Sandy Maya's Dance
where Bellydance meets Showdance
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Sandy has enjoyed dance ever since she can remember, always being the first on the dance-floor at Parties. She has been trained in Ballet and Jazzdance from age 11-15. In her twenties she attended streetdance classes and started learning Salsa and Bachata before discovering Bellydance/Oriental-dance in 2011. Sandy fell in love with this artform and delved into extensively learning the art of bellydance by attending as many classes she could find. Sandy's main bellydance teacher is Helen Santa Maria of the SMBA ( Santa Maria Bellydance Academy in Reading ) but she has also learned in person and online from the following teachers: Cherie Leigh Marshall, Sadie Marquard, Rachel Bennett, Al Warner, Cat Barclay, Darkstar, Serena Ramzy, Hossam Ramzy, Natasha Bradley, Louise Brooks, Melissa Bellydance, Jasirah, Diva Darina, Ozgen, Maelle, Katie Alyce, Alla Kushnir, Charlotte Desorger, Iana Komarnytska. In 2015 Sandy completed the Bellydance Teacher Apprenticeship at the SMBA and began teaching for the RBSB only a few months later. Sandy has since been teaching for the SMBA in Reading and the RBSB in Maidenhead, Twyford and Wokingham, as well as offering local classes and workshops in Lower Earley, Woodley and Earley. In addition to learning more about Bellydance and passing on her knowledge with her teaching, Sandy also attended adult Ballet and Lyrical classes with Bronia Pearce at BPD, Above all Sandy loves to create choreographies to tell stories. And that is where the fusion comes in and Bellydance meets Showdance, often including props. Sandy's students perform regularly at the local Bastille Day Festival in Reading which inspired her to incorporate the French Cancan as well as bring other show-pieces to life to cater to the general public who may not be familiar with the traditional art of bellydance. In 2016 Sandy took part in a local theatre production by the Progress Theatre, which took a modern approach on Shakespeare's A midsummer night's dream, which included music and dance scenes. Sandy choreographed the pieces for the exclusive music and taught the cast ( non dancers ) the dances to be performed for 10 evenings in a row. Sandy appeared in the play herself one evening as an understudy filling in for one of the fairies. Certifications and Achievements
If you have signed up for your session online, you have automatically agreed to the terms and conditions.
L.E.D. wings Workshop ( 8 spaces available )
L.E.D. wings Workshop
Please review the waiver that all participants need to sign.
This workshop is not suitable for beginners who have no experience with wings,
Please bring your own props.
Props are not provided at this workshop
L.E.D. wings Workshop £25
( 8 spaces available )
Session type: How to use L.E.D. wings effectively
When: Sunday, 30th November 2025 at 2:30pm
Duration: 2 hours
Where: St Peter's Church, Earley
Additional info:
Intermediate level, requires isis-wings-handling ability
Participants need to bring their own props.
Videos will be taken to capture the effects of timed light of dancing in a group or by
yourself.
Please note that we will work in a dark room for parts of this workshop as we are
working with light effects.
There may be wings with flashing lights, so if you are sensitive to flashy lights, low
light, bright light, sudden light changes,
then perhaps this workshop is not for you.
Cancan version 2025 workshop ( 4 spaces left )
( 4 spaces available )
Session type: Learn a high impact, fast paced group dance choreo
When: Saturday, 26th April 2025 at 10am
Duration: 3 hours
Where: Maiden Place, Lower Earley, function room
Additional info:
Intermediate level,
participants require a good fitness level
and need to bring their own cancan- or wide flowy skirts
Performance opportunity:
Bastille Day Festival on 13th July 2025
10 year Anniversary show on 7th September 2025
Ticket for 10 year anniversary Show ticket - 7th September 2025
10 year teaching Anniversary Show
Sandy Maya's Dance is hosting a show to celebrate 10 years of teaching bellydance
Performance slots available to guest performers - everybody welcome
Show at Loddon Hall in Twyford from 2pm-4pm, doors open at 1:30pm
Sat Nav: RG10 9JA
Children under the age of 15 do not require a ticket but need to be accompanied by a chaperone.
There will be a bar selling alcohol.
If you wish to attend the Belly-Line-Dance-Session from 12noon-1pm, please book that separately here:
Belly-Line-Dance session 7th September
Sandy Maya's Workshop students have the chance to practise their pieces from 10am-11:45am
Appreciation donation
Some people call it "tips" or "buy me a coffee"
If you feel like you would like to express your appreciation of any of my services, be it classes, event organisation, choreographies, inspiration, video or photography services, then please feel free to donate. Any amount will be greatly appreciated and will help me continue to do and share what I love most: Bring the joy of dance to all people.
Maiden Place Rehearsal session PAYG
Rehearsal sessions are available to students who have learned dances at workshops and need to practise before an upcoming performance.
The dates are advertised on the What's On section as well as the "rehearsal sessions" section and are being shared within the dance community by Sandy in advance of them taking place.
Only valid for rehearsal sessions at Maiden Place in Lower Earley
Maiden Place function room at MP
Upcoming rehearsal dates for Sping Showcase, French Market and Bastille Day Fest:
Tuesday, 15th April - 7pm-8pm at MP
Saturday, 7th June - 11am-12pm
Saturday, 5th July - 11am12pm
Upcoming rehearsal dates for 10 year anniversary show:
Tuesday, 22nd July 7-8pm at MP
Tuesday, 29th July 7-8pm at MP
Monday, 1st Sep 7-8pm at MP
This is an add on session ( no purchase required )
Sunday, 7th September 10am-11:45am at Loddon Hall in Twyford
£ 35 -- Santa Baby Solo Choreo Workshop
( 14 spaces available )
Session type: Learn an alluring solo choreography to Santa Baby
When: Saturday, 13th December 2025 at 10am
Duration: 3 hours
Where: Maiden Place, Lower Earley, function room
Additional info:
Intermediate level.
Dressing up festive for the video recording is encouraged, but not mandatory
Halloween Dance Workshop 2025
( 13 spaces available )
Session type: Learn a Halloween group dance choreo
When: Saturday, 18th October 2025 at 10am
Duration: 3 hours
Where: Maiden Place, Lower Earley, function room
Additional info:
Intermediate level,
Dressing up for the video recording is encouraged, but not mandatory
Pay As You Go Class valid for Bellydance drill and Belly-Line-Dance sessions at Maiden Place
Valid for one use only.
PLEASE NOTE that the last drop in class will be on 25th June 2025, drop in classes will terminate after that.
Belly-Line-Dance session 7th September
Session type: Repetitive, combo to an upbeat song for a fun cardio workout.
When: Sunday, 7th September 2025 at 12pm
Duration: 1 hour
Where: Loddon Hall, Twyford
Additional info:
These sessions are beginner-friendly
You can use one of your SMD Saverpass sessions for this, as long as you register at least 48 hours beforehand. By opting in to use your Saverpass, you are registered and the session will be deducted from your pass, whether or not you are able to attend the session. If you are a saver pass holder, you have previously agreed to the disclaimer/waiver terms and conditions.
Performance opportunity:
10 year anniversary Show on 7th September 2025
Belly-Line-Dance session 5th July
Belly-Line-Dance session
( 19 spaces available )
Session type: Repetitive, combo to an upbeat song for a fun cardio workout.
When: Saturday, 5th July 2025 at 10am
Duration: 1 hour
Where: Maiden Place, Lower Earley, function room
Additional info: Beginner friendlyBelly-Line-Dance session
( Bastille ) Belly-Line-Dance session ( 7th June )
Belly-Line-Dance session
( 18 spaces available )
Session type: Repetitive, combo to a french song for a fun cardio workout.
When: Saturday, 7th June 2025 at 10am
Duration: 1 hour
Where: Maiden Place, Lower Earley, function room
Additional info: Beginner friendly
French song
Performance opportunity:
Bastille Day festival on 13th July 2025