Thread: Instructors that are the best on DVD!

I just wanted to start a fun thread about which dancers you think have the best DVD personality...
i feel like some dancers can just make you feel like you are with them you know?
and on the other hands, some instructors just weren't meant to make dvds

for me i say jillina hands down
she makes me feel so warm even though she's on a dvd!

hhmmm, interesting thread! I think it can also influenced by any real life expereinces you may have had with the person.

For example, if you really like somebody it tends to carry over into watching their videos. so sometimes I am not sure if a person has good presence or if I am just filling in the gaps with what I already know about them.

I think also that when somebody is right on the fence of being likeable or so-so, that their organization skills can tip the balance. If I find that I am doing well and feeling good about it, then I tend to like the instructor better because of it.

That said, I do think some people are just sprinkled with "lovable fairy dust". Shoshanna for example. she's adorable!

Without a doubt.... Aziza!! She has such a warm, friendly personality & I love how her sense of humor shines through.

I love Aziza's teaching style also.

I find Michelle Joyce has a very nice teaching/dvd personality.

RANYA RENEE - my favorite so far.

I also love Blanca, Sarah Skinner, Neon. Anasma, Autumn Ward.. all on WDNY come across SO likeable and winning!
I also like Sandra's (Belly by Sandra) no-nonsense approach.

I liked Aziza on dvd before I met her. I have several dvd's that I rarely use because the instructor looks uncomfortable in front of a camera. I agree with dinavienna on the WDNY dvd's: they're getting better all the time, but the natural feel of the instructors was also obvious in earlier releases.

I'm convinced that most people have more personality in real life compared to dvd. Because the proces of filming is sort of pushing spontanity and interaction away.

Sadie. Because she doesn't dumb it down for me. I also think her personality has become warmer and more accessible over time.

I love Carolena Nericcio. She does not necessarily come across as super-fuzzy, but she is calm and organized in a way that makes me take a deep breath and then concentrate completely on what she is teaching.

Love: Ranya Ranee, Hadia, Aziza - professional, warm, know their stuff, organized.

Can't Stand: Michelle Joyce, Cory Zamora, Nourhan Sharif - disorganized, VERY poor public speakers, and/or lack an authoritive presence.

Originally Posted by Hala Jamal

Love: Ranya Ranee, Hadia, Aziza - professional, warm, know their stuff, organized.

Can't Stand: Michelle Joyce, Cory Zamora, Nourhan Sharif - disorganized, VERY poor public speakers, and/or lack an authoritive presence.

(sigh)

At least 2 out of 3 of those you object to are regular Bhuzzers...you might wish to phrase that more like constructive critique.

I can't speak to all three because I don't have instructional DVDs for all three, only to M Joyce. I found her tone to be light/casual which perhaps is what you mean by non-authoritative. I didn't find her unorganized or hard to llisten to on the two instructional DVD's (Drills, Drills, Drills and Pop, Locks and Shimmies) I have. I have no clue how she is on her other DVDs.

Bhuzzers aren't sacred cows, but being more specific and tactful never hurt anyone. When we talk clearly , specifically, and tactfully about what doesn't work for us, it helps us all raise the bar and do better in the future...and the tact helps us network in general.

i like aziza's and jillina's and ava's best, but that's cause they are the only ones i worked with more than once.

i really dont care soo much about voice.execution.structure.personality for dvds... i basically work with the ones that offer the best instruction/material i currently want/need.

at the moment i'm working with Orits workshops dvds from the netherlands. as far as all the disadvantages of workshops dvds go, i LOVE these, i'm so happy they made them. and she's just soo cute.

for cane i think nourhan's is brilliant.

Originally Posted by ozma

(sigh)

At least 2 out of 3 of those you object to are regular Bhuzzers...you might wish to phrase that more like constructive critique.

I can't speak to all three because I don't have instructional DVDs for all three, only to M Joyce. I found her tone to be light/casual which perhaps is what you mean by non-authoritative. I didn't find her unorganized or hard to llisten to on the two instructional DVD's (Drills, Drills, Drills and Pop, Locks and Shimmies) I have. I have no clue how she is on her other DVDs.

Bhuzzers aren't sacred cows, but being more specific and tactful never hurt anyone. When we talk clearly , specifically, and tactfully about what doesn't work for us, it helps us all raise the bar and do better in the future...and the tact helps us network in general.

Amen to the last passage!

I have the same DVDs by Michelle and I one of the things I appreciate when I work with them is how much thought went into organizing and structuring the material. I also like her warm approachable personality.
I also have 4 of Nourhan's instructionals and again I didn't notice any disorganization there. I own VHS tapes, so yes, it's harder to practice with them than with DVDs with all the chaptering, but her instruction is very good. And I like her calm and confident voice. The only thing that bothered me was the fuzzy background, but it was produced in the 90ies (or maybe even 80ies? i have to watch the video to be sure) but this has to do with production rather than her personality or quality of instruction.

I think Aziza's personality really shines through on her DVDs, which is an extremely hard task. I think instructional by their vrey nature tend to be a little on the dry side.

I sell a lot of Michelle Joyce's DVDs to my students and without exception they have found her to be warm, approachable and very clear in her communication.

Originally Posted by Hala Jamal

Love: Ranya Ranee, Hadia, Aziza - professional, warm, know their stuff, organized.

Can't Stand: Michelle Joyce, Cory Zamora, Nourhan Sharif - disorganized, VERY poor public speakers, and/or lack an authoritive presence.

I don't have any DVDs with Cory Zamora or Nourhan Sharif, but I do have one with Michelle Joyce and I think she is fabulous.

Yes, same here. One of the most "patient" and warm instructors aside Neon and Amira from Las Vegas (these two have Slavic accents in English, something I find very charming) to me is Michelle Joyce.

I have not really used Hadia's I own, but agree that both Ranya and Aziza have something very special as dvd teachers. they're very "unrushed" I feel.

I must say I found Michelle to be a very good speaker - she kind of is the Californian girl come to life for me on screen. Very sporty, very energetic, she kind of makes me want to join in very much. :) Captivating and encouraging for me I'd have to say.
Actually, in the beginning I could not help imagine her surfing (although I have no idea if she's even doing it).
Silly things come to mind for non Americans with a sporty dark blonde American/Californian girl as the instructor :)

Love your loves, Hala. On your can't-stands, I echo everything Ozma said, plus:

A great deal of thought and years of teaching and performing experience have gone into designing all of the videos you mention that I have seen. (Can't speak for Cory's.) Both Nourhan and Michelle speak clearly and present their information in a very organized structure that has obviously been the subject of a lot of careful consideration and planning. Did you spend enough time with the videos to notice that, or did you make a quick judgment based on something like tone of voice and just turn them off?

It's funny -- I've heard the same kind of complaint occasionally about Jillina's and Aziza's and Hadia's DVDs, but it just doesn't hold water for me. The structure or organization the instructor uses may not be one that works for you personally, but that doesn't mean it's not there. You have to be able to draw a distinction between the style of instruction and your personal learning style. If instruction (classroom, workshop, DVD) doesn't suit you, the fault may be on one side or the other -- or there may be no "fault" at all, just a mismatch between what they have chosen to provide and what you prefer to receive.

And may I reiterate that tact never hurts? People are more likely to take what you say on board if it doesn't come across as a sweeping slam, you know?

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

at the moment i'm working with Orits workshops dvds from the netherlands. as far as all the disadvantages of workshops dvds go, i LOVE these, i'm so happy they made them. and she's just soo cute.

Where did you get those? :)

I love Sarah Skinner's style, humor and sophistication and I can't wait to receive her new dvd Opulent Motion !

heeeeeeeeeello antigone :)))))))))))
ahalan wa sahalan :))

Hands Down I LOVE Suhalia Salimpour

Can't Stand: Michelle Joyce, Cory Zamora, Nourhan Sharif - disorganized, VERY poor public speakers, and/or lack an authoritive presence
...i dont think this thoughtless person has ever seen any of my dvd's.i am a paid public speaker....this is just sheer hate.
i as in class, i always start the conversation with a positive.i can always find a positive in anything.
such hateful people here!
"cant stand?"
i feel so sorry for you, you sound consumed with things that touch many in a bad way!
this is a good joke, and i will chuckel all day, ....because if hate was not clouding this poor person, perhaps they could enjoy more in life.
non of these opinions apply to me, i have faults, but they are not the ones listed
tsk tsk tsk
poor soul, ...hope you find some light in your life!
on the other hand, someone who was nasty to me, is included in her tirade....karma!

I forgot one of my favorite dvd instructors!!

HOW COULD I.

The one that makes me giggle, enjoy and be amazed at her often VERY unique analogies, comments, and her "guuuurrll, I can tell ya.." attitude.

PRINCESS FARHANA.

I think you either love of hate her on-screen teaching personality.
I love love love it.
A breath of fresh air.

thinking more on this. i have studied formal dance since 1953
started teaching in 1967. if one teachers approach does not grab you, go to another.not many grab me, but that does not mean they are bad.it is how my brain takes in information.....even though they could not reah me, i never say"i cant stand'....the person next in line might get it right away!
this sort of attack goes way beyond the usual...it is personal, uniformed and MEAN! when will this stop?
are there those who depend on their bhuz personna to get them through?
sad!

What David said!


Love, love, love, Hadia!

Aziza's videos are great and so are Jillina's. Not really my style of dance, so I don't use them often, butthere is still some useful material in their videos. I enjoy working with them and think they're great teachers.

Another vote for Michelle here. While our style of dance is fairly different, I also find her videos useful and have several of them. Her personality seems to be endearing and her style of teaching very clear and precise.

While I don't have any of her DVD's, I took workshops with Dina (of which Little Egypt sells videos of) and I love her teaching style. She's very sweet, and even with the language barrier, she points right to the muscles needed to engage in specific technique, and the material is challenging. Love her!

Randa Kamel is fabulous! She breaks everything down really well. No nonsense, clear and challenging!

Ranya's baladi DVD rocks. I have her Oriental one as well, but haven't worked with it much yet. It seems to be good!

Aisha Ali. Love her DVDs!

Yasmina Ramzy. Down to business and challenging. She's got some great material out there.

Originally Posted by zamora

thinking more on this. i have studied formal dance since 1953
started teaching in 1967. if one teachers approach does not grab you, go to another.not many grab me, but that does not mean they are bad.it is how my brain takes in information.....even though they could not reah me, i never say"i cant stand'....the person next in line might get it right away!
this sort of attack goes way beyond the usual...it is personal, uniformed and MEAN! when will this stop?
are there those who depend on their bhuz personna to get them through?
sad!

The post surprised me as well, because Hala is a very sweet person. At any rate, don't let it get to you, Cory. It's just one person's opinion.

1 person ?
hey, i KNOW who hates mer on these boards...actuall, the people i KNOW hate me, have never been so mean...they just dont mention my or include my name when things are brought up that would/should include me.
there are 2 that i just can not stomach their souls, but the do know what they are talking about. with these 2, kill them with kindness even if the next post is a slam.
i guessd the 2 who do this, are a class act because they have NEVER called me out.i do see that when i respond to one of their threads i am ignored.that has way more class than showing ones ass with "i cant stand".hmmm, someone need a mental pause pill?
we all try not to wear our hearts on our sleeves, but lets face it, if we didnt, we would not be artists.
i sell dvd's all over the world, even canada! have helped canadian dancers find music, sent files, cd's.
so, i am still thinking
is bhuz wasting my time?
hmmm, i do have 2 flying in to learn from me, 1 in july and 1 coming from DC in sept..they found me here.....ok, i'll hang in here a bit longer....maybe.

Zamora you're so vain you think this thread is about you ? I have learned that not everyone will like you and that you have to be tough and not be affected by other peoples' opinions. Especially if you are in the public eye you have to be able to handle all sort of critique and not take it personally.

1st off: Cory GET OVER IT. It seems I can't read a single thread without you working in how wronged you are by the whole world.

Back to the topic:

I absolutely LOVE Aziza's personality, shes warm and bubbly and she has the kind of personality that makes me want to do the whole DVD. I found Sharon Kihara to be like that on her DVD, I was in pain but I still loved every minute of it and she got me through it. Shoshanna is another one with a really fun personality.

I have taken workshops with Asharah and in person she is amazing, funny, slightly geeky and really smart. I don't think her personality really came across on her DVD, it's still really good and contains a lot of information but I find after taking a live workshop with her I miss her personality a lot

never been vain, have nothing to be vain about
but vain has to be better than mean.

Cory, I'm not being mean but I'm really surprised that this has upset you so much. As I remember correctly Michelle was also mentioned in a negative light in that post that upset you but I haven't seen Michelle making a big deal about it.

Re this critique by one of the previous posters: "Michelle Joyce, Cory Zamora, Nourhan Sharif - disorganized, VERY poor public speakers, and/or lack an authoritive presence."

I've seen several DVDs by Michelle Joyce and Cory Zamora, I think the poster must be confusing their down-to-earth presentation styles with a lack of authority/poor public speaking. Disorganized???? As for Nourhan, I've seen one choreo of hers, seemed highly authoritative.

To Cory - I agree, please don't take this so personally.

To those who have read Cory's posts - I agree with some who mentioned her writing style can be curt - she is one of those people who don't write as they speak -

For anyone who wants a more accurate impression of what Cory is like in person, please take a quick look at the youtube interview on the SoCal show "Hafla" (link below).

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTuppJ9XhTs&feature=PlayList&p=F8ED2153B56 42395&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=21]YouTube - Cory Zamora dances on Hafla[/ame]

-Devora