Thread: Thinking about private lessons...

I'm thinking of taking private lessons either before or after I return from Argentina and Morocco this Summer. I'm a little nervous about this proposition, but I love this art so much that I want more out of it. Class once a week for 1 to 1.5 hour(s) is not enough!

Experience? Suggestions? What credentials do you have to have for private lessons?

I highly suggest them, They are usually worth the money and will really help you focus on your weak spots

Private lessons are great. If you spend time beforehand figuring out what you want to learn and where you want to improve, and communicate this to the teacher ahead of time, you have the greatest chance for the lessons to be successful. At least that's how it has worked with me as a teacher of private lessons! The worst thing is to just show up. Preparation on both sides means that you will really get your money's worth. After all, private lessons are usually expensive....

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

What credentials do you have to have for private lessons?

Technically? None. Anyone who has watched even just one youtube video can call themselves a dancer and a teacher.
Which means it's very important for you to choose carefully and wisely. Figure out what your goals are and choose those with the most experience to help you reach those goals. I actually recommend meeting with the person first- either taking a class or two, a workshop or seeing a performance and talking with them. You want to mesh well personally with the dancer and appreciate his/her communication style, dance style and ethics.
Latifa's advice is great- and also I'd say ask for homework! Don't think of a private lesson as a practice session- you should be practicing outside of the lessons in order to make the most of them.

I'm ITA with bintbeled. My private lessons have been most successful for me when I've come in with an idea of what I want to work on. Also, now that my teacher and I have been working together for over a year, she's really able to guide me along with what I should be working on to take my dancing to the next level.

Oh, yeah... homework. Homework is a must. I try to make it as specific as possible, whether it's drilling a move, practicing expression, or starting to find a stage persona.