In this week’s post, the interviewee has chosen to remain anonymous. This person has graciously answered that same set of questions on both the Suhaila Salimpour school and the Belladonna certifications. If you’d like to recap the previous posts just click the older entries list on this page if they don’t show up nicely tiled underneath this one for you.
Suhaila/Salimpour school:
Why was the certification program created?
-Is it part of building a brand, marketing, or some other goal?
**at this point it is a little marketing. But the original goal was to give dancers a path, so they didn’t expect to run off and teach or perform after 1 session of class.
Is the goal of the program more teaching oriented or performer oriented or both?
**More focused on teaching, since level 5 is the certified teachers. But there are elements of professional performance in level 4 testing. And choreographies starting at level 2
How long does it take for each level?
**at LEAST 2 years, depending on your starting background. I am taking longer since it is not a good time to fly to CA this year
there are some people who I have gone faster. But certifications last 2 years, so it is not really expected to move up fast.
Does it mean something?
– is it recognized, does it seem to help dancers further their career?
– is it recognized outside of the bellydance sphere?
*it is well known in the bellydance community, not sure in the full dance community.
*it helps some dancers further their career. At least within dancers in the program
If you complete a level but don’t test, is there an indication for that?
*nope. Whether you choose not to test or do not pass. You do however earn CEC’s for the certification classes. So the experience can be used to maintain current certification.
Are there CEC credits required similar to a fitness certification?
*YES. And a renewal fee
Are there rules about the area in which you can teach- competition clause?
*Not sure, since that is level 5 =)
Is there a process via which the certification can be found out to be fake? ie someone saying they are trained in the format and they are not?
*certified dancers are listed on her website. With expiration dates.
What do you feel are the positives of a certification program?
*can enhance any style of Bellydance.
*emphasis on the moves, the history, and the music
*has online options for some training
*connections with other dancers in the program
*teaches you how to set up a training plan for dance
What do you feel are the negatives?
*it takes a LOT of time. And some $.
Not only did this gracious person answer the questions about the Suhaila certification but also offered up information on Belladonna’s sword certification as well. Let’s dive in below.
Why was the certification program created?
-Is it part of building a brand, marketing, or some other goal?
**a little marketing. And creating a more defined path for learning sword dancing.
Is the goal of the program more teaching oriented or performer oriented or both?
**performer oriented
How long does it take for each level?
**multiple could be done within a year, depending on your starting background. And when the weekends are scheduled
Does it mean something?
– is it recognized, does it seem to help dancers further their career?
– is it recognized outside of the bellydance sphere?
*It is known in the East Coast/DC area. Definitely among dancers who have ever studied with Belladonna. Not sure if it has helped anyone in their career. But it helps some of us sword dance with each other
If you complete a level but don’t test, is there an indication for that?
*I don’t think so
Are there CEC credits required similar to a fitness certification?
*no. But you do need to review each level before taking the next
Are there rules about the area in which you can teach- competition clause?
*I don’t think so, since this is not teaching based.
Is there a process via which the certification can be found out to be fake? ie someone saying they are trained in the format and they are not?
*certified dancers are listed on her website.
What do you feel are the positives of a certification program?
*being able to more easily dance with other sword dancers in the program. We use the same name for the same move. I have met a few more, too.
What do you feel are the negatives?
*not as well known as some other certifications
Well there you have it folks, more information for you to chew on! I am hoping to have a few more posts on the bellydance certification and certificate topic in the upcoming weeks as more interviewees turn in their question sheets. I hope that you have enjoyed the posts thus far!