Thread: Scottish dancer out of practice seeks help!

Sorry, some of this might be region specific but there are a few general questions.

Okay, I think the last time I went to a normal belly dance class was at the start of last year. I've had a few months of intermediate privates since then, but I'm now fairly out of practice. I'm drilling a lot now, but I need to find lessons and quick. I started belly dance 5 1/2 years ago, up until the start of 2006 my classes were pretty regular.

I'm just not sure of several things:

1. What level do I take? I get so confused. I took an advanced class for a while, but looking back it really wasn't that advanced at all! I'm not sure how interested I'd be in learning the basic moves again, but then at the same time I'd probably be learning a new style of dance so my experience might be patchy. I suppose I'd have to ask the specific teacher first.

2.What teacher? I know I should probably ask on the Britbhuzzers group, but there are no replies there to any posts! (vicious circle, I know). I'm in Glasgow, but can travel through to the Edinburgh area (I did that with dance classes for the last five years) in the evening and weekends. I've taken a workshop with a teacher in Edinburgh and I really like her style, but I wouldn't be able to make it to her classes on time. A lot of Glasgow teachers only teach basic beginners, a lot of the advanced or improver classes seem to be disappearing because (from what teachers have told me) people aren't interested in taking them. I find this a little disheartening - once I get back into the way of things I really want to work hard.

I suppose that leaves me with the option of private lessons, maybe along with beginners classes or an improvers class, to try and push the boat out a bit? I'm booking as many workshops as I can find, but I'm worried they're not really going to be enough. But I'm not even sure who to ask - a lot of teachers don't have a website. I've tried Geocites but it hasn't been updated since 2005, so a lot of the information is pretty outdated. The problem with falling out of classes is that you fall out of the loop and lose your channel of information/communication.

Also, if there any any teachers reading this who might be willing to do private lessons, please let me know!

Thank you for reading this rant!

Your best bet would be to speak to wigglewhiz. http://www.bhuz.com/index.php?cmd=/p...me_wigglewhiz/

She's based in Glasgow & knows the scene pretty well.

If you can get along to Wigglewhizes Classes in Glasgow, I would recommend her. Talk to the teacher you are going to join, and accept that you may have to attend a session of their 'post-beginners' - some of the really basic moves are done differently in modern egyptian (e.g. the glute squeeze hip drop), so learning the basics would be worthwhile then.

I admit to being totally biased towards anyone who does modern egyptian style!

Don't panic ! Its more important to take a few weeks to find the right class, than to waste 5 years in the wrong one.

Caroline

Did somebody call me?

Ah, the Glasgow scene. Yes indeed, it's very sparse on anything over beginner/Intermediate level. *VERY* sparse.

FIrst off, I should ask - are you the same person I spoke to in Edinburgh a little while ago, with Hannah? If not, disregard! ..l;,

So here's my questions for you, to help me get a feel for what you're looking for, where you are and what your next best move would be:

1. You've been taking classes for 5.5. years - consistantly and regularly, or off-and-on?
2. Who has been your main regular teacher until now?
3. You've been going to workshops - which ones and how do you fell about them - are they pushing you? Are you struggling? Does much of the material seem new or radically different, or are you coping fine?
4. What do you want from your classes? Are you looking to go pro, are you looking to improve for no particular reason than for your own enjoyment, are you looking for social interaction?
5. Are you interested in learning more about the background of the dance, cultural information, different styles, musical knowledge? How is your level of this knowledge already?
6. What, if any, is your performance experience?

There are many teachers in and around the Glasgow area - I recommend trying as many as you can to get a feel for their teaching styles and the level of their classes. Generally, I really agree with you - the level just isn't high enough here, there are too many beginner-level classes. HOWEVER, as previously mentioned - the "level" label of the class isn't important at all. Depending on your previous experience and your attitude to learning there are teachers you will learn a lot from even being in their lower level classes.

Have you been to local events and haflas to meet other people and take on their suggestions? These are often a great place to see teachers perform as well, so that you can assess whether their dance style and level meshes well with what you're looking for. I can't advise specifically, of course, because I haven't seen you dance and I don't know what level you're at! But do feel free to email me offline - wigglewhiz at hotmail dot com - and have a chat about where you've been, who you know and whatnot. If I can help at all, I most certainly will!

Thanks for this thorough reply! I'm not Hannah, so I will disregard. Looking at what you've put I can honestly say I'm quite behind in the social part of things and probably further behind than I thought. I have only taken of couple of workshops - I'm booking more.

This probably isn't the place to put in every detail of my bellydance life so I will email you later (at work right now).

Originally Posted by wigglewhiz

Did somebody call me?

Ah, the Glasgow scene. Yes indeed, it's very sparse on anything over beginner/Intermediate level. *VERY* sparse.

FIrst off, I should ask - are you the same person I spoke to in Edinburgh a little while ago, with Hannah? If not, disregard! ..l;,

So here's my questions for you, to help me get a feel for what you're looking for, where you are and what your next best move would be:

1. You've been taking classes for 5.5. years - consistantly and regularly, or off-and-on?
2. Who has been your main regular teacher until now?
3. You've been going to workshops - which ones and how do you fell about them - are they pushing you? Are you struggling? Does much of the material seem new or radically different, or are you coping fine?
4. What do you want from your classes? Are you looking to go pro, are you looking to improve for no particular reason than for your own enjoyment, are you looking for social interaction?
5. Are you interested in learning more about the background of the dance, cultural information, different styles, musical knowledge? How is your level of this knowledge already?
6. What, if any, is your performance experience?

There are many teachers in and around the Glasgow area - I recommend trying as many as you can to get a feel for their teaching styles and the level of their classes. Generally, I really agree with you - the level just isn't high enough here, there are too many beginner-level classes. HOWEVER, as previously mentioned - the "level" label of the class isn't important at all. Depending on your previous experience and your attitude to learning there are teachers you will learn a lot from even being in their lower level classes.

Have you been to local events and haflas to meet other people and take on their suggestions? These are often a great place to see teachers perform as well, so that you can assess whether their dance style and level meshes well with what you're looking for. I can't advise specifically, of course, because I haven't seen you dance and I don't know what level you're at! But do feel free to email me offline - wigglewhiz at hotmail dot com - and have a chat about where you've been, who you know and whatnot. If I can help at all, I most certainly will!