What is AAMED?
Ahlam Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (AAMED) is a belly dance certification program designed to provide students with a complete education in Egyptian Oriental dance.
We have two different programs available, one for serious hobbyists and another for aspiring teachers:
- Belly Dance Student Certification: Levels 1-3
- Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification
Use these quick links to learn more about our AAMED Belly Dance Certification Programs
- Certified Alumni
- Program Descriptions
- Program Requirements
- Master Class – Monthly Curriculum Schedule
Is AAMED the right certification program for you?
- Do you love belly dancing and want to learn all that you can about it?
- Are you already taking classes, but you feel like you aren’t learning as much as you should be, as quickly as you would like to?
- Do you frequently watch belly dance videos or performances, and you aren’t sure what they are doing and why?
- Do you have knowledge gaps about the history, culture, styles, music, and all those important details that could put everything into perspective and help you make sense of it all?
- Are you worried about navigating a dance form from a different culture than your own and you want to be careful not to culturally appropriate or make “beginners” mistakes with your music, costuming, styles, etc?
- Wanna learn to improvise and dance with complete freedom?
If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, AAMED may be the program for you!
Since beginning my dance career, I have spent literally hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars training with top national and international belly dance teachers and entertainers learning everything I could about Middle Eastern dance. I have spent countless hours learning the many facets of Middle Eastern dance, including technique, music, culture, costuming, choreography, improvisation, performance, and all the aspects of the dance business.
I have taught countless hours to hundreds of students over the years. Now, I’m not saying I’m the end-all, be-all, but I got a lot of dance knowledge that I want to share with you.
You don’t have to spend as much time and money as I did to acquire all this dance knowledge and experience. I’ve created the most comprehensive Middle Eastern dance education program out there. This program covers everything from foundational movements to becoming a belly dance teacher or professional entertainer, and all the important details and tricks of the trade you need to know to be your best.
AAMED is for those that have a passion for Egyptian dance and desire a complete Middle Eastern dance education.
At this time, Ahlam Academy of Middle Eastern Dance’s certification classes are ONLY available through in-person classes at our studio, Oriental Phoenix Arts. We hope to make more of our program available online soon.
Program Overview
Belly Dance Student Certification: Levels 1-3
Learn the technique, history, costuming, performance, and improvisation arts of Middle Eastern Dance. This program is designed for those students and hobbyists interested in understanding and exploring the rich traditions of Oriental Dance.
Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification
Learn to share your passion for Oriental dance with your own students in this intensive program. With guidance, you will create your own repertoire of exciting classic, modern, folkloric, and specialty choreographies that you can use in your own performance set, and as material for your own classes. Gain a greater understanding of all aspects of performing and teaching, as well as invaluable performance (choreographies & improvisation) and teaching experience for the most serious Oriental dance students.
What you are going to learn?
Belly Dance Student Certification: Levels 1-3
- Beginner-Advanced Level Technique
- Music Appreciation including Rhythms, Instruments, and Maqam
- Playing and dancing with Finger Cymbals (zills, sagat)
- History of Egyptian Dance
- Belly Dance & Folkloric Costuming
- Classical & Modern Egyptian Dance Style
- Raqs al Assaya (Saidi style Cane Dancing)
- 3 Yard Silk Veil Technique
- Drum Solo Technique
- Choreography Creation
- Performance Skills
- Improvisation Skills
- Taqsim
- Baladi Progressions
- Balancing for Belly Dance
- Floorwork
- Turkish Oriental & Turkish Romani Movement
- Regional Circle/Line Dances including Dabke
- Raqs al Na’ashaat (with/without Thobe) & Khaleegi Movement (Arabian Gulf)
- North African Movement from Algerian, Tunisian, and Moroccan
- Egyptian Folkloric: Melaya Leff: Nubian, Shamadan, Hagalla, Bambutaya, Fellahi, Ghawazee
Belly Dance Teacher Training Certification
- Teaching Skills
- Curriculum Creation
- Anatomy/Kinesiology for Belly Dancing
- Marketing Basics for Belly Dance Performers and Teachers
- How to Run a Successful Teaching Program
Certification FAQ
Who is eligible to work towards an AAMED Belly Dance Student certification?
After 6 months of “Beginner Belly Dance” classes, any Ahlam Academy student may begin working towards their Student certification, all they need to do is fill out and submit an AAMED enrollment form.
Do I need to enroll in and complete the Student Certification BEFORE I enroll in the Teacher Training Certification?
Short answer, maybe! It depends on your prior belly dance education and experience. If you are a new dancer, you definitely want to learn and have more experience before you begin the Belly Dance Teacher Training Program. If you already have knowledge and experience, you might be ready to take the Belly Dance Teacher Training Program.
I’ve never studied belly dance before, may I enroll in either AAMED certification program?
In short, no. This program is not for someone without previous belly dance experience, nor for someone looking to certify quickly. Both the Student and Teacher programs are intense and require a lot of dedication to this art. PASSION & COMMITMENT ARE REQUIRED before you begin either of these programs. It is strongly recommended that you have at least six full months of training in Egyptian or American Cabaret styles before enrolling in this program. If you want to get started, it is highly suggested that you take beginner belly dance classes with us first, and then you can be one step closer to beginning your AAMED certification.
I have studied other belly dance styles, may I enroll in AAMED?
If you come from a different belly dance tradition, like Turkish, Lebanese, Fusion, Tribal Fusion, ATS, ITS and you wish to move to Egyptian styles, I would strongly suggest that you enroll in Ahlam Academy classes and learn the differences in style and execution within Egyptian Oriental dance movement before you commit to your certification, just to make sure that Egyptian style is what you really wish focus on.
How long does it take to get certified?
It really depends on the dedication level, ability, and tenacity of the student. Generally, the Student Program can take 2-4 years for the typical student. The Teacher Training Certification program can take 6 months – 1 year.
How much does the Student Certification program cost?
The classes you already enjoy are the largest portions of your certification costs. The only extra costs are for any other books, exams, workshops, and nominal application fees. You don’t have to worry about dropping a large chunk of money at once, everything is pay-as-you-grow.
Do you want more information or wish to enroll in AAMED?
Please send us an email at info@AhlamAcademy.com for more information or inquire at OPA.