What to look for when selecting your Middle Eastern dance teacher.
If you're new to belly dancing you probably don't know where to start looking for a belly dance teacher. Here we give some tips on what to look out for and how to go about it.
The information listed on the Teachers and Groups page is all supplied by the teachers themselves. We don't ask for references and we don't verify what they tell us... However, this is a small community and most teachers know each other. If one of them were to make exaggerated claims the word would soon get around.
Some teachers may have a mini curriculum vitae listed on our teachers and groups page, some may have a link to their own website and others may just list their name and contact information. Those with the mini C.V. or their own website are not necessarily better than the ones with just the name and contact info.
OK, so far that's not very helpful, is it? Belly dance teachers don't have to take exams before they can list themselves as such, there's no national standards board and no national or international governing body.
Let's get down to the advice. Remember, you are not applying for a job... you're considering paying them to teach you. This isn't like school, you have a choice. Ask your friends. If you have friends who belly dance ask for a referral to someone they consider to be good. If not, try calling the teachers nearest to you and ask to observe a lesson. You can alsoabout their belly dance experience; how long have they been belly dancing? Have they performed? If so, as an amateur or as professional? How long have they been teaching? Do they take classes or workshops from more experienced teachers? Do they have public liability insurance? Remember, you're the one doing the interviewing. Be specific about asking for their belly dance experience, someone may have been teaching ballroom dance for 20 years but only have taken their first belly dance lesson 6 months ago. No belly dance teacher would expect to be able to offer classes in ballet without extensive additional training, the reverse should also be the case.
You may not know anything about belly dance but you can tell when someone is friendly and helpful and when they're not. Most teachers will have no problem with letting you stand on the sidelines of their class and watch. if they're smart they may even invite you to join in with the class. Don't feel you have to make a commitment right away, although if you're happy with what you've seen and heard there's no reason why you shouldn't.
There is also no reason why you shouldn't check out two or three other teachers too, if there are that many within the area you're prepared to travel in. Don't forget that this is something you're going to be doing for fun. You can choose which teacher and which class you feel will best help you achieve that.
Most teachers also perform. If you're unsure you could ask when they will next be performing and go along to watch... if it's at an event for which the public have to pay, expect to pay the going rate, many of these shows are charity fundraisers so pay up cheerfully!
A good teacher may not be a world class performer and a good performer may not be able to teach for toffee. You are the customer, it's your choice. Few teachers will pressure you. The world of Middle Eastern Dance is not a highly competitive one (with exceptions) and most will respect your right to shop around. If one does seem offended then you're probably better off with someone else anyway.
Finally, if you select a teacher and find it isn't working out you have the option to leave her classes and look elsewhere; sometimes personalities and styles clash and to move on does not necessarily reflect negatively on either you or your teacher... just make sure you do it politely and pleasantly because you're likely to keep bumping into each other at events.
Good luck!
For another article on how to select a teacher follow this link to www.afraalkahira.com
If you're new to belly dancing you probably don't know where to start looking for a belly dance teacher. Here we give some tips on what to look out for and how to go about it.
The information listed on the Teachers and Groups page is all supplied by the teachers themselves. We don't ask for references and we don't verify what they tell us... However, this is a small community and most teachers know each other. If one of them were to make exaggerated claims the word would soon get around.
Some teachers may have a mini curriculum vitae listed on our teachers and groups page, some may have a link to their own website and others may just list their name and contact information. Those with the mini C.V. or their own website are not necessarily better than the ones with just the name and contact info.
OK, so far that's not very helpful, is it? Belly dance teachers don't have to take exams before they can list themselves as such, there's no national standards board and no national or international governing body.
Let's get down to the advice. Remember, you are not applying for a job... you're considering paying them to teach you. This isn't like school, you have a choice. Ask your friends. If you have friends who belly dance ask for a referral to someone they consider to be good. If not, try calling the teachers nearest to you and ask to observe a lesson. You can alsoabout their belly dance experience; how long have they been belly dancing? Have they performed? If so, as an amateur or as professional? How long have they been teaching? Do they take classes or workshops from more experienced teachers? Do they have public liability insurance? Remember, you're the one doing the interviewing. Be specific about asking for their belly dance experience, someone may have been teaching ballroom dance for 20 years but only have taken their first belly dance lesson 6 months ago. No belly dance teacher would expect to be able to offer classes in ballet without extensive additional training, the reverse should also be the case.
You may not know anything about belly dance but you can tell when someone is friendly and helpful and when they're not. Most teachers will have no problem with letting you stand on the sidelines of their class and watch. if they're smart they may even invite you to join in with the class. Don't feel you have to make a commitment right away, although if you're happy with what you've seen and heard there's no reason why you shouldn't.
There is also no reason why you shouldn't check out two or three other teachers too, if there are that many within the area you're prepared to travel in. Don't forget that this is something you're going to be doing for fun. You can choose which teacher and which class you feel will best help you achieve that.
Most teachers also perform. If you're unsure you could ask when they will next be performing and go along to watch... if it's at an event for which the public have to pay, expect to pay the going rate, many of these shows are charity fundraisers so pay up cheerfully!
A good teacher may not be a world class performer and a good performer may not be able to teach for toffee. You are the customer, it's your choice. Few teachers will pressure you. The world of Middle Eastern Dance is not a highly competitive one (with exceptions) and most will respect your right to shop around. If one does seem offended then you're probably better off with someone else anyway.
Finally, if you select a teacher and find it isn't working out you have the option to leave her classes and look elsewhere; sometimes personalities and styles clash and to move on does not necessarily reflect negatively on either you or your teacher... just make sure you do it politely and pleasantly because you're likely to keep bumping into each other at events.
Good luck!
For another article on how to select a teacher follow this link to www.afraalkahira.com