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A Professional - Primer
By Salome


With the wide spread popularity of Belly dance comes a steady wave of enthusiasts eager to 'go pro'. I've seen all types, from the respectful and studious to those who proudly proclaim they have "never even had a lesson".

Professionals are held to a different set of standards than those who enjoy belly dance as a hobby. In this series we will explore what some of those standards are and how one might accomplish them.

A professional
# Is highly trained
# Commands polished, quality movement
# Can make a seamless recovery
# Uses stage space
# Possesses a complete repertoire
# Can perform as a soloist, in a duet or group
# Improvises with ease
# Can perform to live music
# Possesses a sizeable music collection
# Can play finger cymbals and has at least a basic knowledge of Near/Mid East rhythms
# Possesses correct knowledge of the culture relating to Oriental dance
# Understands the difference in style and correctly presents her/his style to the public
# Possesses a collection of professional quality costumes
# Possesses a basic knowledge of stage make up and appropriate costuming
# Practices the ethics of performance
# Practices the ethics of pricing
# Possesses marketing tools � PR pictures, biography, resume, demo video
# Possesses knowledge of industry standard practices - auditioning, contracts, pricing

That may seem overwhelming but one does not take a year of once a week classes and then join the Bolshoi Ballet Company or a Broadway show. It takes years of dedicated application to become a professional. If developing said traits doesn't particularly speak to you then participating in the hobbyist circuit where performance is enjoyed on a more relaxed level may be more your cup of tea.

Before we move on to "A Professional - Dance", let's explore why these traits are necessary. Chances are if you want to be a professional in this field it�s something you feel very passionate about. Most likely you have respect for the dance and will desire the public�s respect. You will want to be taken seriously as an artist and be paid well for your performance. I think I can safely generalize when I say all dancers hold this position. It�s only AS professionals that we can collectively achieve these goals. If you have not yet developed as a professional in ethics, quality, and knowledge it will show and will only serve to keep prices down and public perception low for everyone, including you.