Become a professional bellydancer with the most comprehensive teacher training and performance development program online.
The application only takes 2 minutes, there's no obligation to join, and if we're a fit to work together, you'll get a *free* invite to my advanced private training where I share EXACTLY how I've helped hundreds reach their professional bellydance goals!
M.A. Culture & Performance
B.A. Dance
I am obsessed with helping bellydancers express their brilliance through choreographic composition, improvisation, frame drum finger cymbals, supported by historical understanding and entrepreneurial skills.
Maybe you are feeling...
You feel called to learn bellydance, but you're thinking: "I'm too old," or "my body isn't the correct shape," or "I don't have rhythm."
You've been bellydancing a while but don't feel seen or challenged. You crave high-level direction from a caring effective teacher and heart connections with equally passionate dancers.
You've gigged and taught all over town, traveled to every convention, and competed in every competition. You crave greater emotional depth from your relationship to dance, and you need your inspiration cup filled.
The Truth Is:
It is never too late
Because you know exactly what to practice and how, you see your technique improve quickly. You are in total control on a micro-muscular level and you feel powerful in your body.
When playing frame drum and finger cymbals while dancing in sync with others, collectively improvising in the moment, your mind is totally present and you feel supported by your team.
By listening to your muse and using the tools of choreography to create intentional, meaningful dances that captivate and inspire audiences, you feel aligned with your purpose.
Imagine Yourself On Stage
A beacon of inspiration and artistry
Part of the lineage of bold bellydancers who have pushed boundaries throughout history
Dancing to powerful rhythms, playing finger cymbals, frame drumming
Deeply connected, fully present, inspiring others
Earning an income from your efforts as a performer and teacher.
JOIN US IN
"Belonging to The Cohesion Collective is THE BEST decision I could have made in my dance career. I have grown not only as a dancer and teacher but also as a person. Everything I have learned has exceeded my expectations.
I can now improvise and choreograph in a more fluid, natural, and fun way. I am proud to be able to structure the dance classes I teach and to be able to play the frame drum while I dance.
I am grateful to April because she always cheers me on and gives me clear feedback to achieve even better results with her personalized, punctual, objective, and motivating coaching. I have been able to broaden my vision and feel much more prepared for big challenges.
With the pep-talks, feedback, and encouragement from the beautiful supportive community that April has created, I have managed to keep myself consistent and motivated.
Being part of The Cohesion Collective has helped me take off in ways that I didn't even imagine for myself."
After touring 25 countries, I felt disappointed by the separation I saw between the traditional MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic, Turkish) dance communities and the fusion dance communities.
I felt artistically lost because I didn't fit in either restrictive category of being truly a "raqs sharqi" or "transcultural fusion" dancer - nor did I want to fit!
So I created my own elegant, thoughtful, and playful approach to bellydance that incorporates elements of tradition (like Middle Eastern rhythms on frame drum and cymbals) mixed with elements of innovation (like fusion choreography and cued group improvisation).
Take a Look Inside The Cohesion Collective
Get access to the complete library of video lessons for the Dance Cohesion Stages 1-3 Courses & Teacher Trainings plus a ton of valuable bonus workshop bundles.
Each week you can submit your work via video submission to receive personalized feedback and corrections. The level of in-depth feedback you receive here is unparalleled and helps dancers grow FAST.
Get your specific questions answered in a private call feed where April Rose helps you overcome challenges and stay inspired.
Connect with the other dancers in the Collective, ask questions, and get support in our private group forum where you'll meet life-long friends and future creative collaborators.
Deep-dive with April Rose and the Cohesion Coaches after you hit key points in the program to reflect, review, get personalized guidance, and celebrate!
When you submit your completed Student Assessments and passing Teacher Training Evaluations you will be mailed beautiful printed certificates, the full printed manual for the next course, and earn your Trained Teacher Certifications.
Complete all three Stages of Dance Cohesion courses and earn your Trained Teacher Certifications while you are inside The Cohesion Collective!
Bellydance Movement, Music, and History
Dance and Frame Drum with Cued Group Improvisation
Create Intentional Art
"My favorite part of Dance Cohesion Stage 1 (besides listening to different musical instruments) was experiencing 'aha moments' while learning about the history of bellydance. The research April Rose presents and the open conversations about cultural and historical context were invaluable to me."
“Improvisation was scary to me but now the feeling in the moment of “being danced” is truly magical! Every decision is a conscious choice, not a gamble. It feels great.”
"The session we had really gave me a profound insight on the choreographic process. Very technical and well structured. It helped me work on techniques that brought my visions to life in a very clear form. Up until then I never really understood what goes into planning a choreography."
TEACHER TRAINING COURSES & EVALUATION PROCESS INCLUDED
Stages 1, 2, & 3
Learn how to:
"Yay!! So, glad I have this curriculum now to use in my next session at the Retirement Community in January. With Dance Cohesion, I have the lesson plans mostly done for me. Awesome!
"I'm so happy! When I started this program I would not have thought that I would work as a salaried teacher. But guess what, I have now been working as a dance teacher for a few months at a civic college, thanks to this program I had the courage to do it. I have one group and we are practicing a choreography I made for them. And I was asked to teach more groups next fall! I'm so excited! So thanks to you, without this program I wouldn't be here now!"
"I immediately had this feeling of fear following signing up for the Teacher Training. I had never put myself outside of my comfort zone like that. Who am *I* to pursue teaching? Am I in over my head? The imposter syndrome hit hard. Well let me tell you, it was one of the most inspiring, exciting, educational, and mind-blowing experiences of my life. The Cohesion program is so thoughtful, methodical, fun and approachable. I am truly invigorated by the material and I am HUMBLED, HONORED, AND FREAKIN' STOKED to be able to say that I am a Stage 1 Trained Teacher in the Dance Cohesion format. This has been a huge growth for me and I am excited for my future growth. I overcame fear and discomfort and the reward just keeps on giving because I am stronger, more brave, and more confident in my abilities."
Retain the ability to reference the video lesson library, stay in the loop on format updates, and connected to the Cohesion Trained Teacher community!
When you pass your Teacher Training Evaluation for each Stage of the Dance Cohesion courses, you will earn lifetime access to the core curriculum for that Stage!
Trained Teachers are invited to join a private online group where you can continue asking questions and sharing knowledge even after you graduate The Cohesion Collective.
TRAINED TEACHERS EARN LIFETIME ACCESS TO THE CORE CURRICULUM AND PRIVATE GROUP!
"THANK YOU so much for giving us graduates access [to the Dance Cohesion core curriculum]. This was a HUGE DEAL for me. It made me feel so appreciated and so much more a part of your community. I have been using the videos to double check myself and keep my skills sharp. It's also really helping me with class planning for teaching."
with April Rose & The Cohesion Team
The Private Call Feed is the place to overcome mindset blocks, and get all your questions answered.
Have a question about performance, teaching, or any aspect of your dance life? Having a hard time with mastering that technique or retaining those rhythms? Do you feel nervous or excited about an upcoming performance you are creating? Are you facing personal challenges in your dance community? Need a pep talk?
All your questions will be addressed in the Private Call Feed.
Closed Online Forum & Virtual Gatherings
Surround yourself with other passionate dancers in an intentional uplifting space that accelerates progress.
In the community forum we'll share wins, challenges, and stories.
We'll also gather periodically with virtual mixers, jams, and shows.
And yes, we'll absolutely have a strong code of conduct and group guidelines for a supportive space.
"I love being part of The Cohesion Collective and I'm beyond grateful that you brought me back to loving the art form of transcultural fusion. It is extremely valuable what you give to our dance community with this format and all the education, technique and connection which comes with it. This is indeed a safe space for creativity and for growth. I'm happy to be here and so motivated to continue to create. I'm looking forward to practicing, learning, and connecting with you and the Dance Cohesion format for many more years."
from April Rose & The Cohesion Team
You will have the opportunity to get personal feedback on your work each week.
When you are ready to submit, send in your materials by the weekly deadline, and you will get your personalized feedback within that week.
Upon submitting the Student Assessment after completing each stage you will receive a certificate of completion and the manual for the next course.
After completing the Teacher Evaluation Process for each stage you will receive your Trained Teacher Certification.
with April Rose & The Cohesion Team
There are four 1:1 calls that happen throughout your time in the program. The first is your onboarding call, to get you set up with a custom action plan. Then, three additional calls upon the achievement of each of the following milestones:
1 - Upon submission of a solo improv performance to a classic song
2 - Upon submission of a performance with percussion (frame drum or cymbals)
3 - After you perform your own choreography
"I feel so proud of myself for submitting my Teacher Evaluation. Thank you so much for all of the detailed feedback you give us, I really appreciate how much thought you put into it. I truly appreciate your support and guidance, and what you've created with the Cohesion Collective."
BONUS TRAINING BUNDLE #1
Lecture Series
"I love how you share your experiences as a professional dancer. These lectures are so valuable"
-Natalie
"I'm really glad you included examples of professional contracts. It's important to have expectations clearly stated in a contract that spells things out."
-Evie
"Wow. Great Class. In my other life I am a nurse. I can validate that humans will act out when they are afraid or hurt. Remembering what feelings can prompt rude behavior gives you empathy and helps avoid taking things personally."
BONUS TRAINING BUNDLE #2
Workshop Bundle
Learn to perform April Rose's most powerful original choreographies.
BONUS TRAINING BUNDLE #3
Workshop Bundle & Song Library
"One of my favorite parts of this program has been returning to playing music with a lighter heart and smarter approach. Dance Cohesion has inspired me to compose, sing, play percussion, and even flute again after a decade-long burnout. It’s been extremely medicinal to get lost in a rhythm again, and I’m looking forward to further exploration."
BONUS TRAINING BUNDLE #3
Virtual Retreat Replays
"I watched the Bold Bellydancer Shift virtual conference recording and just wanted to share that I was so inspired. Everything April said resonated with me. It was wonderful to watch the dancers perform and hear their advice on how to work towards your goals and celebrate your progress. Before, I had a really fixed mindset and didn't envisage what I could be capable of, so I quit dance for many years. Starting bellydance in my 40's has been life changing. However, these workshops helped me realize that when training and making choreography I've been suppressing a whole side of me, the type of movements I enjoy and how I like to express myself. Now I've decided to embrace it! I watched the videos and now think 'why not?'"
BONUS DRUM DISCOUNT
Members of The Cohesion Collective get 10% off the official Cohesion frame drum, made by legendary craftspeople: Cooperman.
You will love the vibration of the frame drum and be inspired by its ancient history.
"I come from a Moroccan family and I was born and grew up in France. I used to dance during family celebrations and I started bellydance classes in 2010. I started learning regularly from April since 2020, and I grew up as a dancer thanks to April's program, which is very complete. I learned the fundamentals of bellydance history and how to identify the main instruments of MENAHT music. I also realized one of my dreams: learning how to play duff, a frame drum. I love this instrument so much which symbolizes the connection with my grandmothers. While learning the rhythms on drum, I learned an amazing way to play those rhythms with fingers cymbals. It's tricky but so beautiful and I enjoy it so much. The dance technique part is brilliant. I have more control of my movements now."
"WHAT. A. BLAST!! April Rose does a fantastic job of sharing her education and passion around bellydance movement, music, and research. She shortens the learning curve in a wonderful way by teaching her stylization of movements combined with Middle Eastern rhythms on finger cymbals and frame drum. I have been playing finger cymbals for a few years, but up to now had yet to really learn the actual rhythms associated. WOW. MIND. BLOWN. I came away from this course a much stronger musician than expected! Her approach to instruction is one big helping of gentle determination served up with a side pure love for teaching bellydance in all its variations."
Imagine Yourself In the Near Future
Being an in-demand performer
Earning an income as a bellydance teacher
Whether you've never tried a hip lift before or have been bellydancing for decades, The Cohesion Collective has lessons, insights, and support for you.
Great! The technique lessons in the Dance Cohesion Stage 1 Enrichment Course will start you off at the right place: the very beginning. Even if you’ve never danced, drummed, or cymbaled before- even if you know nothing about the history of bellydance or the music associated with it- the Cohesion framework is the best way to build knowledge and skills correctly, safely, and efficiently, from the start. That means you won't waste years practicing ineffectively and feeling discouraged by your slow progress. With the Cohesion system, you will gain skills fast!
Perfect! So many people have come to me just for advice on staying inspired in their dance practice, to learn more about bellydance history, frame drum, or to learn how to make a meaningful choreography. I find that when dancers come to me with years of expertise, we end up discovering lots of ways we can actually tweak what they are doing now to make their dance lives even more satisfying, creative, rewarding. If you are an instructor, you will love teaching the Dance Cohesion format so you don't have to create lesson plans or class content ever again!
"I learned so much from the Dance Cohesion Stage 1 Enrichment course. I find that either if you are a beginner, intermediate, or very experienced dancer you can gain so much from this course: Body awareness, musical and historical learning, perfecting your movement quality. April gave us a lot of material to keep us working for several months and she is also a very generous teacher that genuinely wants you to grow! I felt very fulfilled."
"I was attracted to April Rose's Cohesion program because it combined dance technique practice with the music, culture, and history that I believe is critical to every belly dancer's education, regardless of stylization. The Cohesion Stage 1 Enrichment Course and Stage 1 Teacher Training delivered all that and more! I was so impressed by April Rose's clear instruction, clean technique, and attention to efficient and safe biomechanics. The dance drills are thoughtfully designed and can be stacked to suit beginners while also challenging more experienced students. Music and history are included in every unit, as well as improvisation exercises to connect dancers to the joy of movement and music. There is also an emphasis on dance as a way to connect with yourself and others and enrich your life, the cherry on top that I didn't expect. As a student, this is the sort of program I want to take; as a teacher, this is the sort of program I wish I had been teaching this whole time."
Reality Check:
Today is the day you stop wasting your time with lonely, ineffective practice
Today is the day you start prioritizing your own artistic development and personal fulfillment
"I've often joked that it would be so convenient to be able to learn through osmosis, but April Rose has actually achieved this through her Dance Cohesion program. The deceptively simple activities seem to focus on single, foundational aspects of dance, and that is extremely important. The learner is largely unaware, however, of how the other various elements of the dance are being interwoven throughout the program. After the first couple of sections of the program, I realized that I had somehow internalized not only the movements, but the associated rhythms, multi-instrument musical compositions, connections of the frame drum tones to the dance, underlying foot and arm patterns, and the rich dance history. I entered the lesson expecting to focus on one thread of the dance, but I left the lesson with a complete tapestry."
Let's make sure we are on the same page about a few things before you apply.
The quickest way to progress in skills, knowledge, and creativity is through consistent, methodical practice done intentionally with total presence!
I value your progress toward your ideal dancer self, while I also fully embrace the beautiful fact that we will never achieve the perfection we seek. The pursuit itself is the reward.
When we say “I don’t know,” try something new, or share our art, thoughts, and feelings we open ourselves to massive growth and deep connection.
"I love your drills. They challenge my mind and keep me present and engaged. I appreciate this of you as a teacher because I struggle with getting focused 😍. You help me with challenging exercises and kick the ass of my judgmental mind 😂."
"I highly HIGHLY recommend studying with April- she is an amazingly knowledgeable and talented source, and treats her students and the art form with the utmost attention and respect. She is wonderful at breaking down the base elements of the dance form so you can really polish and perfect your technique while still having it feel so organic. Few dance forms are so challenging for the mind and body yet feel so good at the same time! If you want to improve your cymbal technique as well, I have never been a part of a training program that does this better- she's the absolute gold star in this aspect for sure. I love how we learn the drumming rhythms to really embody them and improve our musicality as well. If you want to have a great time and truly enjoy the process of learning and improving, train with April! I'm so thrilled to be part of her program."
"I’ve done a few training programs and Dance Cohesion aligns with my goals as a performer and teacher the most. Very well structured, very clear, thorough, full of intent and passion. I am very grateful for the opportunity to study with April Rose. My favorite learning moments were the ones where she emphasized the significance of cohesion and how positive feedback and making everyone feel welcome is crucial. I learned a lot about myself as a teacher, a student, and about my role as a bellydancer in my community. I already knew my passion was in sharing dance and I have always loved teaching beginners more than anything for the same reason April emphasizes, to get the art out there for more people to experience it. Dance Cohesion ignited the passion inside me to continue to do this with more vigor and thorough presentation. I can’t say thank you enough!"
"April Rose is the bomb.com! There’re so many wonderful things I could say about Dance Cohesion. April doesn’t just care about technique, she also places a high importance on the integrity of the movement by incorporating proper body mechanics. This is huge for me because my training thus far has been just mimicking what someone is doing. Most important was the way I felt during the program. Yes, it was fast-paced, and sometimes overwhelming. But I never felt like I didn’t belong. April welcomes diversity and goes out of her way to make sure that EVERYONE feels included. As a minority dancer, this is such a crucial aspect. I appreciate her tremendously for that because she creates a safe space for all dancers to learn and grow."
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fill out your application as soon as possible so I can send you a private invitation to my advanced, VIP training with all the details about how we can help you achieve your professional bellydance goals!
I am ready to chat you up in the DMs!
I would love to know what's on your mind. Questions, hesitations, feelings, or celebrations - don't be shy!
You can text me any time at (844) 658-1074
Follow and feel free to DM me on instagram or facebook at @aprilrosedance
Email me at contact@aprilrose.dance
"April is not only an amazing and patient teacher, she is a lovely person shining from the inside out and always brings a smile. She was extremely encouraging and positive throughout, always making sure to compliment and give positive affirmations. Dance Cohesion has helped me have more confidence in myself as a dancer. Thank you so much to April Rose for your guidance, positivity, and encouragement."
I fell in love with bellydance as a child when I saw people unapologetically enjoying their bodies and connecting to music and one another.
I hold an M.A. in Culture and Performance and a B.A. in Dance from UCLA and have been honored by invitations to teach in over 25 countries.
Through movement and music, I'm here to serve mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness within each dancer.
With a deep love for tradition, innovation, and individual expression, I believe when dances are approached with respect and humility we can access the deep healing transformative potential of collective human movement.
Rose Movement Studio is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity for all students and attendees. Rose Movement Studio does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, HIV status, veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations and applies to all Rose Movement Studio employees, volunteers, students, and attendees.
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