continue studying with me so we figured out a way that we could do this long distance . After a while I realized I could do this with other dancers too and opened up the program . I love this program because it attracts students who are serious about their dance , and I really enjoy watching long term development rather than teaching weekly classes where the turn over and attendance can be extremely inconsistent . Also , I think there are a lot of dancers out there who feel lost and without direction , either they live in an isolated part of the country or they want to diversify their education with someone from outside of their local community . This program is made for people like that . Each dancer gets a unique curriculum depending on their personal goals and level . After an interview process , we start out with a 6 month trial period to make sure that we will actually work well together . Then , the program continues in a variety of directions . Some of my students are very active in the competition circuit , others go to festival events to learn and have a studio at home where they teach in their local community , others don ’ t teach at all and just want to become better performers .
My longest student has been with me for over 10 years ,
Ruby with some of her students
while my newest has only been with me for two weeks , yet they all get together to support and encourage each other . It ’ s really important to me to foster a supportive and loving attitude among my students and into the community .
I accept all levels , ages and traditional styles of dancers ; the only real rule that I have is that you have to be nice and willing to work hard . This is a long term mutual commitment and I am fully dedicated to all of their successes . They have been doing amazing ! I ’ m seeing big progress , especially the past couple of years ... and a lot of trophies ! To learn more about my students please visit the student success page on my website : http :// www . bigfunbellydance . com / student-successes ”
MA * SHUQA MIRA MURJAN
Ma * Shuqa Mira Murjan has been performing , teaching , and coaching for over 43 years . Ma * Shuqa and Ruby have been professional colleagues for many years and their paths have crossed at many festivals and workshops . Her Ma * Shuqa Method gives dancers a structure for developing improvised choreography while performing with individualized styling . Ma * Shuqa ’ s workshop is perfect for teachers and dancers who want to enhance performance dynamics and styling . She has authored many articles on aspects of professionalism and performance in Middle Eastern dance – www . MaShuqa . com Ma * Shuqa offers dancers extended study opportunity through her Diva Dancer Professional Development Workshops which offer dancers topics on cultural aspects of music , rhythm , and dance theory to enhance their weekly studies and performances . As a dance photographer – what she sees through the camera lens reflects a dancer ’ s professionalism . Her husband , Carl Sermon , is well-known for his festival and performance photography of Oriental dancers . Ma * Shuqa and her husband Carl work together to provide artistic direction and performance photography for photo sessions with Oriental dancers . See their work in The Belly Dance Chronicles magazine , The GildedSerpent . com E-zine , and www . CarlSermonPhotography . Zenfolio . com
16 The Belly Dance Chronicles � October 2016