Bellydance with Amira & the Amethyst Dance Company

bellydancelondon.ca - Your guide to what's shakin' in the Forest City. Bellydancelondon.ca has information about bellydance events, classes, performers and all things bellydance happening in and around London. www.bellydancelondon.ca

Laurie-Ann's School of Dance -The beautiful studio in London, Ontario where Amira teaches. They have classes for all types of dance under one roof -from ballet, jazz and tap to hip hop, flamenco, and (of course) bellydance. Check out their great adult programs. www.laurieannsdance.com

The Arabian Oasis Middle Eastern Dance Guild -Home of the Arabian Oasis Dancers, under the leadership of Tamara. www.oasisguild.ca

Arabesque Academy -Yasmina Ramzy's School in Toronto, Ontario. Home of the International Bellydance Conference of Canada. www.arabesquedance.ca

Susu Abdo -A wonderful teacher in Chatham, Ontario. www.susuabdo.com

Shira.net -The worlds most popular Bellydance website, Shira.net is a repository of all things Bellydance. www.shira.net

What to look for in a Bellydance Teacher

I've studied with many teachers in Southwestern Ontario, I've shared the stage with hundereds of dancers, and I've been to too many workshops to count ... I've seen it all, here's some advice for what to look for in a good Bellydance Teacher.

Style -Is the class Egyptian or Oriental? Folkloric? Tribal? Gypsy? Make sure the class is a style you're interested in.

Technique -Do you want to dance like they do? The best teacher for you will be one who's technique is one you'd like to emulate.

Cultural Literacy -Do they know a Zeffa from a Zar, Khellegy from Saiidi?

Experience -How long have they danced for? Who have they danced with? Beware of teachers who have only danced for a year, or have only had one teacher

Community -Are they active in the bellydance community? Do they support -and are supported by- other teachers?

Don't hesitate to try classes with different teachers. The list of moves within Bellydance is not a finite one, there is always something to learn from different dancers.