Expert: Gia al Qamar - 2/6/2010

Question
Hi,I am from middle east and for about 3 years on and off I took belly dance privet lesson and now I took belly dance lesson with other teacher to learn diferrent teqnic and My dream to have my own studio to teach,How is the steps? do I need to have degree in dance or something please help me at this matter?  By the way I am kind of professional now ,thank you

Answer
Thank you so much for writing and for your very interesting question!
While you may not like what I have to say, if you take it to heart and give it some thought, my advice could very well help you achieve your dreams!
Being from the Middle East gives you a bit of an 'edge' where music is concerned...you undoubtedly grew up around classic baladi and classic music like Om Kalsoum that will enable you to interpret the music in a wonderful and unique way!
What being Middle Eastern does NOT give you, necessarily, is the ability to dance. Those of us born into Middle Eastern families enjoyed dancing at home...I still dance around my kitchen alone and with friends and family!  But the kind of polish that every student needs to achieve professional level performances comes with regular study with at least one well educated teacher (I often recommend studying with as many teachers as you can afford!) and also the patience that comes with the process of learning.
Middle Eastern dance is NO different than ballet, ballroom, jazz or any other type of dance...you cannot learn everything that you need to know in one lesson, one week, one month, one year, maybe not even in one decade.  At three years of 'on and off' studies, you need to dedicate yourself to constant study of the dance...from the style performed on stage to folkloric styles, Egyptian, Turkish, American classic and more!  You need to dedicate yourself to home practice for hours a day, EVERY day.  You need to support the dance community in the town in which you live by attending classes, workshops and shows.
You need to start SLOWLY by learning, not only how to dance, but how to perform. Once you have spent a few more years studying and performing at local hafli and showcases, you can ask your teacher if she thinks that you are ready to perform for pay.
Earning money at Belly Dance doesn't make you a professional. Knowing the music, the rhythms by name, being able to dance with props, knowing how to construct a set, knowing what to charge and how not to 'undercut' other dancers, being punctual, knowing what costume is appropriate for what venue and what style of music, how to write a contract for jobs at private functions and in restaurant settings and doing it regularly is just SOME of what it takes to be a professional.
Finally...teaching is a sacred job. Those of us who teach take VERY seriously our dedication to our students by knowing, not only as much as we possibly can about the dance, but also about conveying this to students from ALL walks of life in a physically and emotionally safe manner. Not every dancer makes a good teacher and not every teacher is a wonderful dancer.  The BEST teachers don't put their students at risk by 'sharing their knowledge' after just a few years of classes.
So...what are the steps?  Many hundreds of hours of classes. Much watching of other dancers, both pros and armatures. Performing for no pay at shows and student showcases until you are of a level that your TEACHER believes is ready to be seen by the general public.
Patience...dedication...a need to dance and the strength of character to make sure that you're offering the BEST education to your students and the BEST performance to your audience.
I hope this advice helps!
Gia
www.IDreamOfGia.com