Finding Belly Dance Classes

Much has already been written about how to find a Belly Dance class with a good teacher. We will try not to be too redundant here. If you live in a large city, this may seem quite easy at first. But then again- having so many to choose from can present some difficulty, too. People learn differently and teachers have different methods of teaching. You want to find the class that is perfect for you. If you do live in a large city, the first thing you can do is compile a list. If you are in a small town, this may be a short list- but don't give up.

Using the Internet: Do internet searches for Belly Dance in your city, (Ex: belly + dance + minneapolis), leaving out the + signs. Also use other search terms like "middle + eastern + dance + minneapolis". Gather names, locations, email addresses and telephone numbers.

Using the Newspaper: Go to your city newspaper online and search the archives. Ads or feature articles containing your search terms will show up. Dance Schools will usually use the newspaper for advertising a show. Community Education Classes are often announced in the newspaper as well.

Using the Phone Book: Save yourself some time here and go straight to the yellow pages. Look up "Dance". Most of the time, Belly Dance is not listed in the yellow page ads for dance studios. Call them and ask if they offer Belly Dance Classes. If they don't, ask if they know anyone.

You don't have to stop with one name. As we said earlier, you want a good fit for you. One very common thing is for Belly Dance teachers to offer an introductory class, which is often free. Take advantage of this and check out the teacher, the studio, the dance style and the atmosphere. Ask when you are making your phone calls if they offer this.

If you are in a large city, you should have many options. In small communities, you may have to dig deeper. Use Craigslist to search for ads or post one yourself. You can also search in Belly Dance Forums and discussion boards and ask the members about Belly Dance Classes in your area. It's possible you may even have to travel a bit to your nearest class or workshop.

One thing we want to stress here is that a Belly Dance Class may be closer than you think. So ask around... there may be a dancer living right in your neighborhood.