jenc

xxxxxxx offers a fresh approach to authentic Egyptian dance for everyone to experience and enjoy. .........
...The classes cover a range of styles and are not "pure Egyptian." We offer all the traditional classic movements of Arabic and Turkish dance and introduce some challenging aspects from ATS (American Tribal Style) and Tribal Fusion. We feel this gives the student a insight into all the options available and then you can make an informed choice as to which style you prefer.

How do you make an informed choice when being taught a complete mixture of moves, occasionally told, oh this move is egyptian, tribal etc.

lizaj

This will lead to yet another problem in UK BD. I can't see what's so difficult about teaching basic Egyptian style AND ATS as 2 seperate styles. I do!
I prefer to make sure everyone has a grounding in Egyptian before we also learn and dance ATS, Unfortunately with a constant influx ( well fortunate really) of new students they are learning the 2 side by side. ATS is already grounded in ME/North African dance why start muddying the issue by blending further and then students turn up at a function or festival and folks (like you and I...awkward s*ds ) go ...."WTF!"
It's easy enough to split the class into 2 halves timewise and make things very clear.
I am constantly having to think on my feet,. I'd like to pass on ATS for weeks at a time but guess what...... they like doing it!

karena

depends on how you're taught. you can teach the different types and label them as such, then you have a choice. i think i know pretty well the differences from being taught and thus can make a choice.
whilst a teacher could just teach all egyptian and not tell you so, therefore removing the choice unless you discover it elsewhere, or teach a mish mash and not tell you so thus also removing a choice.
depends on how you read the description and then what is actually delivered. but personally i think a teacher should open your eyes to the different styles at an early stage, so that choice is there. and also so you know there are different styles, and don't end up a mish mash yourself, through not knowing better.
i would imagine from the advert they do tell you, as they are being up from in the advert.

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karena

you see i read it differently as it says introduce some elements. when i am taught things, i might then be shown this is how it would differ in x-style. and some of the time as i ask, as i have been interested when i go to shows etc and wonder why they do a move differently. so i can understand and recognise tribal, but i don't do tribal. but then i don't (well try not too) mish mash as i know the difference. if never explained, you might pick up the move and just whack it in, as no-one told you there were different styles.

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lizaj

Yup information is what matters but there are ( and this may NOT be the case) teachers who love to keep knowledge ,maybe it makes them feel powerful. to themselves or to "invent" their own style . That way they think no one can judge them. Hah!

Teaching is not about revelling having power or superior knowledge , it is about sharing it. Yes you have to have authority over your class and you certainly should know more than them to begin with. BUT don't you meet ( I certainly have) teachers who love to keep their students in ignorance and can pull that woolly cap right down over their students eyes.
But what jenC has posted does sound like a mish -mash even if it isn't meant to be.Some teachers are happy with that and their students may have a great time but I prefer to be able to tell my class I want them to understand and do Egyptian style and ATS to the best of their (and my) abilities and I will encourage them to seek out other practitioners who know more than me or who have different aspects to offer. I recently had a day of workshops at my class and we had visiting teachers of Raks Sharki style, Turkish, Sha'abi and another Egyptian teacher for a contrast.I'm going to do it again in class time in the summer.

karena

to me the fact they use the terms suggests they aren't trying to hide the differences, but i'd need to see it in context really. it also depends on the level - a teacher can share what they have learnt about other styles, but the point at which the students needs to know more, that is the point where specialists are important. i really don't think i can tell from the excerpt.

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"Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

Aniseteph

1."fresh approach to Egyptian style". Is it so stale and/or inaccessible as it is? "Fresh approach" is a phrase that often makes me go hmmmmm...

2. "...all the traditional classic movements of Arabic and Turkish dance..". Movements of.. And introducing aspects from other styles. Suggests mishmashing, even if it is explained at the time.

So if that's what you want to learn/teach, fine, and nice to have it described so clearly . But to me the fundamental difference between the styles is more than just a different vocabulary of moves; it's a whole different attitude. A course of classes with a different style in each lesson would be a great way for students to make a more informed choice, but playing pick 'n' mix with the moves won't give you a feel for what Egyptian/Turkish/ATS etc might be really all about.

But hey, it might just be I'm reading it all wrong

Reen.Blom

Does "Fresh approach to Authentic Egyptian" mean moves and 'aspects' of Arabic, Turkish, ATS and Fusion?

Such a mixure should not even distantly be labelled as "Authentic Egyptian".

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Reen.Blom

PS Introducing new Style:

Authentic MishMash Bellydance. (Add "Egyptian" for more weight and credibility)

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karena

hey reen, that was going to be my style! i was trademarking it as we speak. you can do a mishmash fusion, but mine will always be the authentic mishmash!
i'll let you know when my dvd is out.

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"Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me