Going from student to teacher is a transition that many students of Belly Dance choose to take at some point.  Sometimes dancers fall in love with teaching.  Sometimes they find it's not for them.  Since there isn't a standardized system or universal certification program for Belly Dance that dictates when someone is qualified to teach, you'll have to compare yourself to other teachers you look up to and see if you are headed in the right direction.  Here are a few questions to ask yourself to see if you may be ready to call yourself a Belly Dance Instructor:

-How long have you been studying the art of Belly Dance? 
The length of time isn't as important as the amount and quality of information you've learned AND whether or not you have applied what you've learned to actual choreographing and performance experience.  

What is the current level that you've mastered?  Really MASTERED - not just checked-off a list of 2 hour workshops that you took years ago?
Try to be objective about what your level of expertise is and what you're capable of teaching.  You don't have to be a pro to teach beginner classes, but having a broad foundation and years of training are going to be more beneficial to both your students and your reputation as an instructor.  Different teachers excel at teaching different levels of students.  To teach a beginner-level class, an instructor should be a master of at least basic advanced movement vocabulary, which includes mastery of layering multiple movements, good isolation skills and smooth transitions.  In addition to executing and teaching correct technique, instructors should know the basic rhythms used in Belly Dance music, know the general abridged history of the dance, know the different styles that make up Belly Dance and the countries/cultures they come from.

-How many teachers have you had?
It's important to have a variety of techniques and styles to pull from in order to create well-rounded class formats for your students.  

-Have you immersed yourself into it?
Students are going to ask questions, a lot of questions.  And the more experience YOU have as a student, the better teacher you'll make.

-Do you have a repertoire of choreographies?
At some point after you have taught your students the basic movements of Belly Dance, they're going to want to learn a complete routine.  Have a variety of choreographies ready to teach that represent different styles and skill levels.

-Do you have performance experience?
Teachers who have the nitty-gritty "field experience" will make better instructors.  There's no way around it.  Going THROUGH a variety of actual performance experiences is how you will be able to teach more than just moves.  You'll be able to teach performance skills and, if you're a regularly working professional performer, you'll be able to pass on business skills, too.

When marketing yourself as a soloist, figure out how to stand out from the crowd.  What do YOU do that's special?  Do you have a signature movement that's a crowd pleaser?  Do you have original and beautiful costumes?  Do you have cultural knowledge that adds variety and sophistication to your shows?

Once your have figured out your special selling point, apply it to your marketing materials like professional photographs, business cards, video clips and an easy to navigate website.

Then apply to dance as a soloist in gala shows, restaurants and advertise your performances for hire in party and event directories online and in print.  You will receive more invitations for paid performances at private functions if you are seen at festivals and restaurants.  One gig leads to another!

And finally, in order to maintain a growing solo performance business, be sure to promptly return emails and phone calls inquiring about your services.  Quote prices that reflect the market you're in, be on time to your events, have exciting music that reflects the culture of the people who hired you.  And be sure to have your music on many different media including CD, mp3 files and on a flash drive.  And of course, present an amazing, memorable performance!

Read "How Do I Know When I'm Ready To Dance Professionally" for more details on being a professional belly dance soloist.

This is a hard one to answer.  Based on what I know about Zumba, you have to be certified to teach it and to use the name, which maybe you are.  If you don't follow their format exactly, but you are using the name Zumba, you may be encroaching on some legalities of their program.  I don't know for certain.   Zumba doesn't own Latin dance steps, so you can create a class that mixes belly dance and Latin dance.

Using modern, mainstream pop music also brings up issues of copyright infringement.  If your gym already has a license to use certain music, then it may be ok to use some modern pop songs in your classes.  The laws may also vary from country to country.

There is potential for copyright issues with music intended for belly dance, too.  You just have to do your research and cover all bases.  Some musicians require permission to use their music whether it's for a YouTube video or a public dance class or for a DVD production.

The next question to ask yourself is do you really want to use mainstream pop music when teaching belly dance?  I can see how that may be appealing, but I think it's great to expose people to the beautiful sounds of Middle Eastern music.  Since there are so many modern remixes of classical Middle Eastern songs, this could be your way to get students interested in belly dance as an art form beyond the gym!  Your fitness class could be a door to the world of belly dance for many people, and you could grow attendance in your regular belly dance classes.  You could even conclude each fitness class with a mini-performance of traditional belly dance to a classical arrangement of one of the techno songs you used.   Plus, students love to see their teachers perform things that they're learning!

If you like the way Zumba formats their classes, use it as inspiration to create your own class.  I used to teach a belly dance aerobics class at a "Lady of America" gym years ago.  I created the movement format by choosing basic steps that were easy to pick up for new students.  The moves repeated frequently for students to catch-on, but there was enough variety so it wouldn't get boring.  I incorporated non belly dance moves like squats and lunges to add to the fitness aspect of the class.  I compiled a music CD with upbeat Middle Eastern inspired techno music that had a steady tempo.

Some of my favorite techno albums are by Said Mrad, DJ Elie Attieh and Harem.

Good luck!

Hi Annie!  Thank you for sending in your question!  I hope I can help you.  Directing and teaching a student performance group can be both a rewarding and an occasionally frustrating experience.  Rewarding because of the comradery, the creative outlet, having fun and making lasting memories and friends.  Frustrating because it's difficult to manage large groups of people, it's impossible to please everyone all the time and unfortunately misunderstandings do arise and conflicts have to be handled.  But I do think the rewards FAR out weigh the frustrations!    Here is a list of By-Laws that I used for years when I directed my student troupe, "Strictly Belly Dance."  And below that is my "Performance Checklist and Guidelines" so the dancers I work with will know ahead of time what the troupe expectations are.

• Open to Beginner - Advanced Level Students
  
• Team Work and Positive attitudes are a MUST!
  
• Must be enrolled in the progressive curriculum (at least 1 class a week) + the bi-monthly rehearsals
  
• Performance opportunities at Bellydance shows and festivals – 4-6 x per year
  
• Rehearsal Time: Every other Saturday 11am-1pm (schedule is made on a month by month basis)
  
• Must attend the class(es) you’re signed up for (at least 8 out of 10 classes per 10-week session)
  
• Must be enrolled in a class with Sa’diyya. If you want to take the other classes offered by other instructors, you may double up.
  
• Must not miss more than the equivalent of 1 rehearsal per 3 months (over 3 months, there will be only 6 rehearsals).
• Being late more than 15 minutes counts as half a missed rehearsal. This will be applied to the attendance requirements.
• Yearly costume budget: up to $500
• Needs to attend 2 Belly Dance workshops per year from other instructors besides Sa’diyya
• Needs to view 5 Belly Dance shows per year: Restaurants, Haflas, Gala seminar shows, etc.
  
• Auditions will be held twice a year approximately in June/July and January/February for new members only – current members are not required to re-audition.
• A $5 per rehearsal troupe due is required ($15 per 6-week session)

• All members are required to perform a minimum of 3 times as a part of the company each calendar year 
  
• All members are required to perform at least 2 ongoing class choreographies at the annual concerts each year
  
• All members are required to perform at the student haflas (4-6 projected for each year) 1-3 times per year
  
• Troupe members, present or past, are asked not to perform or teach troupe choreographies. Troupe choreographies are reserved for troupe performances organized by Sa’diyya
  
• Troupe members are asked to direct troupe booking inquiries (multiple dancers: 2 - ?) to Sa’diyya, whether the inquiry is received at an event/performance opportunity given by Sa’diyya or any other time (in conversation, other performances not through Sa’diyya, etc.)
  
• (For professional-level dancers) When performing at events where Sa’diyya booked you, always direct any class or solo/troupe performance inquiries to Sa’diyya (requested soloists will be booked through Sa’diyya.) In this situation, Sa’diyya acts as an agent and books paid performances starting at $175 per dancer. Sa’diyya takes a small percentage when performers are booked through her since the performers receive the job due to their connection with Sa’diyya. This percentage serves as a reimbursement for Sa’diyya’s efforts in advertising performers for hire.
  
• If you are at the appropriate level to receive and execute professional-level performance jobs, it is okay to create and follow your own job leads at any time other than at events/performance opportunities given by Sa’diyya. Please do not “undercut” the local “going rate,” which starts at $200  PER 15-30 minute show for private functions and starts at $75  PER 15-30 minute show for restaurants.  All the rates listed above are PER dancer.
  
• All current troupe members will receive first dibs on doubling/tripling up on additional classes each session. Troupe members may sign up one week earlier than the posted multiple class registration date.

I also offer some guidelines and expectations before the actual audition so everyone is "on the same page."

Audition Process:

-All dancers should be in full costume (whatever that is for you – use what’s available if you don’t have a full costume) with glamorous hair and makeup for the duration of the audition process.

1) Solo
a) Any Belly Dance style
b) 2-3 minutes in length, including entrance and exit
c) Doesn’t have to be your own choreography (you may freestyle or use a choreography from another instructor or DVD.)
d) Need an intro card that includes choreographer, style and music

2) On the Spot Choreography taught at audition by Sa’diyya
a) To be only a few measures in length
b) Auditionees need to learn moves, technique and sequence quickly without many questions.

3) Interview
a) personal one-on-one interview lasting about 10 minutes
b) Auditionees should leave after the interview is finished
c) Please don’t discuss the interview questions with others before you leave.

Critiques and Results:
-Results will be given during the interview.
-Auditioning doesn’t guarantee a spot in any troupe
-Remember the fact that you auditioned is great because you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
-If you don’t make it this time, try again!
-The feedback is meant to help you! Take what you want – Leave what you don’t want!
-Critiques given will include strengths and weaknesses for all auditionees
-Any dancer who doesn’t pass the audition process can use the feedback for future auditions.
-Remember that by auditioning for any of my troupes, you are non-verbally stating that you value my insight and trust my judgment – Don’t get mad at me if you don’t pass the auditions this time!!! This is coming from somebody who has auditioned and competed countless times - I made some and I didn’t others. Your only functional choice is to learn from the experience. Thank you for auditioning and Good Luck!

Requirements:
-Rehearsal Times: Every Other Saturday 11am-1pm (we schedule month by month)
-Beginner - Advanced Level Students
-Team Work and Positive attitudes are a MUST!
-Must register for any weekly class
-Must attend the class(es) you’re signed up for (at least 8 out of 10 classes per 10-week session)
-2X per month rehearsals (sometimes more if we are preparing for a performance)
-Must not miss more than the equivalent of 1 rehearsal per 3 months (over 3 months, there will be only 6 rehearsals!)
-Yearly costume budget: $500 max
-Needs to attend 2 Belly Dance workshops per year from other instructors besides Sa’diyya
-Needs to view 5 Belly Dance shows per year @ -Restaurants -Haflas -Gala seminar shows -etc.
-Auditions will be held twice a year approximately in June/July and January/February

I have found that presenting these expectations before-hand to students helps to significantly lower the amount of misunderstandings and irresponsible or unprofessional behavior (which is typically on accident.)  Usually, students WANT to do a good job while having FUN and being CREATIVE.  Most of time, if you have issues, it's usually because of miscommunication and a lack of goals being stated clearly up front.  I suggest you sit down and write out what you want from the experience of directing a troupe and don't forget to also list what you want the troupe members to get out of it, too.  Even go as far as to give out a survey to find out what's going on in the minds of the dancers in your troupe.  I have a sample survey below that I've used:

How difficult is class for you?
Easy - Could Move Faster - Just Right/Challenging - Could Move Slower - Extremely Frustrating

Do you wish more time was spent on technique?
No - Sometimes - Often/Half ‘n Half - Most of the Time - Yes, Always

Do you like the choreographies that are taught?
No - Sometimes - Often/Half ‘n Half - Most of the Time - Yes, Always

Would you like more personal critiquing, whether it’s (gently) in front of everyone and/or as I walk around and correct individually (please specify which, or if both)?

What are your favorite parts of class and/or things you’ve learned?

What do you want to learn?

From what you know and have seen, what style of belly dance is your favorite? (Circle as many as you want.)
American Cabaret - Folkloric - Egyptian Raks Sharqi - ClassicTribal Style - Tribal/Ethnic Fusion

Do you look forward to class/rehearsal every week?
No - Sometimes - Often/Half ‘n Half - Most of the Time - Yes, Always

Do you feel that the environment is friendly?
No - Sometimes - Often/Half ‘n Half - Most of the Time - Yes, Always

Do you have fun?
No - Sometimes - Often/Half ‘n Half - Most of the Time - Yes, Always

What’s missing for you?  What’s working (that you don’t want to see changed)?

What are your suggestions for class/rehearsal?

Would you like one-on-one progress reports?

Are you happy with the type of performances so far (as in haflas/concert performances?)

Do you feel that it is moving too fast (as in taking up too much of your personal time?)

Do you wish we rehearsed more?

Do you feel that you can be honest with me and tell me if you have a concern/problem?

Can you invest up to $500 a year on costuming?  If not, what’s your limit?

Do you get along with everyone?

Name (If you’d like):Thank You! ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE FOR ME TO KNOW….

I would also like to add that it's important to figure out ahead of time and communicate what the dynamic of your troupe will be.  Meaning, are you, as the director, the sole creator of dances, gigs and general organization of the troupe, or do you have a plan to delegate these responsibilities to your troupe members?  Are all of the dances created a group effort?  Some are and some aren't?  How will you split any money earned by the group?  Who decides what the troupe is going wear?  Who decides what kind of gigs the troupe is going to try to dance at?  These are important questions that need to be answered before putting a troupe together.

Feel free to use any of this information as inspiration for your own by-laws, guidelines or surveys!  I sincerely hope this information was helpful.  Let me know if you have any more questions!

Sincerely,
Sa'diyya