Performance skills course
Want to learn how to own the stage?
My performance skills project is back! And it’s bigger and better than ever!
Not one, not two, but three different tracks!
Options for solo development, large group pieces or small group pieces.
Each track consists of 30 hours of in-person time spent learning and creating choreography, drilling, technique, fine tuning, rehearsals, exploratory exercises, discussions, viewings, lectures. Plus lots of extra goodies!
Each track is spread over 3 weekends between March and August 2025 and will culminate in a one-of-a-kind theatre show in London in September 2025.
Last year's course sold out within 24 hours!
Grab your spot by completing the application form by 5th Dec 2024
Click on the images to learn more about each track:
Location: Flow Dance/Unit 3 Studios, Oval, London, SW9 6DE
Dates:
Moon Track: March 29-30, June 14-15, August 23-24
Earth Track: March 29-30, June 28-29, August 23-24
Sun Track: March 29-30, April 26-27, August 23-24
Theatre show: September 12th
Applications will be open until 5th December, after which point you will have until
5th January to pay your non-refundable deposit of £75* to secure your place.
The remaining balance is due by 5th February. Payment plans are available.
*if signing up for multiple tracks, you will need to pay £75 for each track
What to expect...
These intensives aren’t just about learning a choreography. They’re about developing our skills as performers. To do this, we’ll dive deep into understanding various aspects of performing, studying topics ranging from staging, lighting and music to giving face and embodying emotions. We’ll look at what I call ‘the cheats’ and ‘the meat’. The cheats are quick fixes – little tricks you can use before or during a performance make it more impactful. The meat is the core – why aren’t you giving the performances you wish you could give? How can we change those fundamentals?
We’ll talk lots and we’ll dance even more. We’ll learn about gaze, embodiment, character building, music, costuming, lighting. And, of course, we’ll go up against that dreaded fiend: stage fright. We’ll do activities that develop different aspects of our performance skills. We’ll create combos and staging together, and in the process learn to use some of the diverse tools that have helped me create unforgettable choreographies.
These courses are designed with love to help you level up and become the best performer you can be.
Scholarships!
SCHOLARSHIPS APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Pricing:
Moon Track : £430 (30 hrs + 1 feedback video)
Earth Track : £430 (30 hrs + 1 feedback video)
Sun Track : £540 (30 hrs + 2 private classes + 3 feedback videos + professional photoshoot)
2 tracks (Sun + Moon or Earth) : £710 (43 hrs + 2 private classes + 4 feedback videos + professional photoshoot)
2 tracks (Moon + Earth) : £600 (43 hrs + 2 feedback videos)
3 tracks (Sun + Moon + Earth… the whole kit and caboodle!) : £840 (56 hrs + 2 private classes + 5 feedback videos + professional photoshoot)
All tracks also include:
-
performance opportunity at a unique theatre show in London
-
professional video and photos from the show
-
other performance opportunities
-
whatsApp group support
-
pre- and/or post-performance one-to-one check ins – an opportunity to chat about it all! This can be in the form of phone or Zoom calls (2 x 30 minutes) (optional)
-
further reading and viewing links
Please note: some investment in costuming may be necessary. However, costs will be kept to a minimum.
Moon Track
Classic group performance project
Learn a timeless fusion belly dance choreography incorporating elements of Golden Era Raqs Sharqi, old Hollywood glamour and classic Burlesque. The emphasis will be on clean lines, delicious embodiment and powerful stage presence. We’ll cover some of my top tips for confidence in your dance, and explore how to tap into your inner sensuality, sass and splendour.
Limited to 12 dancers
Includes:
-
30 hours of in-person learning (performance skills exercises, learning and creating choreography, drilling and technique, fine-tuning and rehearsals, exploration, discussions, viewings, lectures)
-
1 feedback video
-
video breakdowns of the choreography
-
performance opportunity at a unique theatre show in London
-
professional video and photos from the show
-
other performance opportunities
-
whatsapp group support
-
pre- and/or post-performance 1-to-1 check ins – an opportunity to chat about it all! This can be in the form of phone or Zoom calls (2 x 30 minutes) (optional)
-
further reading and viewing links
Price: £430
Why not...
combine with the Earth Track for £600 total?!
combine with the Sun Track for £710?!
or do all three tracks for £840?!
Let us find ourselves deep in the soil and uncover our full potential. Tap the well of creativity and learn an innovative, experimental choreography blending elements from fusion belly dance, contemporary dance, Silvestre Technique and more. I will guide you through my creative process and together we will make something truly unique. The emphasis will be on full-bodied movement, authentic expression and pushing boundaries. We’ll dig deep in search for strong, deep-rooted stage presence.
Limited to 12 dancers
Includes:
-
30 hours of in-person learning (performance skills exercises, learning and creating choreography, drilling and technique, fine-tuning and rehearsals, exploration, discussions, viewings, lectures)
-
1 feedback video
-
video breakdowns of the choreography
-
performance opportunity at a unique theatre show in London
-
professional video and photos from the show
-
other performance opportunities
-
whatsapp group support
-
pre- and/or post-performance 1-to-1 check ins – an opportunity to chat about it all! This can be in the form of phone or Zoom calls (2 x 30 minutes) (optional)
-
further reading and viewing links
Price: £430
Why not...
combine with the Moon Track for £600 total?!
combine with the Sun Track for £710?!
or do all three tracks for £840?!
Sun Track
Solo mentorship programme
It’s your time to really shine!
You will create your own piece which incorporates an element of the theatre show’s theme. Like the Sun, you will take centre stage to showcase your beautiful light. Meanwhile, you will be able to make use of other dancers as ensemble members in your piece, allowing you to create gorgeous tableaux and dynamic moments on stage. And you’ll do the same for them. I will guide you through the process from initial concept, through music choice and editing, movement creation, development of character, story and flow, lighting design, costuming, all the way to the stage!
Limited to 8 dancers
Includes:
-
30 hours of in-person learning (performance skills exercises, learning and creating choreography, drilling and technique, fine-tuning and rehearsals, exploration, discussions, viewings, lectures)
-
2 private classes (via Zoom or in person in Colchester or London)
-
3 feedback videos
-
solo photoshoot in a studio with a professional photographer
-
performance opportunity at a unique theatre show in London
-
professional video and photos from the show
-
whatsapp group support
-
pre- and/or post-performance 1-to-1 check ins – an opportunity to chat about it all! This can be in the form of phone or Zoom calls (2 x 30 minutes) (optional)
-
further reading and viewing links
Price: £540
Why not...
combine with the Moon Track or Earth Track for £710 total?!
or do all three tracks for £840?!
Scholarships
PLEASE NOTE: SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2025 ARE NOW CLOSED
I’m passionate about making dance accessible to everyone. I believe that a diverse class of dance students makes for a more creative and dynamic community. That’s why I’m pleased to offer two scholarships for my performance skills intensives in 2025.
These scholarships provide a 50% discount towards either Moon Track or Earth Track (equivalent to £215), and are aimed at dancers from ethnically diverse communities, marginalised communities, those facing financial hardship, or anyone who may be facing some barrier which could prevent them from affording the course. I want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to explore and grow in this beautiful art form.
The scholarships are open to anyone, but I am particularly keen to hear you if you are on a low income, are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, are MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic and Turkish) or other ethnic minority, are neurodiverse, or have a mental health condition or disability.
To be considered for a scholarship, simply select the option on the application form.
FAQs
Where will the courses take place?
Flow Dance / Unit 3 Studios, Ground Floor, Canterbury Court, Kennington Park Business Centre, 1-3 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6DE. Nearest tube: Oval
When will the courses take place?
Moon Track: March 29-30, June 14-15, August 23-24
Earth Track: March 29-30, June 28-29, August 23-24
Sun Track: March 29-30, April 26-27, August 23-24
Theatre show: September 12th
(all 2025)
How do I sign up? Do I have to pay now?
The first step is to fill in the application form - this is an expression of interest, and is not binding. The first round of applications are open until 5th December 2024. After this point, I will review the applications and, if successful, you will be given payment details for the deposit of £75 (per track) to be paid by 5th January 2024. If the deposit is not received by this date, the space will be opened up to others. The deposit is non-refundable. The full course fees are due by 5th February 2025. Payment plans are available.
I’m not sure I can afford the course. Help?
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
I am offering two scholarships for 50% off either Moon Track or Earth Track. These are aimed at dancers facing financial hardship, and/or those from ethnically diverse communities, marginalised communities, or anyone who may be facing some barrier which could prevent them from affording the course. Find out more here. To be considered for the scholarship, simply complete the main application form and select the option to apply for the scholarship. Payment plans are also available, to help you spread the costs.
Which track is right for me?
All tracks will include essential performance skills development in the form of exploratory exercises, discussions, guided rehearsals, readings and viewings. The way the tracks differ is in their focus and the pieces that will be created. Both Moon and Earth Tracks involve group choreography, while Sun Track is specifically for those wanting to create their own choreography with mentorship from me. In Moon Track, we will learn a beautiful fusion belly dance group choreography infused with elements of Golden Era Raqs Sharqi, old Hollywood glamour and classic Burlesque. In Earth Track, we will develop an experimental group choreography blending fusion belly dance with elements of contemporary dance and Silvestre Technique. In Sun Track, you will create your own piece which incorporates an element of the theatre show’s theme*
*yet to be announced, but here are some clues
Can I do more than one track?
Yes! You can do two tracks or even all three!!
What will the mentorship on Sun Track look like?
This will vary from person to person. You will be given the theme of the show from which to create a piece. I will assist you wherever you want me to on the way. You may want help with generating ideas, with choosing or editing music, with costuming, with lighting design... As far as choreographing is concerned, I can share techniques I use, act as a sounding board, provide feedback on what you're working on or even create sections of the choreography for you. We will work on this together in 1-to-1 sessions online and in group sessions in the studio.
How much dance experience do I need in order to apply?
I ask that dancers have at least 18 months of dance study prior to applying, ideally in fusion belly dance (aka tribal fusion) or raqs sharqi (aka belly dance), but could also be in other MENAHT dances, group improvisation (FCBD, ITS etc.) or other dance styles. I also welcome those without formal dance training to apply, if they have community experience of MENAHT dances. If you’re not sure, just get in touch.
I’ve never performed before – can I apply?
Yes! This is a great place to start! I would recommend Moon Track, though you are welcome to apply for any track.
I’m an experienced performer – is it worth me applying?
Yes! As artists, we never stop growing, so if you would like to pursue this growth with me, then these courses could be perfect for you.
I did last year’s course – will this year’s course be the same?
Nope! Sun Track is completely different, as it is designed for you to develop your own work. As for Moon Track and Earth Track, the choreographies will be completely new. In terms of performance skills, we will work with some of the same themes, but the specific exercises, readings etc. will be distinct from those we did in 2024.
Will these intensives cover the same material as other performance courses you offer such as Celestial Bodies and A Singular Magick?
No, each course and each iteration is different - different choreographies, different inspirations, different exercises and different experiences. Some common themes will be shared, of course, but the content will be different. You are very welcome to attend any and all performance courses I offer! In fact, if sign up for both Idalia Performance Skills course and A Singular Magick performance project at Propulsion in Milton Keynes, you get a 10% discount on both courses!
I have a question that's not answered here...
Just send me a message!
