Drawing from nearly 30 years of performance experience in the fields of figure skating, dance, and musical theatre, Sabylla has conjured what she considers the perfect elixir for happiness in her life: a daily practice of expressing and spreading joy and well-being through movement - specifically, bellydance. She has channeled her professional training and experience in marketing and event planning to promote and elevate the art form she first encountered as a student more than 7 years ago. Sabylla has taken advantage of the belly dance instruction available locally, regionally, and through her travels to absorb and incorporate in her own art all that is physically, creatively and emotionally nurturing in the dance. Today, in addition to teaching and performing at festivals and private events, Sabylla is a featured entertainer at the Mirage Restaurant in Knoxville. Please visit the Biography Page and the Performance Page for a current listing of Sabylla's training and performance experience.
or goals. Sabylla's goal is to create an atmosphere conducive to learning, creative expression and self-discovery. Her commitment is to share what she has learned and to further her students' confidence and skill at a pace unique to the individual. Sabylla ascribes to the Middle Eastern Dance Instructors' Association (MEDIA) Code of Ethics. Sabylla currently offers 3 distinct "Tracks" for women considering bellydancing: Bellydance Fitness, Bellydance Technique, and "Girls Night Out" Bellydance Basics. ALL the classes have ample portions of fitness, fun and structure -- but in varying ratios: Fitness: Let's get the heart rate up and muscles toned. Fun, energetic and challenging. This is not a "dance" class per se -- it's designed as exercise. Technique: Proper form is the ultimate goal in the bellydance classes offered at TCFA. The dancer's education would be incomplete without understanding the roots and evolving influences/direction of this dance - as well as its unique musicality (rhythms, instrumentation, etc), therefore, a healthy serving of theory is offered. Students learn movements in a progressive manner, laying a solid groundwork for future learning. Basic movements will evolve into combinations; and combinations will meld together to form short routines as students move to more advanced levels. Props including veil, cane and zils will be introduced, as will concepts in costuming and stage presentation. This is the most structured of the three tracks taught by Sabylla. Adventure: Satisfy your curiosity and have a blast! Indulge your inner-diva with this whirlwind overview of the basics of bellydance. Ideal for mother/daughter and "girls night out" adventures. Fun, light-hearted and fast-paced, this class is designed for those who just want to try something different. Each class is a "complete" how-to session -- in other words, if you miss class number one, class number two starts with new, unique material --you won't feel like you're behind. Intensives/Primers/Guest Instructors/Over-night Workshops: Students seeking to progress their skill and understanding of this dance will appreciate the effort Sabylla makes to present a variety of high-quality learning opportunities with noted experts in their area of dance specialization. Sabylla contracts with qualified, respected, and talented professionals skilled at conveying their ideas, concepts, styles and passion. Workshops sometimes involve a road trip to another city; BellaBelly students note that the camaraderie , encouragement and enthusiasm that abounds during these trips make for fond and enduring memories! |
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Study with Sabylla at the Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts Two Locations TCFA North - 2902 Tazewell Pike in Fountain City TCFA West - 8705 Unicorn Drive (Behind Grayson Pontiac/Jeep, just east of Rothchild Catering.
place to learn and our teaching philosophies seem exceptionally aligned. I've known Middle Eastern dance to be a powerful, transforming "event" in the lives of so many of my students, and now in this creative, nurturing environment, I feel my students can truly flourish." Sabylla Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts is entering its 19th season with owner and Director Gwendolyn Johnson Delaney. TCFA is a classically based school striving to provide artistically excellent training to students, preparing them to pursue performing arts on any level. The TCFA staff fosters a mentoring environment at each level. TCFA has two locations-- Fountain City Business Park and West Knoxville on Unicorn Drive behind Grayson Pontiac. Individuals interested in attending Sabylla's classes at TCFA should register by calling 865-560-9392.. |
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| Click here to go to Class Schedule Information |

| Sabylla's approach to teaching is student-centered -- recognizing and respecting that every dancer she has the privilege of training has a unique reason for being there. For that reason, Sabylla has created a variety of differently-structured learning opportunities to meet a broad spectrum of goals. Through her company, BellaBelly, Sabylla sponsors and organizes workshops and events in the Greater Knoxville, Tennessee area. BellaBelly also offers professional, family-friendly bellydance entertainment for special occasions. (See below.) |
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