Dance Fitness Instructor

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Teaching. I am mostly an instructor because I love to impart the culture of the various different dances onto my students. I also do performances at restaurants, weddings, bridal showers and birthday parties. However, I don't do bachelor parties.

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. James B. Woods Middle School; Zumbatomic and Bellydance mini-classes; taught two fifteen minute sessions of each to girls from 6th to 9th grade as part of a Sisters Mentoring Program in Montgomery County Schools.

New Year's Celebration at the China Garden in Rosslyn, VA; danced flamenco-bellydance fusion routine to benefit the Chinese Community Church of Greater D.C.

Baltimore County Senior Expo, Timonium Fairgrounds; Zumba Gold demonstration with the lovely ladies from my class at Catonsville Senior Center. Appeared in a clip on WBALTV news.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Our business is our profession and hiring a professional performer or teacher should be like seeking out any other professional. Do your homework, and make sure that a contract and schedule are in order so that both parties will be satisfied.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. No matter what it is that I am instructing, from Zumba Fitness to Middle Eastern dance, to African or Yoga; all of these things have a common bond. That bond is that they were once ethno-religious movements (yes, even the dance movements in Zumba originally come from carnival dances) that were about community and identity and joy.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Know what you're looking for in a teacher first. Are you looking for an exercise fitness teacher, a dance instructor, or a performance and what style are you interested in? I am fluent in Egyptian Cabaret as well as Tribal Fusion Bellydance. It is always helpful for a student looking for a teacher in this area to be sure that she understands the differences, since there are many, many different types of bellydance and there is a teacher for nearly every one.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I seek to constantly grow and obtain new knowledge in my field to better serve my students.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. What I find most rewarding about Bellydance is the confidence I inspire in my students. Being able to bring people out of their comfort zone allows them to learn new things about themselves and helps them to open up and explore new concepts in the world around them.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. What is the class going to be like? It's the easiest, and at the same time, hardest question for anyone. People tend to come with expectations. I have a basic approach that incorporates what I've studied of the Suhaila Salimpour method. It's very hands-on and body intensive and also...friendly! So, this basically would be my answer, with the added qualification that the class will be different for each individual.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Yes. One of my students came to me as part of her rehabilitation from a trauma that had happened in her past and was still affecting her life. It still amazes me to this day the progress that she has made and the changes that dance has wrought upon her. She is more outgoing, self-confident, and most importantly, physically stronger.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That we are not in it for the money, that is not a form of exhibitionism. Most of us come from backgrounds in therapy, OT or PT, social work, teaching, and even career science. We are in it for you and for one another to improve your health and renew your wellbeing.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I have always loved to teach, and I have been a teacher since college. I have worked in occupational therapy and once studied medicine. Since a child, I have also always loved to dance. Dance is special to me, so combining these three fields together was just a natural choice.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I was part of a benefit at Good Samaritan Hospital recently where I taught Zumba fitness for free to the staff. Their efforts globally to help people regain mobility and to walk again are very inspiring. Therefore, waiving my fee as a donation of my services felt very rewarding.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I am studying with Suhaila Salimpour and Kukuwa Nuamah in order to become certified in their programs. I am also studying yoga with a master teacher in order to eventually teach yoga as well.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. Bellydance at the present is evolving rapidly. Students and teachers are much more educated and aware of the body mechanics and what they want by way of improvement in their health through these movements. The same goes for Zumba fitness, which is ever-changing to suit the needs of the population. When I started, there was just Zumba classic. Now I'm certified in Zumba Gold for active adults and Zumbatomic for children and families. I also offer The Kukuwa African Dance workout and proud to be affiliated with her wonderful program. I recently obtained Aqua cerifiactaion and will be takin Bellydance and Zumba to the water!

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. I am getting a Troupe called Binat-al-Noor together, consisting of students I've had with me nearly since I began teaching. Our hope is to dance benefits and senior centers. All told, the meetings combined with the costuming and the price of gas and rental fees for the studio will probably cost me and my troupe a couple hundred of dollars between all of us, but for us it has been worth the time and the challenge. Our fist trip out was this past fall at Haggerstown Raks. Performance footage coming! Also we performed at the Howard County Senior Expo.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. No. My service is not pricey.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Work hard and from the perspective of your students, not yourself. Get the training that you need that will make you a sound and true professional.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Either curiosity or determination. I am always seeking new knowledge to implement in my classes, and I actively engage in workshops, seminars and training to provide the best for my students.

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

A. I am working on a more manageable schedule at the moment, and am in the process of completing aquatic training through Zumba Fitness and H20 Fitness. I'm also continuing my training through Suhaila Salimpour in the upcoming year, and plan on getting a studio!!!! I will be completing a higher level certification by the end of the summer in yoga. I am hoping to add personal training to my reportoire before the year is out.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What is Middle-Eastern dance? Specifically, Raks Sharqi or Raks Orientale is a form of folkloric or concert performance art from the Levant and North Africa. There are many forms of Middle-Eastern dance but the form most are familiar with is Bellydance or Raks Sharqi. Raks Sharqi is grounded in performance art for weddings, ceremonies and entertainment and usually accompanies a live orchestra. The dance that we know today has had many influences from as far East as China and as far West as California. The dance was initially influenced by the Silk Road and the Salt Trade, and picked up influences from the Syrian-controlled Al-Andalus region of Spain.