Thread: How do you choose an instructor?

How do you go about choosing a teacher when you have a style in mind, but not many teachers in your area?

After dancing on and off for a few years, using the skills from a couple of classes, youtube, and lots of Arab culture, I've realized my dance needs more refinement. I have found a number of teachers in the area, but many don't have videos of their styles/skills on the internet. Were it beginning dance, it might not matter... but after having performed a few times, I feel I'm targeting certain styles that not all instructors teach.

Is it inappropriate to email someone and ask for examples of their performances?

And secondly, do most teachers agree to one-on-one workshops, especially if a student doesn't want to take a regular class or needs closer mentoring? For example, to critique a choreography?

Or... what do you all do when you need critique of a choreography?

Thanks! :)

These are all interesting questions. I will be watching this thread to see the answers! I'm kind of in the same situation...wanting refinement.

Well, I know many teachers offer private lessons - of course they're more expensive than group lessons but well worth it, especially when you're interested in refining your technique, or for choreography critique, certainly.

I would contact teachers, ask them what styles they specialise in, and ask if you can attend a class to see if they're a good match for your dancing goals. As for asking for examples of performances, well, be prepared that some just won't have digital recordings to send you. Maybe ask if they perform (maybe at a local restaurant, or retirement home, whatever), and if so, would it be possible for you to attend one of these performances?

Does your area have an active dance community? In my area, you could attend a single hafla or workshop show and see at least half to 3/4 of the local teachers perform in one night! (attend the workshop and you can watch them interact with others, meet them and get a feel for their personality, plus see how they move all day long).

Haflas in our area usually involve several teachers as well.

There are a few instructors who rarely make it to local haflas or workshop shows, because they are working pros who perform every Friday & Saturday night. But it's still pretty easy to track them down, go to one of their restaurant shows and get a feel for their style and technique and chat with them a little bit after the show.

You could contact the teachers and ask to be added to their mailing lists, which would make it easier to find out about stuff like haflas where you might be able to see them dance.

Most teachers will do private lessons, if their schedules permit.

If you're looking for a critique of a choreography, you could also consider contacting a teacher you admire in another town and see if she would be available to critique a video of you doing that choreography.

How do you go about choosing a teacher when you have a style in mind, but not many teachers in your area? You drive. Get private instruction from an instructor you admire. You're better off taking fewer classes and getting what you want, rather than paying for classes you aren't enjoying or benefiting from. You can also buy performance and instructional videos and study them to death... Between private lessons and videos, there is enough material to keep you busy for a lifetime if you really dissect and study the material hard.

Is it inappropriate to email someone and ask for examples of their performances? Not at all!

And secondly, do most teachers agree to one-on-one workshops, especially if a student doesn't want to take a regular class or needs closer mentoring? For example, to critique a choreography? I'm sure most do as permits.

Or... what do you all do when you need critique of a choreography? My teacher isn't in the same town, so I send video footage.

These are all useful reponses, thanks. To answer your question Lauren, Ann Arbor and the vicinity seems to be one of the few places without a hafla, outside of SCA. The SCA has been helpful, but everyone has a different specialty and most of them are too nice to be critical!

I've thought of trying to organize a hafla, which might work out if I can set aside some time to plan it. I keep thinking, though, if only I took classes in a studio, practicing and planning events would be much easier...

And about driving out further... yes, I'm thinking I ought to be expanding my horizons and find someone I could even meet on my sparse visits to chicago or new york.

I have a fear of emailing an instructor, seeing her stuff, and feeling bad saying, "I'm sorry, this is not what I'm looking for." I don't want to hurt someone's feeling. For those of you who are teachers, do people come by and say that, and how would you take it?

Originally Posted by lallakahina

I have a fear of emailing an instructor, seeing her stuff, and feeling bad saying, "I'm sorry, this is not what I'm looking for." I don't want to hurt someone's feeling. For those of you who are teachers, do people come by and say that, and how would you take it?

This is a good question. I get people inquiring about classes almost every day, and occasionally people who come to watch a class as well. Usually they don't tell me much about their background, so I never know whether I'm talking to a total noob or an experienced student. Sometimes they come sign up for my classes, sometimes not. No one has ever said 'Sorry, you're not what I'm looking for' they just don't sign up. I've never chased after anyone and asked them why not! If someone did say that, it *might* sting just a bit, unless they say 'I'm looking for urban Gypsy tribal fusion' (in which case I could refer them to the perfect private instructor).

If you're looking for a very specific style, like Goth or Turkish or Modern Egyptian, I think it might save everyone time if you just ask about that style up front rather than asking what styles people teach and sitting through a lot of information that won't be relevant to you. "I'm looking for an instructor with a strong background in X, do you have any experience with that?" if not, "Can you recommend someone in the area who does?"

Originally Posted by Sariah

These are all interesting questions. I will be watching this thread to see the answers! I'm kind of in the same situation...wanting refinement.

Me too, although I think private lessons are the only way.

I'd first consider what I want to learn. For instance, if you're interested in fusion styles, it is always a good idea to learn the basics, even if you don't plan on using let's say Turkish style and want to only do tribal fusion. One of my friends predominantly takes lessons from more cabaret-based people, but she also performs gothic belly dance stuff; I think she supplements with workshop that come into the area.

Secondly, I'd ask around and be specific about the style you're interested in. Are you just doing a Google search or have you actually asked people? Sometimes you actually have to network to find your teacher.

I also don't think it's a bad idea to ask to see video; I find some websites not particularly up to date with that stuff, and they have video on YouTube but for whatever reason, never got around to linking it to their page.

If you have some established teacher or organizer friends in the area, perhaps see if they're willing to sponsor a workshop for someone who does the style you want. If you want something more individual, most times a workshop teacher offers time slots for private lessons. They charge for those, of course, but it might be worth it.

most teachers will let you "drop" in to there class for a one time low fee. I would do that if i could not see them in a hafla

So far, the suggestions I've got are for dance schools or community centers-- usually from friends who know I am just generally interested in bellydance-- without any teachers or styles in mind.

Since I like to mix a variety of styles (fusion, flamenco, cabaret), the teacher's style might not matter as much as her skills. There's such a variation in the techniques and strengths of each dancer (as I've seen on youtube), and I'd love to find a teacher with a well-rounded background in zills, skirts, swords, and all those fancy moves that I just can't figure out on my own :p
I like the idea of sitting in a class/ watching a performance. I guess I've been depending too much on internet and should take more of an active approach to my search...
And again, thanks for all these suggestions... it's great motivation!

Originally Posted by indigostars

Secondly, I'd ask around and be specific about the style you're interested in. Are you just doing a Google search or have you actually asked people? Sometimes you actually have to network to find your teacher.

Although watching a potential teacher dance can be useful, if you are looking for a teacher rather than a performer it's usefulness can be limited. Some fabulous dancers are poor to average teachers. And sometimes a poorer dancer may have spent time studying what makes a good dancer and is better at explaining and teaching - even if their own body has limitations.

In your situation, I'd probably try and attend a range of classes as a casual - if that is an option (with my own intermediates I don't usually allow drop ins). From there, work out who you'd like to do some private lessons with.

For privates, you get the most out of it if you know exactly what you want to learn. Be specific. In an ongoing class, the teacher (should) work out the medium and long term goals and chip away week after week. With a private, which will be far more expensive, you may only do one a month so it needs to be tightly targetted.

Since I like to mix a variety of styles (fusion, flamenco, cabaret), the teacher's style might not matter as much as her skills. There's such a variation in the techniques and strengths of each dancer (as I've seen on youtube), and I'd love to find a teacher with a well-rounded background in zills, skirts, swords, and all those fancy moves that I just can't figure out on my own :p

Except for skirts (I haven't really heard of people doing that, besides some kind of Spanish fusion), I think you can find someone in the Ann Arbor who does all that. It's pretty standard. The closest person I know of is a woman in Lansing who dances withe Habibi Dancers. I know she definitely did zills and swords.

You should definitely look at classes and test them out. Before investing in private lessons for the ongoing, it's usually a good idea. Since it's such a more intimate class, I like to make sure not only is the person going to be a good teacher but also that s/he and I get along.

This is a good point you make, and thank you for bringing this up, since I hadn't considered it:

Originally Posted by kashmir

Although watching a potential teacher dance can be useful, if you are looking for a teacher rather than a performer it's usefulness can be limited. Some fabulous dancers are poor to average teachers. And sometimes a poorer dancer may have spent time studying what makes a good dancer and is better at explaining and teaching - even if their own body has limitations.

I recently sent an email inquiry to a teacher, and hopefully can take it from there. Oh ,f:: if only I were closer to Lansing, the courses with Habibi dancers look great!

I must admit I have gained the most from private lessons. And although yes it is possible that a dancer might be a fabulous performer, yet not so great instructor, I find that usually they are also good coaches/instructors. One factor may be (and I hate to say this) competition. If you are taking from an already established and mature dancer there is usually less chance of that. If is it a younger dancer still getting a name for herself/himself they may hold back in giving you critique.

I took a private class from a very well known mature dancer and found she was not a good instrctor for me at all, and truly didn't care about training me to be a better performer. So that was that and I never went back. She did wonders for a friend of mine, but not for me. So personal style is only something you can experience by taking at least one class and if it works then great, if not, keep searching.

I am very excited to discover there will be a Midwest Bellydance Convention in Ann Arbor... seems like perfect timing and the best place to meet potential instructors.

Originally Posted by Adishakti

How do you go about choosing a teacher when you have a style in mind, but not many teachers in your area? You drive. Get private instruction from an instructor you admire. You're better off taking fewer classes and getting what you want, rather than paying for classes you aren't enjoying or benefiting from."

This is the best advice. When I found Aziza Nawal, she was teaching at a school over 60 miles away, that's over 120 miles round trip every week. But I loved her style and personality, and I knew I was getting quality instruction. For me the driving was well worth the knowledge I got from her.

I second (third? fourth?) the suggestion to take a trial class. It would be helpful to see someone perform, but a versatile dancer may only display one side of many on a particular night. You can ask them about their 'style', but it can be a really hard thing to describe, esp. given that this dance form isn't codified.

I certainly think that watching performances/asking for footage/asking about style, etc is useful, but possibly not sufficient.