Thread: Teacher questions

Hey all!

I've been MIA for awhile, but I'm back, hopefully for good! I've been super stressed out lately (so much so I got the flu 2 weeks ago, and now I may have strep throat!) and belly dancing is the only exercise that relieves it and makes me feel happy again! Even yoga can't touch it!

My question is this, which would be a better teacher? A selection of high quality dvds by professional belly dancers (practiced in front of a full length mirror), or live classes led by teachers with much less belly dancing experience, only 4-5 years at the most. I like pretty much any style, so that isn't what I don't like about the local teachers. Their dancing, while technically not that bad, isn't captivating like what I find elsewhere. And their arm movements aren't very graceful, which is my weak spot, so I need really good examples to get better! Should I practice with the dvds, then take classes every so often to see if they correct my form?

Thanks!

Rachel

Hard one. Normally I'd always go for a live teacher - but how much can someone with 4-5 years experience actually teach? Yes, they may be able to execute movements. But it takes more than a couple of years to fit everything together - the background, the music, how different styles look and influence each other, body mechanics, student learning styles, ....

And it's those things many DVDs don't have either (except Shareen el Safy's ..g.: ) Watching DVDs can lead to you "dancing" by just putting "moves" together. The other drawback is that you need to be able to really see what the teacher is trying to teach and what you are actually doing - this skill is not available to everyone - and often those who lack it the most are least aware of it! With a (good) live teacher you can be pulled back on task.

But sounds like you don't have a good live teacher. How about DVDs and private lessons with someone maybe further away - but more experienced - every couple of months?

Bit of both? What level are you at?

Dvds are good if you have self discipline but best when reinforced with some sort of real life feedback. Regular classes, privates, workshops or even a mentoring relationship.

Dvd + private lesson where you specify what to work on would probably be cool if you really don't think a regular class with a local teacher can give you what you need at this point in your dance education.
And dropping in on a regular class might not end up even touching on what you want to work on personally... so private is the way to go there.

Any chance of workshops? An intense weekend will give you piles of material to work through that may keep you occupied for months.

A regular class is good if you don't have the motivation to work on your own and it's also good for networking and community reasons...performance ops etc. You may also meet a fellow student with similar motivations to you and you could provide feedback to each other when working on something not covered in class.

snap Kashmir :-)

i agree that both would be best.

if you are in the beginning of your dance experience, saturation is key. the live class can be good, even if just to drill the basics and become involved in the belly dance community. if nothing else, it will be fun to practice in class with others.

then use the dvd's to develop and practice your technique, etc.

also, try to take workshops from master teachers when they are in your area

like any other learned skill, saturation and practice are key.

Another vote for occasional privates with a qualified teacher over classes with the inexperienced teacher. The inexperienced teacher will just waste your time and money and lead to you developing bad posture and movements and then getting them ingrained into your muscle memory.

DVDs supplement work with a teacher.

Workshops are great *but* they don't replace work with a regular teacher because most of the time, workshop instructors don't provide much individualized correction. So again, these supplement.

Thanks for the info! That is sorta what I was thinking. I keep looking for other teachers in the local area, unfortunately, all the local teachers have about the same experience. The other teachers I have found are 1-2 hour drives one way, and with gas sprinting towards $4, I'm not sure I could afford the gas and private lesson cost!

I really do miss the fun of group classes. It is easy to lose motivation when it is only me. :(

I did take classes from a professional Russian belly dancer for about 6 months about a year ago, when her husband was stationed nearby, and the effectiveness and quality of her classes ruined me on the other ones! :) Unfortunately, he got reassigned and they moved. :(

On average, how much would private lessons cost? At the most I could probably do 1 private lesson a month right now. I would love to go to workshops, but I never really hear about any in Kansas. The farthest I could drive would probably be 3 hours, but there isn't much in a 3 hour driving radius around Manhattan, KS! :) I do work at the front gate of the Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, KS on some of the weekends during its run in the fall, so maybe I could schedule some then if I can find a teacher. I'm open to pretty much any style! I love them all, but I'm also leaning towards fusions since I tend to learn about everything and then just pick my favorite parts. :) I'm also going to Miami November 2008 for a week for The Wildlife Society national convention, and I would love to do some belly dancing down there! Anybody have recommendations?

Thanks!

Rachel

I find that at my level, a private one a month with a high level teacher (and I drive nearly 2 hours each way for mine) is way more valuable than weekly classes with a less experienced one. I think the key is that you have to take home what you learn with them and really work on it until the next lesson.

Midwest Bellydance Happenings

Hi Rachel,
You might want to refer to this website for upcoming workshops - it's kept fairly up-to-date.

I agree with those who say that your opportunity to learn this dance will be strongest if you take one private lesson a month from an experienced instructor. And I agree that poor teachers can teach bad habits that are then hard to break.

However...

I completely see your point that it's hard to stay motivated without a weekly classroom experience. So my feedback will be a little different from what some other folks have said.

I suggest trying a one-time drop-in class with each of the local teachers. Analyze your reactions to each. Did the instructor move beautifully herself? Do you aspire to move the same way she does? What kind of pain did you feel in your body after class - in other words, was she teaching a technique that could hurt you? Did either one correct your errors, and did her corrections make sense to you? Was the general personality of the class warm and inviting, or cold and competitive?

Assuming you can find a local instructor who comes out okay according to the above criteria, you could consider attending that person's weekly classes to keep yourself motivated and enjoy the social aspects of the dance, and then do a monthly private lesson with a highly experienced instructor farther away to help you refine your skills. If you feel you're reaching a point where your private-lesson instructor is trying to correct problems introduced by the local group class instructor, then you may need to withdraw from the group class.

Personally, I've always believed it's beneficial to experience multiple instructors rather than to go to only one. That way, you can take input from multiple sources and use a little of each to create your own personal style.

Originally Posted by shimmy21

The other teachers I have found are 1-2 hour drives one way, and with gas sprinting towards $4, I'm not sure I could afford the gas and private lesson cost!

Spare a thought for us - our low octane petrol is NZD1.89/litre - which is about USD5.55/gallon! And yes, I have a number of students who commute from out of town on a weekly basis - including one who has well over an hour's drive (each way) for a 75 minute class. Makes me feel guilty for contributing to Global Warming .w.:

*carbon taxes Kashmir*

Shira,

Thanks for the info, but the problem is all the teachers belong to one school, and they don't allow drop ins. :( You pay for 6 class sessions during a certain time, and if you miss one, you don't even get your money back and you can't make it up at a different class. I did however find a local teacher I didn't know about before! She used to teach with the school, but they had a falling out, and I didn't know she started teaching her own classes. She has about as much experience as the other teachers, but in my opinion, dances more gracefully, makes better choreographies, and teaches tribal. I would still like to take some classes with more experienced teachers.

I'm really worried about expenses, so right now, I know I can't afford private lessons. I got laid off from one of my jobs because the unit was restructured and went through budget cuts, and they don't have enough for part time workers during the summer, which I have to be since I'm taking classes. I'll probably get hired back during the fall, but that leaves 3 months I can't afford to be unemployed! My other job doesn't pay well, so a lot really hinges on finding a good job with flexible hours in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for all the help!

Rachel

Originally Posted by laura 2

I find that at my level, a private one a month with a high level teacher (and I drive nearly 2 hours each way for mine) is way more valuable than weekly classes with a less experienced one. I think the key is that you have to take home what you learn with them and really work on it until the next lesson.

I totally agree with this! I have been taking regular classes for over six years, have taken numerous workshops and have some excellent technique DVDs by my favourite dancers. And not enough time to practice outside of attending class, show rehearsals and prepping and teaching my own classes.

I am finding now that I am at the place where a lot of the classes or workshops are not presenting anything I don't already know. I am realizing that though I won't stop taking classes or workshops what I really need now is even more intense practice sessions with myself. I need time to focus on drilling and working on the tools and knowledge I have accumulated. Refining arms and hands, working harder on projection and stage presence, playing around so that I feel more comfortable and confident in my own skin and in my own personality in performance.

While I was at the IBCC recently, I saw a LOT of amazing dancers - they had looks, costuming, technique, musicality but most were forgettable the next day because they lacked that certain something that stays with you long after you've watched the performance - I think it's the personality and projection that it missing.

I would rather be less physically "perfect," have a less expensive costume, be less technically amazing but have the stage presence that means I will be remembered in a positive way.

Of course, in a perfect world I would prefer to have it all and I certainly won't stop striving for that . . .

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I agree with those who say that your opportunity to learn this dance will be strongest if you take one private lesson a month from an experienced instructor. And I agree that poor teachers can teach bad habits that are then hard to break.

I agree wholeheartedly! Like Laura said, you just have to take what you learned home and REALLY WORK on it.