Thread: Raqs Sharqi style instructor in San Francisco?

Hi dancers,

One of my good friends is moving to San Francisco. We have been taking instruction together with Najmat here in Boston, who teaches a pan-Arabic style (she'll teach Lebanese style to a Lebanese song, Egyptian style for Egyptian music, Saidi style for assaya). Anyway, my friend knew there was a lot of tribal out there but wasn't sure if she could find a good instructor to continue her education in this style.

I told her about Bhuz but in the middle of her move she's unlikely to be checking a bulletin board so I figured I'd just ask for her and send the compiled answers along.

-Nep

Monica Berini is a good teacher with a pan-Arabic style. Her website is Monica~~San Francisco Belly Dance~~Performance, Instruction, Supplies

Check out this website, Sandra is in the Bay area and she is my favorite, she specializes in Raks Sharki. Sandra -- Bellydance -- raks-sharki.com Hope this helps.
Shaharazad

I will be so jealous of my friend if she studies with Sandra.

I'll pass these along.

Debbie Smith has also recently started teaching an Egyptian-style class at Dance Mission in San Francisco.
Dance Mission Theater : Adult Classes

Asia teaches in San Francisco on Saturdays from 1 to 3:30 pm at City Dance, 10 Colton Street (off Brady and Otis Street). She performed in S.F. clubs/restaurants for 18 years and also teaches in Pacifica. For more class information, check out her website: www. arabesquebellydance.com

I imagine that Monica is wonderful as a teacher -- she's a fabulous dancer. I know she's controversial, but I learned a lot from Sausan (Egyptian only):
Sausan Academy of Egyptian Dance There's also Amina Goodyear. Aswan Dancers-Class Schedule

San Francisco and the Bay Area in general offer an embarrassment of riches in the world of Raqs Sharki. Best of luck to your friend.

Hey Nep, where in SF is your friend moving? I live in Oakland now, but am not teaching. Anyway, the bay is pretty spread out, so it depends on how much she wants to drive to get to a teacher. Sandra's in the south bay, about an hour from the city. But there are a number of good teachers in SF proper. If she wants to learn a different approach, she can come over to the East Bay and learn the Suhaila format at her studio in the Berkeley/Albany area.

Several good instructors have already been mentioned on this thread.

I would also add Leyla Lanty in Palo Alto.

Thanks, Shira. I don't have any regular classes. I teach private and group classes when requested, and occasional workshops in Egyptian/Saidi folkloric dance, cane, cymbals, survival Arabic for dancers. In S.F., I'd recommend Amina, Debbie, Monica primarily Egyptian and Asia pan-Arabic.