What makes a good Dance Instructor?

I believe I have probably taken three times as many classes over the years as I have taught (probably more) and have had the opportunity to observe many different dance instructors and styles. I really think it would be impossible to fit the concept of a good dance instructor into one mold. One thing I have observed is that one instructor does not suit all. Some students at first are maybe just looking for a bit of fun and exercise, especially if they are just starting out; So if they leave the class a little sweaty and feeling they have had fun, they are satisfied. Others may be looking for an opportunity to perform and do more than just attend a dance class once per week but actually develop a hobby. Some students are looking for technique technique technique, especially those with more dance experience. Maybe others are simply looking to harness the passion that is dance.

What are you looking for? It is important when signing up for a class to ask questions and try and find something that suits your needs. I am a dancer, when I take a dance class I want to learn that dance form inside and out; I want technique, style and passion!!!

There are other components that come into play. Some students seem to really do well under instructors that push and encourage them. While other students find that intimidating and do better with instructors that take them slowly through their paces.

Is the instructor you have qualified to teach you? This is another important question. With classical dance forms, dancers must complete many many years of dance (and exams) before they are considered qualified to teach. That being said, Belly Dance is not ballet. Being a classically trained dancer with many many years of dance under her belt, I used to feel that a dancer should have many many years of experience before even considering teaching. Belly Dance, like other ethnic dance forms is a little different than classical dance. Ethnic dance forms do not always have particular standards in place. It seems more often than not these dance forms are simply passed on from Mother to Daughter, Father to Son, Teacher to Student. I still feel dance instructors should have a lot of experience but maybe that experience is going to be a little different than that of a ballerina. I do think it is important for you as the student to check into your instructors credentials however. Be ware of the instructors who have simply taken two years of Belly Dance and begun teaching because they fell in love with the dance form; two years of dancing is generally not enough to qualify someone as an instructor.

There is so much that goes into teaching that a lot of people do not realize. As the instructor you are responsible for your students in so many ways. Most importantly their safety while in your class. Are you warming them up and cooling them down safely and effectively? The movements that you teach, will they cause injury? Do you know how to teach your movements without causing injury? What about music and timing. Can you count into the music at any point and dance in time with it and lead your students to do the same? Can you slow it down or speed it up if you need to? I can't tell you how many times I have seen instructors who have had trouble in this area. Do you know how to structure a whole class? Can you plan a whole session? Can you choreograph and effectively teach that choreography? How about dealing with social issues. If you have a student that is unhappy with you or another student in the class, how will you deal with that? These are just some of the things to think about...

I told you what I look for as a student. As an instructor let me tell you what I try to provide. To me dance is passion and so I try to invoke some of that passion to all of my students. Along with that I generally provide much technique as that is my background and do prefer students to have some dance background before attending my classes. It is extremely important to me that students come to understand over time the style of the dance form that I am teaching them because movements are just movements until you incorporate the style and passion. I tend to push my students but encourage and praise them greatly at the same time as I know better than anyone how difficult and personal dance can be. I want my students to feel they have really learned how to dance in my classes (and hopefully they will sweat and have a little fun too!).

Tascheleia