Sahara Dance

⭐️ BEGINNER BELLY DANCE ⭐️

Beginner 1 Technique ✨ Mondays at 7:30 pm, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, or Saturdays at 12:30 pm

This course is designed for students new to belly dance or seeking a belly dance refresher. No previous experience is necessary, and all body types and fitness levels are welcome. Join us for a fun workout while making new friends and learning beautiful, sensual movements. Students will learn basic technique including lifted stance and posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, music, context and philosophy of belly dance. Come celebrate your femininity!

Beginner 1 covers belly dance “A to Z” as a full 16 week semester. The full semester teaches the complete Beginner 1 curriculum, including both the Aziza and Zeina choreographies (thus belly dance “A to Z”). Beginner 1 class can also be taken as an 8-week, half-term class. The half semester includes only half of the curriculum (either the Aziza or Zeina choreography, depending on the session). Both options are designed to be an introduction to the joy of belly dance.

Beginner Performance ✨ Saturdays at 11:30 am

Performing is an amazing way to make new friends and experience the joy of showing off your new belly dance skills to friends and family at a Sahara Dance Theater show. Requirements: Previous completion of Sahara Dance’s Beginner 1 technique class or above, Simultaneous enrollment required in any Sahara Dance Beginner 1 or 2 technique class.

For more experienced beginners who are typically in their first years of belly dancing:
Beginner 2 Technique ✨ Saturdays at 10:30 am or Tuesdays at 6 pm
Beginner 3 Technique ✨ Saturdays at 11:30 am
Beginner 2 and Beginner 3 are where you develop your foundational technique to set yourself up for future success. Most students will take these levels 2-6 times each until achieving mastery of foundational movements as determined by teachers.
Beginner 3 Performance ✨ Raqqesat Badia ✨ Saturdays 12:30 pm

Have questions? Feel free to reach out!
Class registration at our website

🍂🍁 FALL CLASSES 🍁🍂

A new semester starts right after Labor Day on Sept 8th and wrapping up December 21st! We are proud to offer a large range of belly dance classes for all levels. There are truly opportunities for everyone from absolute beginners to advanced and professional dancers! Check it out:

BELLY DANCE TECHNIQUE - NINE LEVEL PROGRESSION IN RAQS SHARQI
🪬 Beginner 1, 2, and 3
🪬 Intermediate 1, 2 (Props Technique), and 3
🪬Advanced 1, 2, and 3
🪬 Folkloric Technique

BELLY DANCE COMPANIES
🪬 Beginner Performance
🪬 Raqqesat Badia (Beginner 3)
🪬 Raqqesat Samia (Intermediate 1)
🪬 Raqqesat Tahia (Intermediate 2 with focus on props)
🪬 Raqqesat Kitty (Intermediate 3)
🪬 Raqqesat Naima (Advanced 1)
🪬 Raqqesat Soheir (Advanced 2), invitation only
🪬 Raqs Caravan East (Advanced 3), invitation only

FUSION, SPECIALTY AND FOLKLORIC PERFORMANCE GROUPS
🪬 Raqqesat Indigo (Intermediate 1 and above)
🪬 Flamenco Fusion (Intermediate 1 and above)
🪬 Raqqesat Romani (Intermediate 1 and above) .rhythms
🪬 Raqqesat Arabi (folkloric performance, Intermediate 1 and above)
🪬 South Asian Belly Dance Fusion Performance (Intermediate 1 and above)
🪬 Raqqesat Latin (Intermediate 3 and above)
🪬 Advanced Belly Dance Fusion
🪬 Experimental Fusion (Intermediate 1 and above, new class!)

TABLA/DRUMMING
🪬 Tabla 1, 2, and 3 with

CONDITIONING
🪬 Belly Dance Cardio (drop ins allowed)

Join us this fall for a semester of belly dance or drumming fun! 🤩
https://saharadance.com/classes/

Save the date for our Fall Caravan show! 🤩 December 19th, 2026, with two shows at 3 pm and 6 pm at the Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD.

We have performance companies for all levels of dancers! Consult your most recent teacher for appropriate group suggestions. If you are new to Sahara Dance, students typically begin with Beginner Performance. Experienced dancers new to our school can drop in to technique class the first week to consult with teachers and/or should email studio director to consult - [email protected]. Classes begin the week of September 8th.

We just wrapped up three amazing workshops with Marta Korzun at our studio in Washington DC for the second time, and our hearts are full with inspiration. Marta is the sweetest instructor, with very clear technique and explanations, and we learned so much under her guidance. From breaking down 10 Arabic rhythms, to unlocking true emotional expression on stage, to exploring tips for better improvisation, she gave us new perspectives to deepen our connection with the music. Thank you, Marta, for sharing your magic with us! 💓🥰

We have another upcoming opportunity to study with Marta - our most exciting one yet, on retreat in Costa Rica May 1-8, 2027. All level dancers are welcome. Will you join us?

Last workshop with is tonight from 6-9 pm on Mastering Improvisation!

A great improvisation is a prepared improvisation. In this workshop, we will break down the foundations of improvisation and explore practical exercises to train your mind and body to respond effortlessly to music.

You will learn 10 effective methods to practice improvisation, making it easier, more intuitive, and—most importantly—more enjoyable. Step by step, we will remove the fear of the unknown, giving you structured ways to build confidence and freedom in your dance.

What to expect:

🩷 Fundamental principles of improvisation—how to start, structure, and develop your dance.
🩷 Exercises to train your body and instincts, so movements come naturally.
🩷 Techniques to prepare for improvisation without feeling overwhelmed or lost.

No rush, no stress—you CAN do this. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a toolbox of strategies to make improvisation feel effortless, confident, and truly yours!

What a weekend! Thank you to everyone who danced, taught, rehearsed, volunteered, worked behind the scenes, and came out to support us at Sahara Dance’s Summer Caravan. There is so much work that goes into a show like this, and it was really special to see it all come together onstage.

I’m so proud of our dancers, and it was such a treat to have perform with us again. She’s still here for two more workshops, so if the show left you feeling inspired, there’s still time to study with her tonight and Wednesday.

I’m grateful for this community. Thank you for being part of it.

Sunshine and shimmies,
Rachel

P.S. Professional photos and videos to come in the next few weeks while we wait for these to be edited!

Save the date for Sept 12, we will be at Tenleytown’s Art all night!

Washington DC's Center for Middle Eastern Dance, founded in 2002. This Tenley-based studio celebrates belly dance as a performance art through classes, workshops, and annual theater productions, welcoming dancers of all ages and backgrounds. Sahara’s core values include dancing ‘to share in the transformative power of an art form embracing femininity,’ being ‘your home for Middle Eastern dance,’ and ‘for learning to better love your body through movement.’ You can catch Sahara at Tenleytown Art All Night in St. Ann’s Gym from 8:30-8:50!