Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs")

Are there any belly dance teachers or events in my area?

Do you perform at "Hen Parties"?

Can you perform at our event?

Do you give private tuition?

Where can I buy belly dancing costumes and accessories?

Do you have a catalogue of belly dancing costumes and accessories?

Do you have any BellyBabies classes running or scheduled at present?

Where and when are your regular classes? Do I need to book? How much is each class?

How much is Danceworks membership? Does it entitle me to join any classes? Is there a class fee reduction for Danceworks members?

Are your classes and/or workshops suitable for complete beginners and/or intermediate and advanced dancers?  Do I need to book in advance?  

Can you hold a workshop in my area?

I didn't get to your workshop; can I have my money back?

Do you have any residential classes?

Do you allow men in classes?

Do you allow spectators (non-participating) in classes?

Where can I find restaurants in London with belly dance performances?

I'm a teacher of bellydance or related subjects; can I be listed on your website?

Do you provide formal teacher training qualifications?

Do you have a training video or DVD available; is there one for advanced dancers?

Do you perform at "Hen Parties"?

It's a lovely idea for a hen-party - I lead quite a few! My normal fee for a one-hour session is between £150 and £200 plus travel expenses (dependent upon location - I have to travel from north-west Kent). If you need me to provide the venue, then the fee is per dancer; between £15 and £35 per head, depending on numbers and on the studio location. Possible studios would be DanceWorks (Mayfair, London), Beckenham (SE London) or Chislehurst (NW Kent). I am usually able to arrange a venue in other areas, given sufficient notice. I need dates and numbers asap to be able to give you a firm quote; I tend to be booked up some way ahead! If I can't do the date you want, or it's outside your budget; I am able to offer one of my top-trained students for between £80 and £120. Please telephone me (020 8300 7616) if you would like to discuss further. Alternatively, your group may be able to get to a scheduled workshop. These are usually in London (but occasionally elsewhere within the UK and the Middle East).  Most London workshops are held at DanceWorks, 16 Balderton Street, London, W1 on selected Sunday afternoons, 2-5pm.  They cover style and technique and teach a choreographed dance routine.  The cost is from £35 per head.  My workshops are suitable for dancers of all levels, beginner to advanced.  Booking and advance payment in full is essential; (cheques made payable to J Chapman) by post or at any of my classes.

For latest details of workshops (UK & International), and last minute changes to times/venues, please phone (020 8300 7616) or see the workshops page on this website.

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Can you perform at our event?

My normal minimum charges for a professional performance vary between £300 and £500, plus travel expenses; but I would need to know the following to enable me to give you an accurate quote:

- Date and time of day;

- Venue (location, type, size; and whether a sound system (with cassette and CD drive) is available);

- Elapsed time (maximum is normally 2 hours for cabaret work);

- Type of function;

- Audience type and size (I only perform to mixed or all female audiences);

- Any special requirements (for instance, teaching, as opposed to, or in addition to, performing).

If my fee range is outside of your budget, I can usually offer a top-trained student of mine for between £80 and £150 (plus expenses).

Please contact me to discuss further. Contact information

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Do you give private tuition?

Yes - details are on this website on the Private Tuition page.

Please contact me to discuss further. Contact information

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Do you give private tuition?

Yes - details are on this website on the Private Tuition page.

Please contact me to discuss further. Contact information

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Where can I buy belly dancing costumes and accessories?

Sadly, there are very few shops catering specfically for belly dancers - shame! These are the ones that I am aware of:

Forbidden Fruits Bazaar - Lutterworth, Leics; see www.forbiddenfruitsbazaar.com;

The Shimmy Shop - Haverfordwest, S. Wales; see www.baubo.co.uk;

Aladdin's Cave - Ellesmere, Shopshire - 01691 624 380.

There are some shops in London, like Torus and another in Carnaby Street, which sell stage clothes; some of which can be used as the basis of a costume, if you are good with a needle! Centrally, but more commonly around the suburbs, there are occasional middle-eastern art and craft shops, many of which sell the odd costume or hip-belt, but these are generally tourist rather than practitioner quality.

Several teachers, myself included, do sell some costumes as well as many other accessories. My stock can be seen at workshops - see the page on this website- or at my studio in Chislehurst, Kent, by arrangement.  My stock is mainly Egyptian and Turkish. A more detailed list of my "Middle Eastern Bazaar" items can be found on page  . Please telephone me if you have specific requirements.

Finally, there are lots of bellydance costume shops on the Internet - but do be careful! Most are in third world countries; your money might be at risk; carriage is usually excluded from quoted prices and can be very expensive; and it can be even more expensive if the items delivered don't fit or are not as described and have to be sent back (usually at your cost and with no guarantee of a refund).

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Do you have a catalogue of belly dancing costumes and accessories?

Sadly, it is not practical for me to produce a catalogue. I supply costumes and accessories just as a service to dancers; and the volume of business would not justify the costs of production.  Even if it was financially viable, a catalogue would have limited value, because all of the items I sell are hand made in Egypt, Turkey or Morocco.  I always purchase for stock a wide selection of items each time I visit any of these countries; but it is very rarely that I actually get two items the same!  Also, of course, fashions in these countries change as rapidly as they do in Europe, so any catalogue would very quickly get out of date.

My stock can be seen at workshops - see the workshops page for details of the next one - or at the Chislehurst studio at other times; by appointment only.  My stock is mainly Egyptian, Turkish and Moroccan. The detailed list of my "Middle Eastern Bazaar" can be found on my website. Please telephone me if you have specific requirements.   Contact information

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Do you have any BellyBabies classes running or scheduled at present?

Congratulations!

I do not have a dedicated Belly Babies session running or scheduled in your area at the moment.  However, I have many pregnant women attending my normal classes and workshops successfully (see classes or workshops page) . If you are ever able to attend one of these, do let me know that you are pregnant, as I will give you extra care and slightly different movements, when necessary, during a class.  I personally prefer the first 6 weeks to allow the foetus to embed firmly in the uterine wall, so you are very welcome from the 7th week onward at my classes.

If you attend a local belly dancing class (or undertake a home class using a video - details are on the video page ), aim for gentle, deep muscular control, concentrating on lifting the pelvic floor to strengthen your childbirth area.  I allow hip-lifts, not hip-drops; and no shimmying (except for shoulder shimmies). Visualize your unborn child - hug, massage and hold baby close to you with your abdominal muscles.  Resist giving baby a shimmy jacuzzi-style!  Check with your GP and midwife that it's OK for you to continue; and make sure your teacher is fully aware of your situation. Please contact me to discuss further. Contact information

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Where and when are your regular classes? Do I need to book in advance?

All regular weekly public classes are drop-in, no booking required; and cost £7 for a 1-hour class.  At Danceworks, numbers are limited, so entry is by ticket, which you buy on the stairs from Ian outside Studio 1 (first come, first served).  There is also a membership fee at Danceworks (currently £5 per day; also available monthly or annually at significant dicount).  I also run 2 classes every Monday at my private studio - £10 each for 90 minutes - for advance booking and payment only - provided at least 6 students book each class.  Full details of all my classes are on the classes page -

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How much is Danceworks membership? Does it entitle me to join any classes? Is there a class fee reduction for Danceworks members?

Danceworks membership fees vary - they are always running promotions! In theory, all memberships other than daily attract a "joining fee" of about £50-£60, but currently this is being waived. Daily membership is currently £5.  Annual membership, paid monthly by direct debit, is the best value option - at around £7-8 per month. Annual paid cash or cheque in advance is, strangely, more expensive - £99/year. The worst is monthly, which is £40/month and not good value for money unless you are only in London for a month and want to go to Danceworks at least 9 times. All memberships, including daily, entitle you to attend all classes at Danceworks - but normal class fee for every class still applies - i.e. there are no class fee reductions for members as, by definition, everyone there is a member. See their website (www.danceworks.net) for the latest info and prices.

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Are your classes and/or workshops suitable for complete beginners and/or intermediate and advanced dancers? Do I need to book in advance?

I teach beginners, intermediate, advanced and professional levels for pleasure, performance and teaching.  I normally consider geginners to be up to 18 months and intermediate to be beyond that (with advanced being 5 years plus).  However, all dancers learn at their own rate - some achieve intermediate within 6 months, whilst others may never really achieve it.  Most classes and workshops are designed primarily for beginners, but are sectioned between beginners and intermediate/advanced dancers so that the latter receive advanced tuition appropriate to their experience level and requirements.  At Hextable, there are separate classes for Beginners and Improvers.  My speciality is choreography - and all of my workshops and residential courses culminate in the teaching of a unique, choreographed dance routine. The movements for the routine will be dependent upon and will be taught during the workshop or class in the sequence to master the dance. For beginners, each move is taught at the basic level, whereas intermediate or advanced dancers are taught the more complex and difficult variations on each move.  Aiming for authenticity, I stress posture, isolation, technique and interpretation of music genre.

Public classes are drop-in, no booking required; workshops and classes in my private studio are by advance booking only.
Full details are on the classes page - - and the workshops page -

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Can you hold a workshop in my area?

I can normally hold workshops on a Saturday or Sunday.  My preferred format is 3 hours, usually from 2-5pm, but I can consider alternative arrangements.  The main requirement is for a venue with a dance studio; i.e. a sprung wooden floor or specially surfaced dance floor and mirrors to the majority of one wall (preferably the longest wall, if the studio is rectangular).  Minimum size depends on the number of students expected; I generally allow about 30-35 sq. feet (3-4 sq. metres) per student for a standard workshop; but I allow at least 50% more space if floorwork or veils are required.

My charges depend on whether I arrange and pay for the venue; on the amount of travel time and cost involved; and on the number of students. Generally, including studio hire, the cost is a minimum of £30 per student; with a minimum of 20 students. A complimentary workshop place is normally given to the local organiser in return for enlisting workshop members, liasing with the venue, distributing posters, identifying suitable local news media in which to place listings, etc. Please contact me to discuss further. Contact information

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I didn't get to your workshop; can I have my money back?

Shame you didn't make the workshop! With regard to your request for a roll-over or part-refund - I invariably have several dancers on the waiting list who could have taken your place had you informed me, sadly you didn't.

The terms and conditions are stated clearly on the workshops page of this website and printed on your receipt - Payments are non-transferable, and non-refundable in the event of cancellation by the student.  
However, in case of cancellation, IF THE PLACE IS FILLED, I will credit you with £(amount depends on value of workshop) towards the next workshop, weekly classes, or payment towards a hip-belt or similar item.  
Credits must be utilised within the following month.

I would love to help you out - and I may have been able to before the event - but cannot afterwards.  Many book and then are taken ill, or forget, or otherwise cannot make it.  I still have to pay the full studio rent and spend three weeks preparing the workshop even if no-one turns up on the day!

I'm sorry to disappoint you. If you wish to book the next workshop please do so asap as it's going quickly!

Keep dancing & enjoying..........

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Do you have any residential classes?

I teach a number of residential courses each year, primarily at the Marlborough College Summer School; also occasionally at Denman College in Oxfordshire and at Center Parcs, Sherwood Forest.

Malborough Summer College is an annual 3-week event, with different courses every week, Monday to Friday. Classes are mornings and afternoons (each about 3 hours), with social events etc. in the evenings. You can book for a minimum of one course (i.e. 1 week, a morning or afternoon course) or a maximum of six (i.e. all 3 weeks, mornings and afternoons). There is a huge range of courses available in a vast range of subjects. My classes are a morning (beginners) and an afternoon (intermediates) and are are held in the second or third week. For details, enquire of Marlborough College, Summer School (Tel 01672 892388/9 or visit www.mcsummerschool.org.uk).

The Center Parcs event is not a course as such; it's a "Dance Experience" weekend, where classes are provided by about 6 teachers in different dance genres (e.g. belly, hip-hop, street, jazz, salsa etc.). Each participant attends an introductory session on the Friday evening (to see all classes and teachers) then chooses which (1 hour) sessions to attend; usually about 4-6 sessions on Saturday and 2-3 on Sunday; the idea being to attend every genre at least once and the favourite one at least twice. It includes self-catering accommodation (3 or 4 nights) and a dinner and disco on the Sat evening. Format varies a little from year to year, but that gives a flavour. For details, enquire of Center Parcs (Tel 01623 827468 or visit www.centerparcs.co.uk/sf/sf_c1_intro.jsp).  There is currently no planned Center Parcs event .

Denman College courses are on various dates throughout the year (but only certain of the courses are open to non-Womens Institute members). Generally, they are 2 or 3-day, weekend courses. Details from Denman Womens Institute College, Oxford, telephone 01865 391991, website www.womens-institute.co.uk/college/index.htm

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Do you allow men in classes?

I can teach men and have done so many times for films etc. The belly dance movements for men are similar but different to women's and, ideally, they should be taught separately for this reason. Occasionally, I do have a male, professional, middle-eastern dancer attending my Mayfair (Danceworks) classes.  Also, quite regularly, I have a male drummer (currently Jordanian) at Danceworks.  The Beckenham and Orpington classes are both, currently, all female (except for my husband Ian, who collects the money, takes no part in the class and has been with us for so long that he is de-sensitised to bellydancers!).  I know that some students, particularly the beginners, are uncomfortable with a man in the class. A further complication is that changing facilities are limited at all class venues - and many of the ladies get changed in the studio - so the presence of a man can be a problem.  Being a middle-eastern dance form, a number of the students are Muslim; and therefore unable to share a dance studio with a man (in these instances, Ian will always leave the studio  on request - but not the drummer, obviously). For all these reasons then, except when there is a male drummer, I always have to ask my students before I can let a man join in as a dancer and, if anyone objects, then it would not be possible.  If this is critical to you (one way or the other) please telephone me on the day of the class (before 4pm) and I may be able to give you an indication of the likely situation.  Please note that I do not regard formerly male transexuals as being male and, provided that I am completely satisfied that they are genuine, they are very welcome in my classes.

There are some male teachers around and obviously it would be much less of a problem to have a man in their classes; I can provide you with their details on request. Contact information

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Do you allow spectators (non-participating) in classes?

I'm afraid not.  All or my classes cater especially for beginners; and new dancers are generally slightly nervous.  They certainly don't want an audience until they have improved considerably!  Occasionally, I organise "Showcase" evenings, where students from my classes put on a performance and I demonstrate what takes place in a class.  Tickets go on sale a few weeks beforehand.  Please check the Events page occasionally for details.

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Are there any belly dance teachers or belly dancing events in my area?

 To search for a teacher in your area, see my Geographic Teachers Listing    The majority are within the UK, but there are quite a few details of teachers outside of the UK.   If you know the name of a teacher you are looking for, see my Alphabetic Teachers Listing.
I have also just started up a bellydance events listing, covering workshops, haflas and other belly dance events - see .
Alternatively, you could try one of the international belly dance sites listed on my Links page

Not all teachers have elected to be included on my Listings, but I do have additional information on teachers so, if you cannot find what you're looking for, please contact me to discuss further.
Contact information

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Where can I find restaurants in London with belly dance performances?

(1) Arabic dancing, Lebanese restaurant Maroush I, 21 Edgware Road, W2, tel 020 7723 0773 or 020 7262 1090.  Expensive but usually excellent.  Other branches of Maroush may also have dancers; enquire.

(2) Turkish dancing & restaurant EFES 2, 175 Great Portland Street, W1, tel 020 7436 0600. Some other branches of Efes also occasionally have dancers; enquire.

Do book in advance, and ask for a table close to the dance floor, or you may not be able to see the dancing!  Also, bear in mind that dancing is normally late in the evening; check times before you book.

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Do you provide formal teacher training qualifications?

There is no nationally or internationally recognised accreditation or certification for belly dancers or belly dance teachers; but a number of teachers do run courses specifically to train teachers; and some of these are run at educational establishments.  I have not personally attended any of these, so I cannot give a personal recommendation on the quality of either the courses or the teachers; and you would be advised to read the small print to satisfy yourself that the accreditation or certification had some value.  You may be better off considering a generic, but recognised, vocational qualification to teach dancing generally.

I do train several teachers myself, and many teachers attend my classes and workshops on a regular basis. You could also contact Jo Wise - 020 7502 0934; or Christine Hall - 01580 850 687; both of whom run courses to train teachers. You might also obtain contacts on the Mosaic website - http://www.mosaicdance.org and on the NADA website - http://www.nadaweb.org.uk

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Do you have a training video or DVD available; is there one for advanced dancers?

Currently, I have only one training video available for purchase.  The video (available on VHS video cassette and DVD) has been designed specifically to meet the needs of someone learning at home. There is a talk, warm-up exercises, posture, belly dance movements and, finally, a choreographed dance to learn. It is designed espacially for beginners, but my speciality is choreography so, even if you are an experienced dancer and know some or all of the movements, the dance routine itself will be new to you.

It can be purchased at classes or by mail order (payment by cheque; or from your bank account or credit card using PayPal).  Details are on the video page

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I'm a teacher of bellydance or related subjects; can I be listed on your website?

Yes!  Please go to the teacher listing page - - complete the questionnaire and click on "Submit" to send me your details.

It is not a condition for inclusion, but I would appreciate a reciprocal mention on your website, if and when you have one. A simple mention of my website address, with something like "Jacqueline Chapman, classes in central and south London", is quite sufficient but, if you would like to include a proper link with a button, the html code is included below for you to copy and paste. Just use your html editor to insert this wherever you choose on your site.  Alternatively, you can go to www.bellydancer.org.uk/jc_link.htm and copy and paste from there.  The image for the button used in this code (dancebut.gif) is on that webpage (and also on every page of my website in the lefthand column, 3rd or 4th button down).  To retrieve it to your local directory, right click on it and then select "save image as" or "save picture as"; select your local directory; and click on "save". Remember to upload the image, with your updated web page, to your web space.

<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<A HREF="http://www.bellydancer.org.uk/index.htm"><IMG src="dancebut.gif" align=middle alt="Website of Jacqueline Chapman"></A> Jacqueline Chapman; classes in central and south London

Keep dancing and enjoying!

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