A New 8-Part Series: What is a professional belly dancer?

So, what is a professional belly dancer?
What does it take to become a professional belly dancer?
Can anyone be a professional belly dancer?

It must be a glamorous life to be a professional belly dancer.
A closet full of sparkling, jewel encrusted costumes. Pretty accessories such as jewellery, headpieces, glittery dance shoes and such.  A chance to perform night after night in front of adoring fans; being showered with tips and compliments.  That's what it's really like, right?

Perhaps to the general public who typically only sees the professional performance side-yes.  But ask anyone who's been in the business for awhile & you'll realize that there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.

I want to share with my students, blog readers & anyone else who is interested in learning--what it takes to be a professional belly dancer.  I have so much interesting & exciting information to share that I've divided it into an 8-part series.

Here is what you can expect for each blog post topic:

1. Skill level & experience
2. Knowledge of history & culture
3. Props, rhythms, folkloric styles
4. Improvisation, choreography, performing to live music, the traditional 5 or 7 part routine
5. Business sense, marketing & advertising
6. Professionalism, undercutting & ethics
7. Education, training, classes, workshops, DVDs, magazines
8. Costuming - Sharki, folkloric, tribal, fusion; make-up, hair, cover-ups

I figure this is a good start.  There is so much to know, learn & share that I could probably make this a 200-part series!  For now, I'll stick with the 8 topics I've defined.

My fellow instructors & professional performers--I hope that you'll chime in and share your thoughts & experiences as well.

Look for part 1 to be posted soon!