Current Studio Location open through 3rd week of June:
Mid-East Dance by Yasmine, 540 Griffith Road, Charlotte NC 28217 (704-525-3606)
Directions To Studio (printable)

Yasmine is Moving to a New Studio Location with classes starting in July!
Click here to learn more!

Go Here for Yasmine's Class Card Rates & Info for New Students

Go Here for complete class schedule

New students will need a hip scarf, zills (finger cymbals), and a veil to start with Bellydance Basics offered on Thursdays at 6pm. Go to The Belly Dance Shop our local vendor for Bellydance Accessories & Supplies. It is ok if you do not have these accessories for your first class. Just bring your hips and be ready to move! You may dance barefoot, or in dancepaws/foot undies, or soft soled shoes like ballet or jazz shoes. Beginners may also wish to supplement the Bellydance Basics Sequence of classes with other Technique Classes such as Basics Plus on Tuesdays at 7:15pm & Cardio Shimmy & Drills on Thursdays at 7:15pm. You can start at anytime with Yasmine's Bellydance Basics & Technique classes. Dance Ensemble/Troupe Placement is per Yasmine's discretion. Please see class descriptions at bottom of page for more details regarding classes or ask Yasmine for recommendations.

Already have bellydance experience with another instructor? So you are not a beginner? then you should start with trying Wednesday 7:15pm Int/Adv Technique or any of Yasmine's Thursday Technique Classes and let Yasmine know you are interested in finding out what Ensemble Level class will be the right fit for you. Ensemble Placement is per Yasmine's discretion. Int/Adv Dancers should always have a veil and zills on hand for each class. Some classes may also require other items/props as specified in the class description.

Click Here for Private/Semi-Private Lessons, Rates for Renting Practice Space & Video Critiques by Yasmine
Visit the Booking Page to Hire a Dancer(s) for your Special Events

Other Classes Offered by Independent Instructors at the studio:
Click here for American Tribal Style (ATS) Bellydance with Sarah
Click here for Drumming Classes with AbuZouz

(class schedule updated (4/30/12)
(No session start dates for Yasmine's Technique classes- Drop-in & Start anytime!
ATS/Tribal Classes taught by Sarah & Drumming Classes taught by Abu Zouz under separate pay systems.
All other classes unless otherwise indicated are under Yasmine's direction and class card system .
Placement in one of Yasmine's Dance Ensembles (Mystical Mayas, Oriental Elegance, Shimmering Sands) or Troupes (Beledi Beat, Magic Hips) is per Instructor's discretion and/or troupe audition. You can start all other Yasmine Technique classes at any time. Please contact Sarah (misstattoo@gmail.com) for start dates of ATS 6 & 12 week sessions

During the Month of April: Ensembles & Troupes will be in Recital Rehearsal mode until May 6th (This includes Tuesday 7:15pm Mystical Maya (MM) & Basics Plus Ensemble, Wednesdays 6PM Shimmering Sands & 8:30 Oriental Elegance, & Magic Hips & Beledi Beat troupes.
New students to Yasmine's Studio may not join an ensemble until after May 6th however until then please join in on Yasmine's Technique classes on Wed 7:15pm Int/Adv Technique, Thursdays 6pm Bellydance Basics or Thurs 7:15pm Shape Up & Shimmy

*scroll to bottom of page for Yasmine's Class Descriptions

*Class Schedules/Dates Subject to change* please check online calendar below frequently for current updates
**minimum of 5 participants needed per class or class may be canceled**

Go to The Belly Dance Shop for accessories and store hours. Some classes may require zills, veil, gypsy skirt, fans or other props or items as specified in class description.
Dancers may dance barefoot or in soft soled shoes such as ballet/jazz shoes, dance paws/foot undies.

Bellydance Basics Technique Sequence of Classes:
Bellydance Basics This class will alternate covering fundamental moves, movement & Rhythm, zills (finger cymbals), sultry moves & veil. Each class will focus on posture and explaining an overview of the technique and execution of various bellydance movements per Yasmine's dance curriculum to help students build a strong foundation of movements in belly dance. The Bellydance Basics sequence of classes offered will also include an introduction to basic Finger cymbal (zills) technique and intro to working with a veil within the rotation of classes. Students will need zills and a veil for the Bellydance Basics Sequence of classes as specified below. Recommended for Beginner Level Students and to New Students to Yasmine's dance curriculum and terminology as well as dancers of all levels wishing to polish technique. See studio calendar above for focus offered each week.

Bellydance Basics-Movement, Rhythm & Zills: this class will cover posture, basic arm positions, slides, upper body moves, basic hipwork, shimmies, and basic traveling steps. This class will also focus focuses on the execution of fundamental Raqs Al Sharqi (Egyptian belly dance) movements to specific Middle Eastern Rhythms so that the dancer will learn to recognize the placement of dance movement with common rhythms. Repetition in drilling to common rhythms will help the dancer to gain more control and become connected to the music and associate specific movements with the sounds of the tabla. Recommended for all dance levels to enhance essential dance practice while learning rhythms.
This class will also cover basic finger cymbal patterns along with basic movements. *This class requires participant to bring zills which can be purchased thru The Belly Dance Shop.

Bellydance Basics-Sultry Moves plus Veil : this class will cover posture, more concentration on elegant arms and hand embellishments, slides, variations of circles, figure8's, undulations and some juicy traveling steps and will also include an introduction to dancing with a veil. *This class requires participant to bring a 3-4 yard veil which can be purchased thru The Belly Dance Shop. Yasmine prefers silk veils but chiffon veils may also be used.


Yasmine's Multi-Level Technique Classes:
Basics Plus: In this class we will cover fundamental dance technique and put these technique drills together for a fun pop choreography. All dance levels as well as Beginners welcome in this class.

Int/Adv Dance Movement: This class will compliment int/adv ensemble level classes as a practice companion to improve upon overall dance skill, performance, & presentation. The class will include drills, steps & combinations and exercises to sharpen your technique, dance skill, improvisation and artistry of movement. The class focus will vary each week so that each class is a new dance experience.

Cardio Shimmy & Drills: This class will include a Warm-up, Drills, Bellywork for Bellly Dance, 20 minute Cardio Shimmy and intense stretching to increase endurance & flexibility. This class is recommended for all levels of students. Dancers will need a yoga mat for this class.



Yasmine's Mid-East Dance Ensemble Levels:
-See Yasmine before entering a Dance Ensemble (choreography) level class.
Ensemble Placement is per Yasmine's Discretion-

Mystical Mayas: This ensemble is a part of the Basics Plus Class & includes "begintermediate" (beginner/intermediate) choreography.
Oriental Elegance:includes "Intervanced" (intermediate/ adv. intermediate) choreography.
Shimmering Sands: includes "advanced" study & choreography
Unveiled Jewels: This is a multi-level world fusion dance ensemble open to all dance ensemble members and offerred on a rotational basis.
Recital Rehearsal Classes Rehearsal classes are for for All Current Ensemble Level members in preparation for student concerts. We will review & polish all dances and staging for ensemble performance and include a Dress Rehearsal for each ensemble. Regular attendance is highly recommended and appreciated for Dance Ensemble Rehearsal classes.

Yasmine's Dance Troupes:
Beledi Beat Dancers (Student Performance Troupe) Not open to general public
Troupe Study & Performance / by audition only to current Oriental Elegance & Shimmering Sands students and/or by Yasmine/Magic Hips recommendation. Auditions are announced on as-needed basis. You will see these ladies performing at various festivals, charitable events, gala shows and educational functions.
Magic Hips Dancers (Professional Troupe) Not open to general public. This is the highest level of performance ensemble within Yasmine's Mid-East Dance Studio. You will see these ladies performing at area restaurants & private engagements, special events & gala shows.
Pre-requisite for auditioning for professional troupe is 1 year as Beledi Beat dance member and/or by Yasmine/Magic Hips recommendation. Auditions are announced on an as-needed basis.