Thread: Blinded

I have spent 12 years with the same instructor. Last year I went to my first workshop in Tribal, to say the least I was floored. The instructors were speaking another languges, things I had never heard before, thing I had never seen.
I have discovered that my instructor doesn't know a whole lot. She teaches the same garbage over and over again and I'm stuck right in the middle. I have no rhythm, no basic foundation, I know.....nothing. Where do you find another instructor, that is teaching more?,m::

Hi skipwinch! Too avoid confusion, what style dance does your current instructor teach? Because AmCab (for instance) is very different from Tribal.
Regarding how/where to find another instructor: have you been to Shira.net? She has a pretty great article(s) on finding/choosing an instructor. Of course, there are the listings here and on Shira's site, good place to start. There's also a good article in the last Undulations on-line magazine... I'll get both links for you momentarily...

I will second Shira's site. Belly Dancing -- Art Of Middle Eastern Dance -- Bellydancing in Iowa City

{{{HUGS}}}

Here's Shira's site. It's just a place to begin surfing... I actually recommend you devour the entire site as it's one of the most extensive Middle Eastern resources available on the web but this link does not take you to her home page rather to the How-To page as that is where you will start finding the target info you're looking for.

And here's Undulations... linked you to the beginning of the article.

Good luck!

(((Skipwinch))) I feel so sorry for you to discover this after 12 years!

Maybe it is also a good idea to attend a local hafla, so you can see several teacher from your area and also see how their students dance.

As tribal is a hybrid...you can never tell how some teachers will interpret it.
Along with a small troupe, I dance ATS moves and I teach ATS Improv but many dancers here in the UK teach (an endless) variety of tribal
Many dancers over here have morphed or gone straight to RB-style solo fusion. Some teachers are fusing all sorts folk,flameco, Indian dance.
You can't really say one teacher has it right and another not.
Now Egyptian or Turkish BELLY DANCE might be a different kettle of fish. The styles have evolved although there will be basic premises that never change. And yes there are teachers who are untrained over here, who think they are belly dancers but are in fact bedroom boppers and pass on poor technique to others. There are also teachers who are experienced but who have not carried on learning so seem "behind the times". They may not of course be doing anyone any harm.
At Raks B this weekend, the worst fault of open platform dancers was lack of control..nerves, poor teaching, self taught who knows?
There was a lot of non bellydancing and fusion ...now who can judge that..the rules are not in place? You can only go on entertainment value.

Your teacher may have bumbled along doing what she has always done. It may have been what she has been originally taught and with tribal fusion...who's to say?
That's why I like to say I dance Egyptian style and ATS and folks know where they stand. if they want to do something else...byeeeeee

...and I will carry on going to workshops and tuition probably, hopefully when I have decided too quit teaching.
Did I just ramble on a tad?????????? sorry,r:; ..g.:

I have spent 12 years with the same instructor. Last year I went to my first workshop in Tribal, to say the least I was floored. The instructors were speaking another languges, things I had never heard before, thing I had never seen.
I have discovered that my instructor doesn't know a whole lot. She teaches the same garbage over and over again and I'm stuck right in the middle. I have no rhythm, no basic foundation, I know.....nothing.

Sometimes, I'm glad that moving around the country a bit has forced me to attend different classes with different teachers. Remembering my earlier days, I can see how these situations might develop. I have certainly been instructed by teachers who, whilst conveying many excellent things, were quite rigid in their approach and who had also, for various personal reasons, divorced themselves from the wider dance community and expected their students to do the same. Naturally, this created a certain level of stagnation in their classes, which suited many but not those who wanted to truly improve and get to the 'next level'.

I don't know the particulars of your situation skipwinch but one of the best lessons I have learned so far on my dance journey is to approach all instruction with a certain benign skepticism. I've been lucky enough to be taught by some truly great and well-known teachers but while I always take everything in with great interest, I am careful never to accept one approach as the 'entire gospel'.

Originally Posted by skipwinch

I have spent 12 years with the same instructor. Last year I went to my first workshop in Tribal, to say the least I was floored. The instructors were speaking another languges, things I had never heard before, thing I had never seen.
I have discovered that my instructor doesn't know a whole lot. She teaches the same garbage over and over again and I'm stuck right in the middle. I have no rhythm, no basic foundation, I know.....nothing. Where do you find another instructor, that is teaching more?,m::

I'm so sorry this has happened to you, but at least now you know there is more out there. This is a story I have heard before numerous times. And let me guess, the reason you've stuck with this teacher alone is because she doesn't really encourage her students to explore other classes and workshops? Maybe even actively hides that information from you? And she herself does NOT attend other workshops and classes?

Others have given good advice -- try to see other local teachers in performance. Call them up and ask when they'll be dancing publicly next, then make sure to see them. Once you find someone, you might want to consider a few private lessons so they can address your weak areas and help you get on track to where you want to be.

I wrote an article on choosing teachers. If you go here Nile Breeze Dance Company, then go to dancers resources, you'll see it. Good luck finding a new teacher!

Everyone's got great advice on here. More resources- if you go here: Samira Shuruk Belly Dance and Bollywood and click on Dancer Resources you'll find a section on more organizations and publications. I'd bet tribe.net has some a local tribe where you can find people and events.
Also here
performing and professionalism
I have a section of links to articles on finding good teachers and being good teachers.
Have fun exploring!!

Hey, just to let you know, you are not alone. I was also with the same teacher for about 8 or 9 years. Awesome teacher, except she wouldn't let her students go elsewhere. I did, but never told her until near the end of my time there.
I don't think there is anything wrong with staying with the same group for a long time unless you never venture out. Then you become "another little_____ (insert your instructor's name here)".

Branch out! Have fun! You will probably get really mad at yourself for not stepping out earlier, but be glad you finally did!

Thank you all.....As far as what she teaches, I'm not sure because I haven't been out there to know all the styles. I've signed up for Sadie's summer workshop next month and I'm looking at a workshop with Souhil Kaspar for Rhythem & Movement workshop. I was at a workshop this past weedend in Austin with both of these instructors. My eyes where opened wide.
Thanks again ..g.:

Don't get intimidated at these workshops. It helps if you go with a friend. Remember that you have been taught by one person for a long time, so it will take you a little bit of time to get used to different instructors.
Everyday you will be happier that you broke free! I promise!

...brings back SO many bad memories...

Originally Posted by skipwinch

Thank you all.....As far as what she teaches, I'm not sure because I haven't been out there to know all the styles.

Hmmm, yeah, it's not a good sign that she doesn't name a primary style.w.:... Many dancers are cross trained but still claim a specialty or 2.

Originally Posted by skipwinch

I'm looking at a workshop with Souhil Kaspar for Rhythem & Movement workshop.

Oooo, jealous I am,f:: !

Originally Posted by skipwinch

My eyes where opened wide.
Thanks again ..g.:

Welcome into the light..g.: ! Freedom is sweet!!

And some say egyptian but teach allsorts