Bellydancing classes take place in the Studio every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings.
101 Bellydance - $10 Mondays 7-8:00pm Introduction to bellydance to include a warm up / stretching in the beginning, an introduction to a basic movement or prop, and a cool down. This class is perfect for beginners. Cost is $10. Brings zills because we may also use zills when we drill the movement for technique.
Intermediate / Advance Bellydance - $10 Tuesday 7-8:00pm
This class will consist of intermediate / advance bellydance moves. Not specific to any one form of bellydance, this class will help out with technique that you can use with any dance form (tribal or cabaret). Knowledge of basis belly dance moves is a must.
We will also work with different props, floorwoork, zills and lots of drills. Includes a warm up and cool down. Students in this class, at the discretion of the instructor, will have the opportunity to perform in the student troupe.
Level I American Tribal Style (FCBD Format) Wednesday 8-9:00pm - $10 (6 weeks cycle) Level I basic concepts in American Tribal Style taught in 6 weeks cycles. Every six weeks it repeats. Bring your finger cymbals! Dress comfortable and with stretchy clothes.
Level II ATS (FCBD Format) Wednesday 7-8:00pm - $10 (must complete level I) Variations to the basic moves will be taught and drilled with zills. We will discuss formations, chorus, leading and following, and other aspects of ATS. Last 15 minutes will be used to practice dancing in group formations. Dress comfortable and bring a 25 yards skirt if you have one. Students in this class, with discretion of the instructor, will have the opportunity to dance in Columbia's newest ATS troupe. This troupe will exclusively use Fat Chance Belly Dance moves and formations.
BELLYDANCE INSTRUCTOR
Maria Palacio starting dancing at a young age with ballet and jazz. Over time her passion for dance grew into other styles like flamenco, traditional latin dances and more, performing at local latin festivals in South Carolina. One day she saw a flyer offering bellydance classes at a local gym. She started taking classes and was soon hooked. She studied traditional oriental dance "raq sharqi", American Tribal Style (ATS) and tribal fusion. She soon became a member of Delirium Tribal, a tribal bellydance troupe in Columbia, SC. A few years afterwards, Maria pursued here solo career. She is most known for combining her spanish heritage and flamenco flare into her bellydance style. She continues her dance education through workshops and private lessons with quality instructors.
Late 2009, Maria created Columbia first multi style bellydance company called Serpentine Bellydance Company. From traditional to tribal fusion, Serpentine has gone full force into the Columbia community representing different styles of bellydance. As the director of Serpentine Bellydance Company, Maria works with her company dancers to educate the community on the different styles of bellydance.
Maria goal is to continue to bring quality instructors to the Columbia area throughout the year. She works hard to unite the bellydance dance community not only in Columbia but throughout SC and the surrounding states. Please check out her website for upcoming events - www.mariapalacio.com.
Maria is also the owner of World Emporium Kiosk - a bellydance store offering items for all styles of bellydance. www.worldemporiumkiosk.com.
