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Patrice brings to the art of belly
dancing, a lifetime of dance experience
and years of formal education in the
psychology of creativity. She began
dancing at the age of 4 and has a
strong background in tap, jazz, and
ballet. At the age of 6, she studied her
first year of Middle Eastern dance.
Through the years she kept studying
tap, jazz, and ballet and, at the same
time, was exploring other dance forms
including hula dancing, flamenco, and
more Middle Eastern dancing. Now
she focuses primarily on belly dancing.
One of the most rewarding aspects
of belly dancing for Patrice is the
camaraderie she has found within the
belly dance community. Many belly
dancers, like Patrice, are professionals
in another career. Patrice has a
Master of Science degree in computer
information systems and discovered
that belly dancing actually enhances
her ability to understand complex
computer code. This happens because
belly dancing provides a much needed
break from the mental demands of
computer technology.
Patrice also enjoys using belly
dancing to make herself laugh every
day. She can do this easily just by dancing
in front of a mirror. Belly dancing is a very
convenient form of entertainment.
In Patrice’s classes, dancers learn
Middle Eastern nightclub dancing
(cabaret-style belly dancing) that
artfully represents a wide variety of
Eastern dance styles from the following
regions: Egypt, Africa, India, Turkey,
Greece, Persia, Lebanon, and the
United States. Each of her classes
focuses on building a solid foundation
from which the dances can be created.
Each class includes the following:
warm-up, technique, choreography, and
cool-down. Emphasis is placed on posture,
basic hip and arm movements, and basic
footwork. Isolation techniques, shimmies,
body undulations, and belly rolls are also
practiced. Patrice believes it is important
to introduce the student to various aspects
of belly dancing early on. So, in addition
to practicing the basics, she teaches and
encourages the use of facial expressions
and attitude while dancing. She also
demonstrates performance techniques such
as stage utilization and audience interaction.
Belly dance classes are a great way for
people from different backgrounds to get
together to share a common interest.
Dance classes and performances help
support cultural diversity, cultural awareness,
and cultural acceptance. In essence, dancers
become cultural ambassadors for the eastern
hemisphere of the world.
Classes and performances are a great
way to bring joy into the lives of both the
dancers and the audience. Belly dancing
gives people an outlet for creative self-
expression and helps them develop a
positive body image and find their inner
beauty. It is a culturally spirited dance that
is suitable for adults of any shape, size, and age.
It is a dance that celebrates the joy of living and
the variety of shapes of human bodies.
Patrice’s structured and fun approach to
belly dancing is one of the best ways to
learn this beautiful, ancient art form.
You can do it. Give it a try. Happy Dancing!
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