FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
For people hiring a belly dance for the first time, the cost of a show may seem high at first, but it directly reflects dancers' investments of: years of training, the time required to get ready for a show (at least 2 hours), time spent preparing the music (0.5-2 hours), travel time & gas, professional costumes (which run from $400-$1000 each), and stage makeup.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Whenever I work with a customer, we start by discussing the details of the event either over the phone or through email. I will gather the information I need about the show, the venue, the schedule and any other logistical elements. From there I will prepare a contract and then send it to the client for review. After discussing any final questions, the client returns the signed contract.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been training in Middle Eastern dance since the age of 14, and joined my first professional troupe at age 16. I continued my dance studies during my time at Barnard College of Columbia University in NYC, where I minored in dance and majored in Middle Eastern Language and Culture. Living in NYC gave me the opportunity to study with belly dance professionals from across the world, enriching my knowledge and exposing me to a range of cultural dances. When I returned to the DC area, I joined a Central Asian dance company to advance my studies into Persian, Uzbek, Afghan, and other traditional dances of the region, which afforded me the opportunity to perform for an audience of 5,000 in the capital of Uzbekistan. I currently continue my dance studies by cross-training in various styles, most recently Salsa and Bachata.