Belly Dance Classes, Performances & Parties

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

A. Women's Parties... they can either hire me to entertain at their home, or event location or I offer studio space at my Bothell location, pending availability of the studio. The ladies usually supply wine, cheese and/or snacks and I supply the sound-system, coin-belts, silk veils, finger cymbals, CDs or Live Musicians, depending on the needs of the clients.

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

A. Be sure to select a belly dancer who has experience working with the public, who has been teaching and performing for several years and has a good reputation in the community. You wouldn't want to hire someone who could possibly embarrass you and/or your guests by not demonstrating proper dance ethics. Hire a professional and you will be glad you did.

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

A. Relax, breath and enjoy! I'll have you dancing by the end or our session! =)

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

A. Where is the location of the party/event? What specifically are you interested in? i.e. Belly Dance Instruction, Instruction with a mini-performance, Just performance time with or without live musicians? Ask questions if you are unsure of what it is you are interested in. I have many options to meet the needs of my customers.

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

A. I offer competitive rates and high-quality service. I do my very best to meet the needs of my customers. I am a certified instructor with a fitness-related background. I have over 35 years of dance education in various forms of dance.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love working with women, especially those whom have never danced before. It is as exciting for me as it is for them to realize what they are capable of, in a stress-free, uninhibited style of dance. It's what the body is designed to do... to move, feel the music and let yourself be free. =)

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

A. What do you charge? My rates are determined based on the number of participants and the length of time my services are requested. i.e. Birthday party, 30 guests, 1-hour time frame, local to my travel area would be $15 per person, which includes 50 minutes of dance education with the basic foundation of Belly Dance, instruction in dancing with a silk veil, followed by some simple choreography and then I would provide a mini-performance demonstration of my dancing to the participants. This is great for women-only parties. =) The men usually don't show interest until I use my dance sword and balance it upon my head while performing. I do not accept bachelor parties. However, I do accept bachelorette parties and encourage them. =)

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

A. I was hired to perform for a private birthday party, being celebrated by three lovely ladies and all of their guests on Lake Sammamish, WA. While I was performing my sword-routine, an Eagle decided to join us and fly overhead. It was a breath-taking experience for me and all the guests.

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

A. Belly Dance, or also knows as Raqs Sharqi or Dance Oriental, is a dance of Middle Eastern Art, past down from generation to generation. It is NOT the "hoochie-coochie" dance. My clothes stay ON during my performances and they are ALL "family-friendly". I enjoy performing for children as well and love to make "parachutes and pinwheels" using my silk veils. The kids LOVE it.

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

A. I have been dancing since I was eight years old and I knew that I wanted to be a dancer when I was two years old, having seen beautiful ballet dancers on our little black-and-white TV, performing "Swan Lake". I was hooked and haven't stopped dancing since.

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

A. I am Emcee-ing and performing in the Gypsy Days event at Ottoman Trading Co., Country Village Garden Stage on Saturday, August 21st. This is a free event, open to the public and it starts at 3pm. I will also be vending my hand-painted/hand-dyed silks there as well.

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

A. I continually take workshops with top-named instructors in keep my dancing skills up to par. =)

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

A. Join the local dance community to see what the proper dance ethics are, what the going rate is and get certified. There are too many girls who think that just because they took ONE class, they are skilled enough to teach and/or perform. This is a disservice to the art of Middle Eastern Dance, Belly Dance.