The University of Montana
SCHOOL OF THEATRE & DANCE
Activity Class Syllabus – Wintersession 2013
Course Information
 School of Theatre & Dance
 DANC 170A Section 90, Dance Forms: Tribal Style Belly, 2 credits
Instructor Information
 Kelli Marie Neumayer, Instructor
 missooLaLa@yahoo.com
 (406) 531 -1833
 www.KellimarieBellyD.com
ALL Class Meetings
 Time: 1 – 3 PM
 Days: Monday – Friday
 Location: PARTV Room 005
 Final Day: January 23 from 1 – 3 PM, same location
 Course length: January 2 – January 23 2013
Materials
 Notebook, pen/pencil
 Proper Attire – (NO JEANS, NO SHORTS) workout pants or dance pants, Dance/Sports Bra, TShirt, Bare Feet or Jazz/ Ballet Shoes
Course Description
 History and Origins
 Health and Fitness benefits (Physical and Emotional)
 Concepts, Mental Imagery, Learning Strategies
 Fundamental Movements and Dance Steps
o Primary
 Warm Up
 Basic Position
 Hip Isolations
 Chest Isolations
 Arm and Hand Movements
 Traveling Steps
o Secondary
 Combination Dance Steps
 Group Choreography
 Improvisation
 Cues and Transitions
Course Objectives
This course will provide a foundation in fundamental movements, rhythms, history and culture
as it relates to Tribal Style Belly dance. We will explore the differences between the various Tribal
styles of dance, costuming, and music and how fusion has played a role in the development of this dance
in America.
Physical benefits may include: increased flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength, improved
balance, coordination, and posture. Emotional benefits may include stress reduction, improved selfconfidence and self- esteem, overall sense of body awareness and creativity.
Policies
 Traditional Grading will be determined by attendance/punctuality, participation, attitude,
quizzes, research papers and final recital
 Attendance/Absence/Tardiness will affect your final grade
 Students with Access/Special Needs
Students with disabilities may request reasonable modifications by contacting
me. The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through
collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services
for Students (DSS). “Reasonable” means the University permits no fundamental
alterations of academic standards or retroactive modifications. For more
information, please consult http://life.umt.edu/dss/.
Class Dynamics
As an instructor I try to provide a relaxed atmosphere of learning to encourage personal and
spiritual growth. We shall explore this unique dance with the intention of preserving the culture, raising
the level of awareness, and presenting this discipline as a true art form.
Course Outline
(Classes will begin with warm-up and end with cool down and final stretch)
Day 1 – January 2
Discussion: History and Origins
Posture, Weight Shift, Centering
Pelvic Rock
Hip Twists: singles, forward, and back
Hip Lifts: singles
Hip Drops: singles
Ghawazee (Hip Sway)
Day 2 – January 3
Balance techniques
Review Hip Lifts and Hip Drops
Review Hip Twists
Ghawazee Variations
Day 3 – January 4
Review Lifts, Drops, and Twists
Ghawazee Dance Steps with variations
and turns
Chest Slides: side to side, and forward
and back
Head Slide
Day 4 – January 7
Discussion: Various Styles of Tribal
Belly Dance
Review Ghawazee, Variations, and
Turns
Review Chest Slides and Circles
Basic Egyptian
Structural Roll
Day 5 – January 8
Review Hip and Chest Articulations
Hip Bump and Choo Choo
Crescents
Rock Step
Day 6 – January 9
Review Movements
Takseem
Maya & Rib Cage Rotation
Dance Step Combination Front/Back/Front/Around
Dance Step Combination – Reach and
Sit
Day 7 – January 10
Review Basic Egyptian
Tunisian
Double Tunisian
Hand Floreos
Day 11 January 16th
Review: Dance Steps
Arabic
Arabic Hip Twist
¾ Shimmy
Sashay with Floating Arms
Day 8 – January 11
Discussion: Learning Strategies and
Health Benefits
Review Movements
Double Egyptian
Shoulder Shimmy
Arm Positions
Snake Arms
Day 12 & 13 – January 17th & 18th
Discussion: Improvisation vs.
Choreography
Review
Group Dynamics
Begin Combinations and Transitions
Day 9 – January 14
Review Movements
Gypsy Stomp
Side Push Turns
Box Step with Double Bumps
Sashay
Day 14 – January 22nd
Review
Dance Combinations
Group Cores
Cues and Transitions
Stage Presence, Entrance and Exits
Continue Combinations
Continue with Group Dynamics
Day 10 – January 15
Review Dance Steps
Omi Hip Circles
Final day 15 -January 23
Present Group dances
Question and Answer
Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an
academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the
University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The
Code is available for review online at http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php.
All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and
procedures outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance Student Handbook. The
Handbook is available online at http://www.umt.edu/theatredance/about/handbook.
There is inherent risk involved in many Theatre & Dance classes as they are very
physical in nature. Please proceed through class, shop time, or rehearsal with
caution. Always be mindful of your personal safety and the safety of others. Students
participating in class/shop/rehearsal/performance do so at their own risk.
Procedure/Policy
You are expected to abide by the following School of Theatre & Dance regulations.
Eating, drinking, or gum chewing during the class are not permitted. Please let me know
in writing if you have a medical exception to this policy. Water in a capped container is
acceptable. Absolutely no weapons, real or fake, are allowed in the classroom. Late work
is not accepted; this includes late or unprepared performances. Students are encouraged
to wear appropriate movement attire to class. There is inherent risk involved in many
Theatre & Dance classes, as they are very physical in nature. Please proceed through
class, shop time, or rehearsal with caution. Always be mindful of your personal safety
and the safety of others. Students participating in class/shop/rehearsal/performance do so
at their own risk.