March program
April program
About TIPS4HIPS Academy
TIPS4HIPS Academy
Tips4Hips Membership program has evolved beyond being just a dance tutorial library — it has flourished into the TIPS4HIPS Academy. It’s a path to mastery in Oriental Dance: presenting an integral and well-structured program, deeper learning of various topics, enhanced consistency and a personalized touch.
Inside the TIPS4HIPS Academy you can find live Zoom classes and workshops, drills and tips, conditioning, technique and choreography classes, lessons of invited artists, exclusive lectures and talks, festival reviews, interviews and much more. Regularly enriched with new lessons, your dance journey here remains exciting and dynamic. Not to mention the extensive dance tutorial library at your disposal.
We will not teach you to be an ideal dancer — we will help you become a unique one.
NEW! Spring season— “A Spring of Dance & Grace”
March program
April program
May program
January program
February program
November program
November program
October program
October program
September program
September program
July program
July program
March program
April program
May program
December program
January program
February program
Egyptian folklore
Ballet basics
Golden era
Dance technique
15-minute drill “Hips accents”.
15-minute drill “Arms technique”.
15-minute drill “Shimmy layering”.
15-minute drill “Vertical figure 8”.
15-minute drill “Arms technique”.
“Belly accents” – 15-min drill.
“Soheir Zaki” step.
20-minutes Back workout.
17-minutes “Full body warm up”.
Guest Artist Series: “Egyptian Folklore” by Sheyla (Czech Republic).
“Creating a group choreography” — prerecorded rehearsal of Isadora professional group headed by Julia Farid.
From idea to performance.
“Julia’s tips” — “Feet positions in Oriental dance. Dos and Don’ts”.
“Julia’s tips” — “Backpend tips” (coming in July).
“Julia’s tips” — “Hands Technique in Oriental Dance” (coming in July).
“Julia’s tips” — “Tips on Hair Technique” (coming in July).
“Tips and tricks for your drum solo” by Tetiana Teslyuk (Ukraine).
Guest Artist Series: “Romantic Combo by Lauriane MJ” (coming in July).
“Raqs Sharki combo” class.
A short tutorial with a combo that you can use in your classic/Baladi choreography or improvisation.
“Mejanse with a veil” — a detailed breakdown of Julia Farid’s mejanse choreography (“Layelena”).
“Raqsat Kahramana” — breakdown of Julia Farid’s choreography inspired by Golden Era (60-minutes).
“Combo with hip accents”.
Isolations combos.
“Elegance in Oriental dance.
Part 1” — a special Live session with Julia Farid.
“Elegance in Oriental dance.
Part 2” — a special Live session with Julia Farid.
“King’s favorite” —Oriental Routine with Golden Era touch. Julia’s Faris zoom workshop. (13 May).
Drum solo Intensive. Zoom class 1. June 1, 5 p.m – 6.30 p.m Rome time.
Drum solo Intensive. Zoom class 2. June 15, 5 p.m – 6.30 p.m Rome time.
Drum solo Intensive. Zoom class 3. June 27, 5 p.m – 6.00 p.m Rome time.
Live Zoom Class: “Inspired by Cairo”. Zoom class 1. Coming in July.
Live Zoom Class: “Hips Technique”. Zoom class 2. Coming in July.
What Will You Learn?
March brings a new challenge to TIPS4HIPS Academy!
Join our 15-Day Improvisation Raqs Sharki Challenge and dive into the art of spontaneous expression. Each day, you’ll receive a new improvisation task focusing on musicality, creativity, and deepening your connection to different instruments and rhythms. We’ll explore classic songs and mejanse improvisation, helping you build confidence in your dance.
Live Zoom Session — Improvisation Masterclass (March 16).
Take your improvisation to the next level with our live session! This masterclass will help you refine your skills, experiment with different approaches, and receive personalized guidance. It’s also a great opportunity to share experiences and get your questions answered in real-time.
Take your improvisation to the next level with our live session! This masterclass will help you refine your skills, experiment with different approaches, and receive personalized guidance. It’s also a great opportunity to share experiences and get your questions answered in real-time.
Wellness Series: Core Strengthening Class (March 17)
A strong core is essential for graceful movement, balance, and control. In this prerecorded session, we’ll focus on exercises designed to enhance posture, stability, and endurance, allowing you to move with greater precision and fluidity in your dance.
Additional Resources:
Throughout the course, you’ll:
- Focus on refining fundamental techniques that are essential for mastering intricate Mejanse movements.
- Explore the deeper layers of musical interpretation to connect with your audience more effectively.
- Broaden your cultural knowledge with insights into the traditions that shape Oriental dance.
Outcomes:
By the end of this course, you’ll achieve:
- A refined understanding of Mejanse choreography and its unique dynamics.
- Improved technical precision and stage presence.
- New movements and combinations to expand your dance repertoire.
- Confidence to perform Mejanse routines for competitions or events
- A deeper connection to the cultural and musical aspects of Oriental dance.
- A holistic approach to wellness, enhancing your physical performance and preventing injuries.
Our star guests
Souad
Souad has been a passionate dancer for over 13 years, specializing in Raks Sharqi and deeply rooted in her Kabyle (Amazigh/Berber) heritage. Born to Kabyle parents, she began dancing traditional Kabyle movements at the age of 7. With a profound love for her culture, Souad is dedicated to preserving and passing on the vibrant traditions of Kabyle dance to future generations.
Join Souad as she shares the rich history, dynamic movements, and cultural essence of Kabyle dance in her workshops, celebrating connection and heritage.
Laura Zaray
Laura Zaray is a distinguished Finnish bellydance artist with over 20 years of experience in Oriental dance, both in Finland and internationally. She is the founder of Zaray Dance, a dance school and artist management company that has been successfully operating for over 15 years, offering high-quality Oriental dance instruction, events, and performances across Finland.
In addition to her performance career, Laura is the producer of Hafla Show & Dinner and the Hafla Intensive festival. She coaches and choreographs for the Zaray Dancers group and is a member of the ENKIDU dance group.
March schedule
15-Day Improvisation Raqs Sharki Challenge
• Daily Improvisation Tasks
Focus on Raqs Sharki and different instruments and rhythms to expand musicality and creativity.
Live Zoom Session – Improvisation Masterclass.
A live class to review improvisation techniques, share experiences, and answer questions.
Prerecorded Class — Wellness Series: Core Strengthening.
Exercises designed to improve posture and stability for dance.
April schedule
Prerecorded Class:
“Ahlam Hayati”: creative and expressive combinations in Raqs Sharki style.
Live Zoom Workshop — Combos and technique in Modern Oriental style
Exploring the Arab World — Episode 2:
A cultural insight session to deepen the understanding of Arab music and dance heritage.
May schedule
Prerecorded tutorial:
Wellness Series: Hips Mobility
and Strength
Live Zoom class:
“Raqs Sharki vs Baladi: technical and stylistic difference”
Baladi Weekend Intensive
Two-day event focusing on the essence of baladi, including technique, history,
and performance prep.