CSUDH Spring Dance Concert 2012

Fast forward to 40:00 for belly dancing!!!!

Dance! at CSUDH

I just found out that my school is going to use the video I created for a class project! This started off as a final project for an intro to video production class. It ends with the Dance Department not only emailing the youtube link to everyone on their list, but playing it at the beginning of each concert. OMG!

Mystic Oasis

FINALLY! We have come to the end of the semester. There have been trials, heartaches, and exhausted feet fingers pricked from sewing on yards of trim and hundreds of sequins. With my costume complete (mostly) and my dancers graded, I present to you Mystic Oasis.

In the center of the Middle Eastern desert, there is a secret oasis where people dance to celebrate themselves, their lives and their beauty. The Oasis Guardians have no problem snatching up weary travelers who can rest by their precious waters. But the mood is contagious. Those travelers often begin confused and worried, but by the time the sun rises, they too have danced....

This dance was choreographed by me, Jessica Russell and was performed at CSUDH for the Fall 2011 Dance Concert "Moving through the Light."

This dance was dedicated in Loving Memory of my aunt, Mary Lou Prior (1932-2011)

Teaching Update: September

September was an interesting month for me. I split the time allotted for teaching the dance with my instructor, Elissa. She went over cymbal work while taught the class my dance. She took ill and it fell upon me as her assistant to take over instruction of the class completely. While teaching my choreography, I must also break down each step is students are having a hard time with it. Some students get it mostly on the third or fourth try. Some do not. It worries when a young woman does not know her body and how to move it. It deeply bothers me that after hours of private instructions, a student still looks like a marionette. I am aware that not every student learns at the same pace, just like I am aware that not every student comes into the dance class with the same experience. This handful of dancers is, alas, my challenge. By the middle of November, I must turn them into student dancers with enough coordination to blend in to the group. At this point, they stand out. Way out. They are still and yet enthusiastic about learning more and becoming better. October will be also trying. I must teach a completely separate dance and still work on the one they must learn for the end of the semester. I shall keep the faith.

Teaching: Middle Eastern Dance - The Importance of Costumes

Today I showed the dancers not only how to construct a costume, but what types of costumes are acceptable for this particular middle eastern dance class. Most beginning dancers don't realize that they are not expected to be professional dancers. Their first belly dance costume does have to look like Ansuya's or Aubre Hill's.
After eyeliner, the most importance piece of a belly dancer's costume is the belt or hip decoration. The hip belt is worn in all forms of belly dance and it draws the viewers attention to that part of the body. Belts can be straight pieces of fabric that tie and are decorated with coins, chains, sequins, beading or any other bits and bobbles that the dancer or designer likes.
For the modest girl, a tank top can be a dancer's best friend. Cholis and fishnet, in the proper colors, can also be acceptable.