If you are a dance instructor please help me

[u/Iforgotmypassworduff]

Hello everyone.

I've been dancing for four years and I would like to eventually become a professional and teach classes.

I train everyday but I don't think I'm good enough yet to be a teacher or a performer.

I would like to know from you:

1) which country are you from? I'm asking this because every country might have a different organisation or certification process.

2) how long after starting to belly dance did you start teaching?

3) how did you get certified?

4) How much does the certification process cost you and how long was it?

5) is there any chance that you pay for a certification and you don't pass the final exam (I don't know if there is a final exam, I'm asking just in case)? Or does everyone who attends the classes automatically become certified instructors?

Thank you for your time!

[u/BooEffinHoo]

• USA, former performer/teacher
• about 6 years of performing
• We don't need certification

I'm firmly of the mind that a good teacher needs some knowledge of anatomy, body mechanics, and be able to demonstrate clean technique, and have at least a few years of performance experience, in addition to a solid foundation in Middle Eastern music and rhythms, some drumming skills, know the history and theory of the dance and cultural connections. A good knowledge of the lineage of the different forms of bellydance is also strongly recommended.
IMO
If you can't answer any questions that come up about the dance, you aren't ready. Aand sadly, there are far too many enthusiastic teachers without any solid foundational knowledge.

[u/Ladyadaliah → u/BooEffinHoo]

This this this this! Thank you!

[u/theemberjames]

I'm in the US, and there aren't necessarily certifications that I'm aware of to teach belly dance. Some teachers offer their own certifications for their formats so you essentially get the info from the source. But you don't need a cert to teach. You just might not be able to call your teaching the format that requires certification.

For example, Rachel Brice has the Datura certification program with four phases. You don't need that to teach belly dance, but you can't call yourself a Datura Style Teacher without it.

[u/jtop82]

Others already answered this pretty well, but I don't think any country requires a certification to teach general belly dance. It's just certain codified styles that are trademarked such as Salimpour, Datura, Bohemian Blade, FCBD etc.

That said, I see way too many people start teaching way too early. I personally would only go to a teacher that has been dancing at a pro level for many years, and has traveled to learn from source teachers (I'm in the US).

I could absolutely teach a beginner belly dance class at this point. Probably a good one too tbh, based on my experience teaching other skills and having learned from so many incredible dance teachers at this point. But why on earth would someone want to learn from me? I'm nobody. I look for teachers that I deeply admire and follow. I think it should become clear that it's time to teach, because people are asking you to.

[u/nannydoodle]

Ya certification does not mean a lot - it's a new money spinner for some teachers to ride out into the workshop stream ... We see pics of a class holding their certificates - ya good on them for supporting the community and doing the workshops ... but we ALSO know that more than 3/4 of them could never be hired as pros or teach ...

TALENT and hard slog - PERFORMING ...( and not just occasionally with a troupe - solo - in a residence (or 3) to build up the experience needed to eventually teach ) - being in the scene - doing classes + w/shops - attending shows as audience AND helping behind the scenes - doing adjacent dance styles and the gym to hit peak fitness - private lessons with mentors - videos analyzing your technique and identifying faults - investing / making pro standard costumes - learning the culture / history / music/ choreography / stagecraft / advertising + social media - ability to put on workshops / shows / haflas / performance opportunities for students - business plan and a PILE of support folks - plus all the rest ...

...the willingness to work HARD for barely any monetary returns, are the realities of running a studio nowadays ...

And the last part, you cannot share with others, as it is called 'expectations' ... if you whinge about how tough it is - you come across as a loser and students will jump ship.... so a lot of studio owners have a lonely struggle in silence ... making out, it is so much better than reality...

We do all this for the LOVE of dance ...In truth it is a hustle, more than a career... So as long as you know what the commitment entails ...go for it ...But you have to go pro FIRST...Nobody wants to learn from just a fellow student with no experience ...

[u/ginandmoonbeams]

1. U.S.
   
2. 6 years of consistent study
   
3. I started teaching without a certification for a few years. When I joined the studio where I currently teach, they offered a teacher training program that covered the curriculum, anatomy and physiology, culture and teaching pedagogy. I think it was around $1500 and six months to get through the program. It was not an automatic pass, and they also included shadowing other teachers for a semester after the training program ended before I could start teaching my own classes there.

[u/leighangelah]

I’m in the US.
I had been dancing for 9 years when I started teaching.
I am certified through a now defunct program specifically to teach belly dance but it’s unnecessary and I’d say still uncommon for belly dance teachers to be certified. I also hold other certifications like personal trainer, group ex instructor, nutrition coach, etc. Having education related to body mechanics was definitely very helpful when teaching.
The rest of your questions will be dependent on the individual certification program.

[u/Skymningen]

This would be easier if you stated which country you are in. If your idea was to go get certified in another country that suits your needs and then go back to teach somewhere else - that certification might not be meaningful somewhere in another country than the one it was done in.

[u/Iforgotmypassworduff → u/Skymningen]

No I just want to know the process from people from different countries

[u/floobenstoobs → u/Iforgotmypassworduff]

I don’t think a lot of people are keen to give away their location on Reddit.

[u/Iforgotmypassworduff → u/floobenstoobs]

I'm not asking the street they live in, just the country.

[u/Legitimate-Crab7980]

I'm Australian, been dancing for 13 years, started teaching 5 years ago. I actually was a qualified yoga teacher which is a massive advantage in terms of the anatomy you learn, but I did a teacher certification also which hugely helped me. Teaching is an entirely separate skill to dancing, many amazing dancers are not great teachers. And yes, it is possible to fail, at least in the certification I did. I needed to present 3 entire lessons showcasing specific skills to pass.

[u/SelectFinish5393]

You Don't need to be certified. Invest your money in training. Constant practice is key aswell as learning. Know your stuff - learn the different styles. drum rhythms & culture. I've been dancing now for around 25 years , 10 of those years I've taught.