Classes

In-Person Dance Classes | Online Dance Classes | Modern & Contemporary Dance

Berkeley Series | Wednesday Evenings

Afghan Dance Technique

Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 PM
Level: Advanced Beginner+
7-week series • August 26–October 7
$140 series • $25 drop-in

This class series focuses on refined technique, musicality, and expressive artistry within the Afghan dance tradition. Through focused exploration of footwork, body positioning, turns, transitions, and movement quality, dancers will strengthen their technical foundation while developing a deeper connection to the music, culture, and storytelling within the dance.

This class can be taken on its own and is designed to offer an accessible entry point for dancers who are newer to Afghan dance, while also giving experienced dancers the opportunity to refine and deepen their technique.

Afghan Dance Choreography

Wednesdays • 7:30–8:30 PM
Level: Intermediate+
7-week series • August 26–October 7

The Choreography class builds on the foundations explored in Technique. Dancers will learn a complete Afghan dance choreography, including staging, musical interpretation, transitions, expressive storytelling, and performance preparation.

Participation in the Afghan Dance Technique class is required.

Technique + Choreography: $225 for the full 7-week series

Location

Spring Fall Dance Studio
2547 Eighth St #20
Berkeley, CA 94710

Registration & Information

For more information and to register, please visit:
www.dancesilkroad.org/classes

San Francisco Workshop Series | Sundays

Contemporary Persian Dance with Natalie Nayun

Sundays • 2:30–3:45 PM
September 13–November 15, 2026
NO CLASS: September 27

Location:

ODC Dance Commons
351 Shotwell St,
San Francisco, CA 94110

Registration & Information

For full details and registration, please visit the ODC Registration Page

About:

This workshop is open to dancers of all backgrounds, no Persian dance experience required. What we're building here is more than a choreography. Each movement is rooted in the lyrics and story of the song, and woven through with your own personal stories as a dancer. You will leave with not just steps, but a deeper way of moving and connecting to yourself and to each other.

The piece is set to Soltane Ghalbha سلطان قلب‌ها,one of the most beloved songs not just in Iran but in many countries around Central Asia and the Middle East. The song is about the pull of love, the beloved, and the heart's inability to leave what it loves most.

What to expect in class:
Sessions open with a full-body warm-up and technique work specific to Persian and Central Asian dance; hand and foot technique, complex turns, fluid transitions, and more. Choreography is taught at an intermediate level, with variations offered for both simplified and more layered movement. Dancers are met where they are. I have a background in teaching across abilities, and this piece is designed to give every individual dancer a moment to shine.

Session recap videos will be sent after every class so you can review what we covered.

Performances will be at the ODC Theater.

Tech Rehearsal
Tuesday, November 17
(Please hold between 6:00–10:00 PM)

Dress Rehearsal / Preview Night
Thursday, November 19, 7:30 PM

Performances
Friday, November 20 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 21 at 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM

Natalie teaches online classes through Zoom on Pomegranate Garden Dance. Check their website for upcoming classes and registration details.

Class Performance Video

Natalie’s Persian Dance Class Performing at the Oakland Dance Festival at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA

Summer 2019

Watch the video on YouTube

Natalie teaches Modern/Contemporary Dance deeply influenced by her love of Central Asian Dance. Her classes offer strong technique, improvisational exercises, exploratory movement games and conclude with dynamic combinations.

*Available for Private Lessons

All are welcome!