Student Testimonials

I would love to hear your feedback, please feel free to contact me.

Shems is the best kept secret in Baltimore! She is a beautiful performer, an excellent and conscientious teacher and a lovely person!

-Artemis (www.serpentine.org) is a master teacher, writer, historian and one of the best Turkish style dancers in the US.

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your class. I took BD for 10 years from an teacher (and well know performer) in Texas who’s method of teaching was either drills or strict choreographies. She is excellent and I learned the basic, however, something has always been missing. Although I am a soloist performer, I’ve never felt confident about my dancing. Anyway, I finally feel like I am learning how to perform, with feeling, knowledge and from the inside. Thanks.

-Linden, a great dancer who splits her time between Texas and Maryland, about Shems’ weekly classes in Baltimore.

Hi, I was at your workshop yesterday, it was one of the best I’ve ever been to! Thank you!”

-Jen, Maryland Dancer, after a drum solo workshop

I have to say that she does promote good posture, she works on it as well with her dancing. I find that she is a fun teacher that has really honed her skills as I have known her. She has become a great knowledgeable teacher. She shares important information on history and folkloric styles, she has the ability to communicate technique and flair for making it enjoyable. Works at a good pace for the students. She is always still a student and trains with others and seeks new information and ideas that is one reason why she will continue to be an awesome teacher!

-Sumra (www.bellydancingwithsumra.com) is the driving force behind the Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance Club (USUMED www.usu.edu/shimmy). She directs troupe Shazadi, choreographs and teaches.

Your classes contributed so much to my growth as a dancer that it was difficult for me to think of anything that you could improve upon. That said, here’s what I came up with: I know that for you dancing is a very high priority, and sometimes it seemed as though you couldn’t sympathize with those who wanted to dance more for relaxation than for beautiful performances and rapid improvement. The flip side of that, however, is really positive: you also push people to excel.

Your enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. You seem to know as much about Middle Eastern music, interpretation, and various dance styles as any other instructor I’ve come in contact with; you’re also much more willing to share everything you know than any other instructor I’ve met.

Although students in our classes sometimes seemed uncomfortable with dancing (especially improv) in front of the rest of the class, you were always encouraging and made it fun.

As far as specific instructional techniques, I think you really excel in teaching shimmies and creative combinations (both with and without veil). Tracy Pace and I have joked many times about how we couldn’t really 3/4 shimmy until you explained it in a new way to us. You’re also a great posture policewoman, and your zagat instruction is awesome (I can’t play a bland beledi anymore – I keep putting in the zagat beats without meaning too- heehee).

- Sara Goeking is an avid dance student, instructor, exceptional performer and Shazadi troupe member in the Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance Club