Thread: Private lessons - Fahtiem vs Sahra Saida???? Anyone else in LA or SF you recommend??

Hi all,

Hope you can help me out with this one, I'm a bit stumped...

I am going to be in LA and San Fransisco in August for my honeymoon, and I want to take a 1-2 hour private lesson from one dancer in LA and one in SF.

I was poking around on the web and checking out dancers. I was thinking of Fahtiem or Sahra Saida in LA, but I don't know which would be the better fit and
I've never seen any video of Sahra - I'm just going on my instructor's verbal recommendation.

My style is American mongrel (I think I got that from Lauren ..l;, ), I like Egyptian style and I'd like to improve in that regard, but I don't think I'll ever BE strictly Egyptian style. My goal is not to be perfectly Egyptian but to be a better, more expressive dancer with good technique.

I consider myself intermediate level. I'd be interested in some good dramatic moves, arms, maybe some tightening of intermediate technique, maybe some combinations. I'm fairly flexible on subject matter, my goal is to be a better dancer when I leave the lesson

What do y'all think? Any advice on an instructor? I was also thinking of Nanna Candelaria when I'm in SF.

Any thoughts, advice, or suggestions would be much appreciated :)

Originally Posted by Asra*

My goal is not to be perfectly Egyptian but to be a better, more expressive dancer with good technique.

Given your current state and your goal, I would recommend Fahtiem. Sahra is a lovely dancer with tons and tons of information on dance and its origins, but I think her influence is the kind you have to pick up gradually over time. Fahtiem, on the other hand, can pack it in. Fahtiem has an instant effect on dancers in her classes, and she's really good at pinpointing stuff you need to work on.

Enjoy your honeymoon! ..g.:

out of the teachers you mentioned, i have only taken from sahra.
i can recommend her highly.

even if you don't want to be strictly egyptian style, a little hard core egyptian technique is good for the brain and the body, imo

Originally Posted by nasila

Given your current state and your goal, I would recommend Fahtiem. Sahra is a lovely dancer with tons and tons of information on dance and its origins, but I think her influence is the kind you have to pick up gradually over time. Fahtiem, on the other hand, can pack it in. Fahtiem has an instant effect on dancers in her classes, and she's really good at pinpointing stuff you need to work on.

Enjoy your honeymoon! ..g.:

Thanks, that is very helpful and just the kind of information I'm looking for :)

And I will enjoy my honeymoon, thank-you. ..l;,

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

out of the teachers you mentioned, i have only taken from sahra.
i can recommend her highly.

even if you don't want to be strictly egyptian style, a little hard core egyptian technique is good for the brain and the body, imo

That's true, very true. I wonder what she can do with me in 2 hours, though.

I have taken with both teachers. I think if you were taking private lessons with either you would benefit greatly. But given that you are American Mongrel, you might find that you got more out of a class with fahteim, as she will build on what you already know.

If you are interested in putting a twist onto your current knowledge base, then I would suggest Sahra. Of course, I <3 both of them to bits! But for totally different reasons!

{{{HUGS}}}

Hmmm....such a tough decision. I am gradually adding more Egyptian into my style, since that what my instructor teaches. I'd love to learn more, but ideally for these private lessons I'd most like something I could apply to any style.

This is a tough call.

Hi,

I had a private with Fahtiem this fall and it was well worth every dollar. She does not mince words or give fake flattery - she is direct and honest. She is an excellent choice if you want to build on your performance dynamic.

If you want to study Egyptian styling, Sahra is a Master.

Lucky you!!!

Sabra*

Originally Posted by Sabra26

Hi,

I had a private with Fahtiem this fall and it was well worth every dollar. She does not mince words or give fake flattery - she is direct and honest. She is an excellent choice if you want to build on your performance dynamic.

If you want to study Egyptian styling, Sahra is a Master.

Lucky you!!!

Sabra*

Yup. It's sounding more and more like Fahtiem is the right choice for me. Thanks to everyone who chimed in. I'd still love to hear more about great instructors in LA or SF so if you've got 2 cents, throw it in!!!

Zahra Zuhair's regular class is great and a bit less pricey than a private...she's doing a melaya luff choreography on Saturdays right now, and also has Mon and Wed classes at her studio. Jenna is also a great vintage oriental style instructor. If you're looking for Egyptian essence, Roxxanne also teaches at their studio near Glendale, GROW YOUR DANCE at DanceGardenLA, offering bellydance, salsa, flamenco, hip hop, ballet & more.....

Lots of my LA favorites are Featured Teachers here: Belly Dance Teachers in Los Angeles

Another ditto that both Sahra and Fahtiem are excellent and you can't go wrong with either.
if you're American Mongrel, you can get a lot of very nice moves from Sahra that are very Egyptian but work nicely with American to give great nuance.

but be sure to check their schedules! Sahra is doing her Journey through Egypt the first weekend of august and Fahtiem's Oasis Dance Magic is the 2nd weekend, so their availability might be limited if they're busy with event work.
another factor to consider is that Fahtiem has her own private studio in her home. and with Sahra, you generally have to find a place since she doesn't have her own studio.

another teacher you should strongly consider a private with is Tamra-henna.
Tamra-henna * Middle Eastern Dancer
T-h is very Egyptian but she is an excellent movement teacher. if there's anything about your dance that's bugging you or you want to achieve a particular look or move and you can't figure out what you're doing wrong or what you need to do to get what you want, she's your person.
she can watch you move for just a minute or so and then diagnose exactly what your issue is, and - more importantly - tell you exactly what you need to do to fix it. she has extensive training in movement analysis and can break down technique in an amazing way. if you want to be a better dancer, she's it.
she's also a total sweetheart.
she has her own private in-home studio too.


whichever of the three you pick, you'll be thrilled with what you come away with.
and as Nasila said, there's always Zahra Zuhair, Jenna and Roxxanne! and Jillina, and Anaheed, and Mesmera....

Aaagh. Can't. Decide.

Originally Posted by Asra*

Aaagh. Can't. Decide.

yep, i can imagine! Los Angeles has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great belly dance teachers. the good news is, if you decide by just flipping a coin, you'll win no matter what!

be sure to check out LA Raqs - Los Angeles Belly Dance to find out what's going on in town when you're here.

Originally Posted by carolynn

yep, i can imagine! Los Angeles has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great belly dance teachers. the good news is, if you decide by just flipping a coin, you'll win no matter what!

be sure to check out LA Raqs - Los Angeles Belly Dance to find out what's going on in town when you're here.

What I wouldn't give to have just a fraction of LA's bellydance teachers within driving distance!!..l;,

I'l check that link out, thanks for all the great advice!!

I certainly can recommend Fahtiem - she's a class act on stage and off, and an incredible teacher! But I'm prejudiced, I'm her #1 fan!

Originally Posted by carolynn

yep, i can imagine! Los Angeles has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great belly dance teachers. the good news is, if you decide by just flipping a coin, you'll win no matter what!

be sure to check out LA Raqs - Los Angeles Belly Dance to find out what's going on in town when you're here.

I had a woman come to me for a few private lessons after her boyfriend got her a gift certificate from me. She loved them but informed me that she'd be moving to Orange County, and so I told her when she got settled to email me and I'd send her some teacher recommendations. I went to the LA Raqs site to see what her options are in Orange Co and I nearly wept with jealousy. ..cr.: I sent her a bunch of names and told her she was the luckiest person I knew!

Well, I've studied with both Fahtiem and Sahra. They are both excellent instructors, dancers, etc., but of course, I am a passionate love of Egyptian style and any time I can study with Sahra, I do. She is absolutely the most humble, down-to-earth instructor I know. She knows so much about this art. However, I think if you want something more American Cabaret, I'd go with Fahtiem. Good luck!

Originally Posted by zorba

I certainly can recommend Fahtiem - she's a class act on stage and off, and an incredible teacher! But I'm prejudiced, I'm her #1 fan!

I was waiting for you to jump in, Zorba!! ..l;,

Well, I may soon be joining Zorba in Fahtiem fan-dom. I think she's my best bet so I'm going to contact her and see if she's available when I'll be in town. If she's not available I'll have to pick a second choice...

Okay. San Francisco needs to represent! There are not that many instructors in San Francisco proper, actually! There are some wonderful tribal and tribal inspired teachers, but it does not sound like that is what you are looking for? If I am wrong let me know and we'll put together a list.

In SF, Amina teaches Egyptian and folkloric. I'm sure she does privates. Lorna Zilba does privates for sure--she is an underrated hidden treasure in my opinion! A dancer's dancer, she can watch you and make the smallest adjustments and really alter the look of your dance in subtle but key ways. Janine Ryle has a very earthy style, she is well rounded and wonderful. Sometimes the Hahbi'Ru folks are around, but they are not teaching regularly at this time. And--I teach in SF and offer privates as well. Let me know if you want info. I have both an extensive pan-Arabic/American Oriental background and an extensive Egyptian style background. I have been studying raqs for over sixteen years, performing/working regularly for much of that time, teaching several multi-level weekly group classes consistently for five+ years, and coaching for about 8. References available. :)

In the east bay there are lots more dancers. Nanna, who you mentioned in your post, is a *great* choice (she is based out of Oakland). She is just wonderful, another hidden treasure of the bay. Michelle Joyce is in Oakland. Dunia is classic American style in Fremont. Leea Aziz and Sharifa are in the farther east bay, as is Najia. All three are excellent and old school and good teachers and dancers. Luna and Alexandria teach in Berkeley (the latter is a local go-to for Ghawazee). Suhaila is in El Cerrito.

I'll let someone else chime in on the peninsula and south bay, but there are even more dancers there. Maybe the biggest density of belly dancers in the entire Bay Area?!

A decent place to get the lay of the land is the Bay Area MECDA site . You can also see who is dancing when and where at the Gilded Serpent calendar . There is also a Bay Area belly dance tribe.

I hope others chime in with options for our out of town honeymooner. Apologies to anyone I spaced out on, don't know, or don't know is currently teaching. I welcome clarification and correction!

Hope this helps. Have a great trip and a great honeymoon! (I love that ou are taking dance classes on our honeymoon, btw.)

Originally Posted by Monica

Okay. San Francisco needs to represent! There are not that many instructors in San Francisco proper, actually! There are some wonderful tribal and tribal inspired teachers, but it does not sound like that is what you are looking for? If I am wrong let me know and we'll put together a list.

In SF, Amina teaches Egyptian and folkloric. I'm sure she does privates. Lorna Zilba does privates for sure--she is an underrated hidden treasure in my opinion! A dancer's dancer, she can watch you and make the smallest adjustments and really alter the look of your dance in subtle but key ways. Janine Ryle has a very earthy style, she is well rounded and wonderful. Sometimes the Hahbi'Ru folks are around, but they are not teaching regularly at this time. And--I teach in SF and offer privates as well. Let me know if you want info. I have both an extensive pan-Arabic/American Oriental background and an extensive Egyptian style background. I have been studying raqs for over sixteen years, performing/working regularly for much of that time, teaching several multi-level weekly group classes consistently for five+ years, and coaching for about 8. References available. :)

In the east bay there are lots more dancers. Nanna, who you mentioned in your post, is a *great* choice (she is based out of Oakland). She is just wonderful, another hidden treasure of the bay. Michelle Joyce is in Oakland. Dunia is classic American style in Fremont. Leea Aziz and Sharifa are in the farther east bay, as is Najia. All three are excellent and old school and good teachers and dancers. Luna and Alexandria teach in Berkeley (the latter is a local go-to for Ghawazee). Suhaila is in El Cerrito.

I'll let someone else chime in on the peninsula and south bay, but there are even more dancers there. Maybe the biggest density of belly dancers in the entire Bay Area?!

SNIP

I hope others chime in with options for our out of town honeymooner. Apologies to anyone I spaced out on, don't know, or don't know is currently teaching. I welcome clarification and correction!

Hope this helps. Have a great trip and a great honeymoon! (I love that ou are taking dance classes on our honeymoon, btw.)

Hooray!! I was hoping someone from the SF area would jump in! Oh, thank you so much for all that information, it's SO helpful. I'm going to do some poking around on the internet on those names you gave me.

You were right about the tribal, I like it but it's not my personal style. I'm looking for something that is possibly Egyptian influenced but applicable to a dance style that's not strictly Egyptian, if that makes any sense.

Off to check them out, thanks again!!!!!

[QUOTE=Asra*;164455]Hi all,


I've never seen any video of Sahra - I'm just going on my instructor's verbal recommendation.

[/I]
Here ya go! Ifound this less than a minute ago while searching through youtube.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB1T31sgOEg]YouTube - SAHARA SAEEDA - EGYPT[/ame]

Hey Damariz, thanks for posting that clip!! I looked on youtube but I was searching under a different spelling of her name.

Well, Sahra is obviously fantastic, but I've decided to go with Fahtiem. I emailed already and she emailed me back the next day and sounded so genuinely nice that I know I've made a good decision.

Now I just need to decide about SF...

Sahra will be doing a workshop in San Diego at our studio, the EDA (Ethnic Dance Academy) in July. 3 hours of Sahra with and hour lecture!
Ya'all come..see the webbie at Bellydance! Bhangra! Bollywood! - The Ethnic Dance Academy - Patrisha Productions by Patrisha & DaVid of Scandinavia
July 13th. its listed under diploma programs, level G (Shame-less plug but she is worth it)

Originally Posted by patrisha

Sahra will be doing a workshop in San Diego at our studio, the EDA (Ethnic Dance Academy) in July. 3 hours of Sahra with and hour lecture!
Ya'all come..see the webbie at Bellydance! Bhangra! Bollywood! - The Ethnic Dance Academy - Patrisha Productions by Patrisha & DaVid of Scandinavia
July 13th. its listed under diploma programs, level G (Shame-less plug but she is worth it)

Believe me, I'd love to be there - unfortunately, I'll still be most of the way across the continent from Dan Diego in July ..l;,

For San Francisco Amina. The real thing and like no one else.

Originally Posted by dancingrrrlz

For San Francisco Amina. The real thing and like no one else.

ditto that. :) Amina's website is welcome to aswandancers.org

Rose

[quote=damariz;166989]

Originally Posted by Asra*

Hi all,


I've never seen any video of Sahra - I'm just going on my instructor's verbal recommendation.

[/I]
Here ya go! Ifound this less than a minute ago while searching through youtube.
YouTube - SAHARA SAEEDA - EGYPT

Perfection! I love it!

I will second Monica as an excellent teacher. I have taken classes with her (and hope to again now that my life has calmed down.) she is very knowledgeable, her lessons are well thought out and she has that sense of musicality that you see mostly in egyptian dancers.

OMG, so many to choose from!! I've been researching as time permits...I don't know how I'm ever going to make up my mind!