BQ Teacher Training

Developed and led by Bellyqueen co-founder and director, Kaeshi Chai, this course is ideal for serious students, current and aspiring teachers. Deepen your bellydance practice and understanding of teaching tools, anatomy, history, culture, music, business and more with this training. We cover a ton of material because because we believe its important.

Mastering dance technique and learning to pass that on is only one small part of the picture. A teacher should know the culture of their art form. Where did it come from? What are the different styles of dance and how are they different? They should be aware of physiology so they can offer safe, supportive classes for students of different ages, body types and capabilities. A basic understanding of music will expand the potential of your expression. And, finally, how can you support yourself as an artist and entrepreneur? We'll cover the basics of running a business so you don't have to learn everything the hard way. 

Participants who pass the written and practical exam and practice teach a minimum of 20 hrs outside of the training will be awarded a Bellyqueen Teacher Training certificate of completion, others will receive a certificate of attendance.

Includes a teacher training manual. Students present for all sessions will receive a certificate of attendance. Students who pass the written and practical exam and practice teach 20 hours will be awarded a Bellyqueen Teacher Training certificate of completion. Limited to 12 spots.

WHEN:
November 7-9, 14-16
Fri 6-9pm, Sat + Sun 10am-6pm

WHERE: New York, NY (To be anounced)

INVESTMENT: $895, $795 Members

Payment Plan:
• $250 deposit to hold your spot
• Pay the balance at your own pace—must be paid in full by the first day of training
• $50 admin fee applies to the payment plan
$895 + $50 = $945, $845 members

TO REGISTER FOR A PAYMENT PLAN
Send your $250 deposit via:
• Zelle: payment@bellyqueen.com (Name: Bellyqueen LLC)
• Venmo: @Bellyqueen (last 4 digits: 0168)

50% off for those who have attended the training in the past.

Faculty:
Kaeshi Chai - Curriculum, Teacher Tools, Business, Marketing
Lissa Michalak - Anatomy
Phaedra Darwish - Culture, Music: Melody
Brad MacDonald - Music: Rhythms

Please note that topics taught by Lissa, Brad and Phaedra are ala carte options that you can attend even if you are not enrolled in the teacher training. Please stay tuned.

KAESHI CHAI is a dancer, director, producer and artist based in NYC. She co-founded Bellyqueen - a professional dance company and school - and PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment), a global community focused on healing and social change through dance and music.

She is trained in many modalities spanning fitness, pilates, yoga to physical theatre and dance. She developed the Bellyqueen teacher trainer curriculum and is a proud member of Evolutionary Leaders, a circle of innovative thinkers (including Deepak Chopra) who have dedicated their lives and work to human and social transformation. Kaeshi has taught / performed in 47 states and 39 countries, and has performed with the Bellydance Superstars, Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution, Kenji William’s Bella Gaia, Spector Dance, and the Shahrzad Dance Academy. Kaeshi curates the Djam NYC event for dancers and musicians to create and play together. Current projects include Lunar New Year and AAPI presentations in schools and libraries, and Nature Stories, integrating art and science at museums and cultural institutions. www.kaeshi.com | www.pureglobe.org | www.bellyqueen.com

LISSA MICHALAK has been teaching movement for more than 25 years and has been a confirmed anatomy nerd through them all. Lissa has been a professional belly dancer, a sea and whitewater kayak instructor, a personal trainer, and a Pilates teacher at the Kane School of Core Integration. Lissa is currently a certified Dynamic Embodiment® practitioner and practicing Somatic Movement Therapist specializing in musculoskeletal injuries, and teaches anatomy at the Bellyqueen School of Dance.
Lissa's favorite thing about teaching is teaching other teachers. Her teacher training resume includes training Pilates teachers for the Kane School of Core Integration, teaching anatomy to bellydance instructors for the Bellyqueen School of Dance, and teaching anatomy for Moving for Life © teachers. www.somaticanatomy.com

PHAEDRA DARWISH
Coming from a background in instrumental and vocal music and musical theatre, Phaedra Darwish was mesmerized by belly dance and Arabic music after studying different types of dance from around the world. She feels that dance and music are beautiful ways to share the culture of her heritage. She regularly performs and teaches workshops and classes in Chicago and throughout the US, hoping to spread enthusiasm and respect for Middle Eastern dance as more and more people get acquainted with its health benefits and enchanted by its beauty.

With its lively music and rich historic tradition, oriental dance, or raqs sharqi, brings with it more than just dance moves. By examining the music, regions, and cultural aspects behind the movement in her classes and performing Arabic dance at a professional level both inside and outside of its traditional environment, Phaedra seeks to fulfill her mission as an artist: to increase cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding by sharing the dances of her heritage with as large a population as possible.
https://www.bellydancebyphaedra.com

BRAD MACDONALD has been playing music professionally since 2005. He has played on two albums, The Middle East Side and The Silent D with his band, Djinn and he plays regularly in with the Turkish band Carmine & Friends. He has performed throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe, Morocco, China and Japan and he has taught throughout the United States, New Zealand and China. www.bradmack.com