Finding and Selecting a Teacher

Finding a Teacher

The first problem is discovering who is teaching in your area. There are a number of approaches.

Check out your local or national association which may maintain a register of teachers.. For instance:
New Zealand has MEDANZ - some teacher details on line
Canada has MEDA - some teacher details on line
In the UK there is MOSAIC - details on line
California has MECDA" - some teacher details on line
Check your local telephone directory. Check out subjects like "Dance Schools" and "Entertainers"
Try your local library. Some keep a database of courses
Try local schools and community courses - even if they don't have a course running they may be able to point you in the right direction
If there is a dancer at a restaurant, ask for advice. She may teach herself or may be able to recommend her teacher. Sometimes the restaurant owners may be able and willing to help out - but not always
Ask about - especially among people involved in dance. Often dancers from one style, say, Latin will know dancers from another style
Check out local festivals.
For instance the MEDANZ Festival (April), the Sydney Festival (May), the Melbourne Festival (September) gives a great opportunity to taste a number of teachers in a short period of time
Check out some of the major belly dance internet sites which have lists of teachers throughout the world such as:
Shira
Bhuz - look under 'directory'
Jacqueline Chapman lists some UK teachers
Aziza Sa'id - the site takes forever to load but there are teachers amongst her HotList
Sometimes a search (eg Google may turn up information - dmoz lists a selection of teachers (mostly USA)

If you are lucky you will have a choice of teachers. For instance here in Christchurch we have at least 9 to choose from. So how do you choose?

Selecting a Teacher

Some teachers are good some are not so good.

Try and find a teacher who can look after your physical safety, is able and willing to teach (performing and teaching are very different skills) and can inspire you. Someone who is knowledgeable about Arabic culture and rhythms, and is still open to learning herself (ask about the latest workshops that she attended). Here's what I've done

In addition, different classes, even with the same teacher, may have a different emphasis. Some classes are primarily aimed at teaching dance technique. Some, once the basics are mastered, allow the student to choose a variety of classes - for instance a particular folk style, American Tribal, further their Oriental technique etc.

Other classes may be aimed more at dance therapy - that is a chance to meet other women and move your body.

Others may have a spiritual dimension.

Others may be primarily interested in teaching choreographies or performing.

Then there is the issue of a teacher's personal style. For a beginner, it is good to have someone you click with; who gives the type and amount of feedback you need; whose world view aligns with yours.

For a more experienced dancer this is less of an issue. If the teacher has the goods (and is willing to share them) you find a way to make the relationship work.

Shop around and see who suits you best.

Things to Avoid

There are some things you should not put up with. Your teacher should not:

touch you inappropriately nor require you to get changed in front of them.
engage in emotional blackmail nor dangle performance opportunities as rewards for compliance (other for than strict dance technique & style or appropriate behaviour - don't expect to be given performance work if you dance is sloppy, your costume tatty, and your behaviour crude and rude)
verbally abuse you - correcting you is ok (even expected :-))
fail to give feedback week after week
force you to perform in public before you are ready - technically and emotionally
force you to wear clothing that you feel is inappropriate
be unprepared for lesson after lesson. Everyone has their off days but over a number of classes there should be some plan and goals set, appropriate music should be available, moves should be presented in a manner appropriate to the students
constantly discourage you from taking workshops or classes with other teachers -or just fail to tell you about them (yes, they should warn you of charlatans - but be suspicious if there is no-one they suggest is worth a look at)

If this sounds like your teacher may be you need to go back to the top.

But you also have some obligations as a student. Diane James has offered these suggestions

Good luck.

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