Accents

Sharp, isolated movements that punctuate the music. Accents are used to emphasize specific beats and add dynamic contrast to the dance.

Baladi

A style of belly dance that is earthy and grounded, often performed to folk music. Baladi emphasizes natural, expressive movements and is deeply connected to the cultural roots of belly dance.

Candelabra

A candelabra is literally a metal hat with at least 9 lit candles. It’s an impactful prop to start a show and an event favorite. The candelabra adds a dramatic and elegant element to the performance, captivating the audience right from the beginning.

Drum Solo

Here the dancer displays her technique of isolation, shimmies and accents, and the layering of two or more of these skills to purely percussive music. Drum solos are high-energy performances that showcase the dancer's precision and control.

Layers

The combination of multiple movements at once, such as shimmies with hip circles or chest lifts. Layering demonstrates the dancer's skill and coordination.

Opening

The elegant entrance piece of the dancer that is performed with a veil, wings, or a candelabra. The opening allows the audience to get a sense of the dancer’s personality and sets the tone for the rest of the performance.

Raqs Sharqi

The classical form of belly dance that is elegant and sophisticated, often performed in cabaret-style costumes. Raqs Sharqi includes a wide range of movements and techniques, showcasing the dancer's versatility.

Shimmies

Rapid, shaking movements of the hips, shoulders, or other body parts. Shimmies are a fundamental technique in belly dance, adding excitement and rhythm to the performance.

Taqsim

The part of the performance where the dancer moves from the emotion of the singular improvised instrument drawing from her life experience. This segment is often introspective and expressive, highlighting the dancer's interpretive skills.

Veil

A piece of fabric used in belly dancing to create fluid, graceful movements. The veil adds an ethereal quality to the dance and is often used in the opening segment.

Zills

Also known as finger cymbals, zills are small metallic cymbals worn on the fingers and played by the dancer to add a rhythmic element to the performance.