Student FAQ
-What is Belly Dance?
Belly Dane is an ancient dance form from the middle east. It has influences from Arabia, Persia, Turkey, other surrounding cultures, and even Hollywood! It stems from the folkloric dances of these regions and is ever-changing, even today. Belly Dance has many different styles, but it can be summed up into Cabaret (also called Oriental within the art form), Folkloric, and Fusion. Belly Dance is typically thought of as a women's dance, although many men perform and teach it as well. The movements are concentrated in the torso (chest, belly and hips), but it also has a lot of footwork, arm patterns and turns. Nobody knows for sure what the exact origins are, but it is normally accepted that belly dance is a celebratory dance that has roots in both everyday folkloric dances from around the middle east (themes range from fishing to herding livestock to trying to find a mate to preparing for marriage) and as preparation for childbirth for women.
Belly Dance is great exercise and fun to learn. As you can see, there's a lot about it besides the actual movements. It's a very popular dance form all over the world and there are many famous performers and instructors the world over. Type in "Belly Dance" on YouTube and just try not to get sucked in! You'll love it!
-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 since it's my home. You may call or email me for the home-studio address. Click HERE for a map of the general location.
-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 and back 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. Don't wear athletic trainers because they are meant to grip the floor and you may twist an ankle wearing those and dancing.
-Where can I get one of those pretty hip scarves?
There are lots of places to buy pretty bellydance accessories good for class, practice and performance. See the list of some of my favorite vendors below:
www.BellyDance.com
www.missbellydance.com
www.Dahlal.com
-Do I have to have prior dance experience to join your classes?
Not at all! The "Beginner" level is perfect for first-timers. Everyone is welcome of all backgrounds, sizes and dance experience!
-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. If it's too warm to sit in your car, feel free to relax on the front steps until the door opens. If it's too cold, stay in your car with the heat on until the door opens.
-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! 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 chances to perform. 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!
-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 search out paid dance jobs, or book professional level jobs and do 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.
Belly Dane is an ancient dance form from the middle east. It has influences from Arabia, Persia, Turkey, other surrounding cultures, and even Hollywood! It stems from the folkloric dances of these regions and is ever-changing, even today. Belly Dance has many different styles, but it can be summed up into Cabaret (also called Oriental within the art form), Folkloric, and Fusion. Belly Dance is typically thought of as a women's dance, although many men perform and teach it as well. The movements are concentrated in the torso (chest, belly and hips), but it also has a lot of footwork, arm patterns and turns. Nobody knows for sure what the exact origins are, but it is normally accepted that belly dance is a celebratory dance that has roots in both everyday folkloric dances from around the middle east (themes range from fishing to herding livestock to trying to find a mate to preparing for marriage) and as preparation for childbirth for women.
Belly Dance is great exercise and fun to learn. As you can see, there's a lot about it besides the actual movements. It's a very popular dance form all over the world and there are many famous performers and instructors the world over. Type in "Belly Dance" on YouTube and just try not to get sucked in! You'll love it!
-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 since it's my home. You may call or email me for the home-studio address. Click HERE for a map of the general location.
-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 and back 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. Don't wear athletic trainers because they are meant to grip the floor and you may twist an ankle wearing those and dancing.
-Where can I get one of those pretty hip scarves?
There are lots of places to buy pretty bellydance accessories good for class, practice and performance. See the list of some of my favorite vendors below:
www.BellyDance.com
www.missbellydance.com
www.Dahlal.com
-Do I have to have prior dance experience to join your classes?
Not at all! The "Beginner" level is perfect for first-timers. Everyone is welcome of all backgrounds, sizes and dance experience!
-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. If it's too warm to sit in your car, feel free to relax on the front steps until the door opens. If it's too cold, stay in your car with the heat on until the door opens.
-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! 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 chances to perform. 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!
-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 search out paid dance jobs, or book professional level jobs and do 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.
