See below for info on upcoming workshops, and scroll down for info about past workshops that Sarah has taught.

Upcoming Workshops:
(To see all workshop info, scroll down using the scroll bar at right)

A Workshop with Mira Betz in NYC
Don't miss this rare visit from a gem of the California bellydance scene...Mira Betz has worked with many West Coast luminaries, but she has a style all her own. Beyond the categories of Tribal, Fusion, Folkloric, or Cabaret -- dancers in any style can benefit from her creative, challenging, and encouraging instruction. In this workshop she will be sharing some highlights of her unique and inspiring vocabulary and technique.

Friday August 1st
7:30-9:30pm
Panetta Movement Center
214 W 29th St. (between 7th & 8th Aves) 10th floor

Cost: $35 in advance, $45 at the door

To pay via paypal use the "send money" option at paypal.com to send $37 ($35 + $2 service charge) to sarah [at] alchemyperformance [dot] com

To pay by check or cash and for more information please contact sarah [at] alchemyperformance [dot] com

Private lessons with Mira are also available August 1-4 in the late afternoon and evening. Please email her directly at mira [at] miramania [dot] com for further info.

Check out what Sharon Kihara of the Bellydance Superstars has to say about her: Mira Betz is my favorite dancer to watch right now. She has a rare maturity and emotional connection in her performances, well seasoned beyond her years. She manages to impart these qualities while maintaining a playful and theatrical value; this woman is a true professional, and has a really unique style that's hard to put a label on. I enjoy taking Mira's classes whenever I can, her teaching style is challenging yet accessible, with a very pleasing combination of expression, artistry, studied technique and strength. I feel freshly inspired every time I see her perform, she's a reminder to me of what made me fall in love with bellydance in the first place! If you have the good fortune to encounter her, either on stage or in a workshop, consider yourself quite fortunate; Mira has been a very well-kept secret, but it seems the cat's out of the bag...

For more info on Mira please visit www.miramania.com and see her bio below:
The multi-faceted career of Mira Betz is a testament to her passionate artistry and desire for continual growth. Active in theater, dance and the performing arts for 20 years, Mira Betz has become a sought after dancer, choreographer, costumer, and teacher. Nominated "Instructor of the year" by Zaghareet Magazine, Mira is a valued instructor at prestigious festivals and camps across the nation, as well as at the Malonga Arts Collective in Oakland California. Mira began her training in Middle Eastern dance as a young teen studying with some of the most respected and knowledgeable teachers of our time, such as Katarina Burda, Jamila Salimpour, and Suhaila Salimpour. A founding member, choreographer, and solo performer of Aywah! Ethnic Dance Company for 10 years, she has also worked as a guest choreographer for Jill Parker and her company Ultra Gypsy, toured nationally with renowned drummer Tobias Roberson and was the artistic director of the ECHOS Project; a collaboration of choreographers in the San Francisco Bay Area supporting the exploration of traditional and experimental music and dance fusion. She was last seen in New York as the facilitator of the Barbary Coast Shakedown with Jill Parker, Rose Harden, Susan Frankovich, and Sarah White. She has also had the pleasure of working with incredible talent such as David Byrne, Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Elizabeth Strong, Heather Stants, Amy Sigil and many more. Mira continues to spread her experience, knowledge and love for dance through her captivating performance and engaging teaching style.


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Past Workshops:
(To see all workshop info, scroll down using the scroll bar at right)

In New York City, Sarah has taught several workshops since 2001 on topics including tribal bellydance, fusion, yoga, body awareness, and anatomy for dancers. She has also hosted many of the best tribal and tribal fusion dancers from around the country for workshops, in order to share their art and expertise with the NYC community. For past workshops that Sarah has hosted see the events page. Scroll down to see past workshops that Sarah has taught outside of NYC, as well as descriptions of the workshop topics she offers.

Selected out of town workshops include
...Moss Spa and Yoga, Cold Spring Harbor, NY: August 2007
...Tribal Fest 7 in Sebastopol, CA: May 2007, sponsored by Kajira Djoumahna
...Rehoboth, MA: March 2007, PURE sponsored by Neylan
...Mystic, CT: September 2006, with Carmine Guida, sponsored by Katie Bertsche of Azar Maya
...Tribal Bonfire in Tilson, NY: July 2006, with Carmine Guida and Perizad, sponsored by Barushka
...Rehoboth, MA: May 2006, PURE sponsored by Neylan
...Portland, OR: November 2005, PURE sponsored by Paulette Rees-Denis
...Washington, DC: September 2005, PURE sponsored by Alexis Rodich, Elizabeth Ehrhardt, and Kaihea of DC Tribal
...Tribal Quest Northwest in Portland, OR: August 2005, sponsored by Paulette Rees-Denis
...Los Angeles, CA: July 2005, PURE sponsored by Kashmir
...Tiverton, RI: May 2005, PURE sponsored by Barb the Dancing Spirit
...Croatia and Slovenia: Summer 2003, sponsored by Polygon Center for Arts and Research with the Zadar Snova Festival and Labin Art Express (workshop and performance tour with Broken Open Heart Productions)
...Marseille, France: November 1998 and 1999-2000, sponsored by Begat Theater (residency with a theater company and a series of workshops and performances throughout France)

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Sarah teaches a wide range of workshops for students of all skill levels. Workshops can be formulated to fit any schedule from an hour long class, to an afternoon, a full weekend, or a series of weekly classes.

Workshops focus on many aspects of Tribal bellydance and on core strengthening and body awareness. Topics include:

An Introduction to Tribal Bellydance - the basic movements that make up the dance

Tribal Bellydance Intensive - for more advanced students who are new to Tribal, this workshop goes through the basics but concentrates on developing partnering and group improvisation skills

Elements of the Dance - these workshops focus on one or more of a variety of topics: handwork, hipwork, using props, or stylings from one of the countries that influences Tribal bellydance, such as Turkey, India, Morocco, Spain

Tribal Bellydance and the Roma - an introduction to the background and development of Tribal bellydance in the US, and the history and culture of the Roma people, whose dance and music are a strong inspiration for the Tribal style

Costuming History and Ideas - learn about the traditional costuming and jewelry of the countries that influence Tribal bellydance, as well as recent Tribal and Fusion innovations

Basic Bellydance Percussion Rhythms and Finger Cymbal Playing - by learning and playing the basic rhythms that form most bellydance music, you can appreciate the music even more, and dance with it better as a result

Moving from the Center - combining Sarah's experience in bellydance, pilates, yoga, and physical theater, this workshop focuses on centering, developing body awareness, and other techniques that can be used by anyone to feel more grounded and in control of their actions and intentions, as well as by performers to enhance their skills in any discipline

Core Strengthening and Awareness - this workshop combines the body awareness training outlined above with more intensive strengthening exercises

Core Strengthening for Tribal Bellydancers - an intensive workshop for experienced dancers that uses a mix of bellydance, pilates, yoga, and physical theater (as outlined above) to focus on specific issues that are most relevant to the body mechanics and improvisation technique of the Tribal style

Embodied Dance - for dancers interested in exploring movement from the inside out. Learn how to access your deep dancing body through the principles of yoga, Body-Mind Centering, kinesthetic anatomy, and dance traditions from butoh to bellydance. We will study basic anatomy, practice yoga that balances alignment and flow, and explore free movement and visualization exercises. Discover the freedom and creativity of full body awareness through movement and breath.

The Vinyasa of Tribal Bellydance - learn how to apply principles of yoga asana practice to another kind of vinyasa. Tribal bellydance is a contemporary global dance form inspired by ancient women’s dances and the travels of the Roma (Gypsies) through countries including India, Turkey, Morocco, and Spain. We will start with a yoga asana series and then explore bellydance movements and isolations. Discover how the ancient traditions of yoga and bellydance combine to celebrate the body as sacred.

Anatomy for Dancers - learn about the form and function of the body as it relates to posture, technique, and movement. We'll get to know the muscular and skeletal systems, as well as the organs, fluids, ligaments, nervous system, and endocrine system that make our bodies the complex and beautiful environments they are.

to inquire about hosting or participating in a workshop.
See the events page for info on upcoming workshops.