Tuition
For more information on workshops available nationally and internationally please contact
Member of Foundation of Communuity Dance
Pedralta Dance Workshops
We aim to provide a safe, fun-filled and informative workshops for people of all ages and levels of fitness. We will always start with a safe warm-up and end with a cool down and gentle stretches.
While DVDs and occasional workshops are great aids to learning, we do not believe that these alone are a safe route into teaching. For this reason Pedralta Dance teachers have training and experience with master teachers, backed up by a fitness teaching qualification.
Host a Pedralta Dance Workshop
Please contact us for more information on booking these workshops:
- ... ATS workshops
- ... Tribal Fusion workshops
- ... Absolute Beginners Belly Dance
- ... Belly dance clinic
- ... Other workshops
Pedralta
American Tribal Style Workshops
Pedralta Dance uses the FatChance BellyDance format as the basis for ATS performance and teaching.
Getting started - Basic moves from the FatChance repertoire
Donna will carefully break down and explain some moves from the FCBD fast and slow repertoire and show you how to improvise from day one. You’ll learn to recognise the downbeat in the music, the counts for the steps and how to cue and follow move changes.
This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and those who’d like to brush up on technique and gain confidence in transitioning.
Foundation ATS (1) - Beginners
Learn techniques to improve the essential posture and isolation needed for dance. Learn and drill some basic moves from the fast and slow repertoire, to “get started” with ATS.
Learn about how improvised group dance can work, and practice with fellow dancers using the moves you have learnt.
Foundation ATS (2) - Beginners and improvers
Revise ATS (1) then build on your dance vocabulary, adding new moves from the fast and slow repertoire. Learn more about different formations for improvised group dance and practice these with your fellow dancers using an increased vocabulary.
Foundation ATS (3) - Improvers
Revise ATS (1and 2) then build further on your dance vocabulary, adding new and more complex moves from the fast and slow repertoire. Learn more about different formations for improvised group dance. Learn about the chorus, its function, and suitable moves to use in a chorus. Practice what you’ve learnt so far, with your fellow dancers.
Foundation ATS (4) - Improvers
Revise ATS (1, 2 and 3). Build further on your dance vocabulary, adding new and more complex moves from the fast and slow repertoire. Building further onto what you’ve learnt in previous workshops or classes.
Concentrate on music, stagecraft, and different shapes for particular performance settings.
What do I do when I get there? - Or leading for the terrified!
Ever found yourself at the front, in the lead, and can’t think of a thing to do?
Help is at hand. Donna will help you with transitions between fast moves from the FCBD format and have you leading with confidence.
Learn how to offer up the lead, lead a circle, and fade. We’ll work with formations and spacing.
This workshop is suitable for those with a little knowledge of ATS and although we’ll be using FCBD format, it would be suitable for those who have studied other styles (GS, Blacksheep etc.)
Easy does it! – Slow moves from the ATS repertoire
Controlled bodywaves, ethereal taqsims and serpentine arms
Donna will show you how to achieve fluidity and prevent injury. Learn how to lead and follow slow moves with confidence and grace. It doesn’t have to be painful. Beautiful arms and hands are within your reach….get it?
Please bring a yoga mat or towel for some gentle floor exercises to help you identify muscles.
Beginners will learn the principles of how to achieve shape and control. Advanced dancers will refine and finesse.
Why not host a Pedralta workshop? Contact Donna for more information.
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Fusion Workshops
These workshops are suitable for those with some experience in any style of ATS. Those with no ATS experience will find them challenging but would still be very welcome.
Slightly menacing sword! Group improvisation with swords..... at full speed!
Yes, it can be done and Donna will show you how.
Swords always wow an audience if they’re incorporated into dance. Pedralta firmly believes that props should enhance your dance, not just be there for tricks. Donna will show you how to achieve poise and confidence in your sword dancing together.
This is an advanced workshop, where knowledge of ATS is needed and proof of insurance for sword use. (Space needed so numbers may be limited) Some floor work may be involved so please bring knee pads if you’d like to give this a go.
Balkan skirt moves for improvised tribal
This is a really fun workshop. Lots of swishin’ and swashin’!. Donna will show you how you can cue skirt moves to allow for group improvisation. You’ll need a skirt at least 10 yards at the bottom, with lots of room at the top. Suitable for complete beginners or those who already dance ATS.
Flamenco passion- New moves for your tribal fusion repertoire
Pedralta Dance go back to the roots of Flamenco and incorporate flamenco and sevillana moves into their Improvisational repertoire. We’ll work on beautiful hands and arms and use of floreos (circular wrist movements) and new combos.
More important than the moves and combos is the spirit of Flamenco. Release the power of duende from within.
This is an open level workshop. Dancers of all levels will be able to work to their own pace.
Flamenco for ATS (1)
This workshop will teach the posture, hand movements, facial expression and some of the techniques used in Flamenco and Sevillana dance. Pedralta have developed cues for incorporating adapted moves in your ATS.
Flamenco for ATS (2)
Build on the fusion moves you learnt in Flamenco (1), adding more moves, honing technique, especially hand and arm movement. Use ATS and new fusion Flamenco/Sevillana moves to improvise with your fellow dancers.
Saaidi for ATS (1)
This earthy form of dance originates from Upper Egypt. Both female and male dancers mimic the martial arts form; using powerful combat poses and moves deriving from the local agricultural way of life, digging, water-carrying etc. This is a lively and energetic dance. Pedralta have developed cues to incorporate these moves into ATS.
Learn some of the basic steps and stick moves. Use ATS and fusion stick moves to improvise with your fellow dancers.
Saaidi for ATS (2)
Revise moves taught in Saaidi (1). Build on these and learn new moves. Practice using different formations, duets and quartets. Improvise dance, using Saaidi and ATS moves, with fellow dancers.
No crash helmet required! Saaidi stick for improvisational tribal dance
Pedralta Dance have developed these saaidi steps and stick moves for use in the tribal improvisational repertoire, going back to the roots of Upper Egyptian folkloric dance.
This cheerful, earthy dance is loved by audiences, great fun to play with and easier than you’d think! Pedralta combine both masculine and female styles of dance to create a lively, boisterous fusion.
We’ll discuss rhythm, learn saaidi steps and swing some sticks! Watch out for the Pedralta Chico Crossover with Sticks…Yikes!
Bring a stick, a shortened broomstick will do. It needs to be long enough to hold comfortably behind your head, with a little extra (about 6”) over at each end.
Why not host a Pedralta workshop?
Contact Donna for more information.
Pedralta
Absolute Beginners’ Bellydance (Cabaret Styles)
If you’ve always fancied learning or just want to find out more and give it a go, this workshop’s for you.
- Learn about the basic posture and isolation needed to bellydance.
- Find out a little about the history of this ancient art form and about the regions where it originated
- We’ll do a basic warm-up routine and some isolation exercises
- Learn some basic moves to get you started and then finish with a basic routine, using the moves you’ve learnt.
This workshop is suitable for those with little or no knowledge of the dance form. It’s designed as a taster session, ideal for clubs and schools. Also suitable as part of a hen party or gathering, along with a short performance set.
Please contact us for more information on booking these workshops
Bellydance Clinic (For ATS or cabaret)
Design your own workshop
Are there specific moves you have trouble getting to grips with? Would you like help getting your movements to flow? What to do with arms and hands? How do you make a hip drop sharp and crisp? How do you turn or spin without getting dizzy?
How do you apply performance make-up for the best effect?
Where do you start with a costume, for a solo or a troupe?
Contact us to discuss what you’d like us to cover in a workshop. We’ll plan one just for you and your group.
Please contact us for more information on booking these workshops
Other workshops
Belly Dance – Yes We Can!
This class is suitable for those with limitations and their carers, suitably qualified teachers and professionals, working with all sorts of user groups. Based on the principles of EXTEND, part or all of the class can be performed seated.
Donna is a qualified EXTEND teacher. Extend is a charitable foundation set up to train teachers to lead exercise for those who are over 60 or who have limitations. For more information see www.extend.org (Venue must be accessible for this one)
Examples of other workshops you can book:
- Cabaret technique and choreography
- Introduction to Middle Eastern Dance and music
- Techniques for safe dancing (injury prevention) for dancers and teachers
Please contact us for more information on booking these workshops
