It took a lot of hard work, reading, writing essays, learning choreographies, creating choreographies, long nights doing homework, lots of sore muscles, a lot of tears, and a few injuries… but it was completely worth it.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way, specifically my teachers and my training buddies.  You’re all awesome.

I am currently spending time focusing on my own training and artistic development, but I am always available for private lessons in the Berkeley/Albany area.  I will be starting up regular classes in the coming months, so stay tuned for updates and information.

In the meantime, I will be traveling to many cities throughout the United States to teach and perform, as well as a few outside the US. In 2012, I’ll be participating in many exciting events such as Art of the Belly in Maryland, Tribal Fest 12 in northern California, Tribal Revolution in Chicago, Waking Persephone in Rhode Island, FolkTours Dance and Music Camp outside of New York City, and Rara Avis-Gothla AR in Argentina.  And I am still taking bookings for 2012 and the first half of 2013.

I hope to see you along my many travels!  Happy dancing!

For the summer, I’ll be in Pacific Grove (Monterey Bay area), and I’ll have limited time for private lessons, but I won’t be teaching regular classes. I’m taking an intensive Arabic language program as I prepare to apply to graduate school. After the summer, I hope to start regular classes in the San Francisco area, most likely in the East Bay. Of course, I’ll keep you all posted.

Happy dancing!

Join me for three hours of exploring how to create choreography, expand your creativity, and dance honestly. This is a brand new workshop!  After registration, you will receive a message with required at-home activities to do before attending the workshop.  Come to class prepared!

Required materials (which we may or may not use, but it’s better to be prepared):

• Dance notebook (large format works best, 8.5″ x 11″ or larger)
• Pens/pencils
• One song for a work-in-progress choreography on iPod (or similar mp3 player)

Sunday, May 8, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Center for Dance Education, Lexington’s Old Mill, 711 E Main St, Lexington, SC
Register now to reserve your space!

In April, I’m bringing back the very popular workshop “Dancing Your Demons”.  This workshop has been praised by dancers around the world. No kidding!  I’m also constantly adding and changing the format for this workshop, so it’s always a different experience every time.

Workshop Description:

Within each one of us is our true, instinctual self, and we often ignore or repress her (or him) in our everyday lives. Our instinctual self is not rational, and yet to dance to our fullest, we must acknowledge our instinct, acting upon it without second-guessing it and while still harnessing it for a clean and stage-worthy performance. Our instincts are raw, untamed and absolutely essential to a dancer who wishes to give a moving and expressive performance.

In this workshop, Asharah will lead students through physical exercises aimed at drawing out instinctual responses to music and other students in class. She will also explain her own emotional preparation process, giving guidelines and tips on how to be “in the moment” before you even take the stage. Students must leave their egos at the door, and judgmental or critical behavior will not be tolerated.

April 24, 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
Center for Dance Education, Lexington’s Old Mill, 711 E Main St, Lexington, SC

In March, we’ll explore the essential elements of Turkish “oryantal” and Romany dance, and Asharah will break down how to count the quintessential Turkish musical meter: the 9/8.  Asharah will talk about the differences between Turkish Romany (gypsy) dance and Turkish oryantal (cabaret), and how they have both influenced American Cabaret-style belly dance.  Then, we’ll blend Turkish oryantal dance moves and make them more “tribal” through changes in stylization, posture, and intent.  Bring your finger cymbals!

2:00pm-5:00pm at the Center for Dance Education, ground floor of Lexington’s Old Mill, 711 E. Main Street, Lexington, SC.

$45 pre-registration (PayPal) / $55 at the door (cash or check only)

March 12, 2-5:30pm (one 30-min break): Tribal Fusion Belly Dance: Old School to New School. This workshop will give your dancing a little boost with vintage and modern tribal-style movement, pulling from the Jamila Salimpour format, American Tribal Style, and contemporary fusion styles.

March 13, 2-5:30pm (one 30-min break): Modern Bellydance Combinations Two to three short combinations in Asharah’s signature fusion of oriental and tribal styles for every dancer wanting some more movements in her dance vocabulary.

Saturday or Sunday only: $75 before March 1; $90 after March 1
Both Days: $130 before March 1; $160 after March 1

Registration and more information at the Saffron Dance website.

Workshops will be held from 2:00pm-5:00pm at the Center for Dance Education, ground floor of Lexington’s Old Mill, 711 E. Main Street, Lexington, SC.

$45 pre-registration (PayPal) / $55 at the door (cash or check only)

TribalCon is three and a half days, of live music parties, more than 30 hours of dance AND music instruction, and two, yes, two all-star performances.  This year, the event runs Thursday through Sunday, February 24-27, 2011. Day passes to the event are still available, but this event always sells out, so register soon.  For more information about TribalCon, visit the website.

Asharah teaching at TribalCon VI

This class will draw heavily from the Jamila Salimpour format, but I’ll also be teaching elements of my own personal stylization such as my robotic and mechanical accents, elegance and flow, and crisp hip work. I’ll also be teaching short dance combinations.

The new class schedule, as of January 11th:

Tuesdays, 6:45-8pm: Belly Dance Drills. (This is the former Wednesday night class.)
Wednesdays, 8:15-9:30pm: Classic and Modern Tribal Style Belly Dance.

Please bring your finger cymbals for both classes. Please see the Classes page for location, price, and schedule details.

Happy holidays and I hope to see you in class!