Thread: Dancers and Teachers in Grand Rapids, MI?

Howdy ladies!

Possibly moving up to Grand Rapids - am visiting at the moment, and just wanted to check out any dance studies in the area! I know of the Mayne Studio, which I am visiting today...And it's the only one I've found so far. I know there are a few in the surrounding areas - there's a tribal studio in Kalamazoo, for example...But I'd like to think/I know I'm more interested in studying Vintage Orientale/AmCab, Turkish, and possibly Raqs Sharqi. Any tips or leads would be greatly appreciated!

Mina

Hi Minajen!

I lived in GR for a year and would definitely recommend Sarah and Christine (Naimah) at the Mayne Studio. Christine does classic Egyptian and Sarah does very nice sword and both fusion and AmCab, I'd say. Both ladies are lovely people and the community they've created is very supportive and welcoming. GR is close to Chicago, so it's easy to travel there for workshops. A big group of Mayne Studio folk went to a Zoe Jakes workshop there (I went, too, even though I'm not tribal) and it was a lot of fun. I miss them both!

Other than that, I know of Garnet Kepler (I think her group is the Habibi Dancers?) in Lansing and she seems like she would be good to work with. She brings in Cassandra Shore every year and I <3 Cassandra (she was one of my first teachers). I've seen Joette of Kalamazoo perform and liked her, but I haven't taken classes with her. I'd say both are more classic Egyptian style.

Let me know if you want any more info on GR!

Maura

Heya! I believe that we're the Tribal classes in Kalamazoo that you spoke of: www.BohemeTribal.com

We have daytime and evening classes available in Kalamazoo most days of the week. We are also now teaching at two locations in the Grand Rapids area!

Tribal Fusion on Tuesday nights at Moveir Studio on Burlingame (8:30pm-9:30pm)

and Beginning Belly Dance on Thursday nights at Sleeping Dog Yoga in Cedar Springs (7:30pm-8:30pm)

We are also adding a weekly class on Sundays in South Haven, from 1pm-2pm, at South Haven Yoga Shala, starting in March!

Hi Mina!

There is another studio http://www.lauraarmenta.com/calendar.html

The teacher's name is Laura Armenta! Wonderful lady, teacher and beautiful dancer. She is trained in ballet, yoga, bollywood, cabaret and I am sure more that I don't know of!

I have taken workshops with her and have danced at shows with her years ago. I highly recommend her!