Jodette’s Belly Dancing Academy

Since they were having a promotional special, a couple of friends and I decided to try a belly dancing lesson. It was an awkward experience.
The studio is basically a store front and at night anyone walking by can peer in. No one else showed up for class that night and it turned out that Jodette was unable to teach that night so she left teaching to two of her dancers. There were few other women in the studio and we later found out that also dancers that Jodette schedules at the restaurants. They sat around and watched the class while they waited which made it super intimidating for a first timer.
Instructor 1
Simply AWFUL. Basically she turned on the CD player and proceeded to do her routine. We had obviously never done this before so we floundered, but she never paused to help and did not ask if there were questions. She just avoided eye contact and just continued with her routine. I would have been better off at home with a DVD. At least I could «rewind». (Unfortunately I did not get the name for reference. She was 35−40ish, Middle Eastern descent?)
Instructor 2
Thank goodness another one of the dancers replaced for her for 2^nd half. She was a much much better teacher. (Again, I did not get any names for reference but she was in her 20’s and Caucasian?) She did provide encouragement and corrections and a did ask for any questions and did try answer questions and help with technique. She seemed like she would be a good instructor. I would take a class from her. I give her the one star.
Overall, I do not think that I would go back. It is not the most welcoming first time experience. Also since Jodette was unable to teach, I don’t think she should have taken the business and then palmed the teaching off onto her two dancers, especially if one of them does not know how to teach.

Not sure if it’s promotional price or they lowered prices for good, but classes are lots of fun. Can be a bit intimidating at first bc so many students are really good!
Jodette is very nice and welcoming. All instructors are very helpful.
Class sign ups are for six weeks at a time, but I’ll keep coming as long as they’re offered :)
Lots of fun, good workout, enjoyable change of pace than other options.

Sacramento is just a big suburb masqerading as a city. Without Jodette’s my Chi-​town flava’ would have died a slow psychotically painful death.
Jodette’s is super basic– carpeted studio, mirrors in the front, boombox in the corner belts out Arabic music from old scratched compact discs (remember those?).
Expensive, and I do mean, expensive, belly dancing costumes line the upper walls and a couple of racks in the corner display for-​sale clothing from Jodette’s travels.
No one (not even the teachers) is welcoming except Jodette. Don’t be offended, just make friends with the women who aren’t full of themselves.
Unless you show real potential, specifically ask for help, or really suck, they will not correct your form.
Class prices are cheap.
Have fun gettin’ yo shimmy on!