Thread: Workshops vs. classes?

For two weeks, I've been debating taking a workshop that will be offered at an upcoming convention. However, it is triple the price of a regular class for a one hour session. I've never taken a workshop before, other than a free minicourse at my university. Why does it cost so much? If I'm not familiar with the teacher, should I take the chance?

I'm also starting a weekly class this week, and possibly private lessons soon. Should I hope these will teach me all I need, or pick a workshop that sounds like something I want to learn, and hope it works out?

Thanks!

You pay a lot more for workshops because they are specialist, often at a higher level than what you might take in class, and often given by master teachers, which is what makes them more expensive.

Who is the teacher and what are they teaching? Those are your key questions. If you don't know, ask us, we might have some good info to help you choose!

In addition to what Zumarrad said, from an income perspective: workshops are a "one time only" event and "one time only" chance to make profit. Weekly classes are ongoing and get a "discount" from the "one time event" rate.
Is it worth it? With the right teacher a resounding "YES"!

AND the instructor often has to be flown in to teach the class. If your regular teacher had to buy a plane ticket to come to class, she'd definitely charge more.

Workshops are a special opportunity to study specific material that is different from what you're getting in weekly classes. Workshops generally move at a faster pace and cover higher level material.

Regular weekly classes, even at higher levels, are filled with students who aren't interested enough to practice outside of class, resist being pushed too far technique-wise, and may be injured if the teacher moves them along too fast. In theory, workshops are full of dedicated students who have mastered the basics and developed 'dancers bodies' or at least know their own limitations and can take responsibility for their own safety. Workshop teachers can go much further much faster than a regular class.

Unless you live in a major bellydance hub like LA, Washington DC or New York, workshops may be your ONLY opportunity to study at a serious level.

Also, studying with different teachers gives you the chance to try out different styles, different ways of interacting with the music -- and that's what helps you find your own voice as a dancer.

However, I wouldn't take a workshop just because one is being offered. If you've never heard of the teacher, don't know whether you have any interest in their style, don't know what kind of material they'll be presenting... then you might want to wait.

I get hardly nothing from a workshop. I'm yet not going to remember something I went over one time. When I come out of a workshop I come away with maybe one or two things. For me its not worth it. I'd rather take privets or classes and buy the video of the specialist. That way I can go over it many times. I guess it just about how much can you retain in a short time?

Thanks for the pointers.

To answer your question Zamarrad, it's the Great Lakes Belly Dance Convention, so there's two dozen teachers who have workshops.
https://thebelly.ipower.com/greatlakes.htm#REGISTER

I am thinking on one of the Friday sessions, since they focus on technique, which is what I need at this point. I am not familiar with any of the teachers, since I'm just beginning to enter the bellydance community around here.

I'm thinking of maybe waiting until after my Tuesday class (this is my first week) to see what I can learn there, and then decide if a workshop is worth it. Are most of those who take workshops professionals, or just dancers by hobby? Is it best to just stick to weekly classes in the beginning, and skip the workshops, hoping another workshop convention will come around again soon?

Originally Posted by toria_dances

I get hardly nothing from a workshop. I'm yet not going to remember something I went over one time. When I come out of a workshop I come away with maybe one or two things. For me its not worth it. I'd rather take privets or classes and buy the video of the specialist. That way I can go over it many times. I guess it just about how much can you retain in a short time?

I don't recall who it was that said if you get one thing out of a workshop, it was time worthwhile. Just one. I think about that after each workshop I take and try to grab that one (or two, or sometimes in really great workshops even more) new move or variation and practice it over and over on my own until it's naturally part of my vocabulary. Was that the same person that said once you practice a move 400 times it's really in your body? A random number probably, but somehow that stuck with me. :)

I think it also depends on where a dancer is at as a student. Newer dancers that don't have the fundamental technique down might not take as much away from a specialty workshop as someone who has mastered the basics and is hungry for more. Of course, a lot depends on the individual dancer (how she/he learns, etc) and who the teacher is too.

Originally Posted by lallakahina

For two weeks, I've been debating taking a workshop that will be offered at an upcoming convention. However, it is triple the price of a regular class for a one hour session. I've never taken a workshop before, other than a free minicourse at my university. Why does it cost so much? If I'm not familiar with the teacher, should I take the chance?

I'm also starting a weekly class this week, and possibly private lessons soon. Should I hope these will teach me all I need, or pick a workshop that sounds like something I want to learn, and hope it works out?

Thanks!

From your post, lallakahina, it sounds like you are just starting out with BD and don't have much experience with it. If this is the case, I'd say skip the workshop for now. I say the same to my brand-new students.

As Lauren posted, most workshops expect you to have, at the very least, a working knowledge of basic movement. In other words, if you don't know how to execute an abdominally-generated hip lift/drop, a couple of shimmies, figure 8s and a few other odds and ends, you probably won't have the body awareness needed to correctly execute other movements. It has less to do with how wonderful you are, or how quickly you learn, as much as it has to with some experience with creating movement.

If, on the other hand, I'm completely wrong about your experience, feel free to take a workshop that interests you!

Oh, and I'd go to the convention, whether taking workshops or not!

Deborah

Originally Posted by nasila

I don't recall who it was that said if you get one thing out of a workshop, it was time worthwhile. Just one. I think about that after each workshop I take and try to grab that one (or two, or sometimes in really great workshops even more) new move or variation and practice it over and over on my own until it's naturally part of my vocabulary.

I like to come out with 2-3 new things from a workshop to consider it money well spent. But they don't necessarily have to be moves - it can also be a new fact, a new way of connecting two previously unconnected things in my mind, or a new way to explain something to students. I'm rarely if ever disappointed.

Hi Deborah, this is also an issue I have. I've bellydanced on and off for 6 years now, and have been in dance all my life... I know the basics, and some variations I've picked up from watching dancers, but perhaps lack the refinement that a student taking multiple years of classes would have.

Not knowing my exact level, I'm guessing a workshop geared to "all" levels might be my best bet, if I decide to go along with one.

Originally Posted by casbahdance

From your post, lallakahina, it sounds like you are just starting out with BD and don't have much experience with it. If this is the case, I'd say skip the workshop for now. I say the same to my brand-new students.

As Lauren posted, most workshops expect you to have, at the very least, a working knowledge of basic movement. In other words, if you don't know how to execute an abdominally-generated hip lift/drop, a couple of shimmies, figure 8s and a few other odds and ends, you probably won't have the body awareness needed to correctly execute other movements. It has less to do with how wonderful you are, or how quickly you learn, as much as it has to with some experience with creating movement.

If, on the other hand, I'm completely wrong about your experience, feel free to take a workshop that interests you!

Oh, and I'd go to the convention, whether taking workshops or not!

Deborah

Actually, the Great Lakes Convention is one of the few that really focuses on workshops that are appropriate for beginner and intermediate students. I almost taught there this year, and that was something they really stressed to me.

*whispers in your ear: Take one of Kimahri's workshops -- you'll get your butt kicked, but it'll be one helluva ride, and I guarantee you'll come away with some new stuff!*

Originally Posted by lallakahina

Hi Deborah, this is also an issue I have. I've bellydanced on and off for 6 years now, and have been in dance all my life... I know the basics, and some variations I've picked up from watching dancers, but perhaps lack the refinement that a student taking multiple years of classes would have.

Not knowing my exact level, I'm guessing a workshop geared to "all" levels might be my best bet, if I decide to go along with one.

You know, you sounded like you knew what you were talking about, so I thought you might have experience, but I just wasn't sure . . .

I think you're right on, then, taking an "all levels" workshop on a topic that interests you. Have a great time! :Abiggrin:

Deborah

I'm a workshop sponsor and have attended many, many workshops over the years. My advice: GO!

It's not just what you learn in class. It's meeting other dancers, both students and pros, and getting totally immersed in our community's culture. It's also vendors!

And, sometimes, I get more from watching other dancers in the show than from the "instructor". There's so much to learn, so much to see and a weekend conference/convention/event just offers a lot of variety.

Kitty

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Actually, the Great Lakes Convention is one of the few that really focuses on workshops that are appropriate for beginner and intermediate students. I almost taught there this year, and that was something they really stressed to me.

*whispers in your ear: Take one of Kimahri's workshops -- you'll get your butt kicked, but it'll be one helluva ride, and I guarantee you'll come away with some new stuff!*

I also wouldn't pass up a workshop taught by Leila Gamal. She's been around a long time, knows her stuff and knows how to teach it, and is a great wealth of information on classic moves. Not to mention one of the nicest ladies you'll ever meet. I'll be at the convention, too, and I've already got Leila on my radar. And I'm one of the teachers!

Donna

All these teachers I'm sure are great, and I have a long list of workshops I was considering. I just decided to narrow it down to technique courses that work with my schedule.

Donna, I was considering your zill workshop on Sunday, but wasn't sure if my level was appropriate. (I don't even know what level I am anymore...) Do you know if the class will lean more towards beginners with no zill experience, or those with some zill and/or performance experience?

Leila Gamal's Andalusian workshop sounded interesting... but I don't have a shawl for it, as required :(

Lots of us Bhuzzers will be there, myself included. I love workshops because there just aren't a lot of opportunities around here for the higher level classes. I have seen lots of beginner classes (even teach a few myself) but to learn new moves, variations on moves, and to get a chance to meet and mix with all the dancers in my area...worth the price tag every time.
I actually am putting together a workshop up in Michigan for the fall and to combat that "I only remember one move" syndrome, my instructors are writing down their choreographies (because they rock!) and we are giving them out in binders to each of the participants.
I hope to see you at the convention:)

Go. Even if it is just one of them. Yes, there will be other workshops but you never know when. I went to one thinking that it would be to hard for me but couldn't pass up the chance. I was not disappointed. She taught to all levels giving variations for some of the moves to either amp them up or make them more simple for the newbies. You are learning and so is everyone else there so it will be fine especially if it says it is for all levels.

I also agree that you won't remember everything that is taught but just a couple things can be valuable. It also helps to take notes and go over them that same night and each day for a couple of days while it is still fresh in your mind and that will help you to remember more things.

Today, taking a new class with a new instructor, I realized how rusty even my basic moves are. So I decided I'm passing up the workshops, and will work on what this instructor has to offer before I move on to more complicated things.
Perhaps I'll make it to the performance on Saturday...

One of the best things about workshops is meeting and networking with other dancers. My experience of the value of a workshop is that it improves my overall dancing. Since they are much longer than a regular class you do a lot more work/drilling/practice.

I don't know if anyone else experiences this but I get a huge "workshop high" after one. Definitely go to the show if you can.

Beth

I'll be at the Great Lakes Bellydance convention, too!

Of the teachers there, I have seen Kimahri, Donna, Julianna, and Mirah Ammal, and I can vouch that they are all great dancers. :) I'd encourage you to give at least a workshop or two a try, especially the ones that are marked "Beginner." I have a teacher that told me that even if she learns just one or two things in a class, she feels that she's gotten her money's worth, because that's one or two things that she didn't know before then!

When I had only been dancing for about six months, I took a workshop with Aisha Ali. I was in waaaaaaaaaaay over my head, but I am still SO glad that I did it, just for the experience. I only got one new move under my belt from that workshop (the rest was too advanced for me), but I still learned a lot, because every teacher explains things differently, and has different experiences to share, etc.

So if you are more concerned about being in over your head in the workshops, I'd advise you to give it a try anyway. If it's more of a money issue that's causing your reservation, perhaps your money would be better spent going to the shows. The organizers are offering a rare opportunity to see a wide variety of performances from dancers from all around the country, and that is a great thing! Watching other dancers is just as important to a bellydancer's education as classes are.

I actually couldn't even decide which workshop to take...so many sounded interesting, but I'd rather wait to see what my weekly instructor teaches us before I invest in a specialty workshop.
Money was kinda the issue... I just bought a gorgeous skirt that was way over my budget... but I'd like to check out the performance to know the potential teachers and styles out there, in case I have the future opportunity for a workshop with one of them.
How does one bellydance on a students budget and without a car? ..c:: This is the eternal question...

Originally Posted by nimah

So if you are more concerned about being in over your head in the workshops, I'd advise you to give it a try anyway. If it's more of a money issue that's causing your reservation, perhaps your money would be better spent going to the shows. The organizers are offering a rare opportunity to see a wide variety of performances from dancers from all around the country, and that is a great thing! Watching other dancers is just as important to a bellydancer's education as classes are.