Emilie Lauren
Since the age of four, Emilie Lauren has been involved with dance and gymnastics. She was a gymnast for seven years before moving on to classical ballet, which she continued to study in college. She took her first belly dance class in high school and has been studying belly dance ever since. Emilie has studied and performed a wide variety of belly dance styles, including ATS, American Cabaret, and Classical Egyptian. She has studied and performed in both the United States and Germany. In addition to her dance training, Emilie is a certified full-studio Pilates & Balanced Body Barre instructor.
Emilie draws on her ballet and gymnastics background to create her own elegant and athletic style of belly dance. Known for graceful floorwork, thrilling sword-balancing, and the creative and deft integration of silk props into her performances, she is a sought-after performer and choreographer in the Portland, Oregon belly dance community. In addition to her solo work, Emilie currently dances with the award-winning Raqs Ayana Collective. She was also a founding member of the influential Znama Dance Company, and an original member of Ashley Lopez's Allegro Dance Company. Currently, Emilie teaches weekly belly dance, Pilates, and barre classes online, all via Zoom. Emilie uses her extensive dance and movement training to help her students become stronger, more confident dancers and movers
Class Description
From the Ground Up:Solid Foundations in Spins, Turns & Arabesques
Starting from the ground up, we'll build the foundation of smooth, confident spins, turns and arabesques. We'll begin with simple strengthening and balance exercises, go over proper posture and alignment, and discuss spotting technique. We'll go over a variety of arabesques and turns, from simple three-step to more difficult barrel and chaine turns. We'll finish by combining what we've learned into combinations you can use in your own dance.
Silk Sorcery Skills: Veil Technique
This is an all-levels technique class design for 3- and 4-yard rectangular veils. We'll start by reviewing and practicing common forms, flourishes and flows. Next we will build on them, playing with ways to combine them and make them more unexpected. We'll also go over more challenging turns and grip-changes. We'll finish by incorporating these silk skills into short, elegant combinations. You will leave with the skills to spin your own silken spells on stage.