Gillian is an Affiliate Member of the JWAAD Teachers Association but what is it?

The JWAAD Teachers Association (JTA) is a professional association of bellydance teachers who are dedicated to continuing the development of their own skills in order to provide the best possible learning experience for their students. The Association has been set up to provide a forum to enable bellydance teachers to work together to achieve these aims ina collaborative, non-commercial environment.

Membership of the JTA is currently open to individuals who have completed either the JWAAD Foundation Course ('Affiliate Members') or the JWAAD Teaching Diploma ('Teacher Members'). Whilst the Association's members are united by the common core of training, the Association JTA is independently run from JWAAD.

All members of the JTA have made a commitment to adhere to the Association's Code of Conduct which includes a requirement to undertake regular Continuing Professional Development.

Mission Statement

"The JWAAD Teachers Association (JTA) has been established to promote the highest standards in bellydance, the high quality teaching of the dance, and to encourage its members to excel in providing their students with a safe and inspirational learning experience".

Association Aims

The JTA aims to enhance the profile of high quality dance teaching within both the bellydance and wider communities, by promoting and providing support, development and networking opportunities to teachers of Arabic Dance and derived dance forms who hold the JWAAD Foundation Certificate or Teacher's Diploma. The objectives of the JTA are to:

• • • Promote the highest standards in bellydance and teaching of the dance form

    • Promote and recognise excellence and dedication amongst teachers holding a JWAAD qualification

    • Encourage members to make a commitment to their ongoing professional development, by maintaining and continuously developing their skills to ensure that they can teach in a safe manner and to the very best of their abilities

    • Promote awareness of members' legal responsibilities and current best practice

    • Promote opportunities for ongoing professional development, including safety issues and safe teaching practice, dance technical skills, background knowledge and personal skills

    • Foster an open and inclusive approach to bellydance

    • Make members more visible to the public, including to prospective students

    • Promote awareness of the contribution that other kinds of knowledge and ability make to excellence in the dance; including techincal skills, background knowledge, performance skills, choreographic ability, and contributions to students' learning and enjoyment through involvement in events and organisations

For more information visit www.thejta.org

What can I expect at a belly dance class with Jewels of the East?

The regular classes are open level and tailored to you!

For your first class arrive 5-10 mins early so that you can fill in your 'fitness to dance' questionaire and discuss any particular requirements that you may have.

The class starts with a gentle warm up using bellydance moves and techniques.

We then up the pace to raise your heart rate using footwork, shimmies and percussive moves.

After a stretch out we concentrate on technique which we then use in the class choreography.

Each week we add to the choreography then have a cool down and stretch.

What do we do with the Choreographies?

We perform!

Each term we get together at different venues with teachers and classes from accross the region and perform for each other!

Its a great way to feel part of a belly dance community, to see other styles of bellydance and to have fun!

What Should I Wear to the Class

Something that you can move in - for example leggings/jogging bottoms/flowing skirt and a vest t-shirt.

It is best to wear a t-shirt that allows me to see your body movement.

Please try to avoid wearing jeans.

We generally dance bare foot but ballet shoes are ideal if you prefer.

When and where are the classes?

Monday:

At Tempest Dance Studio www.tempestdancestudio.co.uk

Balcony Unit 3, Vane Tempest Community Centre, Maynards Row, Gilesgate, Durham DH1 1QF

6.00pm - 7.00pm Belly Dancing (open level)

7.15pm - 8.15pm Burlesque

8.30pm - 9.30pm Jewels of the East Troupe (invitation only - ask for more info)

Wednesday

At Deerness Leisure Centre

Valley View, Ushaw Moor, Durham DH7 7LS

6.30pm - 7.30pm Open Level Bellydance

For more details and to book your place just contact us!

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Or give us a call: 07963792156

Would you like to start belly dancing? 

A great dance form for keeping fit and having fun! Low impact and suitable for ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes!

We love to teach and see people fall in love with bellydancing! The journey from the first class to the first performance at a Hafla is magical

We offer regular local classes and also the opportunity to take part in one to one tuition.

Monday:

At Tempest Dance Studio www.tempestdancestudio.co.uk

Balcony Unit 3, Vane Tempest Community Centre, Maynards Row, Gilesgate, Durham DH1 1QF

6.00pm - 7.00pm Belly Dancing (open level)

7.15pm - 8.15pm Burlesque

8.30pm - 9.30pm Jewels of the East Troupe (invitation only - ask for more info)

Wednesday

At Deerness Leisure Centre

Valley View, Ushaw Moor, Durham DH7 7LS

6.30pm - 7.30pm Open Level Bellydance

For more details and to book your place just contact us!

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or give us a call: 07963792156

The 24th of June is the Night of Eastern Delights hosted by Namaste and the bellydancers Jewels of the East!

Dancing for you will be Jewel of the East: the Stunning Sapphire!

Sapphire (Jen) started bellydancing at Durham University and fell in love with the dance style which she has made her own.  Sapphire dances both caberet and tribal fusion captivating her audience with her shimmies and her locks and pops.  

Sapphire teaches bellydance workshops in the northeast and nationwide working with groups as diverse as Guides and RAF officers. 

For your chance to see Sapphire belly dancing in Durham get in touch for your ticket to the Night of Eastern Delights!

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With dancers like the stunning Sapphire the amazing Ameerah and the enchanting Ruby tickets for this fabulous belly dance event at Namaste Restaurant are selling quickly to get yours soon!

On Friday the 24th of June Namaste and Jewels of the East are hosting a Night of Eastern Delights with food, fun and fabulous entertainment! 

Dancing for you will be specical guest dancer - the Amazing Ameerah!

For your chance to see Ameerah book your ticket now! Get in touch on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Friday the 22nd of April saw the Jewels of the East Class troupe "Eastern Promises" add shimmy and sparkle to Vanessa's Hafla in Seaton Carew.  It was a fabulous event with a wonderful supportive atmosphere and beautiful perfomances.  For some it was their debut performance and everyone came off stage smiling and asking when the next chance to perform was going to be!

The Jewels of the East burlesque troupe "Moonlight Minxes" brought drama and excitement to the night with their moulin rouge themed routine.

Check out some footage at: