Nadira Jamal, Belly Dancer

Services for Dancers

Video Critiques  Improvisation Mastery Mentoring Program

Do you need specific, unbiased feedback on how to improve your dancing?

The further you advance in your dance studies, the harder it is to get solid feedback on your performance skills:

• Friends and family don't have the expertise
• Other dancers are only comfortable giving positive feedback
• Even teachers can be reluctant to get as specifically critical as you need them to be

To become the best performer you can be, you need specific, constructive feedback from an unbiased source.

That's why I offer video critiques.

What you get

Detailed critique:

• Typically 8-10 pages long
• Addresses 8 different areas of your performance
• Detailed advice on which areas of your dancing need improvement
• Specific suggestions for improving those areas
• Input on where your strengths lie
• A "top 3" list, so you know where to focus your efforts

Follow-up session:

• A one-hour session
• Opportunity for you to ask questions
• Create a targeted plan of attack
• Can be recorded for your reference (optional)

How the critiques work

We'll begin with a brief questionnaire. This will help me get to know you and gives you a chance to tell me about your questions and concerns.

It was *much* more thorough than I expected...

"It was far more on-target and effective than I dreamed it could possibly be; every change I've made has made a huge difference in the way audiences respond to my dancing.

There was far, far more *teaching* in the critique than I anticipated. I expected a list of what and how I could do better. Instead, the critique was like chatting with a big sister.

I felt seen, heard, and respected throughout the process...even though it was entirely via the Internet and the written word!"

- Donna Acosta
Read Donna's full review
See all reviews

Next, you send me a video of yourself performing. This can be from a show, or just you dancing for the camera at home. Most people send this as a private YouTube video, visible only to you and me, but you can also send me a DVD or download link.

Once I receive your video, I analyze it carefully. On average, I watch a video all the way through 5-10 times, and rewind individual sections dozens of times.

After reviewing your video, you'll receive your critique by email within three weeks.

Once you have reviewed your critique, we'll schedule your follow-up session. This would be done via phone, Skype or email. We'll discuss any questions you may have, and make a specific, detailed action plan.

Why Nadira?

Giving and receiving critiques was an integral part of my dance education. My mentor, Amira Jamal, included peer critiques in her classes beginning at the intermediate level.

So before I even started performing, I learned:

• How to give specific, actionable suggestions
• How to be kind without sugar-coating
• Why both positive and negative feedback are important (it's not just about your ego!)
• Why learning how to embrace criticism makes you a better performer, teacher, and student

I learned Amira's lesson well. In addition to applying that knowledge with my local students, I've been offering critiques to other dancers since 2009.

How to book your critique

Because I go into so much depth, I can only offer two critiques per month. Depending on demand, there may be a waiting list, so if you need your critique to prepare for an event, be sure to book yours early.

Contact me to get on the schedule.

Rates start at $295 for a one song critique (up to 5 minutes). Multi-critique packages are available upon request.

Are you ready to stop struggling with improvisation once and for all?

The Improvisation Mastery Mentoring Program is a long-term, one-on-one remote coaching intensive for transforming your improvised dance.

Programs like this are common in other industries (they call them "platinum programs" or "VIP programs"), but I'm not aware of anything like it in the belly dance world:

• Classes don't go as deep
• Workshops don't go as far
• Private lessons don't go as fast
• Videos don't keep you on track

What makes "platinum programs" different is that they have the three key elements you need to make significant progress as quickly as possible:

• A step-by-step system, so you don't waste your time,
• Personal support, to help you through the problems you'll encounter along the way,
• Accountability, to keep you on track so you can get the results you want.

Who This is For

I designed this program with a very specific dancer in mind:

Level:  Professional or Pre-Professional

This could be someone who has stepped fully into the professional arena, or an advanced student who is about to make that leap.

Experience:  Out There Performing

This program is best for someone who is already performing on a semi-regular basis, whether that's at paid gigs or student nights and haflas.

Resources:  Connected

Since the program will include live remote sessions, you'll need high-speed internet, and a computer with a webcam that you can use in your dancing space (or enough space in your computer room to dance). If you don't already have a webcam, you can get one for less than $20.

Commitment:  Serious

This program is not for the faint of heart. This program is designed to push you beyond your reliance on choreography, so you can not just improvise, but perform improvisationally. And getting those results will take a serious investment of not just your money, but also your time. You should plan to spend an hour a day, six days per week on your coaching assignments, for the entire 90-day period.

How to Apply

If that sounds like you, and you're thinking "pick me! pick me!", you can request an application by sending an email to nadira@nadirajamal.com.