For some of the new crop of dancers and perhaps previous generations as well, I have not been as visible as an instructor.

Although my main focus for over a 20 year period had been dance, dance, dance, traveling as a dancer and learning from masters as Bobby Farrah & Serena. I had taught sporadically here in NY and at the Middle Eastern Dance Exchange in Florida.

I have to say that I was alway content with the dancing and the traveling that when people asked me to teach I would just refer them to one of my contemporaries. Then I decided I would leave belly dance altogether and left it for 6 years, not planning to return!

But once in your blood, always in your blood and so there I was again beguiled by the music, the sparkles and beads...and the dance.

I returned to belly dancing through another door, this time as a costume designer (www.decotach.com), However, I also started performing in a limited fashion again; and again I got requests to teach, this time I acquiesced.

What do I teach? I teach the fundamentals and then polish them. I focus on the polishing, what I call the clarity of steps, the correct excution of steps, the breath, the flow, the drama and passion of the dance. That's why I like the role of a coach, because I like to fine tune the instrument. I teach choreography, Arabic, Turkish, Greek, but I focus heavily on improv because I believe this dance is deeply rooted in improv. Read more on this at: www.decotach.com/Improv-Workshop.htm

Currently I teach privates and semi privates in Astoria, NY. A formal weekly class may start in September, but that depends on several variables and I will be giving another Magic of Improv workshop coming soon, I'll keep you posted on all this.

Finally, I am grateful to be back in the community and for the support from all those that have crossed my path. I look forward to many new relationships as teacher, coach, dancer, costume designer and friend.