Frequently asked questions

No. Observers are not allowed, mainly because students feel uncomfortable having people watch them in a learning situation – wouldn’t you? I also don’t allow drop-ins. Since my teaching is cumulative during a 6-week session, students who drop in and out will not get the full benefit of the class.

What should I wear to class?

There’s no need for special dance attire — just wear something stretchy and comfortable, so you’ll be able to move easily. Most students like to wear a shawl or scarf around their hips so that it’s easier to see how the hips are moving. (I’ll have an assortment of hip scarves available for purchase.) We will be dancing on a carpet that is very comfortable underfoot, and most students will be dancing barefoot.

Should I start with Beginner or Advanced Beginner level classes?

If you have never studied Middle Eastern dance, I recommend that you start with at least one Beginner session, even if you have experience in other dance forms. This will ensure that you have a firm grounding in basic technique. If you have taken a few classes or have been working on your own with instructional DVDs, and can shimmy and perform a Figure Eight move, you’re ready for Advanced Beginner.

How long do I have to stay at the Beginner level?

That depends on what you want to get out of the class. If you're looking for fun and exercise, but don't want to practice between classes, I suggest that you stick with the Beginner level. If you want to build your skills and improve your technique, AND you're willing to practice, then you will be ready to move up to Advanced Beginner (with Latifa’s approval) as soon as you can shimmy and do a Figure Eight move. If you have previous experience in another dance form, you will probably progress fairly quickly.

How long will it take before I can dance professionally?

Bear in mind that this dance is harder than it looks - we just make it look easy. Rising to the professional level is dependent upon many factors, like your ease of movement and your willingness to practice, practice, practice. It normally takes a minimum of 3-5 years of study before a student is ready. I do know of one dancer who turned professional in less than a year - but she was talented, and practiced 5 hours a day. I also know dancers who have been dancing for more than 10 years who will never be professionals. As you can tell from these examples, it's hard to predict how long it will take for a motivated student to rise to this level.

Belly dance? Middle Eastern dance? What's the difference?

"Belly dance" is a term widely used in America to describe a certain style of solo performance dance - nightclub or cabaret style. I prefer the term "Middle Eastern dance" because it encompasses nightclub and other styles. In the Middle East, the nightclub style is called raqs sharqi or "eastern dance". This gave rise to the term Oriental dance or its French equivalent, danse orientale. All of these labels are highly subjective.

Where can I get a costume?

We have a vendor with a wonderful showroom right in our area! The Belly Dance Store is in Severna Park. Call Shahrzad (410) 271-2747 to set up an appointment to shop.

You can also try on-line vendors like Scheherezade Imports, Turquoise International, the Belly Dance Shoppe or Dahlal International, just to name a few. And don't forget eBay, the source of many, many costumes and other items. Just search on "belly dance".

Where can I go in this area to listen to Arabic music and watch dancers?

My favorite restaurant for this is the Casablanca, in Alexandria, VA. There are dancers performing to taped music every night, plus a live band for the late show on Saturdays. For more information, visit their home page

What are the weekly classes like?

They’re fun! It’s common for students to say things like "This is the most fun thing I’ve ever done in my life!" or "I look forward to this class all week." The choreography-based classes include a grounding in Middle Eastern history and culture as well as dance technique. Latifa’s Beginner students learn basic skills and short, easy dances that they can show off to their families and friends. Advanced Beginner students learn longer, more complex dances and build on their basic foundation of dance skills; they are expected to learn choreographies and perform them independently at student parties. At the Intermediate level, students learn a more challenging dance, either folkloric or oriental (night-club style), sometimes using props such as canes or veils. Students at this level are expected to be able to perform the class choreography independently, without Latifa’s help and with great expression. Latifa’s Advanced students hone their technique for performance in restaurants or gala shows, focusing on performance skills, expression, layering, and smooth transitions. Advanced student choreographies may incorporate props such as veil, cane, sword, and finger cymbals.

Latifa’s technique classes provide an opportunity to perfect the sometimes challenging moves of this lovely dance form. Latifa will present a movement and drill it, giving the class the chance to practice the move and providing feedback and corrections. In the Tuesday Beginner Technique class, students start with the basics and build from there. Advance Beginner/Intermediate Technique students concentrate on squishy moves like undulations; different types of shimmies; traveling steps; musical interpretation; drills, etc. At the advanced level, emphasis is on comparative technique; studying specific pieces of music; rhythms; performance skills; adding energy and pizzazz to your dancing; drills; props, etc.

Your class schedule doesn't work for me. Can you recommend another instructor?

There are many excellent instructors in the Baltimore-Washington area! You can find listings for them through Maryland Middle Eastern Performing Arts or the Washington Area Mid East Dance Association (WAMEDA).

I would love to study with you, but you’re too far away.

I have several “long distance” students who come for private lessons in my home studio. In between lessons, I assign homework so that my students keep learning. We can tailor the frequency of your lessons to your schedule and budget.

I want to take classes, but I need to lose weight first/I’m too old/I don’t have rhythm.

Nonsense! Just come to class. You’ll see all body types, all ages, students who learn quickly, students who don’t, etc. Just get started. Don’t deny yourself this fun experience!

Will belly dance classes help me lose weight and get in shape?

Classes can help with both these things, but a lot depends on how much you practice, and your own personal metabolism. I supplement my classes with Bikram Yoga (hot yoga), and that has made a big difference for me. I also recommend the ab workout DVD by the Fitness Pharaoh.

Where can I find more information on belly dance?

There are many informative websites. For example, try “Oriental Dancer.net - The Belly Dance Hub”. Another comprehensive site (which I love for song translations and other things) is www.shira.net. You might want to join the Yahoo group called “raqsbaltimore” to find out what’s going on in the area, or join in the lively discussions on www.bhuz.com or www.tribe.net.

What kind of workshops do you teach?

Dance workshops with Latifa are a real treat! She has taken many workshops herself, and she knows what students want. She makes it easy to remember the material that was covered; there are ALWAYS printed copies of the choreography taught, and often information sheets as well, so students won’t have to waste valuable workshop time taking notes. Latifa also provides DVDs demonstrating the choreography at a minimal cost. Latifa’s workshop offerings include these topics:

Drum solo
Veil (technique and choreography)
How to choreograph
Stage presence
Transitions
Traveling steps and turns
Finger Cymbal Technique
Hip articulation
North African sampler
Egyptian sampler
Introduction to Saudi and Gulf dance
Milaya dance
Cane technique
Veil technique
The Art of Balancing

Latifa is always developing new material! Check with her to see what she has added to the list. And if you don’t want to wait for a workshop to be scheduled, Latifa can teach any of these workshop topics as private or semi-private classes in her home studio.

What other workshops do you offer?

Latifa's multimedia workshops are unique! She presents an illustrated lecture, using video footage from her private collection, photographs she has taken or collected in her travels, and her ongoing research on the dances of the Middle East. Two examples:

Cairo Dance Styles Old and New: First, an introduction to the classic Egyptian dancers from the 1940’s; then a comparison of the two reigning queens of the 1980’s, Nagwa Fouad and Soheir Zaki, and a consideration of the definition of "eastern dance"; and a look at the lovely Dina, who was "the" dancer in Cairo when Latifa last visited. For the longer version of this workshop, students learn short dance combinations in each style.

The Secret Element of Egyptian Dance: Egyptian Dancers have a secret. They dance to the words of the song, even if it’s instrumental! Students gain an understanding of the importance of the underlying poetry and learn how to include this element in their dancing. Includes an introduction to the music of Um Kulthum. Students will learn the words to a popular Egyptian song and practice interpreting the words through dance.

I’m looking for a dancer for a party. Can you help?

Sure! Try this excellent performer: Amira of Annapolis.

Will your dance troupe perform at my party?

We would love to discuss this with you! Please contact Latifa for information on rates and availability.

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