Thread: Hello, very new here, looking for an instructor

Hi, My name is Marinah I'm a brand new memeber. The reason why I joined is becasue I am looking for an instructor. I see that almost all of the instructors are located in Chicago.

I am located in Wauconda, Illinois. I am married and a mother of 3 girls, so traveling to Chicago is not very realistic. I have considered private lessons, however space is limited and plus the whole idea of taking lessons is to get out of the house.

Also, since instructors in this area are hard to find, any suggestions for dvd's? I have looked on Amazon and honestly it is a bit overwhelming.

Am I not looking at the right places? I have searched on Google, and as mentioned the instructors are located in Chicago.

Kind regards, Marinah

Welcome!

And there are a couple places on the web where you can find info - if the chicago crew doesn't pipe up with info!

All About Belly Dancing! Exploring The Art of Middle Eastern Dance! Learn About Belly Dance! has a great list of teachers. Shira works very hard to keep it up to date. There is a directory here as well.

I don't have an recs for DVD's. I am sure others will. Give them a moment. Coffee some times takes a while to kick in!

{{HUGS}}}

Try googling for them. I think Gina Nilaja is not too far away from you and she is a fantastic dancer.

Originally Posted by bonnywhiteford

Try googling for them. I think Gina Nilaja is not too far away from you and she is a fantastic dancer.

I agree - it looks like she's about a half hour away from you. Zayna also teaches in Arlington Heights, which is about the same distance. Both of them are the bomb as performers and instructors!

HI Marinah and welcome!! I am in the same boat as you pretty much. As for dvds, what are you looking to learn? basics? choreography? veil? fitness? Some dvd's I have found helpful are:

for instructional bellydance: Jenna's basics (I think that's what it's called!) dvd

for fitness: Jillina's shape up and hip out basic BD moves but if you really engage you muscles and keep her pace, you will get a nice heart rate going

for drilling: Michele Joyce's Drills Drills Drills. and Aziza's bellydance companion

for drum solo: Jenna's The Heartbeat of Bellydance (I'm also learning Sonia's Art of the drum solo. It's great for learning different drum beats)

for fun and choreography: Jillina's instructional bellydance level one and two

These are all for beginner to experienced beginners so you should have no problem with them. I found many at my local library or I rent them on Netflix first before I buy.


Personally I have found that it helps to have something fun to do, like a veil or choreo dvd so I have something to show myself for all the drilling. Good luck. The main thing is to just start somewhere..l;, Let us know what you find

Marinah. I teach in Bloomingdale and Glendale Heights. I also teach private lessons out of my home.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I agree - it looks like she's about a half hour away from you. Zayna also teaches in Arlington Heights, which is about the same distance. Both of them are the bomb as performers and instructors!

Nilaja and Zayna were my first (and still are:)) my teachers, and they are FANTABULOUS!!! Nilaja is teaching out of Pure in Form Studio in Grayslake and Zayna is at Womens Workout World in Arlington Heights...
Zayna also hosts a monthly hafla (we still call the bellydance party The Sphinx Hafla:)) at Mango Restaurant in Niles; it's on the 1st Saturday of every month and tomorrow night is February's--you could come enjoy some bellydancin', join us in open dance and speak w/Zayna herself!!! Also, these two lovely Ladies host the huge (and super-FUN:)) annual Lake County Bellydance Festival--HIPTASTIC!--right by you in Round Lake Cultural & Civic Center Fairgrounds. That' happening in September 19-20, so save the dates...!!! Trust me, you don't wanna miss it! They're bringing in Sadie from CO & Azhia of Canada & there will be performers from all over!!!

Hi Marinah~
I'm Zayna, I teach full time in the nw burbs.
If you can ever make it to Arlington Heights on a Friday from 6-7pm,
I can leave you a free guest pass to try the class.
It's an all levels, on-going class.

Otherwise the monthly Haflas are a great place to see many of the local instructors.
You can check out the Sphinx Hafla 2009 thread
in the belly dance opportunity section.
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...tml#post347703

At the March Hafla you will be able to meet: Mahira, Nilaja, myself and MANY other instructors.

Good Luck on your belly dance journey!

Originally Posted by Marinah

I am located in Wauconda, Illinois.
<snip>
Am I not looking at the right places? I have searched on Google, and as mentioned the instructors are located in Chicago.

Kind regards, Marinah

Hi Marinah,

I recommend that you call all the school districts within easy driving distance, and see which ones have community education bellydance classes. They don't have a lot of fancy advertising or website, but they are usually affordable and convenient. Also, around here community ed is often taught by the same professional dancers that teach at the private studios, and often other community ed teachers also have high-quality classes...g.:

Originally Posted by Marinah

Hi, My name is Marinah I'm a brand new memeber. The reason why I joined is becasue I am looking for an instructor. I see that almost all of the instructors are located in Chicago.

I am located in Wauconda, Illinois. I am married and a mother of 3 girls, so traveling to Chicago is not very realistic. I have considered private lessons, however space is limited and plus the whole idea of taking lessons is to get out of the house.

Also, since instructors in this area are hard to find, any suggestions for dvd's? I have looked on Amazon and honestly it is a bit overwhelming.

Am I not looking at the right places? I have searched on Google, and as mentioned the instructors are located in Chicago.

Kind regards, Marinah

Hi Marinah! Welcome to Bhuz. I actually live in Volo which is just north of you. I offer weekly classes in Arlington Heights but could schedule a few private lessons with you in my home if you just want to give it a try before committing to a class. I also recommend classes with Zayna and several other instructors already mentioned here. I've either studied or performed with most of them and they are excellent.

My new website: Bellydancercise

Best wishes,
Kara

Hi Marinah, your not too far from me! I took classes in Palatine with Jenny Hennek. Good Luck and Welcome!

Welcome Marinah! I'm a bit further away from you in Elgin but just want to chime in to say the ladies who are closer to you who have been mentioned are all wonderful dancers and very very sweet people! I'm sure you'll find a teacher soon!