S t u d e n t  F. A. Q.

-I can't find your address on your site.  Where is your studio located?
I teach out of my home in Frisco.  I don't list my address online for obvious reasons.  When you call for registration, you'll receive the address.  Click HERE for a map of the general location.
*Please Note - I have four friendly cats.  If you are allergic or scared of cats, you may not be able to attend my classes.*

-How many students are in a class?
I enroll 10 - 12 students per class.  My studio is about 500 square feet with wood-laminate flooring.  There are mirrors across the front of the studio length-wise.  There is ample room for everyone.  

-What should I wear to class?  
You can wear comfortable workout gear like yoga pants or leggings, and a fitted "T" or tank top.  Please don't wear anything too loose because I won't be able to see your movements very well through baggy clothes.  Shoes are optional, although most students go barefoot or wear socks.  If you decide to wear shoes, ballet slippers, lyrical sandals or spit-sole jazz shoes are the best option.  Please no street shoes in the dance studio.

-What time should I arrive for class?
Please arrive about 5 - 10 minutes early to class.  I teach out of my home.  I can't open the door earlier than about 10 - 15 minutes before a class time because I have classes back to back.

-How long does it take to learn Bellydance?
Everyone is different.  You must remember that nobody can ever learn it all.  That's part of the beauty of Bellydance!   There's so much information and so many different styles of Bellydance to choose from, that the journey is endless!  Also because Bellydance is so integrated with many different cultures, it makes the learning experience richer.  Not only do you learn "dance steps," but you'll learn about music, rhythms, gestures, costuming, language and more!  Back to your question though, after about 6 months to a year, you'll feel pretty grounded and confident with the basics, which is the heart of Bellydance.  Advanced movements come from combining basic movements with each other, generating speed, smooth transitions and finally having your own style.  Depending on students' personal goals, dance background and  practice time granted to the art form, everyone's outcome is truly different.

-When do I get to perform?
I give all students who have completed the beginner classes a chance to perform.  Students are eligible to sign up for one or all of the Level One choreographies that they learned.  And of course if you don't want to perform, you don't have to.  Lots of students like to come to class for the camaraderie and exercise!  Students also have the chance to audition for one of my three troupes after they have completed Level One (Pro troupe auditionees must have  a strong background in other forms of dance or be enrolled in Level Three classes.)
  
-I think I'm a really good dancer, and I want to hurry up and become a professional Bellydancer.  What do I need to do?
Performing professionally is whole other animal!  Being a really good dancer is just one aspect of being a true pro.  I wouldn't encourage Beginner and Intermediate level students to be searching out paid dance jobs, or booking professional level jobs and doing them free.  Also, inexperienced students who are looking to be a pro "overnight" as they say, should not "undercut" (charge significantly less than the going rate to get a job) because they are just starting out and don't think they're ready to charge pro rates.  You're either a pro charging pro rates or you're not ready to do pro jobs.  There are so many appropriate opportunities for students of Bellydance to perform like haflas, student nights at restaurants, student troupes and more!  Getting the performance experience you'll need to go pro (if that's your wish) will better serve you in that journey.  What you need to do is study, study, study (the dance, music ,have many choreographies, know the cultures you're dealing with, the business of Bellydance and have a ton of pro costumes and MORE) and take the appropriate performance opportunities when they are available so you'll be prepared for that day when you do your first pro audition.