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Title From the Classroom to the Stage
# of Comments 1
Contributor JLKjillian
From the Classroom to the Stage
Three short years ago, I never couldhave dreamed that a henna
tattoowould turn me into a belly dancer. Nowhere I am, three years
later, preparingfor my fourth show: not only am Ireturning to the
stage with moreconfidence than ever, but I am excitedto share my
performance with friends
and family.
For years I've celebrated summer withhenna tattoos, but had
never had muchoccasion to appreciate this art in thecontext of its
cultural origins. However,in 2003 I attended a traditional,
femaleonly, Moroccan henna party (albeit in avery non-traditional
location on AtlanticAvenue in Brooklyn), and saw whatturned out to
be a life-changing MiddleEastern dance performance by thewoman who
would eventually becomemy teacher: Autumn Ward. Autumn'sdancing was
unlike anything I had everseen she moved in a way that
seemedimpossible yet effortless, perfectlymatching the music.
Months later, I pulled out theinformation Autumn had given me
abouther classes and decided to give it a try.While I am long past
the point ofmaking New Year's resolutions (atradition I was never
good at anyway), Ilike to kick off each new year by tryingsomething
new. Thinking that bellydance might be a fun new way to getsome
exercise, I attended my first classjust after January 1, 2004.
After only a few weeks, I realized that I had stumbled onto
something much moremeaningful than an interesting workout. With
every class I gained a greaterappreciation of the beauty of this
dance form, and looked increasingly forward to thecompany of my
classmates. From basic techniques, Autumn easily moves herstudents
into learning simple choreographies. Simple choreographies give way
tomore complex choreographies, and Autumn eventually adapts some of
thesechoreographies for stage performance by multiple dancers. With
each class,excitement builds. It's not only fun, but thrilling, to
reach a point when you can seehow those singular moves you learn
are tied together with the music and each otherinto beautiful
flowing expression. You feel the growing anticipation of what the
entiredance will look like; then, like magic, you are performing
it! When I'm in my danceclass I feel such a wonderful connection to
the music, the other dancers, thetraditions, and to the past and
exciting future of my own journey in dance.
Most fortunate is that I've found such an exceptional teacher
and choreographer.Although Autumn creates a relaxed and supportive
classroom environment, herclasses are technically demanding, and
she has pushed me to be self-reliant andtake ownership of the
dance. While she inspires dancers with her compassionate
Search by style:
Raks Sharqi Fusion Turkish Gypsy Gothic Sacred Tribal Fusion
Fitness
Photo: Sal DenaroAututmn Ward's student recital, Fall 2005.
Rakkasah 2004
6/15/06 7he Hip Circle:: online bellydance magazine, belly dance
discussion and community
Pagtp://www.thehipcircle.com/article/display.asp?ArticleID=176
8/9/2019 Bellydance recital article
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a new comment to this article .
approach, she's given me the greatest confidence in myself by
making sure I didn'tstart performing without the knowledge and
skills I needed to strive for my personalbest. Each performance I
feel a growing confidence and feel less nervous. I findmyself more
interested in sharing this beautiful dance form with my friends
thanworrying about my stage fright.
I love the dances that I am performing this year, and have
really benefited fromlearning so much about the choreographic
process. In Autumn's class, it's fascinatingto experience a dance
coming together from the very beginning stages through themoves,
the combinations, the transitions between them, and finally the
full piece.Even from my earliest performance as a member of
Autumn's beginner class, Icould easily hear the subtleties of the
complex music. Thanks to her choreographicchoices everything about
the movements she chooses just goes perfectly. From my
first performance just two years ago when I was a beginning
dancer somewhatfrightened by the idea of dancing in front of an
audience to now, being in Autumn'sclasses and shows has taught me
so much about dance and about myself. Each newdance I learn is a
bit trickier, with more challenging transitions, and more
intricatestaging.
This June, I'll be performing for the fourth time as a belly
dancer. Something I neverthought I'd say back on that day when I
was surrounded by women enjoying theluxury of a henna tattoo. I'm
more excited than ever about this recital. The groupnumbers are the
most gorgeous I've been involved in and with a number of
studentsperforming solos as well its bound to be a fun and
enchanting evening!
Autumn's recital, Autumn Raqs 2006, is on June 4th, with two
showings, at 5:00 and7:30. Tickets are $15, available at , and
advance purchase isstrongly recommended. At Teatro La Tea, 107
Suffolk St., Lower East Side. This is a75-seat theater with riser
seating and theatrical lighting. Autumn has been creatingtheatrical
performance opportunities for her students since 2000, and this is
her
seventh large-scale student recital.
www.AutumnWard.com
Jill Lewis Kelly
Post
Comments
Divyana
I am speechless to say the least. I have read about Autumn and
have checked out herwebsite. I am thinkig very hard about my
direction in middle eastern and fusion dance.I want to perforem in
choreographed shows in theaters myself. I have had my owndance
groups in the past but Middle Eastern is a new path in my dance
career. I havebeen in practice and study now for 6 years. I think I
myself willstart taking her classes.
Thank you so much for this beautiful warm article about Autumn
she is wonderful!!
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6/15/06 7he Hip Circle:: online bellydance magazine, belly dance
discussion and community
Pagtp://www.thehipcircle.com/article/display.asp?ArticleID=176
