Welcome
(please see sections below for details)
to Classes with Karolinka! K has been teaching (and performing) for over 10
years.
Never had a dance class? Wondering what this belly dance stuff is all about? The
Intro class is for you. Hear and work out to great contemporary belly dance and Arabic
music, learn the basics and have fun. You'll be dancing
by the end of the six weeks. If you've had a few classes already the Continuing class will help build your confidence and technique.
Been dancing for a while and need to be challenged? Karolinka
is an actively performing professional who knows what it takes and how to help you
move up to that next level. Check out the Advanced class.
Classes run/are paid for (at discounted price) in six week blocks; you can also take single
or other multiples of classes depending on curriculum. Scheduling
of class blocks is somewhat variable in order to fit around
performing schedule. An Intro class generally starts at least in
January, May/June, and August/September; often additional blocks will start at other times.
Don't hesitate to let Karolinka know if
you are interested in classes at another date, time, or level/subject matter --
others may be as well, which could lead to a class starting. Be sure and read
the refund policy.
Class Details
Intro to Belly Dance (Beginner)
This class is for you if you are an absolute beginner (never taken) or have had just a
few classes.
We focus on learning correct technique so that you can have a solid foundation for
your own expression, but the goal is enjoyment! No other dance experience is required.
We'll use isolation exercises to learn to move hips and chest, as well as correct posture. We take those skills and work on basic dance moves: circles and figure 8's of hips and chest, torso rolls, hip drops, lifts, vibrations, arm movements and positioning, basic travelling
steps, putting it all together to music, introductory background on music and
rhythms, how to improvise... and more!
Continuing (Beginner-Intermediate)
If you've had at least an introductory course to belly dancing, this class is for you.
We'll
continue learning new movements and putting them together, and typically start to learn a
complete choreography. Exact curriculum varies from class to class, and classes are adjusted for the levels of the
students involved.
New students are very welcome. If you aren't currently in a class with Karolinka, drop
Karolinka
a note or give her a call (352-373-4991) to
see if this class is right for you.
Intermediate/Advanced
Ongoing classes. New students are
welcome but please contact Karolinka to see if you have enough (or too much!)
experience for this class. Typical curriculum: students are layering isolations, refining
fast hip work, have learned several choreographies and can put together short works of their own,
and are continuing to learn to improvise (dance without choreography). We do a lot of work on polishing, poise and the subtle details and attitude that make you LOOK like a professional -- all the "stuff" that happens in between and on top of your (well executed) moves. We often will use choreographies but even when learning a specific dance, we will spend plenty of time working outside the choreography. Our goal is your independence as an accomplished improvisational solo dancer. I promise you'll be challenged. May include zill use.
Performing Lab
For students taking a technique class (either the regulalry scheduled Advanced
or private/charter classes) who want to perform. 'Real-life' performance experience with the current
group and also solo opportunities. Choreographies are taught and practiced, rehearsal for
specific upcoming events. Meets at least twice a month and up to weekly depending on performance schedules,
Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm. Lab fee is $15 per month (regardless of number of meetings), paid in two month ($30) blocks.
Taking of this Lab is subject to approval.
Class Locations
Studio Karolinka
is a private licensed by the City of Gainesville in-home studio, centrally located
in Gainesville,
about 2 miles west of the UF campus off University Avenue. Exact directions and address will be sent to you after we receive your
registration. Renovated in 2006: New wood floors, full wall mirrors. Maximum number of students about 12.
Gainesville Health & Fitness Center, Women's Center
Thornebrooke Village Shopping Center
2441 NW 43rd St.
352-374-4634
You do not need to be a member of GHFC to take my classes there. The Thornebrook shopping center is in the Millhopper area. Thornebrook is behind another shopping center which has Fresh Market, Hollywood Video, Renaissance Printers, and other stores in it, directly facing NW 16th ave just east of the intersection with NW 43rd St (across from Publix). If you travel north on 43rd street past 16th ave, just past 16th Ave there is a driveway on the right that enters both shopping centers, turn there and then immediately turn left into the Thornebrook shopping center. There is a map of the shopping center at the end you will be closest to.
Classes are held in the upstairs group fitness room. Full wall mirrors, carpeted floor.
University of Florida Leisure Courses; Reitz Union
Classes taught through the UF Leisure Course program are open to all, not just UF students. UF students receive a slight discount. ALL students pay the "lab fee" for a music CD, syllabus with steps/moves covered and brief descriptions, and depending on the class use of a veil. The dance classes are in one of the basement classrooms of the Reitz Union; the room is large, carpeted, and has a wall of almost floor to ceiling mirrors.
How to Register
Registration for Classes at Karolinka's Studio: Use the Registration Form, or you can register via phone, (352)373-4991.
You can pay via check, credit card, or Paypal**. All information including deadlines are on the Registration Form (you can view it without registering).
Registration for Classes at Gainesville Health and Fitness Center ("GHFC") Women's Center: You need to go to the GHFC Women's Center to pre-register (payment in full up front, $40 GHFC members, $60 members). If you are not a member of GHFC, you'll be given a pass card that you'll need to show each time you come to class in order to get in.
If it is impossible for you to get to the Women's center to register, they will take credit cards over the phone, but you will need to pick up your ID card. If you wait until the night of the class to register there may be a line (this has happened most of the times in the past) and you could end up missing some of the class.
Directions to the GHFC Women's center are just above.
For any questions about registration (for this class only), for directions to the GHFC Women's center, or any other help related to registering or getting there, call the GHFC Women's Center at 352-374-4634.
If you have any other questions other than those related to registering/getting to the Intro Class at GHFC, please don't hesitate to call or email Karolinka, (352)373-4991,
 .
Registration for Classes through the University of Florida Leisure Courses
Registration is through the
Leisure Course Website. If you have any problems with or questions about the registration, you should contact Julie English, Leisure Course Coordinator, Reitz Union Arts & Crafts Center, (352) 392-3825, jenglish@UNION.UFL.EDU.
Policies
Your Privacy
Karolinka will never, ever give or sell your information to anybody else, period.
She uses your email and/or phone/mail to send you information about the class
you are enrolled in. She may also send you occasional emails regarding her performances and/or the Boutique. If you prefer not to receive the boutique emails (or any other emails) just respond to the any of them and say "take me off your mailing list".
Classes for which you register through other venues may have different policies.
Refunds & Make-Ups
This applies to classes taught at Karolinka's Studio. Classes run through other venues may have their own policies.
Your registration will be fully refunded if classes are cancelled before they start by the instructor; if some calamity causes the intructor to cancel a block after it begins you will be refunded a pro-rated amount. Because classes are small, and time is valuable (for all of us!), there are no refunds otherwise (if YOU cancel) and no make ups. If you register and then decide not to or cannot take the class at all, $20 of your registration is non-refundable. If you begin taking the class and decide to stop or cannot continue, or miss classes, for any reason, there are no refunds and no make ups. Classes are held for six consecutive weeks, barring holidays. Because of performing schedules there is a very small possibility of postponements (class not held one week, and the six weeks extended correspondingly; you won't be shorted any classes). Extended class will always be on the same weekday and time as the original.
About Karolinka
Karolinka has been belly dancing for over 15 years and currently performs regularly at
at two restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida as a soloist. She directs Karolinka and Company, a
performing group of her advanced and "graduated" students, and is a founding
member of the Sahnobar Dance Ensemble.
She has taught through the University of Florida Leisure courses (1995-96, 2007-present) and regular private classes
(like these) from her studio since 1995.
Her style and background is classical Egyptian (with a touch of Lebanon and the Maghreb, topped off with an inevitable dose of American show biz). If you are unfamiliar with Belly Dancing, this is the 'showy', elegant version performed in the nightclubs of the Middle East. But, regardless of your interests -- including if you have taken or been exposed to the 'American Tribal' versions of belly dance -- these classes will give you the skills to move forward in any way that you choose, including just plain having fun.
Continuing Classes
will be made available and scheduled based on input from existing/interested students.
What to Wear
Workout attire that you are happy in and lets you see your torso move
(doesn't have to be bare but snug will be much more helpful than loose). Shorts
and exercise bra/top works as well as leotards. A scarf or sash tied around your hips really helps you see your movement; coined and beaded sashes will be available for sale (also see the Belly Dance With K Boutique) at class but any scarf will do. The floor at Studio Karolinka is polished hardwood;
footware (or lack of it) is based on your preference. Egyptian Cabaret is traditionally performed barefoot or in heels. You may take class barefoot, in running/aerobic/tennis shoes, or in dance shoes (for example character, jazz, or ballroom) -- but not in street heels or other hard soled shoes.
Private Classes, Critiques, Coaching
Can't make any of the times above? Want intensive personal instruction? Help developing a choreography or
critique of something you are working on?
Sessions can be arranged for you, by yourself or with friends or other current private students.
Costs: examples are below; these may not be exactly the same for you depending on your situation.
Discounts for repeat students or multiple bookings in many cases.
If you are interested please call; I can let you know exactly what type of session seems appropriate and exactly what the costs will be.
- Full structured class
(short warm ups, drills, technique, combinations/choreography) for one person, one hour: $75
for absolute beginner, $85 for continuing/advanced beginner, $100 for intermediate and advanced dancers. Essentially a one hour workshop.
- Specific Choreography/performance coaching and development: you bring the choreography and music:
I provide the warm up only. The rest of
the time you show me what you are working on and I work with you on it: whether it's your technique
within the choreography,
or the choreography itself. $65 for up to an hour.
- Technique coaching: come ready to demonstrate your dancing;
bring some music you can "perform" to and work with at least some of the time in the class,
though it doesn't have to be a full choreography.
I'll critique and work with you (to your music and also with music/exercises I develop)
based on what I see as well as your concerns. $75 - $100 per hour, depending on level and how much material I anticipate developing for you.
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1 or 2 Classes @ $15