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July 2007 Etiquette toward performers is a matter of where the performance is held (country and venue) as well and dance company culture. While the Desert Moon Dance Company does not accept any tipping on any part of the body (with the exception of the hand as part of our departing payment) others do and this article describes proper tipping etiquette for dancers in Algeria.
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Causerie
Role and Responsibilities of
a
A belly dance teacher,
like any teacher, has the primary responsibility of teaching. This
requires having sufficient years of dance training to be able to
properly convey, by demonstration, dance movements to the student.
It is not sufficient, to be a skilled dancer. A teacher must also have
teaching skills that make it possible to convey by explanation,
demonstration, mental imagery, etc. how to learn and use dance
movement. A good teacher must lead, direct and create harmony in dance
class and in performances. It is important to maintain friendly
relationships with students and it is a plus when a teacher can inspire
and assist a student in overcoming a negative image of oneself, lack of
confidence or burnout. However, a teacher’s role is not and should not
be that of a friend. Within a large class it would be impossible to
maintain a close friendship with each student and a friendship with some
students would be to the emotional detriment of others. Furthermore, a
teacher must maintain a reasonable level of control over the classroom
(e.g. limiting non-related conversations among students that are
disruptive to others). The role becomes increasingly difficult for the
teacher (dance director) that has a performing dance company. There are
a limited number of performing opportunities and often the performance
requires dancers with specific skills (e.g. soloist vs. troupe dancers,
folkloric dancers vs. modern belly dancers). Hard choices must be made
as to which students are best suited for a particular performance.
Furthermore, choices must be made how to alternate dancers in order to
provide performance opportunities to equally qualified dancers.
Choosing who will perform sometimes requires subjective considerations
(e.g. when considering two equally qualified dancers for a performance
other factors such as regular attendance at class, dedication and effort
may also come into play). “Friendship” should not be the basis for
making a decision for the direction of a dance company. It is certain
to create a less than professional company both in class and in
performance. |
