Sunday Extra. . .

Hey Everyone

Due to the response received on Friday's Tribal post, I thought it could be a good idea to augment what we learn from Ms Jacqui with some extra lessons from my trusty DIY site, Youtube!

Learning from Irina

When I started looking into Belly Dance as a hobby, I encountered Irina Akulenko on Youtube and was instantly drawn to her easy how-to videos. She is an amazing Tribal Fusion dancer and I think her teaching style complements the skills we learn in class. The lessons are short and basic, just a quick reminder of those pesky basics that we forget sometimes when we get caught up in the fun of choreography.

Brief background

Irina Akulenko is a New York City-based performer, teacher and choreographer, with a burning passion for arts of all genres. Although she discovered Middle Eastern dance purely by chance, her interest in expression started at an early age and was channelled into ballet training, in addition to piano and voice lessons as well as drawing. However, belly dance became her main addiction which she sustained by seeking instruction with numerous local teachers as well as visiting master performers. Since 2001, Irina explored both Egyptian Cabaret and American Tribal style belly dance, Odissi and Flamenco and now enjoys fusing these art forms as well as everything in between. 

Today, Irina performs on various New York stages and tours nationally and internationally as a soloist and as member of various stellar projects. In Autumn of 2013, she completed a successful tour around the world, teaching and performing in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Germany, France and Iceland. She released two instructional DVDs with World Dance New York and two instructional series of videos with the popular website “Howcast.com”. Additionally, her performances were featured on “Fantasy Bellydance: Cult of Myth” DVD, “Fantasy Bellydance: Tarot” DVD and she could also be seen on Bellyqueen’s “Bellydance NYC: The Ultimate Fusion Experience” DVD. Irina is one of the principal dancers and instructors with Bellyqueen Dance Theater, is a choreographer and performer for Project "Bella Gaia" and is an alumni member of Alchemy Dance Theater. She loves collaborating with other artists and has completed projects with Jillina (Bellydance Evolution project), Dalia Carella, BALAM Dance Theater and many others. Irina is dedicated to continuing her dance education, always looking for new ways to be inspired. Furthermore, she holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science, and has a strong interest in women's issues and visual arts.

 (source: www.danceirina.com)

Irina in Action:

 Brooklyn Baladi

First Lesson: Basic Posture

Hope you enjoyed this and will join us again for next week's lesson!

Happy shimmying!

XxX

Marina