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\n\u201cA candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.\u201d \u2015 Erin Majors <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
How do you know if your Belly Dance teacher has your best interest at heart? Here are some important questions to ask yourself and, perhaps, others:<\/p>\n
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\n Is your teacher qualified to give you a proper foundation for technique as well as cultural references?<\/strong>
\n When searching out a Belly Dance teacher, don’t be shy about asking for the teacher’s credentials. If you are going to spend time and money learning to Belly dance, make sure you start the journey off with the right teacher so you won’t have to back-track later.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n- Does your teacher give you honest critiques and feedback?<\/strong>
\nDo you have to constantly wonder what your teacher really thinks about your ability? If you can’t get an honest answer out of your teacher, even in a "one-on-one" situation, then it may be time to look elsewhere if you expect to progress. Sometimes, teachers can’t bring themselves to risk hurting a student’s feelings, even if the student is asking for the truth and even if it means the student will benefit from hearing honest feedback.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n- Are your teacher’s classes and troupe a positive and healthy environment?<\/strong>
\nMost teachers of Belly Dance truly love to teach so they can pass their knowledge on to others. However, teachers exist who thrive on belittling and controlling their students. This type of environment may not be apparent at first glance, which is why it is important to occasionally take the time to analyze your dance classes and troupe experience. If your Belly Dance teacher tries to manipulate you, control you, put you down, especially in front of others, or if she tries to make you feel guilty or unworthy about anything, especially for having any ambitions regarding your Belly Dance goals, then you should consider finding a more loving and healthy dance teacher\/troupe\/studio.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n- Does your Belly Dance teacher encourage you to learn from other teachers, even from other local teachers and at other local events that offer workshops?<\/strong>
\nIf your teacher is threatened by the idea of you enrolling in workshops and lessons from other people, then you have a clear sign that she does not have your best interest at heart. However, if she does, then she would be happy to hear that you are expanding your skills. A healthy-minded teacher should be confident enough to not worry about losing students as long as she is constantly updating her curriculum and performance opportunities that she offers to her students.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n- Does your teacher offer performance opportunities, or at least routes for you to gain them on your own?<\/strong>
\nIf you answered \u201cNo\u201d to the question above, you may want to consider finding a teacher who encourages performing experience for those students who are interested. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n- Is your teacher helping you develop your own style?<\/strong>
\nIf you have progressed past a certain point and are desiring to perform as a soloist, then you need a teacher who wants to see you become \u201cyour own dancer\u201d, meaning that you will probably no longer want to emulate the exact style of your teacher. If you are put down or restrained for experimenting with your own style and for branching out, then you should find a teacher who can assist you in your journey to find your unique style.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n- Is your teacher helping you accomplish your personal dance goals?
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\nThis question becomes really important when students get to an advanced level and they start to develop ambitions to perform, teach, and produce events. Sometimes, teachers can feel threatened when students express that they want to do what their teacher is doing, whether that is performing professionally, teaching Belly Dance classes, or even to produce their own events. Teachers who have your best interest at heart will feel genuinely happy and proud when students achieve goals! Talk about leaving a legacy! If you have a teacher who discourages you from your ambitions for whatever reason (the real reason is often hidden behind other excuses) then you need to find another teacher or a mentor who will put you on the right track. It is to be noted that some students who desire to perform professionally, teach, or produce events may not be ready, but it is the teacher’s duty to train correctly students who have these goals, or to lead them to a teacher who will help them. Even if a teacher feels that an insistent student is not ready for a particular endeavor, the student should never be put down or discouraged. There is a always a positive way to handle any situation.
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\n <\/strong><\/li>\n- Lastly, does your teacher make you feel that if you leave her classes\/troupe\/studio, you will have no opportunities without him or her?<\/strong>
\nTeachers should realize that when accomplished students reach a certain level, they will need to "leave the baby bird’s nest." It is a natural cycle and should be viewed as such. Many students will stay with a teacher for years upon years simply for social and recreational purposes, but oftentimes, advanced students will want to move on in order to progress further. If your teacher makes you feel bad or guilty for leaving the classes\/troupe\/studio, then you know that teacher doesn\u2019t have your best interest at heart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nRemember that you are your own person and you can use your talents any way you want. Nobody owns anybody else. And nobody owns Belly Dance. Belly Dance is an exciting world that gives women and men many artistic and entrepreneurial opportunities. Everyone is benefited by the success of others within a community!\n\t\t <\/p>\n
\n\t 1- Wendy Valera, 2- Joanna Devoto, 3- Tricia Slocum, 4- Saritza Velilla, 5- Margot Steffenhagen, 6- Cindy Edgin, 7- Lilliana, 8- Sa’diyya <\/h6>\nResources:<\/h5>\n
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