Thread: instructors in columbus, ohio?

Can anyone recommend a good instructor in columbus, Ohio? I have a good friend who is looking into finding bellydance classes up there. (she would be a complete beginner)

Originally Posted by portiaangel

Can anyone recommend a good instructor in columbus, Ohio? I have a good friend who is looking into finding bellydance classes up there. (she would be a complete beginner)

The only place I know of is Habeebas. Kira's Oasis is awesome and they are in dayton if that's not too far.

Is Shakira/Liz Fannin still around? No personal experience, but I have heard very good things about her teaching.

I think Conchi is there as well. Not sure how to reach her...but I remember her being so good!

I don't know if Shakira is still teaching, but I *do* know that she is still involved in that dance community. She sent me the following (just an excerpt from a much longer post) in early June:

*Fifth Annual* Show and Personal Best Middle Eastern Dance Competition! [Always the same date, 3rd weekend of July!] This is July 19-20 [Saturday and Sunday], 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. The web site is "Personal Best" Dance Competition | The Annual "Personal Best" Middle Eastern Dance Competition. You can also call 614-846-8662 for information.

I've always recommended Shakira as a "first stop" to anyone looking for a dance teacher in Columbus. If you have a particular style you want to study, she'll know who to recommend to you.

Oh, and since the advent of the wider famed singing Shakira, she's taken on the expanded name of Shakira al Fanninah to alleviate confusion.

Originally Posted by TanyaLV

I think Conchi is there as well. Not sure how to reach her...but I remember her being so good!

conchi is in cincinnati

Originally Posted by Monica

Is Shakira/Liz Fannin still around? No personal experience, but I have heard very good things about her teaching.

She is still around. I can't recommend one way or the other since I haven't taken class with her. I see her at Kira's a lot!

BTW I've sponsored her twice here in Carbondale for teaching workshops (last time was in 2002 if I remember correct) in addition to taking a seminar class with her at BellyJam in Cincinnati back in (?). I thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience (I found her to be an excellent and engaging teacher). Just thought you might like that perspective.

shakira's website: http://www.shakirathedancer.com/index.html

Shakira was active for a long time on the med-dance list, and I always made sure to read what she had to say in terms of physical movement as well as cultural aspects of raqs. She also seems to have the respect of many of my teachers, and that is why when I saw 'Columbus, Ohio', I immediately thought of her!

Shakira is a wonderful teacher/performer and a warm and lovely person. I've been fortunate enough to take several of her workshop classes as well as being in shows that she was in. I also was lucky enough to sit at a table with her and Mr. Reda at a dinner. What a fascinating conversation! She ask him so many interesting questions about his dance experiences.

She would definitely be my number 1 choice for a teacher in Columbus.

Originally Posted by mrsnj20

conchi is in cincinnati

Oh thanks, I guess I remember her dancing in Columbus a few times...

Originally Posted by TanyaLV

Oh thanks, I guess I remember her dancing in Columbus a few times...

oh yes, she does dance in Columbus but only teaches in Cincinnati. I forgot about her dancing gig.

I forgot to mention Laylia! Laylia teaches in Columbus as well as at Kiras in Dayton.
She is an awsome teacher! She also has a dance group at the ohio renaissance fair~the naughty navels

Everyone else got here first, but definitely Shakira! She's a great teacher, has a medical background so is very good on body mechanics, does the bes sword I've ever seen, and has a great approach.

I sponsored her in a workshop and I've seldom learned so much in that setting-and I usually don't get that much when I'm sponsoring.

Kitty

I forgot about Laylia too mrsnj20! She's wonderful as well.

Im an instructor for Habeeba's dance of the Arts in Columbus. Our website is Welcome to Habeeba's Dance of the Arts click columbus. Our studio is great for beginners b/c Habeeba has each step broken down and teaches them in a routine which makes it easier for ppl new to dancing to practice. Feel free to pm me for more info.

Thanks so much for all the recommendations! I will pass all this on to my friend - I'm sure it will help a lot - it's always good to have some point of reference rather than just randomly picking something out of a phone book and hoping :)

I, too, will recommend Habeeba's to you. Of course, I am very partial because I work for Habeeba and know quite a bit about her background and history.

She began bellydancing in 1960, working with Eddie Kochak, Ibrahim, etc. and traveled all over doing her dance. She opened her school in 1971 and has been here ever since. We, at the school, love her!

Feel free to PM me, also, if you have any questions. Hope to see your friend around!

I know Dharma teaches in Columbus. I met her last May in Miami at an Ansuya comprehensive. I remember admiring how well she could do flutters. Later, a few of us went with Ansuya to a restaurant to see one of her friends dance. The dancer pulled Dharma up on stage to dance with her and handed her a cane. All I could think was, "Wow." She was really good. I know she's on Myspace. You could try looking her up that way. Her real name is Rebecca.

I recommend Laylia too! Back when she used to travel through TN, I would take private lessons from her. A lot of things she told me really stuck with me, and even though I was very much a beginner at the time, she gave me concepts that I'm still working on years later. She's very generous, and a fun person to be around. :-)