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About
Level One and Level Two
TEACHER TRAINING and CERTIFICATION in the BlackSheep BellyDance Format! (also available
are Equivalency Certifications) with KAJIRA DJOUMAHNA My
goal for training teachers around the world in my specific Format
for Synchronized Group Improvisational (SGI) Tribal BellyDance is
a simple one: to help spread the joy of this form to all who wish
to learn anywhere in the world, to perpetuate knowledge of this classic
American form in order to differentiate SGI, ATS, ITS, etc. from other
fusions, and to enable fusion style dancers to get a firm foundation
in a parent style of group improv. This training is a great step towards
doing either “pure tribal” or as a base from which to draw Tribal
Fusion forms. Teacher
Trainings have become very popular add-ons to workshops when sponsors
bring me to you. After the weekend workshop or festival, think about
holding a Teacher Training in your area! *
WHY IS THIS *
You’ve a sincere desire to teach at least one Level One Class in my
KD/BSBD Format per week (which is the 1st step to becoming
a member of BlackSheep BellyDance if that appeals to you) *
You have the need to understand the strong foundation of Synchronized
Group Improvisation (SGI), the most important hallmark of ATS, in
order to perform kick-ass Tribal Fusion solos or group work informed
by this 3-day intensive study so you have a strong root-form base
to draw from while designing your future fusions *
You’re already teaching your own (or someone else’s) format and would
like to add new ideas into your existing class curriculum *
To learn other musically correct ways to break down steps and cymbals
for your students, right away from their very first class! *
You’re an Oriental Dancer (or other) who wishes to learn what’s different
between SGI, ATS, ITS and other Fusion styles in order to continue
your education *
You’ve been teaching for years and wish to add more to your “wisdom
bag”, including possible new ways to think about or incorporate into
your established style *
You’ve been studying ATS or another similar form but have questions
your instructor can’t answer *
You’re a curious dancer who wishes to understand how Synchronized
Group Improvisation works *
You’re a long-time teacher with your first (or more) touch of “Teacher
Burn-Out” and wish to “Recharge” *
You’ve never taught before but have heard and felt “the call” to this
type of “service work” (which I feel it is – this form is definitely
a healing modality) and you care enough to start teaching with a firm
foundation that will not let you or your students down and will save
you (and your students) from years of “new teacher” agonies. *
You and your troupe-mates enjoy each of your choreographies and solos,
and are now looking for something else that’s fun and different for
you and your audiences. There is no reason you troupe cannot put on
an hour-long show as long as you have enough variety. *
The improvisational aspect of the form I’ve created can also take
stress away while planning a show. For example, you won’t need to
know where the audience is, where the band is, or even the stage entrance/s,
as your group’s “front” and chorus can move at will, and works particularly
well with audiences on both sides, 3 sides or even in the round! * WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? *
This intensive and comprehensive course will be held over a period
of 3 days, whether Level One or Level Two. Please allow up to 7 hours
per day and in rare cases, longer. The classes will be held in the
daytime, from approximately 11 a.m.-6 p.m. It is possible the last
day could end a bit earlier, but don’t hold your breath. *
As I teach more of these, I’ve realized just how difficult it is to
“pin-point” the length of the Trainings. But I will say this: now
that I have my entire Level 1 and 2 Format on DVDs, and if everyone
does their prerequisite homework, we will have to spend less time
on the moves themselves and more time dancing and getting those questions
answered. *
During our time together in a Level One Training we’ll go over everything
I, my Certified Teachers, and hopefully – YOU - teach in a beginning
(Level 1) 8-week course. I will teach you how to teach as we go, presenting
steps in the same order as I would in an actual class session each
week and why. (Those important things that can’t be taught in a DVD.) *
During our time together in a Level Two Training, we’ll go over whichever
steps and combos you may have questions about from the 4 Level Two
DVDs. Then you will learn how to teach a Level Two class: when to
introduce which steps, which cymbal patterns, how to train students
to lead-and-follow and how to prepare your students for early performances.
A real-life Level Two class takes about four 8-week sessions to get
through, so it’s essential you know the moves to the best of your
ability before I arrive. *
This foundation has been worked to perfection over a period of more
than 10 years. It will save you AND your students so much valuable
time and trial-and-error. You may be surprised just how fast students
will assimilate this information and how easily they will learn to
play their finger cymbals if you follow my instructions. *
For many steps I will teach the difference between the (mostly) Jamila
Salimpour Format origins, early FCBD and BSBD. In my own style, I
use many ATS steps and credit the fertile soil of my teacher and mentor,
Carolena Nericcio of FCBD, as the foundation that sprouted my own
Kajira Djoumahna/BlackSheep BellyDance (KD/BSBD) Format for SGI (Synchronized
Group Improvisation). *
You will learn exactly what made a step ATS as I learned it from 1992-2000
and adhered to as I created my own BSBD Format, along with other core
values intrinsic to this form. You will learn some of its history,
too, because knowing where it came from and honoring our dance ancestors
is an important part of my teaching style. *
Throughout our time together, I will stress safety for you and your
students, which is the number one thing to think about as teachers,
especially of a beginning
class. *
CLASS SIZE *
Is limited to NO MORE than 10 applicants. YOU are guaranteed personal attention. This is very important to me. *
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A REGULAR CERTIFICATE AND THE EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE? 1.
The “Regular” Certificate says you are a Certified Teacher for Level One classes
in the Kajira Djoumahna/BlackSheep BellyDance Format for Synchronized
Group Improvisational Tribal Style BellyDance. It comes with a date,
and is good for one year. If I don’t hear from you during that year,
you become “un-certified”. To keep your certification current, all
you have to do is email me a link or send me a DVD of your 3rd
8-week session, filmed on the 7th or 8th week
for Level One. For Level Two, a performance or student hafla show
will suffice instead of the last class to show you are working with
the Format. *
For Level One, please film from the back of the room (or at an angle
in the back) so I can see how you and your students have progressed.
I’m looking to see that they know what they should by that time, and
that you are “on time” with the curriculum. By those last two weeks,
they should have pretty long transition practices happening (at least
5 minutes both slow and fast, or longer) and if filmed on Week 7 or
8, I can see you review and teach new material as well. Don’t worry,
that’s why I give you until your 3rd session, so you, too,
can practice and get better. Teaching, like dancing or any other skill,
takes practice. I know this,
so you can relax. Plus, you’ll have the DVD to practice with now before
each class! *
I will offer critiques for you if needed, then send you a new Certificate
with a new date. This will continue every year. You never have to
pay more money; you only have to teach the Format as it is given to
you. Teachers who teach other subjects are welcome to this Certificate
as long as they start a whole new class devoted only to this material. *
Once certified, I expect you to keep in touch with me (not the other
way around), and as long as your Certification is current, I am here
for you to answer any questions that come up, any time, over the phone
808.891.8891 or via email: TribalFest@aol.com
– please put “For Kajira” in the subject line, or it could get lost
in the shuffle. Depending upon the time of year, my touring schedule,
and various other factors, it can take me several days (sometimes
longer while traveling) to return phone and email messages. But I
will return them a.s.a.p. and I thank you for your patience. 2. The Equivalency Certificate was created for teachers who
already have classes going and plan to incorporate some SGI into their
existing curriculum, but not teach it exclusively. It also appeals
to teachers who’ve always wanted to teach finger cymbals to their
students but needed this course for the breakdowns and musical aspects.
In rare cases, The Equivalency Certificate is given to dancers who,
IMO, still need more work perfecting the moves, isolations, etc.,
and if they work hard and send me visual proof, I will exchange their
certificates for them later. This doesn’t happen often, but I do reserve
the right to not certify as a KD/BSBD Format instructor someone who
is not ready. * PREREQUISITES For LEVEL ONE: *
Each dancer enrolled must purchase at least my Level One DVD (released
in 2009) when you sign up so you have time to familiarize yourself
with the Level 1 moves. (Some of these are also on my 2 IAMED releases
from 2003.) This is what you’ll follow week-by-week as you start teaching,
so it is mandatory that
you own at least the new Level One DVD in order to take the Level
One Training. *
Please see my Bazaar page for DVD ordering. For
LEVEL TWO: *
Each dancer aspiring to this training must own and study all 5 of
my DVDs, and have been working as a Certified Level One Teacher for
a year. *
You will be expected to keep your Level One Certification up to date,
and to teach yourself the Level 2 material presented in the DVDs to
the best of your ability before taking a Level Two Training. You will
refer to these DVDs as you teach. We will work on any questions you
may have about any steps or combinations in person. *
Please see my Bazaar page for DVD ordering. *
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? These
classes are open to anyone who: *
Has fulfilled the required prerequisites *
Is of strong intermediate or advanced skill level in any style of
bellydance (for Level One). For Level Two, see “Prerequisites”, above. *
Can answer, using at least one or two key points, to me and others
present in our class “What is SGI (Synchronized Group Improv) and
how does it differ from regular bellydance?” (Because once you start
teaching and performing it, you will be asked that a LOT!) And, yes,
of course I will help you. *
Before undergoing Level One Training, you must be able to perform
a ¾, or Walking, Shimmy on the “up”, full time to at least a medium-fast
tempo song, on the balls of the feet and flat-footed. *
Play cymbals full time in at least a basic pattern while dancing.
Don’t worry too much, the cymbals pattern/s used in Level One will
be taught with each fast movement, just like you will teach them.
And they are on the DVD for your review convenience. By the time you
take Level Two you will be playing like a pro and will assimilate
the new cymbal patterns used in the DVDs easily. *
There is no discrimination in my classes due to gender, sexual preference,
race, religion or lack thereof, body types/heights/weights, etc. *
For the Teacher Training Certificate (though not necessarily for the
Equivalency Certificate) you must be able to physically do the moves
with my support and guidance. This means: ability to raise your arms
over your head while keeping your shoulders down, putting weight on
each foot equally and unequally, including high on the ball and with
flat feet, knowing which foot has weight on it, and have at least
some of the strength needed to hold your arms out in what I call “Tribal
Standard”, elbows to the back, with your shoulders down, for fairly
long periods of time. * WHAT TO BRING EACH DAY: *
The best attitude you can choose that day so your mind is open to
new information. A great way to start the day! *
I’ve purposely started the classes late enough for you to eat breakfast.
Please do so! Trust me, you will “last longer” and retain more information
if you do. Bring a lunch and snacks for our breaks, and lots of bottled
water. The breaks are NOT long enough to go out to eat or buy food
to bring back. These are long days, so please come prepared. We will
eat inside or just outside the classroom, depending on the day. *
Finger cymbals. *
Notebooks are optional – my thorough handouts provide blank back pages
for quick notes. I don’t recommend that you attempt to write every
word I say - most of it is either in the handout or in the new Level
One DVD. I will also give you time to write things down during our
breaks. *
There is a lot of talking on the first day, so feel free to dress
warmly in layers that can be removed for the dancing portion. *
Questions! I love questions! So between now and then, if any come
up (about anything - dance-wise
or personal), write them down so you won’t forget, and I’ll answer
them for you in person (unless you’d prefer privacy, then no problem.
I’m sure we can “take five” outside or elsewhere before or after class).
If you need to ask me anything in advance of the training, please
don’t hesitate. *
Please do NOT wear long skirts, pantaloons or loose-fitting tops.
It’s imperative that I see your legs and feet as well as your torso.
Dance pants, capris, yoga pants, tight sweats, shorts, leggings –
all are good for the lower body during Training. Cholis, sports bras,
midriff tops or form-fitting tank tops are great choices for your
upper body. If you have Melodias, please tie them up above the ankle
or knee, or firmly tuck the ends into your hip belt. If you usually
use dance shoes, “Paws”, or the like, feel free to do so. *
Do let me know if there is anything physical about you I should know
about; “tricky” knees, chronic pain, trouble lifting your arms over
your head, etc. so we can work within your boundaries of safety. Be
aware that physical limitations that prevent proper demonstrations
of the moves, may make it necessary for you to go for the Equivalency
Certificate. * TUITION: * LEVEL ONE: $500
per person for this invaluable training. If you have a group of 5 or more
people who wish training in Level One, the price is only $450 each.
If you are a workshop sponsor and wish to add this training, please
call or email and we can talk about ways to benefit you more. *
You must be paid in full by the beginning of the first day of class. *
Do call me if you’re interested but need to break your payment into
two payments due to the financial times we’re all facing these days. * LEVEL TWO: $1,000
per person. If you have a group of 3 or more teachers this tuition
could be as low as $900 each – call to discuss ideas. If you are a workshop sponsor and wish to add this training,
please call or email and we can talk about ways to benefit you more.
*
CONTACT ME: email:
tribalfest@aol.com or call:
808.891.8891 This dance IS HEALING and that is why my motto continues to be: “It’s much more than a series of steps”… |
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BSBD | Tribal
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