Chandra, from Dunedin FL

[Chandra]

Hello everyone (and well met).
Just a line or two to introduce myself and say "HEY".

I'm Chandra, and have been involved in the dance for about a year now.
I've been doing some performing both as a soloist and as part of a troupe for close to 5 months now.
I got started in bellydance at the recommendation of my physical therapist (for balance, flexibility, and stamina) after having thoracic surgery to repair damage/injury as the result of a serious auto accident, and when the insurance would no longer pay for the phys therapy (cause she really could do no more for me than she'd already had). But hey, I was happy to be moving again at all (had been payalyzed waist down for nearly 2 years) .

I'm very serious about my dancing...
I don't just take a once a week class - currently take 3 a week at two diff studios, plus I practice/drill EVERYDAY for at least an hour to hour and half (even when I don't particularly "feel" like it).



Recently mngt. at one of the 5 star resorts in my area has approaced me (having seen me dance) about teaching a weekly class at their facility. (made an offer too good to pass up - so I accepted). Now because I'm only an intermediate, and do not not yet feel that I'm ready to teach myself (I've led warm-ups in class, and can even "sub" a class - but intimidated by prospect of ongoing sessions), I asked one of my instructors (who I've also become good friends with) if she'd be willing to do it along w/ me (me being her assistant). She said yes.
BUT, the resort would like this tied into a studio.

Worried that if I turn this over to either of the studios I study at - I might get cut out of the deal. I'm opening up my own studio. The instructor that agreed to teach at the resort w/ me is going to teach for me at the studio as well (working around her schedule at the "other" studio). I'm trying to talk her into something more - and she's interested, but not able to commit to more than teaching at this time.

Anyhoo
I've found an excellent space in Dunedin, FL (not too terribly far away from where I live), and doors should be open by end of Sept 07 (if not sooner. Just signed the lease and starting the painting etc. next week.

I'm pretty freakin' excited about it (Bounce! Bounce!)
and that's it for my intro thread...

[Lauren_]

Wow, sounds like you work very hard at your dance. Congratulations on your amazing recovery, as well, that's fantastic!

Am I reading this correctly? Sounds like you'd only been taking lessons for about 5 months before you started performing solo and with your troupe? And it's now been about a year since you started taking lessons? And you're not only teaching but opening a studio?

Is your troupe director supportive of your venture? Do your current teachers feel like you're ready to teach?

[Kimahri]

Chandra, if you are as you described...an intermediate dancer that doesn't feel ready to teach ongoing classes...accepting the position was a mistake. If you are turning over the responsibility for the class to the experienced instructor I don't see how you can expect to keep dibs on it.

~~Kimahri

[Chandra]

True I had only been studying about 6 months before started performing, at first only at haflas and such. But when felt more confident - I auditioned for a troupe and have been dancing w/ them regularly, as well as solo gigs/performances.


And I'm not exactly teaching (yet). As stated, have led class warmups and have done some subbing. And then only recently.


As far as the class to be taught at the resort - the guests are there for vacation, and so the turnover would be constant. So would be just an introductory class week after week (not the typical structured 8+ week session that gets built upon over the course of the session). I would be working along w/ the more experienced instructor so am not worried about keeping dibbs on it. Non-compete clauses are part of the contract that have w/ the resort (and also the instructor that will be working w/ me).

This instructor will also be my lead instructor at the studio - she is training me to reach the point that I will be able to teach (and be confident enough w/ my skills also). I did not say that I WASN"T able to teach - just that "I" did not yet feel ready too. I am also studying on my own (w/ certifacation courses like Keti Sharif, and Taaj's program). So that I WILL be able to teach in the future.

And yes, am opening a studio.
I have a lot of experience in sales and marketing - will be spending a lot of time doing that for my studio, it's instructors, and eventually advanced students and any professional dancers/troupes that will be associated w/ my studio. Taking a agents fee for booking paid appearances/performances. There are other marketing materials that can be utilized to bring revenues in, and there will be a boutique associated w/ the studio as well.


All of my instructors as well as my troupe director are aware of my plans, and at what stage they are at (w/ exception of the Resort portion of the endeaver). I am opening in a location that I would not be a direct competitor of any of them, and have even gotten a lot of advice/assistance from them.

[Lauren_]

Ah, well, that reads a bit differently than your first post, then. Sorry to put you on the defensive right away, but the 'dancer who starts teaching after only one year' is a recurring lament here at Bhuz (and everywhere bellydance teachers gather!)

I'm glad you have the support of your local community, without that it's really hard to get things going. My studio's been open about 7 months, with lots of support, and it's still difficult! I'd be very worried about you if you didn't have some support.

Welcome to Bhuz!

[zumarrad]

*boggles*
There's another Dunedin (other than Edinburgh) in the world?!

[Chandra]

I didn't feel put on the defensive,
it was a valid line of questioning. Even though I have been on somewhat of a fastrack toward where I am - I feel that have/am putting in the time/effort (study and hard work) required.

I oft find myself shocked that so many dancers try turning pro with little training or any real ability even. I would prefer to utilize my more experienced troupe members or dance sisters than to embarrass myself/the craft/or my instructors.
which is why I am not teaching initially, and plan to hire experienced instructors (pref w/ a following *LOL*)

[Chandra]

Originally Posted by zumarrad

*boggles*
There's another Dunedin (other than Edinburgh) in the world?!

LMAO
Yeah...
Dunedin, FL (USA)
think there is also one in Austrailia - but not sure

[zumarrad]

No, it's the NZ one you're thinking of. I thought it was the only one!

[Chandra]

Ahhh...
well, there's a sister city here in the Tampa Bay area (central west coast)
Dunedin is a quaint town of bout 35,000 that is very artistic and boho, w/ grand Scottish history/ties.