Berna is a professional belly dance instructor, performer, and choreographer in Pittsburgh, PA.
Middle Eastern Dance, aka Bellydance, is alive and vibrant in Pittsburgh!
Stay tuned to Little Shimmy for information on upcoming shows, workshops and classes with Berna!
Email me! bernadancer@gmail.com
412-260-8432
Wanna know more?
http://www.gigmasters.com/bellydancer/Berna/
Berna's Most Requested Questions...Music, Props and Fashion!!
$20 Register by January 1st, $25 Door
(class passes are accepted...Must have sufficient interest to hold the series...
please let me know if you are interested!!)
I am often asked specific questions about the dance and my dance style in particular...I am pleased to offer the answers to the most frequently asked questions... So please join me for a series of specialty workshops in the New Year.
January 8th 7-9 pm: Songs Every Dancer Should Know – Dancing to the Music
January 15th 7-9 pm: Proptastic – Bring your favorite prop, or borrow mineStyle and Technique with things to balance, swing and fling (veils, cane/sword, basket/tray)
January 17th 1-3 pm: Costuming and Make Up Techniques – Stage and Show (with a potential special guest)
2010 Classes Begin January 22nd! Class schedule will be as follows...All classes need 6 registered students to be held:
Classes will be held at the Bodiography Studio in Squirrel Hill...please note the change in times...I want more time to focus with each group, so we will be going to a 1.5 hour class schedule!
LEVEL 1 Technique: Foundations for Belly Dance - Tuesday
* No Prerequisite, on-going classes
* Tuesdays 6:15-7:45 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
* January 26 - March 16 -- 8 weeks
* $100 for the session, register by January 15th
LEVEL 2 Technique: Continuing Drills and Choreography for Belly Dance - Tuesday
* Must have taken Level 1 or have previous experience
* Tuesdays 8:00-9:30 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
* January 26 - March 16 -- 8 weeks
* $100 for the session, register by January 15th
Take both Tuesday Classes for $175!
Mixed Level Technique and Drills: Incorporating Levels 1 and 2 - Friday
* Previous belly dance experience requested, not required, on-going classes
* Fridays 6:15-7:45 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
* January 22 - March 19 -- 8 weeks (No class February 12th)
* $100 for the session, register by January 15th, $15 Drop-ins
Performances and Field Trip FIELD TRIP to ISTANBUL -- 42nd and Butler, in Lawrenceville (formerly Your Inner Vagabond) -- Friday October 23rd, 8:00-11:30 Class field trip! We'll be taking a trip to see fabulous dancing and hear live music from Il Troubador and Ishtar! There is a modified class schedule that day, and we'll be caravaning down from Squirrel Hill to the venue. If you are planning on coming to class or meeting us there, we'll be leaving around 7:30...If meeting there, please e-mail me to either use a class pass slot, or get in for half price ($5) at the door.
LA CASA -- Ellsworth Ave. Shadyside -- Saturdays beginning October 24th I will be performing at a new venue in town on Saturday nights beginning October 24th....The restaurant is La Casa and is on Ellsworth Ave. in Shadyside...Times are likely to be 6:30 and 8:00....Stay tuned for more info!
CLASS INFO
Drop Ins: $12..... Five Class Card: $50 .... Ten Class Card: $90 ... Twenty Class Card: $165
Tuesday: 7:15-8:15 Level 2 8:30-9:30 Level 1
Friday: 6:15-7:15 Level 1 7:25-8:25 Mixed Level 8:30-9:30 Level 3 ** Please bring zills if you have them...we'll be working on rhythms!! I only have a few loaners**
Friday Classes Remaining:
10/16 10/23 (Field Trip!!) ** One class will be held from 6:15-7:15... Mixed Levels.... All are welcome! ** 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20
***Please only buy zills with two slots....not one single hole! ****
Bought a card? Missed a couple of classes?? What can you do now?
You can attend any regular class, use it for the field trip, workshops or private instruction!!
Each class pass slot is worth 1 hour of group instruction, or any 5 slots can equal 1 hour of private instruction.... Also I will be holding a couple of winter workshops after Thanksgiving where you can use your pass...The very last day to use your accumulated class pass: 01/15/2009 (Right before the next session begins).
STUDENT TROUPE (Hey we need a name!!)
Very exciting news! As some of you may know, I am in the process of forming a student troupe! Any Level 2 or above student is welcome...there will also be soloist auditions coming. The goal of the new troupe is to perform in community related events and shows throughout the Pittsburgh and surrounding area. We will work on a "show" which will involve group choreography, both new and old, as well as duets, trios and solos. In the coming year, the troupe will perform at least 2-4 times per year.
Time and financial commitments are in the process of being finalized, but I can tell you that any troupe member should be willing to attend 1 technique class and the troupe class per semester at a minimum...and you would be expected to purchase a costume. (Hey that's the fun part right??!!) Troupe nights will be held on Fridays, with an occasional Sunday/Saturday. Please contact me directly if you are interested!
WINTER WORKSHOP SERIES -- Dates and Times TBA
Since winter is often very quiet as we hustle around from Holiday to Holiday and the weather gets frightful, I'll be hosting a series of 2 hour workshops...
Topics include:
Tribal or Cabaret? -- Makeup, Costuming, and Performance Quality for All
Proptastic! -- Things to swing, balance and fling!
The Essentials -- Songs Every Bellydancer should know (comes with a choreography :O))
* Fridays 8:30-9:30 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
* September 4th - 10 weeks (No class September 25th)
* $90 for the session, register by September 1st, $12 Drop-ins
**5 classes will be choreography focused preparing for Shimmy 4 on October 3rd, the last 5 will be the Level 3 Technique...please email me if only interested in the 5 Level 3 classes**
Take both Friday Classes for $165!
All classes must have 6 students registered in order to run. Any missed classes can be made up at any other day/class as long as it is in the same session. If you miss 5 classes in a session and are unable to make them up at other classes, you can trade in those for private/semi-privates on a case by case basis.
Please email or call me to register. If you would like to PayPal your class registration, please send it to: lilgreendragyn@yahoo.com . Please indicate that this is for class, and include your name and the class you are registering for! Thanks and hope to see you there!!
I hope everyone is having a great start to Summer! Classes will be held at the Bodiography Studio in Squirrel Hill.
The Friday Mixed Level Class from 7:15-8:15 is always open to drop ins for $12. The Tuesday class is new! Check it out!!
LEVEL 1 Technique: Foundations for Belly Dance
No Prerequisite, on-going classes
Tuesdays 7:15-8:15 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
June 9th - August 25th (No class July 14 and August 18 )
$90 for the session, register by June 9th
Mixed Level Technique:
Previous belly dance experience, on-going classes
Fridays 7:15-8:15 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
May 29th - August 21st (No class June 19, July 3 and July 31)
$90 for the session, register by May 29th, $12 Drop-ins
Mixed Level Choreography:
Previous belly dance experience, on-going classes
Fridays 8:30-9:30 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
May 29th - August 21st (No class June 19, July 3 and July 31)
$90 for the session, register by May 29th, $12 Drop-ins (or $160 / $16 for both)
Please email or call me to register. If you would like to PayPal your class registration, please send it to: lilgreendragyn@yahoo.com . Please indicate that this is for class, and include your name and the class you are registering for! Thanks and hope to see you there!!
PS...Have you registered for Tamalyn Dallal yet?? Early Bird is up May 31st!
40 Days & 1001 Nights Back Roads Tour with Tamalyn Dallal
Having started her study of Middle Eastern dance in 1976,Tamalyn Dallal is one of the world’s most respected exponents of the art of belly dancing today. Currently living in Seattle, she has taught and performed in 34 countries and mentored thousands of dancers around the world. Through sixteen years of directing The Mid Eastern Dance Exchange, a nonprofit arts organization, Ms. Dallal produced numerous stage productions and dance festivals, including the world reknown Orientalia festivals. She authored three books, produced numerous DVD's and most recently completed a project entitled "40 Days and 1001 Nights." Nights." “40 Days and 1001 Nights” became a book, documentary film, music CD (by Africa's oldest orchestra, the 103 year old Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club of Zanzibar), and dance concert, all produced by Ms. Dallal. The final edition of the book came out in February, 2008, and it is now published in the US, India and Russia.
Tamalyn Dallal has traveled to many different countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, where she witnessed and participated in the art of belly dancing in its local context. She will share her experiences among women (and men) who dance as part of their everyday lives in: Egypt, Jordan, Zanzibar, the Swahili Coast of Kenya, Morocco,Tunisia, Turkey, and western China.
About the book: Readers will be surprised, delighted, and sometimes shocked at the fascinating web of true life tales told by the 21st century Scheherezade. She finds herself in the tsunami ravaged city of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, then ventures deep into the Egyptian Sahara to the Siwa Oasis, where donkey carts are the main form of transport. She follows a beautiful song to Zanzibar where sun and surf crash against a tumultuous past. Next, she lands in Jordan, a peaceful kingdom and haven for refugees from strife torn lands, then finally spends forty days in China's predominately Muslim Xinjiang Autonomous Region.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009
Workshop #1 -- Technique Intensive with Tamalyn Dallal
TIME:
Sign in starts at 3:15pm. Workshop from 3:30 – 5:30pm
"Tamalyn Dallal Technique" will give techniques that have made several of Ms. Dallal's students, including Bozenka and Bellyqueen, so successful. Learn to make the most out of movement, utilizing contractions, lower abdominal muscles to make the movements deeper, plus beautiful hands and arms.
A gala evening of music and dance, celebrating belly dance featuring Tamalyn Dallal and some of the area’s best Belly Dancers!
SUNDAY, JUNE 21st, 2009
Workshop #2 -- Beladi Style Workshop with Tamalyn Dallal
TIME:
Workshop from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
COST:
$40 Pre-registration / $50 after June 1st
LOCATION:
Bodiography Center for Movement -- Squirrel Hill
5824 Forbes Ave.3rd Floor
Pittsburgh PA, 15217
http://www.bodiographycbc.com
DESCRIPTION:
Putting the dance into its cultural context, this workshop teaches old time techniques that help you get grounded and add an earthy quality to your dancing. We will learn how the women dance at home during celebrations in the Middle East, as well as defining "Shaabi" music, recognizing wedding songs, and the differences between dancing to beledi, shaabi, and wedding music.
Pre-register:
Early Bird by May 31st
Worskhop #2 Only$40
Both Workshops $75
FRIDAY JUNE 19thand SUNDAY, JUNE 21st, 2009
Private and Semi-Private Master Classes with Tamalyn Dallal
Master Classes are designed for teachers, professional level students, or those who want an opportunity to study with a master. Learn the important performance techniques and stylings that have spawned numerous well known performers. Perfect the movements within unique combinations that will tease your brain- and your body. These lessons will be tailored to the participant.
Presenting Tamalyn Dallal and the "40 Days and 1001 Nights" Back Road USA tour
June 19th, 20th, and 21st
Tamalyn Dallal will be signing books and making a series of public appearances in Pittsburgh at events ranging from a film showing/speaking engagement to a dance workshop.
Lecture and Film Viewing
Friday June 19, 2009 -- 7pm @ Joseph Beth Booksellers SouthSide Works
Dance Workshops
Saturday June 20th, 2009 @ Bodiography Dance Studio, Squirrel Hill
3:30-5:30: Tamalyn's Technique Intensive: "Tamalyn Dallal Technique" will give techniques that have made several of Ms. Dallal's students, including Bozenka and Bellyqueen, so successful. Learn to make the most out of movement, utilising contractions, lower abdominal muscles to make the movements deeper, plus beautiful hands and arms.
Sunday June 21st, 2009 @ Bodiography Dance Studio, Squirrel Hill
11:30-1:30: Beladi Style Workshop
Putting the dance into its cultural context, this workshop teaches old time techniques that help you get grounded and add an earthy quality to your dancing. We will learn how the women dance at home during celebrations in the Middle East, as well as defining "Shaabi" music, recognizing wedding songs, and the differences between dancing to beledi, shaabi, and wedding music.
Tamalyn Dallal is one of the worlds's most respected exponents of the art of belly dancing, having taught and performed in over 33 countries. She has mentored many dancers around the world, including "Bellydance Superstars" Amar Gamal, Bozenka, Kaeshi and Sharon Kihara. Through her non-profit art organisation, Tamalyn Dallal has produced numerous stage productions and dance festivals, including the famed Orientalia Festival of Ethinic Dance, in Miami Beach. She has authored two books, "They Told Me I Couldn't", about living and dancing in Columbia in the 1980's, and the instructional book "Belly Dancing for Fitness". She has recently completed the book and documentary film "40 Days and 1001 Nights" where she lived in five Islamic contries for forty days each, documenting her experiences. Attend workshops with a world class master, designed to help you learn and refine your belly dance techniques, as well as understand the origins of Belly Dance, the music and the culture that it originates from.
About the Project
A timely book has recently hit the stands. Tamalyn Dallal’s “40 Days and 1001 Nights” is an entertaining and human look at life in five Muslim countries. Ms. Dallal, a thrice published author as well as world reknown belly dancer traveled alone to; Indonesia, Zanzibar, Egypt, Jordan, and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, where she lived in each one for forty days. She chronicled her experiences, good, bad, often funny and heartwarming to share with the American public. Her stories defy stereotypes and share a more realistic perception of the lives of ordinary people in diverse parts of the Muslim world than what has been shown in mainstream media in recent years. To accompany the book, she made a musical documentary film which makes the experience of “40 Days and 1001 Nights” all the more vivid.
·For information on the book and film “40 Days and 1001 Nights”
March 28th from 12:30-2:30 -- Student and Alumni recital/hafla
Gypsy Cafe on the Southside...performers are free, guests and family will be treated to a Mezze (light lunch) and the performances for $10...Kids under 12 are free!
Please join us for dancing, music and fabulous food!
---Hip Slides-- Flat movement where hips push horizontally out to side of body. No twist! Knees move in tandem, no pistons.
---Hip Slide Front--Flat movement to front of body. Use lower abdominals to push out. Keep tuck in butt and lower back strong
---Hip Slide Rear--Flat movement to rear of body. Contract lower abdominals. Chest does not drop.
---Chest Slides--With torso strong and lifted, slide chest out in horizontal plane to either side. Be sure not to twist with this movement
---Head Slides--This mover is easier to practice with your arms straight up. Pretend your ear is magnetic and is attracted to your arm. Slide your head sideways on your neck so your ear almost touches your elbow. Repeat on the other side. Try to take your arms down and keep it up. Don't nod your head! Head bobble: pretend you're a little spring dog on someone's car dashboard. Just sort of shake your head from side to side and back and forth, keeping your neck very loose.
---Shoulder Shimmy--Make sure your ribcage is lifted up and separated from your hips. Push one shoulder to the front, and then the other one. Your arms should be up and out from your shoulders. DON'T MOVE YOUR HANDS! When you're comfortable, speed it up.
--- Hip Arc M&M's and W's -- Just like the Hip Arc, the M&M's are on the down - Center, Front, Center, Back...The W's move the same way, just on the up!
--COMBO: Hip Arc Combo--Start facing with your right hip to the "audience". Hip arc over to the front and over to the rear (1234). Arms are low and frame hips. Arms come up and shoulder shimmy as you turn over your right shoulder to have your left hip face the audience. (5678) Repeat hip arc on left hip and shimmy to face the right again.
---COMBO: FCBD Egyptian Basic with Turns or Bumps--Do Egyptian basic with FCBD arm pulls – once on each side to the front, then pivot and repeat to the rear. This combination can also be broken between the turns with hip bumps. Facing front, do Egyptian basic – one hip up on each side, with arms out to sides. Then arms go up over head and walk in a small circle doing hip bump walk
---Hip Arcs--With weight shifted to one leg, the hip on the unweighted leg goes up and over to the front towards 11:00. It then goes up and back towards 5:00. Repeat on other leg.
--- Egyptian basic--Do hip ups on alternating hips – on one side and then the other, returning the feet to center in between. To walk, do the hip up on the foot that is stepping forward. To walk backwards, do the hip up, then step your foot back. Adding arm pulls: FCBD arm pulls--with arms over head or in rounded front position (like you’re holding a tree), do hip ups. Every time the hip comes up, the arms “pull” down to meet it.
*Working with the music* Rule of 4. Most music sections are repeated in four, even if the rhythm is an uneven count. 2, 4, and 8 are how most combinations and choreographies are counted.
---Hip Ups/Downs--With centered weight shift, knee bent and unweighted foot on ball, drop or raise hip. Careful not to bounce up and down.
---Hip Twist Up--Combine the hip up with a twist. On the unweighted leg, while the hip is coming up it twists to the front. Smooth or sharp. Careful to return to "neutral".
---Hip Twist Down--Combine the hip down with a twist. On the unweighted leg, while the hip is coming down it twists to the rear. Smooth or sharp. Careful to return to "neutral". Down and ups can be combined into a smooth twist that passes through neutral with no pause
---Hip Twist--Hips glide to the front and rear, in a flat plane, twisting back and forth. "washing machine"
---COMBO: Triangle combo--Facing on a diagonal (to a corner), do double hip bumps on each side, then pivot and repeat. For example, facing the front left corner – double hip bump on the right, double hip bump on the left. Then pivot so you are facing the back left corner. Double hip bump on the right, double hip bump on the left. Arms are out when facing front and down by the sides when facing the back.
*Working with the music* Can start the movement on the down. The "down" is the 1st count in the sequence. All movements start on the right side unless otherwise noted
Hiya! Welcome to the Little Shimmy Belly Blog! Class notes for Class #1 -- "Foundations"
---Basic Stance-- Rooted low center, knees bent slightly, weight evenly distributed. Tuck butt under, lengthened through torso up into head and shoulders. Shoulders are down, chest lifted....Super Star arms...BREATHE!
---Hip Pistons (tick-tocks)--Hips move up and down flat plane, like you are between panes of glass. Movement can be smooth and slow or quick and sharp. Feet stay flat on floor, torso and shoulders still, movement isolated into the hips.
---Shimmy Basics-- Even counted, paired movements of hips...must be able to count...control is key. The shimmy can be derived from the glutes, obliques, quads/legs or a combination. Practice isolating each type, work on control and speed...pick a song you like...try to shimmy through the whole thing! For fun -- generate a vibration by drumming your heels on the floor...
*Working with the music* Can go 1/2 speed or double time...most often the count starts on "1" on the Right side.
Welcome to Little Shimmy, Berna's home on the web!
Hello!
I hope everyone is staying warm! The Spring Session is about to begin...looks to be a large class, so we'll be using the big studio at Bodiography Dance Studio on Forbes starting February 27th...
Bodiography Contemporary Ballet and Center for Movement
5824 Forbes Ave., 3rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Classes will be on Fridays as usual: 7-8 pm Level 1, 8:15-9:15 pm is Mixed Levels...Choreography class on Tuesdays through March 28th (with permission).
LEVEL 1 Technique: Foundations for Belly Dance
No Prerequisite, on-going classes
Fridays 7:00-8:00 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
February 27 - May 22 (No class March 27, April 3 and 17 )
$90 for the session, register by February 17, $100 after, $12 Drop-ins
Mixed Level Technique:
Previous bellydance experience, on-going classes
Fridays 8:15-9:15 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
February 27 - May 22 (No class March 27, April 3 and 17 )
$90 for the session, register by February 17, $100 after, $12 Drop-ins
