This is such a fun class to be involved in! I am a beginner but Alana makes the steps easy to understand and there really is no pressure to be perfect. I took a workshop with Tay and found her to be so friendly and the class was so good for all skill levels. If you have ever wanted to try belly dancing I know you won’t be disappointed by coming here
Great class, appreciate the warmup and flow of class.
Thank you, Tessa!!
I am a belly dancing instructor myself who teaches Egyptian style dancing and this year I told myself that I wanted to learn from some of the greatest to enhance my skill as a performer and instructor. Vanessa did not disappoint. This was my first time taking her class and I would take it again and recommend others to take it as well. I really loved her choice of music, the movements she taught and how she taught them. I feel like I gained soooo much knowledge in just one class so really looking forward to learning more from her. She was great!
Thank you for this fabulous review, Marina! I'm so glad you loved Vanessa's class as much as we did!!!
A great workshop with Vanessa, took lots of things back to work on!
Thanks, Paula! I agree!
Vanessa's Saidi workshop for Jawaahir Dance Company was fantastic-- well-presented and loads of fun. She is obviously fluent in that style, and communicates and demonstrates it beautifully. The class was probably best for more experienced dancers. Even for those of us who know Saidi style, she had lots to offer and some fun challenges!
I appreciated that it was technique and combinations (she could have repeated the combos a few more times before moving on), rather than choreography; that allowed me to focus on her moves and styling rather than just trying to remember what comes next. I also liked the time slot on Saturday, Noon CST.
Vanessa seems to be a worthy successor to Jawaahir founder and director emerita, Cassandra. Brava!
Thanks for the review, Heidi! I agree that that the workshop was fun and informative. I believe she aimed the class at more experienced dancers because that's primarily who was in the room. And I also get bogged down remembering combinations and was able to concentrate on the moves, so I liked that too. --Eileen
Awesome class! Getting the fundamentals down and can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks for the review! Glad you're having fun! Welcome to the community!
It feels good to be back! I wish the camera angle was more like the previous class--centered on Kathy, but it's fun to be moving and dancing again. Thanks for continuing with the Zoom option--makes it possible for those of us in Colorado or Wyoming to participate.
Hi Charlease-- thanks for the review! It's good to know students are appreciating the zoom. We're continuously moving things around, so your feedback is appreciated. Thanks, again.
Very easy process for joining classes via WL! So much better than previously. Very nice class. Lots of short drills, clear instructions. Theresa is great teacher and very enthusiastic.
Thanks, Melanie!
Hello! I have attended Cassandra School classes since about 2000. I hope my review may be of some help. I attended Sept 7 Advanced class. Theresa is one of my very favorite teachers at the school. I have really enjoyed her classes when she substituted for Cassandra! This class was not what I hoped. It was of necessity a company class since 90% of attendees were company members. Company members need strength training in class because they spend so much time dancing in rehearsals and performances. I get my strength training from inexpensive YMCA classes or yoga classes. I come to Jawaahir classes for Dancing. At class I hope to learn how to perform better solos and for new combination ideas. As a company class it was not about solo performance skills or tips and not about learning inspiring new combinations (which is what Theresa normally teaches so well) It was about drilling certain steps which a company member may wish to perform more skillfully. For myself my favorite belly dance class format would be similar to Cassandra's former Technique Intensive which did not focus on technique with any intensity, containing only rare step break downs, but did focus on muscle memory and the execution and learning of inspiring combinations and on performance tips. The body as in fitness club dance classes (Zoom, Latin, Jam) is warmed up quickly by simple repetitive low impact danced steps so that all of the class until a cool down is actually spent Dancing. More dancing is so much more fun. Might it be possible for the Jawaahir Academy to offer a dance jam or dance party type format? I think this could be a popular class to offer in addition to the usual classes for learning new step techniques and drilling the skills of the zill percussive instrument.
Hi Patricia-- Eileen here. I completely get where you're coming from with respect to the training at the beginning of class. I found it challenging, after being out of class for a year, so I tried Renee's class on Sunday mornings. There's still some training, but it's not as much and it was at a better level for me. And the combinations were lovely. Just a thought.
To get the Academy started, we had to limit the number of classes to try to get more students in each class. I'm hoping that will improve and we'll be able to add more classes, including, as you suggest, a more advanced class aimed more at our general student population and less at the company. As for other types of classes, you had some really good ideas, and I think we should try those in future. I certainly would enjoy them, so thanks for that!
I hope this feedback helps you understand where we are and where we're trying to go. I appreciate your patience as we get our feet under us.
Kathy is great as always!! Love dancing here.
Thanks so much for the 5-star review, Victoria! Glad you love Kathy's classes!
Thanks so much for your 5-star review, Barb! It really means a lot to know that beginners can find a good home with us!