Posted in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Shahrzad

The Market and the Pro Dancer

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode 54:
My guest, Shahrzad, will talk about the interplay between markets, audiences, and professional dancers.

As dancers, we often categorize ourselves by our role in the dance community: student vs teacher, touring teacher vs. local studio owner, hobbyist vs pro.

But the reality is more nuanced. The experience of being a professional dancer depends on the context, and the market they’re selling to.

How a pro makes their living (teaching, traveling, performing, and outside income), and who their market is (the general public, Middle Easterners, or other dancers) profoundly affect how they operate, and even how they dance.

How does who we’re selling to change our dance?

You’ll learn:

How your primary clientele affects your dance
How being a pro in a hobby market differs from a general entertainment market
How the experience of full time and part time pros differ
What it’s like to make a living primarily from performing (from someone who has!)
What happens when the dance community becomes a greater force in the market.

We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can ask Shahrzad your questions.

Special Thanks to The Bellydance Bundle

This episode is sponsored by The Bellydance Bundle, a heavily discounted bundle of amazing belly dance products from dancers around the world. All online, all at your own pace. I’m one of the contributors, and so are several Clubhouse guests!

About Shahrzad

Shahrzad is a full time dancer from the USA specializing in Raqs Sharqi and regional styles of dance from North Africa and the Middle East. She is currently based in Cairo and tours internationally to teach and perform.

Check her out her website at: www.shahrzadraqs.com

Or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ShahrzadDancer/