Do you have a teacher yourself? Assisting someone else can be a good place to start. Other local dance teachers, even if not your own, may also have good advice.

Common ways people start teaching:
- creating an informal group at home or a community center sort of environment
- studying with a teacher & even getting "certified" to teach a particular style, then teaching at that studio
- becoming an employee of a recreation center or gym & teaching classes there

If you're performing regularly, whenever someone asks you if you teach, tell them you're thinking about it - you'll be surprised how many people will have suggestions of venues & ways to get started. That's actually how we landed in the art gallery we teach & practice in.

i was kinda pushed into teaching since my teacher is moving out of state in may. she told me a while ago and has been pushing me to get my own classes going so she has someone to recommend her students before she leaves. i just went to the local dance studio that i grew up dancing in and asked the instructor if i could teach under her. so i'm starting up my new session this summer in june. i'm excited.

best of luck
-ash

Dear Heidi,

I started teaching a year ago after a few people asked me to teach them BD. I asked the local fitness centre, it is a non-profit organisation and they gave me a really good deal to rent the dance room and I am covered under their insurance. I made some flyers advertising the class. I was going to have one 1 1/2 hour class on Fridays but over 40 women signed up and I had to divide the number into 3 classes. Go with the flow, talk to the people that requested you before, news paper add, It all works out great.

Good luck and have fun
Happy Dancing !!
Sadira

www.arabianmountainspice.com

My teacher had been telling me to start teaching beginner level for a few months to keep myself learning while I was traveling the world. I did not get into though until about a year or more after I returned. My teacher also has a very popular belly dance community newsletter that she sends out and posts weekly. In it are often teaching opportunities. I took on 2 of those opportunities and designed my own course based strongly on the courses I had taken with her and other instructors over the years. My classes have been modified and developed over the past 2 years to keep up with the needs of the community I teach in.

I love teaching and would miss it if I stopped. There is nothing like the feeling you get from introducing other ladies to this wonderful dance form. When a student is struggling and you figure out their special learning style and you are able to see them "get it"... well, the great swell of pride and accomplishment is overwhelming. The look of joy and pride on the student's face can give you such a thrill. Oops, I'm gushing again ;-D

Now, on the practical side. Learn to teach. I've been conducting workshops, lectures and training courses for over 35 years and know about teaching methods, teaching theory and learning psychology. Yes, I've taken courses, no I'm not a certified teacher. To learn to teach dance you can start with assisting your teacher and other teachers. However you learn to teach, take a few courses. They are often called "Training the Traner" or "Learning to Teach" and can save you a lot of aggravation and frustration in the future.

Remember... being a great dancer does NOT make you a great teacher. Having a passion for the dance and a desire to pass that on to others is much more important. I found that teaching made me a better dancer.

All of the ladies here have given you some wonderful advice. I have learned from them myself. I have been dancing for 8 years also. I just started teaching with a friend last year. We teach at our gym. The owner gives us a great price, we include the members of the gym on classes, and we have mother/daughter classes at least three times a year. For me, it was a natural progression. I loved dancing, and I wanted to share it with others. I have grown so much from the learning that I have done that I wanted to help other women learn something new about themselves and help their self esteem also.

The children that we teach are all under the age of 14. It is awe inspiring watching these girls excel at something they never thought they would. They are stronger, they are healthier , they appreciate an art form that they never thought they would before, and they have fun at it. Just this new found strength makes it all worth it. And to see them dance on a stage is the greatest heart warmer ever. It id their sense of accomplishment that is the reason why I keep doing it.

hi Heidi,
there's a lot to think about before starting, here's my Quesionnaire that might help: www.gildedserpent.com/article...hing.htm

Teaching does take up your time outside of the actual class, it's like another job - but it's rewarding if you have a good heart & intentions for your students.
good luck!