Level 2

Level 2 Certification

Level 2 certifies that students have learned how to do all of the basic moves taught in level 1 at the shimmy speed and how to combine the technique learned in Level 1 to create new more complex moves and technique.The prop used at Level 2 is the sword, which helps you to demonstrate that you can isolate moves.

The choreographies tested at Level 2 are "Ra Ahsa" and "Oriental Jazz (Sword dance)".

Preparing for Level 2 Test:

Students at Level 2 learn additional basic technique, shimmies, and how to combine the technique learned in Level 1 to create new more complex moves and technique.  They can do this by learning the two Level 2 choreographies being taught in preparation for the Level 2 testing.  In addition and to prepare thoroughly for the Technique portion of the testing, students should take our Sumptuous Shimmies Technique 5 week course (also available on DVD), as well as continuing to review & obtain the complete skill set in both the Hypnotic Hips & Alluring Upper Body Technique Courses.

To aid with perfecting their ability to isolate moves, students will acquire the skill of balancing a sword on their head while performing basic technique. Basic sword balancing will be covered in NAIT 2 (Nazeem Allayl Intensive Technique) Course, which is specifically geared towards teaching & drilling all of the Level 2 Technique in one 5 week course. Dancers will also acquire sword balancing skills through our beginner Sword Dance Choreography Nawari, a drum solo that is suitable for Level 1 & 2 students & also teaches many of the Level 1 & 2 skills.  
The choreographies for L2 are "Ra Ahsa" and "Oriental Jazz Sword Dance".

In addition to offering the choreographies & Level 2 intensive technique training in five week courses at our studios, we will be offering a number of workshops to encourage & assist students working towards their Level 2 certification. 

If a student desires more specific one-on-one help, she can schedule private classes with Schadia & other Nazeem Allayl Studio instructors, all of whom are trained to teach the Nazeem Allayl style of Belly Dance. These private classes are especially helpful in between the Level 2 Pre-Test & Test to focus on the technique or sections of the choreography which need improving or further clarification.

In addition to the sword, students are encouraged to begin to experiment with props such as the silk veil, zills, and cane. Students should also refine & expand upon their technique through learning more choreographies like Vele Ya Vele, Qaseer Drum, Wala Wala, etc.

Level 2 Testing

The test for Level 2 consists of two parts: Technique stations and two choreographies. Students perform the two choreographies and the technique stations in small groups.

Level 2 Choreographies

You will be tested on two choreographies, which you will perform in small groups:
"Ra Ahsa" and "Oriental Jazz sword dance)"

Level 2 Technique

You will also be tested on the following techniques, which you will perform in small groups (some of the moves will be tested while balancing a sword):

• Mayas: Combining Hip Slides & Hip Lift-Drops 
• Reverse Vertical Figure 8s: Hip Slides & Hip Lift-Drops
• Head Slide
• Hand Circles
• Snake Arms
• Shoulder Shakes
• Shoulder Shimmy
• Shoulder Shakes + Shoulder Lift Drops = Shoulder Rolls
• Chest Circles

• Vertical Hip Lift & drops
• Hip Shimmy    
• Tic Toc                                               
• Hip Twist Shimmy
• Pelvic Lift Drop
• Pelvic Shimmy
• Choo Choo Shimmy
• Knee Shimmy

Level Overview    Cost & Register      Level 1 - Level 2 - Level 3 - Level 4 - Level 5 - Level 6

Level 1 Certification

Level 1 certifies that students have learned the beginning & most basic of the fundamental technique of Middle Eastern Belly Dance. Students who pass the level 1 certification will receive a certificate (which does not expire) & a level specific t-shirt to wear as a sign of their accomplishment. They will also be listed on our website as level 1 certified dancers (optional). 

Quick jump:   Test Content        Frequent Questions

Preparing for Level 1 Test:

Students at level 1 learn the beginning & most basic of the fundamental technique of Middle Eastern Dance. To prepare thoroughly for the Technique section of the testing, students are also welcome to take our Hypnotic Hips and the Alluring Upper Body Technique 5 week courses (also available on DVD).  We are also offering a NAIT (Nazeem Allayl Intensive Technique) Course, which is specifically geared towards teaching & drilling all of the Level 1 Technique in one 5 week course.
For the choreography section, students need to learn two Level 1 choreographies; for 2015 they are the All Abs Drum Solo and Desert Dream (formerly known as Amir Beledi). 

In addition to offering the two choreographies (All Abs and Amir Beledi) and the Level 1 NAIT technique in five week courses at our studios, we will be offering a number of workshops to encourage & assist students working towards their Level 1 certification. Before the test dates, we will be offering One Day Choreography Workshops for both choreographies. That way, you can learn one dance in a 5-week course, and the other in a workshop. Or both either way.

After the workshops, you can take the Level 1 Pre-test. Here, we go through all of the choreographies and technique that will be tested on the actual test date, and Schadia will tell you if you got it, or what you need to work on. We highly recommend that you participate in the pre-test so you know where you are and that there are no surprises at the actual test.

If a student desires more specific one-on-one help, she can schedule private classes with Schadia & other Nazeem Allayl Studio instructors, all of whom are trained to teach the Nazeem Allayl style of Belly Dance. These private classes are especially helpful in between the Level 1 Pre-Test and the actual Test to focus on the technique or sections of the choreography which need improving or further clarification. To schedule a private class, call 404 638 6530.

In addition to the above, students are encouraged to refine & expand upon their technique through learning more choreographies like Shik Shaek Shok, Tigi Tigi, Oep, Jasmine Drum, Mizmar, Hoep De, etc.

Level 1 Testing

The test for level 1 consists of three parts: Technique stations and two choreographies. Students perform the choreographies and the technique stations in small groups or as individuals.

Level 1 Choreographies

You will be tested on two choreographies, which you will perform in small groups:
They are “All Abs” Drum Solo and “Desert Dream” (aka Amir Beledi).

Level 1 Technique

You will also be tested on the following techniques, which you will perform in small groups:

Horizontal Hip Work

• Hip Slides
• Horizontal Forward-Back Hip movement.
• Hip Twists
• Hip Circles
• Horizontal Figure 8s & Reverse Horizontal Figure 8s

Vertical Hip Movements

• Hip Lift Drops
• Hip Shimmies
• Hip Drops in BDS
• Hip Drop Kicks
• Pelvic Lift-Drops, Pelvic Thrusts & Pelvic Drops

Combining Vertical & Horizontal Hip Movements

• Omis: Combining Hip Slides & Pelvic Lift-Drops       

Upper Body

• Chest Lift/Drop            
• Chest Slides (side to side)
• Chest Slides (front to back)
• Stationary Camels & Reverse Stationary Camels

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ)

• How do I schedule a private class with Schadia (or one of the other Nazeem Allayl Instructors)?
  Call (404) 638-6530 for rates and availability.
• What is the pre-test vs. the test?
  The pre-test tests the same skills as the actual test, and you get the same score card with pass/fail information plus comments. However, it gives you time to fix things, i.e. you can use the technique DVDs and/or schedule private classes to work on the moves you need more help with.
• Can I take the workshops/courses and not test?
  Yes, testing is optional.
• Can I just take the 5 Week Courses & NOT take the workshops?
  Yes, of course.
• Can I just take the Worskhops & NOT take the 5 Week Courses?
  Yes, you can. If you are an advanced dancer who just needs the level 1 certification to be able to test for higher levels, the workshops are just fine for you. If you are a beginner dancer, you should take the 5 weeks courses AND the workshop.
• I am testing for the first time & see the test is given in sections. Can I test 1 section, but not the others? i.e. a Section at a time?
  Yes, you can. You pay for the whole test and have test-credit for the sections you are not testing this time.
• How do you score the tests?
  Each technique has a checklist (Can do/Can't do, plus a comment field for issues). You must pass 85% of the techniques to pass the technique section.
  Each choreography has a checklist for all the steps of the choreography, PLUS a checklist for all the technique used in the choreography. You must pass the steps AND do them basically technically correct (85%) to pass a choreography section.
• Who scores the tests?
  Schadia with the assistance of other instructors trained in the Nazeem Allayl style.
• If I take the pre-test and pass, do I still have to take the test?
  Yes. You don't pass the pre-test. The pre-test is a preparation for the test, not an actual test. The pre-test is much more casual, there might be pauses for explanations, and Schadia will take time with you and give you feedback so you know what to work on.
• What if I fail 1 section, but pass the other 2?
  You can re-rest the failed sections at the next test date in 6 months.
• What do I get if I pass a Level Test?
  A certificate detailing what you have achieved, plus a T-shirt with a custom logo reflecting your level.
• What happens if I fail?
  You can re-take the failed section (i.e. technique section, or the choreography you had problems with) at the next test. We test twice a year (December and July).
• What happens if I pay for a Workshop but don’t come?
  We have a 24hr notification period. If you cancel before that time, you get a refund (minus a $10 processing fee). If you cancel less than 24 hours, there is no refund.
• What happens if I pay for Testing but don’t come?
  We have a 24hr notification period. If you cancel before that time, you get a refund (minus a $10 processing fee). If you cancel less than 24 hours, there is no refund.
• When is Level 2 Testing?
  Starting July 2016 in the Summer
• Can I do Level 2 Testing w/o passing Level 1?
  No. But we will offer the option to test level 1 right before level 2 in Summer. Just remember that that's a lot of combined technique and 4 choreographies total.
• I've been belly dancing w/Nazeem Allayl for a long time. Can I just get a certificate?
  No.
• How does the NAIT L1 technique class compare to the Hypnotic Hips and Upper Body?
  NAIT level 1 includes selected technique from both Hypnotic Hips and Upper Body, but not all. If you can take Hypnotic Hips AND Upper Body, you are already learning all the moves from level 1, plus a few that will be part of level 2 testing.

Level Overview    Cost & Register      Preview Workshop    Level 1 - Level 2 - Level 3 - Level 4 - Level 5 - Level 6 - Level 7

Quick Summary

Certification exams are offered in Early Summer (around June) and Early Winter (Before Christmas). For lower levels, a practice test is scheduled about a month before. For each level, you are typically tested on certain technique and two choreographies. These are specified on the respective page and taught in the preceeding months. At the test, you will perform/demonstrate your skills in small groups. You will receive a score card with comments, and if you pass all parts, the certification.

Why do we offer a certification program?

In a regular group class, you share the feedback from the instructor with your peers. While your teacher can correct individual moves on a case-by-case basis, there is often not enough time to formally evaluate each student’s mastery of each technique. In fact, many students are doing this just for fun and aren't interested in detailed feedback. Our certification program is for those students who strive for perfection and want to know if they are doing it right.

The Nazeem Allayl Studios Belly Dance certification program gives our students a clear path to progress, coupled with objective measurements of how much progress they have achieved. Each step of the certification program clearly identifies the objectives. We help each student achieve her goals & obtain the skills tested through level specific course work, workshops, and private one-on-one instruction

9) Raise to the Challenge
If you are motivated by challenges, then our level certification program is perfect for you. Each level has clearly defined goals that you can achieve.

Where does the Nazeem Allayl Studios Belly Dance Style originate?

Middle Eastern dance is a thousands of years old dance form with many contributing cultures. The result is that even within a culture, there are different ways to perform belly dance technique. Consequently, over the thousands of years of its history, many techniques and styles of belly dance have evolved, with contributions from each generation of teacher-student. The Nazeem Allayl style of belly dance traces its roots to one of the most famous choreographers, Ibrahim Farrah. Our director and founder of the Nazeem Allayl studios, Schadia (Atlanta, GA), studied as a member of the Pyramid Dance Company under the director Sadiia (Memphis, TN). Sadiia in turn studied under Ibrahim Farrah in New York City.

Schadia

Sadiia

Ibrahim Farrah, a performer of Middle Eastern dance and the publisher of Arabesque (since 1977), a magazine devoted to ethnic dance, died in New York City on February 7, 1998. Pennsylvania-born and of Lebanese descent, Farrah learned to perform Middle Eastern dance at family parties. After graduation from Pennsylvania State University, he performed in Washington, D.C. He then taught at his own and other schools in New York City. In the early 1970s, with a grant from Doris Duke, a dance enthusiast, he formed the Ibrahim Farrah Near East Dance Group, which performed in New York City and around the United States. Farrah's choreography was inspired by traditional Syrian, Lebanese, and Egyptian dances.

Overview of the levels

As we are just starting this program, there are more details on the first levels available, but you can already get a good idea on what the higher levels are about. We'll complete the details for levels 5+ soon.