I started with Habiba in Philly, who is excellent. She was just a pleasant person to be around and taught some history.

Angie in Auckland, NZ was wonderful as well. She was very untraditional, which was fun. She had us do tribal to Tom Jones.

Garnett in Lansing I like as well. I learned a lot from her, and I liked the history aspect.

Even though this is the bellydance thread, I have to pay compliments to by Bharata Natyam, Carla in Lansing. She's everything a teacher should be: patient, kind, clear directions, lots of history, genuinely interested in her students, etc.

I'm counting workshop teachers here -
As a newbie dancer, and occasional workshop goer, there's a lot of workshop teachers/instructors I don't know...
But my *hero* is Cassandra!! I got the chance to workshop with her in Florida at Oasis Dance Camp this past February. Gads, I'd be falling down happy if I could get 25% of the grace and poise that woman possesses!

Etana

Given that I'm english nobody will have heard fo my teachers. They are great though, and hearing some of the horror stories I've come across online of some people's problems with their teacehrs I'm glad mine are as supportive as they are.

Cool topic!
Not my first teacher, but definitely the one I admire the most, is Denise Enan. She's been teaching in Canada for almost 30 years now, since she moved here from Egypt where she was a professional dancer with the Kawmiyya. We feel so lucky to have her here in our city!

Valerie Rushmere of Studio1831 in Philadelphia ( www.studio1831.com ).

What makes her so special, especially for a beginner class, is that she has a way of correcting you or pointing out what you're doing wrong - that just makes you laugh at yourself. You NEVER feel self-conscious or singled out.

My favorite teacher of all time? - OLU!

Olu if u're out there? - you're still my most favoritist belly dance teacher of all time!

This woman has the most incredible, warm, welcoming energy about her. It just permeates the classroom and creates a friendly space where you can hone your art.

Not to mention, she's a highly skilled dancer. both at improv and at choreographed routines. Amazing lady all around I highly reccomend her.

I've been dancing less than a year but I owe so much to my teacher, who has pushed me to believe in my abilities as a dancer.

Sabrina Fox of Atash Maya here in San Diego--wonderful, beautiful person, encouraging teacher and amazing dancer. I only wish that someday I can do floorwork like she does!

I have the best of two worlds:

Aziza Sa'id www.zilltech.com
Rachel Lazurus-Soto www.devadasi.com

I am just so blessed and very, VERY lucky to be able to take classes with both of these fabulous women!

*sniff (tears of massive joy!)*

I'm from Milwaukee, Wi so I don't think anyone will have heard of my teachers but they have been great none the less.
I started out 11 years ago with Juliana who has given me a great foundation and instilled in me the best of the basics. I attribute my gypsy spirit to her. Next was The Nadia Sahar, who toned and refined my moves and gave my my love of Egyptian style. I will forever be envious of her no matter where she goes. My most recent instructor has been Shaia Fahrid, who bropught me out of my hiatus and on the the stage once again, I admire her preservering spirit.
But these are not the only ladies to have inspired my dance and I would like to give praise and credit where credit is due. Romnea, who has always encouraged me and flattered me has more energy than a nuclear bomb will always be an inspiration because she is so passionate about the dance that she has been on the Milwaukee belly dance scene for 20 or more years, if it wasn't for women like her, Nadia, Juliana and Zabrina, there would be no Bellydance in Milwaukee.
Ziah was the first tribal dancer i had ever seen. I got the pleasure of meeting her in 1996. She showed me that there was more to the dance then sequins and beads, she showed me the spirit of the dance and gave me a few tricks too and for that I am greatful.
All the lovely ladies of Barika have given so much of their time and energy to start the tribal revolution in Milwaukee that if you mention bellydance to someone 90% of the time they will ask you if you are a member of Barika, That is amazing, plus they are the most kind, generous, lovely, fun women you will ever meet.
Last but not least I want to mention Kaela also known as Kael. She is my current inspiration. I wish that she would share her gifts with the Milwaukee comunity more. I would love to learn from her, but she doesn't teach. But she is so bad ass and so versitle. She is a beautiful triberet soloist, a remarkable energetic caberet dancer and her gypsy style makes me want to hang up mu ten yard skirt and bury my head in shame that I would even attempt gypsy with her around. I love her and all of the above mentioned women, they all deserve to be bragged about!

Wow, we all have fabulous teachers.

I should also brag on my other teachers.

Jennifer- my first ATS style teacher, who recently moved and broke our hearts. She had ten years of instruction with Fat Chance, and is just stunning, a wonderful teacher, and so good at breaking down steps. We were her first students, and I'm so impressed with how far she took us in a year, without rushing us or sacrificing proper technique for volume of material.

Tara- Who's moderator of the ATS and the Tribal Costuming tribes here, took over after Jennifer. I could watch her dance forever. Her ribcage is hypnotic. She's a first time teacher and doing a great job, and has already corrected a weird foot thing I was doing and never realized. Wow!

Kelly- my new Flamenco teacher, has a billion years of experience in just one little finger. She taught me a hip stretch that made me find religion.

Marjani- just moved to Tuscon, AZ, and broke everybody's hearts. We are a heartbroken studio. She lived across the street from me and is my number one dance mentor. Besides being a simply phenomenal dancer, she's one of the greatest people I've ever met, and the person I think of when someone says the words "Lady" or "Class". We carpooled to class, rehearsals, and gigs together for the last year, and I always learned something from her.

Gitana- hasn't left and broken our hearts, thank God! I've been her vending assistant, and she's always generously let me bum rides and advice at big workshops. She's taught me more about good taste in dance, as well as taking care of my body before and after workshops, than anybody else.

Renee- my very first teacher! She is the most fluid dancer I know, and the one who is best at bringing baby dancers out of their shells. I started at the Y at her classes before moving on to Mama Halimeda and the studio. My favorite moment of her class is when she was teaching us vertical hip eights:

"Okay. Your little brother has been fartin' on you ALL NIGHT. So you're going to get him back. First, you stick your butt out to the side. Then you lift it up to get him. Then, when you're done, you pull it in to finish."

I still can't do hip eights without giggling.

So far as workshop teachers go-

Rachel Brice is the sweetest person, and did more for curing my asthma than anybody else, thanks to her advice. She also said I was cute, so I died. Also, she was the first dancer I ever zaghareeted for, and as luck would have it, the first that ever zaghareeted for me. Wow!

Amani- taught me to dance to 6/8 time and was so patient in answering my many questions. She and her partner, Antonis, were adorably sweet and lots of fun, and I learned so much from their joint workshop.

Morocco- The Grand High Lady, I was so excited to be in one of her workshops, I couldn't stop grinning the whole weekend. On the third day, she was browsing around our vendor tables, looked me in the eye, and said, "Hey, kid. I wanna see you perform. You're a hot shit dancer." and I still choke up when I think about that; it brightens the worst days of my life and has given me the courage to pursue this professionally. If Rocky says you can do it, you can do it.

Artemis: I'm madly in love with Artemis, and she probably crammed in more material in a two day workshop than anybody else. I loved her teaching style, and she's made me a Turkish addict.


We are just so lucky to have phenomenal women like this around!

Thanks for starting this thread!
Currently, I am studying with the best of two belly dance worlds: the fabulous Nabeela El Shalimar and Adriene Rice.

I remember a while ago I was watching an interview on a video with Carolena Nericcio. She described her teacher, Masha Archer, as her guru -- the person that you admire, look up to and do just about every thing they say. For me, Nabeela El Shalimar is that woman.

I've only been dancing for three years, and have been through quite a few cabaret teachers, seeing how different people teach, understanding different styles and approaches to belly dance. The main thing I wanted was for someone to be 100% honest with me about my progress in the dance -- not a teacher that says I'm doing well *all the time*, which is impossible for everyone. Her honesty has helped my dancing improve tenfold ever since I started her class. She pretty much is my cabaret guru, the person that I admire, connect with and basically follow like a groupie in a band. I'm grateful to have her!

My current tribal teacher is Adriene Rice of Troupe Hipnotica, a former member of Fat Chance Belly Dance. Let's just say this woman really knows her shit when it comes to ATS! I admire the dedication and close attention to detail she has given to ATS. Her love and dedication for tribal shows in class and her teaching. Plus she's sweet too :)

(listing bellydance related only)

Current Teachers- God's gifts to dance, glutes, and the 8 count
Suhaila Salimpour - Tiffany Bisconer - Kendra Katz - Jamila Salimpour - Rashid

Jill Parker - Rose Harden

Workshop Instructors - Time very well spent in awe and inspiration
Ansuya, Delilah, Elizabeth Strong, Heather Stants, Mira Betz, Rachel Brice, Shareen el Safy

Previous Teachers- My cherished history
Azar, Malia, Sabiba

Here in Boston, I study with Seyyide (www.seyyide.com/ ) and Amira Jamal (www.amirajamal.com/ ), both wonderful teachers with a lot to offer. From Seyyide, an Amir Thaleb/Yousry Sharif protege, I get Egyptian/modern Arabic technique, an emphasis on precise isolation, a great grounding in music, the beginnings of getting a handle on how to dance to that incredibly complex classical music. From Amira Jamal, I get the widsom of her decades of both her own performing (she's old school AmCab) and her turning out of many professional dancers over the years. From her I have learned to let go and flow with the music, to be more comfortable with improvising, to work a stage/floor, and to keep working on those zills. Both of them are wonderfully supportive women who create an environment of solidarity and respect in their classes and in the Boston dance scene at large.

I adore my teacher, Asha Diana, of the Deva Dancers in Columbia, Mo. She's not a belly dance household name, but she's a mesmerizing dancer.
She challenges her students to advance and doesn't listen to people saying "I can't" or "I won't" or "I'm afraid to try balancing a sword on my head." She's going to teach you how, whether you think you can or not.
Despite this, she's an incredibly kind and warm person who will give whatever she can to help someone learn.

I've had LOADS of teachers during the last 15 years...

But one of the most special, inspiring teachers was Helena Cremona in Beirut. (She used to be Nadia Gamal's student and assistant).

When she shows me a new choreography I can't help standing there, grinning, think "THIS is what I want to learn!".
She has her very special way of interpreting music and uses moves in places where I would never have - but they fit perfectly.
Helena certainly has revolutionized the way I choreograph!
She also makes you work hard and you really get your money's work.
I hope to go back to her next year....

Though I haven't been taking lessons long, I think that my teacher is wonderful. Kali is very supportive and works very hard to help people understand the breakdown of the steps/moves that she teaches. Even when you get really frustrated at yourself because you feel like you have two left feet, she is always there to lift your morale and to help you analyze what your doing and where you need help and practice. I feel very blessed to have found her as my teacher.

I have a wonderful teacher. I live around Nashville & have taken classes from Xenia.
I have been to workshops & other classes around Nashville. But I always come back to Xenia. She has been dancing for 13 years. She always helps me find a way to modify my movements if I can not do them.
So here's to Xenia!!! www.xeniaraqs.us
If your ever in the Nashville area look her up.

I take classes with Jill Parker, who is beyond awesome, and I've been taking private lessons with Holly Gibson, and she's a "great* teacher.

My teacher is Noura from Bayou Shimmy in Baton Rouge, LA. She is wonderful. She makes you really work and will help you get it without making you feel bad about yourself when you aren't doing it quite right. She is also an amazing dancer.

Narah bint Durr!!!! I cannot say enough about her as a teacher!

One of the things that makes her such a wonderful teacher is her ability to teach you to understand your body's relationship to the dance! I learned that although my Maya didn't look exactly like hers--we do not have the same body structure--that it had a beauty of its own that belongs completely to me as a dancer. I do my best to pass this on to the women I now dance with.

Narah is awesome!!!

Hey,
Halimeda was one of my first teachers! She got me hooked and on my way. Say hello to her for me.
Amara

I consider myself very lucky here in Colorado Springs to have discovered Zafia (www.zafiabellydance.com) a little over a year ago. She is an amazing dancer and teacher with a seemingly infinite amount of patience and great sense of humor. :) In the last year, she has taught me more traditional bellydance as well as American Tribal Style. I have learned to play zills (never thought that would happen), balance a sword on my head and perform improvisational ATS. All without serious injury to myself or anyone else. :) She's the best!

Have also taken workshops from Rachel Brice, Urban Tribal, Domba and Rafi'ah. All of them were absolutely amazing!

Kari

My primary teacher for nearly 10 years has been Jasmin Jahal (chicago). I can't say enough about her! As a dancer, she is a true artist. Her musical interpretation is beautiful and every move she makes is the pinnacle of grace (I've seen her trip while walking and wished I could trip so gracefully!).

As a teacher she is a giver. After 10 years I'm still learning new things from her. She cares for each of her many students as individuals and encourages us to succeed and perform, whether as hobbyists or professionals. In her professional level class, she imparts her wisdom about the business, something many teachers would hold back. In class, she is a disciplinarian but also has a great sense of humor. She pushes us to be the best dancers we can be and to be dignified in everything we do.

As a woman, I'm not sure if I've met anyone who can equal her character. She is loving, kind, and understanding, but at the same time strong, powerful, and ambitious.

It's my very humble opinion, but after the many workshops I've taken and other teachers I've had, she is hands down the very best teacher I've ever had.

Jamileh is awesome teacher. She teaches Raqs Sharqi (performance-style) and Raqs Beledi (folkloric) . She is a fabulous dancer who encourges us to take in classes from other teachers. Does at least 4 shows a year of her students in which she organizes and does everything. Her encourgement to feel the music and explore your own ancestry. To dance to your music. To love being a woman!!!
www.mainebellydance.com
thats her site for a pic of her.Erika

Tamra-henna/LA and Jamilla al Wahid - between the two of them I'm sure I'll learn how to dance well. (dammit).

My teacher right now is Mesmera, who I must say is amazing. She moves like a sanke and she is just the nicest woman! She has a great range, she does gypsy style, cabaret, afro belly, fusion, just a whole bunch of different stuff. The great thing about her is that she finds something positive to say to the clumsiest of dancers. She is great!

I'm a;so taking classes from Zahra Zuhair, who is fabulous. Her technique is amazing and she is also such a nice person.

I take tribal classes from Katherine in Silverlake and she is totally awesome, too. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to take classes with such amazing teachers.

Cassandra Shore.

Simply amazing woman! Actually since I've moved away from Minneapolis, I haven't been able to find another teacher who even compared to her in the slightest. I lived in San Diego for a while and most of what I saw there was so 'tribal' style that I didn't feel like I would have been learning anything new from any of the groups that I found local there.

Here are a few links that you can read about Cassandra and her accomplishments:
www.jawaahir.org/
coursejunction.com/course_d.../id/10905

My teacher & mentor, and the reason why I started dancing in the first place, is Astryd deMichele. www.danceastryd.com
She's truly amazing, with technique to die for! She's recently returned from adventures as a performer in Cairo, where she worked with Raqia Hassan. Astryd is wonderfully generous, and incredibly clear in her instruction.