Sarah teaches weekly group classes, and is also available for private or semi-private classes and workshops. Please or at 646.234.9576 if you have any questions, if you would like to sign up for a class, or to join the mailing list. For info on workshops click here.


......................................Alchemy Tribal Fusion Bellydance......................................
.............................................Fall 2011 Class Schedule............................................

For information about dance classes, please scroll down using the scroll bar on the right edge of this page (this is different from the scroll bar for your internet browser window).

For information about yoga and anatomy classes, please see the yoga page.

For information about workshops, please see the workshops page.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Class Descriptions and Details::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Classes are taught in 4-8 week sessions. Students are welcome to take single classes but taking the whole session is strongly encouraged, as we will be working on different themes for each session and learning new moves and choreographies.

If you are a new student, please contact Sarah to sign up for a class.


Group Classes

Sarah's group class schedule is reduced this season to accommodate more private lessons, workshops, and other projects. See below for more information about private and semi-private lessons and coaching sessions.

Beginner/Intermediate Alchemy Tribal Fusion Bellydance
:::This class provides a strong foundation in Alchemy technique and vocabulary to both new students and those with previous experience. The structure of the class is accessible to beginners while remaining challenging for intermediate students -- a dynamic balance of clear focus on alignment and isolations along with an enjoyable flow of movement phrases and combinations. We'll explore a range of topics: learning new choreographies, building improvisation skills, developing presence and body awareness, and integrating specific moves and techniques to bring your dance to the next level.:::
please contact Sarah for class time and session schedule info

Advanced Alchemy Tribal Fusion Bellydance
:::This class is for dancers who have been studying with Sarah for an extended period of time or those who have advanced experience in other dance styles. Working from a strong foundation in tribal and tribal fusion technique, we'll continue to develop our connection to the dance with new Alchemy movement vocabulary as well as topics including alignment and strengthening, dance presence and emotional expression, kinesthetic anatomy and body awareness, improvisation and choreography tools, modern dance, yoga, and more.:::
please contact Sarah for class time and session schedule info


Private Lessons and Coaching

Sarah currently offers private and semi-private lessons and coaching sessions for students of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Drawing on her experience in bellydance and other forms of dance, yoga, kinesthetic anatomy and somatics, and other movement disciplines, she excels at creating personalized study programs in a wide range of topics. One-on-one and small group learning can be invaluable as a way to ask questions and get feedback on topics that are too specific or too big for a group class, and get individualized attention that can help you take your dance to the next level. Some popular areas of focus for private instruction include:

...fundamentals of dance technique and body awareness
...Alchemy techique and vocabulary
...exercises to address a specific area of interest, such as backbends, floorwork, arms and hands, transitions, layering and isolations
...creating a choreography (get help with your choreography or commission a work from Sarah)
...performance skills
...yoga for bellydancers
...anatomy for bellydancers
...injury prevention and rehabilitation
...finding inspiration and renewed connection with your dance (getting past a technique plateau, tapping into your creativity, developing your artistic vision)
...tribal bellydance history and sources

Sarah is happy to work with you on a topic of your choice or create a program for you based on her assessment of your needs and interests. Contact her here for more information or to schedule a lesson.


::::::::::::::::::::::::::Class Location and Payment Information::::::::::::::::::::::::::

440 Studios
440 Lafayette between Astor Place and 4th Street, room 4F
Take the 6 to Astor Place or R/W to 8th Street -- also, the Q/N, 4/5 and L Union Square station and the B/D/F/V Broadway/Lafayette station are both a 5-7 minute walk away

Class prices:
full session: $100 for 6 weeks (about $16.50 per class)
$90 for a 5 class card ($18 per class, good for 8 weeks)
$20 per class

Class sessions are taught in 4-8 week terms. You must pay for a class session in advance. If you miss a class within a session that you've paid for, you can either make up the class at Sarah's discretion or pay the difference between the cost of a full session and a 5 class card (which will then entitle you to 5 classes in 8 weeks).

5 class cards are a good option if you attend regularly but can't be there every week. You must pay for a class card in advance or on the first day of classes, and you must use your 5 classes within 8 weeks. If you are unable to use all your classes within 8 weeks, you may pay the difference between the cost of a 5 class card and 5 drop-in classes (which entitles you to take 3 months to use all 5 drop-in classes).

Payment for dance class sessions and class cards is accepted by cash, check, and via Paypal. Payment for single classes is cash or check only. If you wish to pay via Paypal, please use the "send money" option on paypal.com to send funds to sarah [at] alchemypeformance [dot] com.

To register for a class or for more info please contact Sarah.


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Sarah is a supportive and thorough teacher who challenges her students while providing a playful and informal class environment. She has trained extensively in several styles of dance and movement including modern, yoga, pilates, and physical theater. She has been dancing, performing, and teaching Tribal and Tribal Fusion bellydance nationally and internationally since 1994, and in NYC since 2001. Her training in ethnic dance includes work in Turkish Gypsy/Rom, North Indian Khatak, Flamenco and Zambra Gypsy, North African, Russian Gypsy and Central Asian, Dunyavi Gypsy and El Mundo, and West African. She brings this diversity of experience together to create a thoughtful and well-informed teaching style.

People come to Tribal Fusion bellydance classes for many reasons: to feel good, to develop their bodies to be both strong and graceful, to learn intricate choreographies as well as a structured language of improvisation, to dance in a supportive group, to celebrate life, and to explore their interest in the traditions of other cultures. The freedom and enjoyable atmosphere created by dancing together is grounded in a rigorous attention to basic dance technique (posture, balance, stretching) that provides a strong foundation for this dance's extensive language of movements.

Beginner classes introduce students to the basic movements and formations of the Tribal style while establishing a firm foundation in technique, body awareness and alignment, and the toning of important muscle groups. In Intermediate classes, students move on to more complicated movements, combinations, and improvisation variations. They also practice group work and partnering, both choreographed and improvised, and further develop their focus on body awareness and stage presence.

At any level, an important aspect of Sarah's teaching is sharing her extensive experience of the background and history of Tribal and Tribal Fusion bellydance, as well as her information about the adornment, music, and other traditions of the various cultures by which these dances are inspired. The costuming and music specific to Tribal and Tribal Fusion are also discussed. These ideas can also be investigated more thoroughly in workshops that focus on a specific topic.