Winter Recital

I found a new teacher! Her name is Melina, and she is a belly dance and aerials instructor (among other things). So far I'm really enjoying it, but the 2 classes I attended before the holidays were mostly concentrating on preparing the choreography for the recital. After the long break, I'm eager to go back and see what classes are like when we're not preparing for a show.

The recital was nice. I managed to get through our piece with only very minor errors which, I was told afterward, were not even noticeable. Our choreo was simple, but it was fun, well-matched to the music, and had enough variety that I didn't feel like we were just doing the usual "do this for x beats, do that for y beats" thing that I've been seeing altogether too much of lately. I'm hoping to see photos or videos from this -- there was definitely someone taking footage, but I don't know who it was, nor how to get to it.

Changes

The problem with starting off with an amazing teacher is that all subsequent teachers, hardly ever through any fault of their own, always and reliably fail to measure up. So it is now, I found, after moving from sunny California to dreary Massachusetts. The crisp autumn air and beautiful foliage are very uplifting, but the dancing scene here is depressing.

However, I have been sent here on a mission! :) And so I will continue to dance my way through the various studios here and check out everyone I can find.

Johara teaches in the Dance Complex, located smack in the middle of Cambridge's Central Square. I was told she was partially blind in one eye, which I suppose accounts for the awkward lack of actual eye contact, but I don't think that excuses her dancing. Perhaps I went on an off day, but suffice it to say that I was not impressed with her class.

Classes attended:

1

Class level attended:

Beginner

Duration:

1 hour

Cost:

$13 drop in

Other Information:

A friend attended her intermediate class, and thought the price was right. It's unclear to me what she thought of the dancing and teaching quality.

Najmat is a lovely dancer with a unique style, beautiful lines, and mind-boggling shimmies. I'm in my second month of classes with her, and slowly starting to adapt to her teaching style. She teaches at Green St. Studio, conveniently also in the heart of Central Square in Cambridge.

Classes attended:

more than 10

Class level attended:

Beginner; Intermediate / Advanced

Duration:

1 hour (beginner); 1.5 hour (intermediate / advanced)

Cost:

$15 drop in, $12 6-week bulk rate (beginner); $20 drop in, $18 monthly bulk rate (intermediate / advanced)

Other Information:

Najmat runs beginner classes in 6 week sessions. Currently class is not in session. Intermediate / Advanced classes are ongoing. There is not very much stretching and warming up at the beginning of class, but there is a nice cool-down stretch at the end.

I was going to check out Meiver, but I just heard that she was temporarily moving to Chicago, IL for her research program, or something. I might look into it more later, but right now I'm pretty swamped with life, work, dance, and kittens.

I also found Nadira Jamal's videos pretty interesting, but they are several years old, which makes me highly suspicious. Also her studio is very far away from my house.

I've had a few other people pointed out to me, but none of them are in convenient locations nor teach at accessible hours either. Sadface!