Members of ASMED who offer weekly classes. Afra al Kahira |
Al Kahira School of Middle Eastern Dance Click here for information on where to take classes with ASMED trained teachers Please note - the current training programmes are now full.
ASMED Mentoring Programme Don't just spend a few months studying for a qualification! Spend your entire dance career learning how to grow your skills as a dancer and/or a teacher! 12 years ago when ASMED was first set up its primary focus was training teachers. Over time we also developed the Advanced Dancer Certificate that was initially designed as a pre-requisite for anyone wanting to join the teaching diploma programme but didn't at that time have the required dance experience to qualify for a place. As ASMED grew two things became apparent - that those who studied for the Diploma wanted to continue developing their skills and knowledge once they had qualified, and that some of those who passed the ADC did not want to train to teach but still wanted to continue developing their dance skills. As a result it was decided that we would steer the organisation more along the lines of providing a mentoring service that enabled dancers and teachers to enter into a programme of Continuing Professional Development under the guidance of Afra al Kahira along with ASMED's tutors and mentors. Students can still study for an award but it is no longer essential for them to do so. Instead an individual training programme is agreed with each dancer which is designed to suit the goals they wish to aim for in any particular year. ASMED then provides guidance and learning opportunities to help the student attain those goals. ASMED is a place where dancers can continue to receive help with ongoing professional development throughout their entire dance careers.
How does it work? The Programme is taken mostly at a distance with the inclusion of some taught sessions and the use of social networking web tools (a private forum). This blended approach to learning enables students to access support and to interact with other students in the most appropriate way for the individual. Students will be expected to have regular access to web and email for the distance-learning element of the programme. We strongly recommend that students attend all the training sessions held at regular intervals throughout the year but we also acknowledge that this may be difficult on some occasions. It is possible to complete all the theory elements at a distance using our online social networking web site, contact (by phone, face-to-face & email) with your assigned mentor and other course tutors. Participants will be required to compile a portfolio that demonstrates proof of learning, evidence of research, planning and continuing professional development. Students are also required to undertake regular practice-based projects which must be completed by an agreed date each year. Current practice-based experience is essential and all applicants will be expected to show that they will be engaged in practice either full time, part-time, paid or voluntary, or through professional engagements. This is a performing art and we take very seriously all aspects of training to help each student develop their skills, knowledge and understanding to their fullest potential. The practical dance training is coupled with access to easy to use online study modules that cover many aspects of the important underpinning knowledge so essential to both the dancer and the dance teacher, like understanding music & rhythms, cultural & historical information and lots more. Students also have access to a private online discussion forum where lively debates take place about a wide range of topics and students can come and ask in confidence about issues relating to teaching or performing dance in a supportive and understanding environment. Students pay an annual fee (£40.00) and agree to attend a minimum number of ASMED events per annum (normally 1 practical day, 1 theory day and a workshop with an ASMED teacher), plus undertaking to work on their Personal Development Plan throughout the year. In return for this all students have regular access to training and support from Master Teacher Afra al Kahira, Senior Tutor Emma Pyke and Visiting Tutor Vashti, and of course the rest of the ASMED Community. We share a common aim of wishing to continue to learn and develop our dance and teaching skills and support each other in the pursuit of those skills. Members of ASMED recognise that continued learning is an essential part of the dancer's toolkit and are committed to developing their skills to the best of their ability.
Can I still study for a qualification? Yes, you can! The Teaching Diploma and Advancer Dancer Certificate are still available as study modules and students can study for them at their own pace, accruing credits for each one they complete, which will count towards an award. All students must study with ASMED for a minimum of 1 year before they can apply for an award. Students can build up their credits a variety of ways - completing online training modules, attending ASMED training days, private tuition with Afra or other ASMED Tutors, by attending workshops, master classes or privates with other recommended teachers. Even if you don't initially wish to study for a particular award most elements of training completed will accrue credits that can count towards an award if you want to apply for one at a later time. We are a small organisation compared with some but this is because we focus on the individual more and in order to do that numbers are limited to make sure that all students receive enough support and attention. Our motto is 'it's about the people, not the money.' ASMED teachers abide by a code of ethics. Afra will not train any dancer to teach if she/he is not prepared to teach in an ethical manner. Classes and workshops taught by Afra al Kahira and ASMED teachers are open to all genuine adult learners regardless of age, sex, race or creed. No ASMED teacher will turn away from their classes any man who genuinely wishes to learn to dance . ASMED teachers sign a Charter & Code of Conduct to demonstrate their agreement to abide by those principles.
Does ASMED follow a particular style of dance? No we don't. ASMED members teach and perform across a wide range of dance styles: Modern Egyptian, Lebanese, Folkloric, Turkish, Tribal, 'belly dance' and experimental to name just a few! Students learn about other dance styles, how to recognise them and if teachers, how to explain them to their students. ASMED dancers not only work on improving their dance and/or teaching skills, they also work on becoming more knowledgeable and informed about the dance generally. We actively encourage students to learn study across a wide range of styles in order to find the one that suits them best. The only dance form we do not actively pursue is that of Burlesque. As an organisation we have absolutely no objections to Burlesque as an artform in its own right but ASMED doesn't recognise it as being part of bellydance. Several members of ASMED teach or perform burlesque outside of the umbrella of the organisation and all members are free to do this. Afra sees ASMED as her way of giving something back to the dance community that she has been a part of her life for so many years, and also as her contribution to improving the standards of both dancing and teaching within the UK and beyond - "it's about the people, not the money!"
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