Testimonials from Nadira Jamal’s Video Critiques
Curious about Nadira Jamal’s video critique service?
You can read about other dancer’s experiences below.
These testimonials are responses to my follow-up questionnaire, which I send a month after the critique has been completed. (i.e., after the dancer has had time to work with my suggestions.)
The responses are posted with permission, and in their entirety. The only thing I leave out is the dancer’s private contact information.
Index of Reviews:
Donna Acosta
How useful did you find the critique?
Extremely Useful
What did you like most about the critique?
It’s changed the way I view choreography, and allowed me to feel more comfortable and confident communicating what I “see” when I hear music…in such a way so that my audience can “see” it too.
What did you expect the critique to be like before we started?
I expected a personalized review of my dance that would identify what I could work on with regard to my dance technique and choreography skills.
How was the critique different from your expectation?
It was *much* more thorough than I expected; for example, it included comments on costuming and makeup. And it broke down elements of dance technique and choreography into specific areas, so it was easier for me to see what I’m doing well, and what general areas need more work.
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!
What were the three biggest benefits of the critique?
- The critique gave me the insight I needed to balance simpler, less busy combinations with more complicated combinations. With this one skill, I’ve been able to make changes to my choreos that allow audiences to stay with me; they don’t get bored *or* overwhelmed.
- It has been a huge confidence boost! I feel more confident both developing choreography and dancing, because I have a better understanding of how others perceive what I’m “saying” when I dance — which allows me to “say” what I mean more effectively.
- It balanced every element of belly dance performance — costuming, makeup, technique, musicality, choreography, etc. The information benefitted me immediately, as much by reinforcing what I’m doing well as by giving me suggestions for doing things better. It also provided a structure for self-evaluation in the future.
What do you wish had been different?
The only thing I’d change about this program is that I’d like to be able to purchase the critique with or without a DVD. In every other regard, this critique far surpassed my expectations.
[Note from Nadira: critiques were offered as part of a bonus package with my DVDs. As of December 15th, 2011, they are only available separately.]
Would you recommend my critiques to another dancer?
Yes
Why would you recommend it, and to whom?
I’d recommend it to any dancer who wants to improve, but specifically, I’d suggest it to dancers who feel stuck in a dance plateau and want to move to the next level. I’d also suggest it for a dancer who wants the greatest results in the least amount of time.
I’d do so because I found the critique to be an extremely cost-effective way to improve, seemingly overnight, as a dancer/choreographer.
[Note from Nadira: Donna received her critique as part of a DVD bonus package. The price has gone up since then.]
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Sahina
How useful did you find the critique?
Extremely Useful
What did you like most about the critique?
I loved how thorough it was.
The formatting and layout was very clear. I especially liked the color coded numbers for the top growth areas and corresponding references throughout the document. It shows that you put in a lot of time and attention to detail when doing these critiques.
I also liked the subsections of technique, musicality, structure etc. The structured layout of your thoughts is something that worked really well for me because it was a format similar to how I think about dance.
This is one reason why I decided to start doing private lessons with you.
What did you expect the critique to be like before we started?
I hadn’t had a video critique before so I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I was assuming it would be 1 page, maybe 2 at the most outlining areas for improvement.
How was the critique different from your expectation?
It was far more comprehensive then I ever would have imagined. I know you had said that you made mine a little longer then usually, but it was truly incredible how in depth it was.
[Note from Nadira: Sahina’s critique was 12 pages long. Most are 8-10 pages.]
What were the three biggest benefits of the critique?
- The detailed description of what to work on and where to find examples of me doing the things in the video.
- The follow up call to ask questions on any aspects of the write up
- The extra exercises you suggested throughout the writeup.
What do you wish had been different?
The only thing I would have changed was something I could have done different- having Skype set up in time for the follow up call.
Would you recommend my critiques to another dancer?
Yes.
Why would you recommend it, and to whom?
Yes, I have recommended it to many people. For the critique many of my friends who are teaching but who have been out of classes for a while were interested in getting a critique and I told them that I highly recommend your work.
I also recommend your DVDs in general to all of my students and friends who want to work on improvisation.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Katie Kahramana
[Note from Nadira: Katie had two critiques with me, four months apart. This review covers both.]
How useful did you find the critique?
Extremely Useful
What did you like most about the critique?
How specific and detailed it was.
What did you expect the critique to be like before we started?
A general overview of pluses and minuses.
How was the critique different from your expectation?
It was longer and more thorough.
What were the three biggest benefits of the critique?
- It gave me very specific things to work on.
- It pointed out the strengths and weaknesses.
- It was cost effective.
[Note from Nadira: Katie received her critiques as part of a DVD bonus package. The price has gone up since then.]
What do you wish had been different?
To be honest, nothing.
Would you recommend my critiques to another dancer?
Yes
Why would you recommend it, and to whom?
It’s even better, in some ways, than a private lesson. Teachers whom you know in person are reluctant to get as specifically critical as we sometimes need them to be.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Jami
How useful did you find the critique?
Very Useful
What did you like most about the critique?
Nadira comments on the good points as well as the bad and gave clear instructions on how to improve.
What did you expect the critique to be like before we started?
I was not sure what to expect.
How was the critique different from your expectation?
It was much more useful than I expected.
What were the three biggest benefits of the critique?
- Specific points for improvement
- Very specific instructions on how to improve those points.
- Great advice for dancing in a staging situation where there is not clear "front" and on improvisation.
What do you wish had been different?
(none)
Would you recommend my critiques to another dancer?
Yes
Why would you recommend it, and to whom?
I would recommend the critique service because I believe it is a valuable tool for improvement, especially for someone who is not able to attend live classes often.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Lissa Beck
How useful did you find the critique?
Extremely Useful
What did you like most about the critique?
The best thing about the critique was the extreme detail — very clear areas where I could see and understand what needed to be adjusted.
What did you expect the critique to be like before we started?
I assumed it would be very general and broad — with a few gentle pointers.
How was the critique different from your expectation?
The critique was extremely detailed and gave clear steps to fixing trouble spots and left me with the feeling that I knew exactly what to work on.
What were the three biggest benefits of the critique?
- Having an experienced dancer give solid feedback
- An opportunity to receive an unbiased critique from someone outside my local area where honest feedback isn’t always possible
- Ability to replay the video and match it to the critique to make sure I’m working on the right sections.
[Note from Nadira: Lissa is referring to the timecodes. When I comment on a specific moment, I include the exact time in the video where it occurs. ex: 3:36, meaning three minutes and 36 seconds into the video.]
What do you wish had been different?
I thought the experience was complete, as-is.
Would you recommend my critiques to another dancer?
Yes
Why would you recommend it, and to whom?
I would (and have) recommended others to purchase your DVD series and the critique because of the helpful benefits. I recommended to my dance sisters where I study and to a friend who now studies elsewhere.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
(none)