Seyyide Belly Dance

If you look up ‘patience’ in the dictionary, you will probably find a picture of Seyyide. She does such a great job of explaining how to move your body in a way that often feels totally foreign (seriously — it looks so easy when she dances, but it takes so many little steps to achieve!), and an even better job of pushing those of us who are getting frustrated with our ineptitude — *cough* me *cough* — to overcome the challenges. As a total newbie bellydancer, I’ve been taking classes with her steadily since November, and sporadically for a couple of months before that; with her teaching, I am actually feeling like I’ve started to make measurable progress. At the end of the day, that’s huge!

I practiced belly dance for a few years (sporadically), mostly in Toronto and then with a few different teachers in the Boston area. I never really settled in with a steady practice in Boston because I didn’t connect with the styles and teaching of any of the teachers I found. (Not to give the impression that I was ever serious…) I’ve now taken two classes with Seyyide and feel like I’ve lucked out.
I’m taking her beginner course because it’s been so long since I’ve danced, and she takes it at a great pace – challenging but doable – and it feels like you’re dancing vs doing drills right away. She teaches Egyptian style, if that matters to you (I prefer it). She leads excellent warm-​ups and teaches with good awareness of the body.
It can be a little hard to understand/​hear her over the music at times, so if you’re an absolute beginner and this bothers you, just be proactive about either standing near her or asking her to turn it down. She’s SO friendly, and goes to a lot of trouble to be personable and considerable with everyone. By the end of the first class she knew everyone’s name, which is cool – and unusual. Also, she’s great about communication and logistics.
Warm and welcoming personality, technical expertise, and conveniently located studio (I go to her Harvard Sq location): the dance class trifecta. Highly recommended! I’ll have to go see her perform at some point, she moves so beautifully just the little bit she really «dances» in class.

Seyyide is the real deal, a professionally trained dancer who knows how to explain anatomy and movement to students in a clear and easy to understand way, and who also is full of passion, artistry and respect for Middle Eastern dance that she passes along to her students. In her classes, you learn not just movement but also get an education in Arabic music, so that you have the skills as a dancer to hear and interpret the beautiful and emotional music of the Arab world. Whether you want to take classes just for fun or whether you want to be a performer yourself someday, you will find what you need in Seyyide’s classes. And if you are looking for an exciting and dynamic performer for your party, wedding or other event, you will be thrilled by her energetic yet nuanced dancing, and your guests will have a night to remember.

Seyyide is a great teacher… she not only makes sure we get the technique but also that we enjoy the essence and fun of dancing ! I’ve been training with her since 6 months now… and I keep going back coz it’s great fun !

Seyyide is a virtuoso at what she does… a belly dancer at the highest level. I recommend you come see her perform, but more importantly if you are interested in lessons, she is the person to see.
If you want to learn how to paint, and you had an opportunity to learn from Picasso (or someone at his level), wouldn’t you take it? Seyyide is belly dance’s equivalent of those great artists.

A few weeks ago friends and I hired Seyyide to teach a one hour belly dancing for a bachelorette party. She was wonderful!
When I contacted her, she responded right away. She responded quickly and clearly to all questions I had.
The day of the event was so much fun. Seyyide brought props and taught us a lot. She was warm, accommodating, and professional.

Seyyide is one of the best bellydance instructors and performers in Boston if not the nation. Her training in Egyptian style technique is very precise and she is very elegant and graceful to watch. She doesn’t miss a beat and she always engages the audience. I have had the chance to watch her perform in different venues going back 10 years ago and each performance gets better. She uses various props and is inventive so she is always a joy to watch!

I have taken classes with Seyyide several times over the past eight years. I have grown as a dancer, and Seyyide has blossomed into an amazing teacher. She has a talent for seeing a choregraphy and being able to replicate it. For the rest of us who lack that talent, she has the ability to then break that down both verbally and visually.
Her class is organized and fun, with a focus on both proper technique and musicality. Her background studying with the Egyptian greats and the Argentinian masters of her homeland, as well as ballet, makes her qualified to teach advanced/​professional level dancers. She covers the rhythms of Arabic music, and steps to go with them. She also teaches short choreographic segments to challenge the body and brain. If you aspire to ever perform, Seyyide’s attention to detail — not just movements but nuances, expression, posture — will get you closer to your goal.
I really appreciate that she watches each student and gives individualized feedback. I can learn much more with the feedback loop than I could at home alone with a video of same class. It takes both a sharp eye and a caring soul to be able to give good feedback on students. For example, one student may receive a tip on arm carriage, while another gets help on foot placement, or muscle engagement — depending on what she could see their individual struggle was at that moment. The feedback is delivered in a kind way, and she only gives what that person at the time can take.

Seyyide is a sensitive teacher, a beautiful dancer, and a sweet, energetic person. I’ve been studying with her for about a year, and enjoy every minute of her classes. I can’t recommend them highly enough!
She teaches authentic Egyptian style, and keeps classes different and fresh, while still repeatedly re-​visiting the technique one needs to become a proficient dancer. I appreciate that she pushes me to grow, but not too hard, and her classes are always fun.

Seyyide is a beautiful dancer and teacher and one sweet lady. If you have been thinking of trying out bellydance, I recommend you try classes with Seyyide. They are held in Porter Square at 7:45 at night – so you will have plenty of time to get there after work. Each class lasts for ⁵⁄₆ sessions and then you sign up for a new set. Her style is Egyptian bellydance. Do not come expecting a workout class – this is a class about learning how to bellydance and the focus is on the dance. You will learn different moves every time, and then put them together into a sequence.