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Resources

Everything you need for class and the stage: what to wear, where to shop, and tips from our instructors.

What to wear

Comfortable clothes you can move in: stretchy or yoga pants, a fitted top, and a sports bra. Fitted clothes help your instructor see your movement. Bring a hip scarf if you have one, and a layer if you run cold. Harem pants, skirts, and sparkle are fun but never required.

Footwear

Dance barefoot, in socks, ballet practice slippers, or dance shoes. Tennis shoes aren't allowed. We dance on a sprung floor at Nicole Cote and a smooth hard floor at the Veterans center.

Where to shop

Melbourne Dancewear, 442 N Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935, can fit you for socks, ballet slippers, and dance shoes, often for less than online. For zills (finger cymbals), our instructors like Saroyan Mastercrafts, or borrow a pair in class. Our own shop of instructor-picked hip scarves and veils is coming soon.

Class etiquette

    1

    Arrive with time to spare

    Find the studio, check in, and be ready to dance with your hip scarf.

    2

    Silence your phone

    You won't need it during class.

    3

    Pick a good spot

    Stand where you can see and hear the instructor.

    4

    Keep moving

    If you get lost, keep moving and counting, and rejoin when you can.

    5

    Stay open

    Everything is challenging at first. Stay positive and open to new ideas.

    6

    Don't give up

    If you're frustrated, try a simpler version or take it at half speed.

    7

    Wear form-fitting layers

    So your instructor can see your muscles work. Bring a layer if you run cold.

    8

    Pack light

    Water, hip scarf, and a smile.

Accessories of a belly dancer

The things the audience may never see, but absolutely feels. Our instructors' checklist for performing, from your first student showcase to the professional stage.

Two dancers in red on the beach at sunset

Before you dance

Perfume
A signature scent as part of your pre-performance ritual builds confidence before you step onstage.
Intention
Know what you want to say before the music begins: joy, mystery, playfulness, power. Movement means more with intention behind it.
Breath
Breathing makes movement look relaxed rather than mechanical and transforms a slow passage.
Confidence
The most important accessory of all.

While you dance

Eye contact
Dance to one person for a moment, then move on. It makes a large theater feel intimate.
Listen to the music
Don't just dance on the music; dance with it: percussion, melody, pauses, accents, and changes in mood.
Expression
Let your face reflect what your dance is feeling.
The pause
Stillness creates anticipation and makes the next movement more powerful.
Generosity and mystery
Invite the audience in, and don't show everything at once: a turn away or a delayed response can say more.

After you dance

Hold the final pose
Keep the character and posture through the final beat.
Receive the applause
Take a moment to receive the audience's energy. You've earned it.
Exit with intention
The performance continues until you are completely offstage.