International Bellydance Summer School 2025

15th – 21st August 2025

BOOKINGS FOR 2025 are not open yet.
Information on these pages relates to 2024.
We hope to open bookings for 2025 by 15th October 2024

Our International Bellydance Summer School 2023 hosted dancers from the UK, France, Belgium, Norway and the USA.  An amazing week full of inspirational women.  One dancer sent an email after:  ‘Thank you for a truly wonderful, uplifting and transformative week.  Kays warmth and seemingly boundless enthusiasm were both uplifting and inspiring! My Mom was so amazed by the positive impact that Summer School had on me that she would like to come with me next year.’  

You might want to go to our Facebook page to see pictures of this years summer school.

Join us for days jam-packed with dance in the beautiful historic setting of Wellington College, Berkshire.  2022 celebrated 30 years of JWAAD courses and summer school.  BDN have now taken over running these.  We have kept all the stuff you love and added more, mixed it up and given it a fresh feel.  And of course the fabulous founder, Josephine Wise will be there too.  More choice, more dance, more fun!

We have several options available – each has single room, twin room, group room and non residential option.
Total immersion – access to everything (except the project with Julia Farid – 6 days: 16th – 22nd August, 2024
Julia Farid Project – mornings with Julia – access any workshops on the afternoon – 6 days: 16th – 22nd August, 2024
Live music option – and more …..4 days: 16th – 20th August 2024
Folklore option – and more ….. 4 days  18th – 22nd August 2024
Superstar weekend option – 2 days: 16th – 18th August, 2023

Early bird rate extended to 12th April 2024.  Pay your deposit before then!

What to expect

As always, we will have lots of exciting things to tempt you throughout the week including:

• JWAAD Master Teachers and International superstars
• GalaTheatre Show – All participants are invited to perform a solo or group dance – and be part of our supportive audience
• 2 haflas – Saturday night and Wednesday night
• Over 70 hours of workshops and activities
• Workshops at all levels in a huge choice of dance styles
• Lectures in different subjects 
• In addition to our normal timetable we have:
• NEW:  Sign up for an intensive development project with Julia Farid
• NEW:  4 day courses Friday to Tuesday – Live music option and Sunday to Thursday – Folklore option.  If you book the ‘Total Immersion’ package it includes these workshops.
• Shopping in the souk and a wonderful fashion show

This intensive residential course will provide a wonderful boost to your technique and performance. Spend your days taking classes in a wide variety of styles of Middle Eastern and Fusion dance, classes with Egyptian musicians, work on technique, rhythm and choreography. Focus on specific subjects you are interested in or put together an eclectic mix.  Book a private lesson with one of our teachers or spend time relaxing in the gardens, walking in the woods, shopping in the souk, or enjoying a drink in one of the cafés.

Evening entertainment includes a hafla, fancy dress party, theatre show (with you in it!), talent night, and fun in the common rooms! 

Secure your place now

The Courses

We have over 70 hours of classes and activities including:

• Authentic Egyptian and Middle Eastern Styles
• Advanced level masterclasses
• NEW: Development project with Julia Farid
• Workshops with live music – open to all.
• NEW: Folklore course – just come for a 4 day option or join us for 6 days and include this as a part of it.
• NEW:  In depth music course including live music
• Classes on technique and rhythm
• Classes on choreography and performance
• A variety of fusion styles
• Dances to learn and perform
• Daily sagat/zill practice
• A souk with dance wear for sale all week
• Weekenders can perform at our Hafla
• A chance to wear a fabulous costume in the fashion show
• A relaxed and fun talent evening
• A chance to perform solo or in groups in our Theatre show
• Time to relax, socialise or go for a walk in the grounds
• click here for summer school prices and options

Professional and Advanced Dancers at Summer School

There are plenty of high-level classes to keep you challenged and learning, as well as performance opportunities. PLUS for the first time a personal development project designed and taught by Julia Farid.  This is an amazing opportunity for dancers looking to explore their own personal dance and really make a difference.  Not to mention our live music option run by Yasmina of Cairo including classes with live music, theory and cultural context.  AND our folklore course designed by Abel Will.

Classes and Levels

All classes and activities are optional. You do not have to book classes in advance, just decide what you fancy doing and book on arrival..

You are welcome to do classes at different levels in different subjects. For instance, you might decide to do a lower level in stick than veil, if you haven’t done much stick dance before but are a bit of a veil expert. You may choose whichever ones you want to go to, but do remember that teachers cannot slow down a class if you have chosen one that it too hard for you.

You can choose between:

— 6 days for the full experience – show/parties/all activities
— 6 days with Julia Farid each morning and access to all classes on the afternoon.
— 4 days – 2 option:  Live music or Folklore – different dates – you can access these if you sign up to the 6 day option.
— 2 days – includes our Saturday hafla, live tabla workshops and classes with superstars.
Your booking includes all meals, classes and activities, and use of all facilities (non-residential does not include breakfast).

Our Wonderful Venue

Wellington College, Berkshire, is the magnificent setting for our courses, with a huge complex of historic buildings, enormous grounds, lakes (including Swan Lake!), gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and modern theatre. We will dance in a mixture of gorgeous historic halls and modern dance studios.

Click here for map
Click here for the history of Wellington College
Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in our accommodation and there are two cafes (one is a cafe/bar) on site. All meals are included and there is a good choice of dishes at every meal. Vegetarian and vegan diets are catered for (please state when booking).

Accommodation

Accommodation is comfortable and modern, though not ensuite. We have mostly single rooms plus a small number of twin and group rooms. We can often provide sharers if needed. If you’d like shared accommodation, book early as these rooms often fill up fast. We always endeavor to put friends together or very close to each other, so let us know who your friends are!

Getting to Summer School

Click here for travel instructions by train and car. If you come by car there is plenty of parking.

Address:
Wellington College
Crowthorne
Berkshire
RG45 7PU
If you have any questions about Summer School please email info@bellydance-now.com 

Secure your place here.

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