Conchi Madson

Location: Pleasant Ridge, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio
Web Link: www.conchi.us

Once called Cincinnati's own "National Treasure" by Artemis Mourat, Conchi is a dancer's dream teacher. Skilled in many styles, she can hone your technique to it's best. Serious dancers taken only with private lessons.

Conchi also teaches group lessons at the Dancelot Studio in Mount Washington.

Sabehah

Location: Mount Washington, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio
Web Link: ANARMENT@FUSE.NET

Sabehah has taught Belly Dance for many years both here in the United States and in Japan. Her enthusiasm for the art is infectious. Sabehah holds group and private classes at her studio in Mount Washington.

Akasha

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Web Link: http://www.akasharaqs.com

Bellydance Basics class: “Take a magical carpet ride through the wonderful world of Middle Eastern Dance with Akasha! You’ll learn the basics of Cabaret style Bellydance with a background fusion of Egyptian, Turkish, Greek, Indian style dancing and everything in between! Akasha likes her students to be knowledgeable in all aspects of the dance so you’ll also be given tidbits of the history of the dance, culture of the people, etiquette, music and instruments. Don’t worry through, no homework!”

Avasa Tribal Belly Dance

This class will teach you the beautiful unification of American Tribal Style (ATS) Belly Dance. ATS belly dance is an art form that was originally created for 2 or more performers, a sisterhood, a tribe (classes are open to both women, men and teens). We will focus on drills, partner moves, cuing, dance posture and stage presence. We will also do yoga postures at the ginning and end of class (if you would like to bring your own mat, please do so.) In this class you will also learn about Middle Eastern Rhythms, what to listen for and begin to prepare learning how to connect movement to these rhythms. New students may drop in any time and should contact Avasa if they have questions about the material that will be discussed.

Avasa has more information on her website at www. avasatribal. com

Kira's Oasis

Location: Dayton, Ohio
Web Link: http://www.kirasoasis.com

Want to know what's going on in the Tri-State area? It's just a click away at Kira's Oasis. Kira has been promoting Belly Dance in our area for many years. If it's about Belly Dance and happening here, they know about it and are happy to tell you. Visit them often for breaking news on Seminars, Workshops and Haflas they are sponsoring in our area.

These are not necessarily Belly Dance instructors, but wonderful dance teachers that I have had the privilege to learn from in the seminar format. Most of them have calendars on their sites that will post where they are scheduled to be teaching around the country. I highly recommend that you check them out!

Dalia Carella

Location: New York, NY
Web Link: http://www.daliacarella.com

My favorite seminar teacher is Dalia. She teaches a variety of styles including Dance Oriental, Dunyavi Gypsy, and a unique style she calls El Mundo.

Dalia teaches weekly classes at her studio in New York and seminars all over the United States. Fortunately, she comes near Ohio regularly. I have sat at her feet often and whenever she comes within 100 miles of me I try to attend the seminar.

Ruby Jazayre

Location: South Bend, IN
Web Link: http://rubyjazayre.com/index.htm

Ruby is a Gem. I have attend seminars where she has taught and some where she has hosted and I can't say enough wonderful things about my experience with her. She is a lovely lady and a lovely dancer. You can learn much by just watching her perform.

Amaya

Location: Albuquerque, NM
Web Link: http://home.comcast.net/~mamaya1/home.html

If you're into Spanish fusion as I am, you'll love Amaya. On her web site it states, "She has chosen 'La Mora Gitana' to describe her unique interpretation to this dance. Touching soul and spirit, her dance transcends time and place."

She teaches choreography mostly, but does not forget to add her philosophy of dance technique that includes teaching her views on focus and how to make your performance more interesting to your audience.

Artemis Mourat

Location: Silver Springs, MD
Web Link: http://www.serpentine.org/artemis/artemis.htm

Artemis is an incredibly knowledgeable teacher. She has traveled the world studying and teaching dance and culture most of her life. She is noted mostly for her Turkish Oriental and Turkish Romany teaching which is what I have learned in the several workshops I have been privileged to take with her. Her inclusion of the culture of the people who gave us these dance forms helps you to understand the passion behind them.

Zahra Zuhair

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Web Link: http://members.aol.com/zahra/

Zahra is classic Belly Dance. I loved the one seminar I was able to take with her. She teaches strong technique with an attitude. You get drilled until you have it good, but you don't mind for she makes it fun.

In our afternoon session, she taught a choreography to which she had dvd's for us to buy for only $10. I thought it was a great bargain to free myself from having to take notes and I could enjoy the class and got more out of it. Great idea!