Belly Dancing by Charlotte

There seems to be many Belly Dancing teachers. How will I know if this is a credible Belly Dancing school?

Very good question! The teacher comes when the student is ready, so when you have started thinking about this art form, it is essential that you are discerning about where you choose to go. Do your homework BEFORE you invest in your future in these classes:

Email/chat to the teacher about her experience - has she ever been to the countries where this art is an intrinsic part of its character? If so, has she been on intensive training or just on holiday there? Does she proudly show and share photos, experiences and names of the people she attended classes, master classes or group workshops with? It is important to be able to verify that she was indeed successful in her training...very often the actual training details she has undertaken, are left out. I have even had teachers/students who have professed to be successfully trained by me, but either never completed or never were very successful with student training or performances themselves! Does she claim that what she does is the ultimate in belly dancing? A good teacher, as with anything, will admit that we are ALWAYS learning and can never know it all! Her answers will give you some insight into her attitude toward this amazing art.
Participate in one of the classes to see if this where you feel that you will learn what you want to learn and if it seems authentic - does she share her knowledge/terminology and is she professional in her approach and do her other students enjoy the classes?
Take note of the condition of the studio. The environment must make you feel comfortable too! Does she keep to class times or is there much chatting or class always late in starting, or worse, classes cancelled even though you have paid her for them? If she runs her classes according to a syllabus it is physically not possible for her to give you proper input if you join the rest of a class that has already started her course… holding up the rest of the class to catch up late comers will possibly annoy or frustrate everyone in the class. So be sure you are getting value for your money spent.
Does she have a troupe of performing dancers and perform herself? With a high standard and reputation? If yes, where? Go and watch them and be sure that the standard is high in your eyes too and be sure that the style is something that you would like to really learn and be associated with. Dare to dream!
Do you connect with the teacher? And I don't mean when you chat to her on the phone before you have met her …like each of us in the modern world often finds .. often your tele enquiries come thru at the most inopportune moment, eg when driving! Not everyone feels immediately safe enough to allow themselves to become vulnerable in a strange place like a dance studio. Often stepping out of your comfort zone in front of strangers could make you feel like this. You need to be in her classes to feel for yourself... so ask yourself, can I grow here or not? Am I ready for the growth and comfort zone expansion or not? Are the other girls friendly? Chat to the other girls...be sure what you have been told and what you see is what you are getting – is she committed to her students(i.e. YOU) getting it right, or just being liked by her students?
Does the school communicate effectively to all students through regular emails or tele? If a teacher is really in demand and very busy, you will probably find she is successful in her communications re her passion, dedication and standard she offers to you. Personally it is just not physically possible for me to answer the phone 24/7... I would not have time to run classes or prepare for them! A well oiled form of communication with her students, using the latest in technology also tells you that she is effective and that her students/clients are also in touch with change and technology of the current times. A sign that the teacher/school is adaptable and full of growth and fun for students! Whether she teaches the art full time or part time can also give you an indication of her passion/commitment to what she offers her students.
And lastly, website references vs. verbal references…check for continuity…after all, it’s your individual goddess growth that you place in her hands when you start the journey!