance with Naach Duniya from 2006 to 2008. Since 2005, she has performed extensively as a soloist throughout the Bay Area. In 2008, Amanda formed her own troupe, Karavansaray Dance Company. to present folkloric and Oriental dances of the Near East. 

Amanda specializes in Oriental dance (Bellydance) and Turkish dance styles, including Turkish Oryantal, Folk, and Romani Dance. She is accomplished in Oriental, folkloric, and classical dance styles from throughout the Near Eastern world -- from North Africa to the Levant, and from Turkey to Central Asia. Although her dance style is traditional, it often includes modern music, and always a sense of fun.

For more information, please visit Amanda's website: AmandaDancer.com

Creative Dance Dance for Kids

Ages 4-10
Enter the magical world of the 1001 Nights, Aladdin and much more and bring the fairy tale stories to life. In this class students will explore their imagination and creativity as they hear the classical fairy tale stories and learn the basics of dance. Creative dance games, theatrical dances, parachute play, finger plays, trampoline, balance beam, scarves, hoops, bean bags, and musical instruments are incorporated with movement and music. This class is a good preparation class for children who will receive more formal training in the future. Students are also introduced to a class structure, age appropriate stretches, coordination exercises, ballet positions, and rhythm through a very safe and fun environment. Please contact the instructor regarding registration.

First Class Free!

Tuition Policy: Payments can be made by check or cash. There are no carry-overs between sessions. Classes missed in one month may not be carried over to the next session.

If you are interested in this class, please contact the instructor directly. When there are sufficient enrollees, we will contact you.

Farima Berenji

Farima's love of dance has led her on an extraordinary life-long journey that has taken her throughout the Middle East and to her original birthplace, Iran. Today Farima specializes in dances from the Silk Road (Persia and Central Asia) and the Middle East, as well as Sacred/Sufi Dances, Theater, and Ballet, in all of which she has taken extensive training. She has studied with master teachers in U.S., as well as Iran, Azerbaijan, and Kurdistan. Farima continues her passion by teaching various dance styles, including Persian, Middle Eastern, Folk, Ballet, Theater, as well as teaching Mesopotamian, Persian, and Egyptian History to various dance companies, educational institutions, and community organizations. Farima is currently a principal performer and instructor of Ballet Afsaneh, a professional non-profit performing arts company that presents traditional Central Asian Silk Road region dances, directed by Sharlyn Sawyer. She has been awarded "Instructor of the Year" by Ballet Afsaneh.

For more information, please visit Farima's website: FarimaDance.com