If you have always wanted to learn how to belly dance and live in the San Diego area, you’re in luck. Some of the nation’s best-known belly dancers live in the area and offer lessons, both in classes and private sessions.
In researching to see who gives classes in the San Diego area, I was pleasantly surprised to note that most of the instructors for classes you can take are active in the dance community still. These are dance instructors that live their life’s passion and it shows. For the serious dancer, it means being able to learn from the best and being able to record those big name dancers on their dancing résumé.
There are also instructors that offer a wide variety of belly dancing styles and some that encourage even the cowards and those that think they are uncoordinated to come out of their shells and try the art of belly dancing.
What makes belly dancing so great is that anyone can do it…That’s not to say that it’s easy, but just saying that ladies of any build can learn to belly dance. Middle Eastern and Oriental dance originated as a dance of female bonding, fertility, and fun. Belly dancing is a very inviting dance style that allows women of any size and any age to join in. Some cultures even felt that women today’s society sees as overweight are the epitome of feminity. Belly dancing is welcoming to the overweight and the thin, indiscriminately. How many other types of dancing can say the same?
Age also is no matter when it comes to belly dancing. The same mindset of culture acceptance also applies to age, where some cultures once felt that the best dancers were the older dancers because they had life stories and greater experience to express through their dancing.
Now that several fears have been busted, it’s time to find the perfect class with the perfect instructor for the style of belly dancing that most appeals to you. Check out the following. Being that information changes continually, you may want to give these instructors a call to see if classes are still being offered on those days, at the same location, and for the same fee. The following are profiles of some of those offering classes in the San Diego area:
The Shimmy Sisters – Leilainia & Adelaide
Not only are they devastatingly beautiful, they are a few of the top local belly dance instructors in San Diego and they really know how to put on a show. Visit their website: www.theshimmysisters.com to see videos of them performing. You can also contact them through their website about private sessions. Public classes being taught by the sisters:
Mixed Level Belly dancing
Tuesdays 7-8 p.m. @ Rock, Paper, Scissors
Location: 4976 Newport Ave / Ocean Beach, CA 92107
Phone: 619-222-Rock (www.obrps.com)
Fee: $15/drop-in or $60/for six weeks
Bellydance Basics: Fun With Belly Dance (Level 1)
Tuesdays April 15th – May 20th
7-8:00 p.m.
Bellydance Basics: Using the Dance to Get Into Your Body (Level 2)
Tuesdays April 15th – May 20th
8-9:00 p.m.
Fees for both classes: $60 for 6 week workshop. $120 for both levels.
Location: Bamboo Yoga / 1127 Loma Avenue / Coronado, California (above Coronado Mail and Parcel)
Basics of Belly Dance With a Modern Twist
Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Mixed Level
Location: The Studio at North Park / 3800 30th St. 92104 (Near University St.)
www.thestudioatnorthpark.com
Fee: $110 ($11/class)
“Belly Fit” Belly Dance Fitness (High energy strength building & toning)
Wednesdays 7:45 – 8:45 p.m.
Mixed Level
Location: Pure Fitness, 501 W. Broadway: Downtown (AC Floor)
Fee: $100/for 10 weeks. First class free if you go to www.purefitness.cc for a coupon.
The Ancient Art of Belly Dance!
Thursdays 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Mixed Level
Location: Rock, Paper, Scissors / 4976 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach, CA 92107
619-222-Rock
Wake Up to Belly Dance
Fridays 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
All Levels
Location: Yoga One / 1150 7th Ave. / San Diego, CA (between B St. & C St.)
www.yogaonesandiego.com
Fee: $52/for 4 weeks or $15 drop in
Register by calling Yoga One @ 619-294-7461
Dilek, Turkish Delight, Turkish and Arabic Style Dance Artist/Instructor
Dilek has a long list of credentials to her name. She won a championship title and several runner up spots in different divisions of the 2008 Belly Dance of the Universe Competition as well as taking first in several competitions in recent years. She is also Level II certified from the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance so she’s got all the credentials needed to teach you how to shimmy like a pro. Dilek explains more about her teaching philosophy on her site, so be sure to read what she has to say here: http://www.turkishdancer.com/classes.htm
Basic Beginning Belly Dance
Sundays 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Beginner Level
Location: 3980 30th Street / San Diego, California / Studio Stage 7 (back studio)
Fee: $12 per drop in ($20 if you drop in and stay for 2nd class also [see next description] or $55/for 5 class card)
Beginner/Intermediate Belly Dance (only per permission after taking beginner class) – Specializing in choreography, advance combos, various ballet footsteps, zills, sword, gypsy, veil, and cane)
Advanced Beginners/Intermediate
Location: 3980 30th Street / San Diego, California / Studio Stage 7 (back studio)
Fee: $12 per drop in ($20 if you attend both classes that day) or $55/for 5 class card
Beginning & Intermediate Level Belly Dance
Thursdays beginning in May ’08, date and time TBA
Beginners and Intermediates
Location: International Dance Company / 555 Broadway #2029 / Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-427-3262 (Call to register)
Please see Dilek’s website for other upcoming class opportunities and schedules as well as useful tips on what to wear, private lessons, and what Dilek expects from her students.
Sohaila
Sohaila brings loads of charisma to the art of belly dancing and watching her perform is a delight. Sohaila brings pure entertainment to her dancing and has schooled many up-and-coming dancers in the art. You have to look up her performance videos on YouTube. They are sure to make you smile. Sohaila is also very devoted to her students and teaches the following classes:
Beginning Belly Dance
July 7th – August 15th (5 weeks) 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Beginner Level
Location: Poway, Highland Ranch Elementary School
Fees: Call for prices and to enroll @ 858-668-4000
Beginning to Intermediate Belly Dance
Wednesdays 7:30-8:25 p.m. (Ongoing)
Beginner/Intermediate Level
Location: Escondido ZAAD (The Zyba Academy of Artistic Dance) / Studio 4 / California Center For the Arts.
Fees: $20/class. If paid monthly $15/class
Call to enroll: 760-743-1235 or 760-519-9615 (Sohaila)
Beginning to Intermediate Belly Dance
Thursdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Ongoing)
Beginner/Intermediate
Location: Mira Mesa – Being Fit / 8292 Mira Mesa Blvd. / San Diego, CA 92126
Fee: $12/per class
Call to enroll: 858-549-3456
Sohaila also offers classes for more advanced students so check her site often to see if new classes are being added along with more in-depth descriptions of what you can expect to learn in each class level.
Marianna
Marianna, from her bio, is as down-to-earth as she is lovely. She is noted in San Diego for her performance skills. Marianna offers lessons focusing on teaching dancers how to learn the basics and to be independent of routines so that they can be improvisational dancers. She promises that her classes will be “fun, encouraging, and welcoming”.
Beginner Level Belly Dance
Tuesdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
All Levels but a focus on beginning technique
Location: International Dance Company / 555 Broadway Suite #2029 (In the Chula Vista Mall) / Chula Vista, CA 91910.
619-427-DANCE (3262) Call to sign up or for questions
Advanced Beginner Level
Mondays 7:15 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
For those that know all basic moves (stationary and travelling) and have experience improvising in a group)
Location: International Dance Company / 555 Broadway Suite #2029 (In the Chula Vista Mall) / Chula Vista, CA 91910.
619-427-DANCE (3262) Call to sign up or for questions
Marianna also offers classes for those further above beginner levels which you can find on her website including performance videos of Marianna, detailed information on what you will learn in her classes, and what you should wear, etc.
Ana
Ana’s sweet smile and almost childlike loveliness along with her killer moves have won the hearts of her students and have earned her trophies in many top belly dancing competitions. Her words on her belly dancing blog are awe-inspiring and she is truly a noteworthy instructor in the San Diego area.
Belly Dancing Class(Unspecified)
Tuesday – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Spring Valley Community Center (
619-479-1832 (call for details)
Fee: $65/for 10 week class
Belly Dancing Class(Unspecified)
Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Ongoing)
Location: Attire by Lea Dance Studio / 7202 El Cajon Blvd (Near San Diego State College – La Mesa)
Fee: $13 drop-ins. Ask Ana for current special: $10/lesson
Belly Dancing Class(Unspecified)
Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Danzaye Dance Studio, Terra Nova Plaza / 805 & H Street in Chula Vista
Call Danzaye to register: 619-425-5900
Ana can be reached at (619) 660-6965 for further information on classes.
In addition to these instructors, please don’t rule out your local YMCA’s and community centers. Sometimes these venues offer the best deals on lessons from reputable dancers. My community regularly puts out a magazine that advertises local classes that are available. Belly dancing classes are being offered through my community center.
Many dance schools have also expanded their repertoires to include the popular Middle Eastern, oriental and tribal dance that beginning dancers are requesting and there are many more pros than what I have listed offering classes. Some other professional dancers and schools offering lessons:
Belly Dancing Divas(El Cajon) – Only so many spots are available, but they are still looking for students. $10 for a one-hour class. Private instruction for $20/hourly.
Belly Dance Classes With Lucia(El Cajon/San Diego) – Offering beginning and intermediate classes on Mondays and Saturdays. Contact Lucia through her website for details.
Sahar Dance(Miramar) – Price per class averages around $12/per class and they teach in comprehensible levels of progression.
Urban Tribal(San Diego) – Tribal is increasingly popular and this place might be the place to go if you are intrigued by the earthiness of the tribal style. $12 drop-in single class and $50 for a 5-class card. More information about types of classes and dates available on their website.
Sacred Belly Dance(Pacific Beach) – Another site for lovers of tribal but she also teaches traditional. Lillith of Sacred Belly Dance also seems to focus on the bare roots of the dance and its feminist associations. She also says on the website that they incorporate yoga and spiritual connection to the dance. Call for more information, no prices listed for their regular Beginner class which appears to be slotted for Thursdays 7-8 p.m. beginning on April 10th, 2008. Lillith is the contact and instructor.
Zenaida(San Diego) – Zenaida is one of the few Persian belly dancers I’ve come across. Her group classes are currently postponed until further notice, but she does have a Level 2 certification from the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance so she is an instructor to take note of. Keep watching her website for further details.
NTC Command Center(San Diego) – Dance classes are often held at this venue and they are currently advertising for belly dance classes for beginners every Tuesday night from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. for $10/per class. Click here for more details.
A Time To Dance(La Jolla) – Studio offering classes on Tuesdays from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Instructor’s name is Marina, but no word on prices. Check website for more details.
Culture Shock Dance Center(San Diego)– I’ve heard good things about this place. They mainly offer hip-hop and trendy dance styles, and tribal is among those. From what I understand, you can expect edgy tribal lessons here from a fun staff. Check them out. I’m not quite sure about their prices or schedule but it’s worth a call.
The Jim Boz School of Dance(San Diego) – If you really want to learn about Middle Eastern dance from the inside out, go to Jim Boz. It’s not just dance lessons, but history lessons as well. From the sounds of his class structure, you will walk away with not only a knowledge of how to do the dance, but the originations of the dance itself. It seems like it’s not just a study of dance, but a study of culture as well. Class information is subject to change, so check the website here.
Ajna Health Spa(Temecula) – A health spa offering belly dancing classes? Some can argue that belly dancing is linked to health, so why not? They offer a 6 week program that meets every Monday. They warn to sign up early because the class fills early. It will cost you $90 for a six-week session.
Linda Kitiara(Tierrasanta) – A dancer since 1989 who has studied under Sohaila, Lia Kamminga-Crockard, Diane Webber, etc. She’s come up with her own fusion of dance that she calls Loshali (“happiness”). Classes cost $80.50 for 10 weeks. Register at the Tierrasanta Recreation Center.
Remember, these are only some of the many organizations and professionals offering their services as instructors. The best place to look for classes are in the classified ads, a Pennysaver magazine if you get it, or magazines put out by community recreation boards.
Once you find your instructor of choice at a price that is affordable to you, make sure you invest in the proper clothing (which you can usually find on websites or by calling the locale where your class will be held). Make sure you get some music to practice to in your spare time so you can come back to class and wow your instructors with how much you have learned. I have also compiled a list of some of the best-selling belly dance music here.
Also, if you find a good deal on classes or a great instructor, make sure you go on sites like www.yelp.com or other review sites and let others know. Lessons can be costly and no one wants to pay that much only to have a grumpy instructor. If you find a class you love, let others know about it so everyone can share the joy of belly dance with the right instructor at the right price.
Happy shimmying!
