Expert: Gia al Qamar - 8/16/2007

Question
QUESTION: i am currently 19 years old... would i be too old to consider becoming good at belly dancing...seeing as how people start when they are like 10... i was thinking about tribal fusion...

when do pro belly dancers usually begin?

ANSWER: Jakii,
Hello!  I am so sorry that you were given the impression that you need to be a young lady to become good at belly dancing!  Nothing could be further from the truth!
Unlike many other forms of dance, most women in our country start belly dancing in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond!
I began working professionally WELL after the time that I was out of college!
There is a saying in our dance community that one has little to dance about until they are OVER the age of 30!  That is because you will have lived more, experienced much and will be able to express it fully as a mature woman!
So...beginning your studies at the young age of 19 will give you THE most wonderful foundation for this most wonderful dance!
Also, reputable dancers and teachers will (and should!) tell you that fusion isn't a dance style unto itself.  Fusion means to fuse two or more forms of dancing together.  To dance, for example, tribal fusion, you would have to study Oriental (classic belly dance) as well as studying 'tribal' or whatever other fusion rocks your world!
Begin your studies with a light heart and open mind and enjoy this wonderful new world that will open for you!
Gia
www.IDreamOfGia.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for your answer! i wasn't sure if i would get one... i intend to do as you suggest... oriental.. then tribal..to learn each individual style would take time.. and based on my individual will and talents.. but belly dancing seems much more difficult than most dances for some reason... would it take that long also... because i am aware that daily classes for 7 years and more to get... 'good' is what the thought is

Answer
Jakki--
Of course you'll always get answers here!  That's why I'm here...to help you and the zillion other women who are eager to dance!
The biggest, best gift that you can give to yourself is time and patience.  There is NO time limit to the classes that you take, the time that you spend readying yourself to dance.  You needn't take classes every day, unless you want to!  Most take one class a week and drill and practice at home!  That would be my suggestion for you!
"Good" comes with time and patience and maturity in this dance.
Give yourself that gift...you'll be glad that you did!
Gia
www.IDreamOfGia.com