Ethics, Etiquette & Behaviour Guidelines


In Class


  • Leave your inner critic at the door. Approach the class with an open mind and realistic expectations. Adopt ‘beginner mind’ and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It is a healthy part of learning. None of us do things perfectly the first time (or even the hundredth time). Keep practicing and it will come.
  • Come to class ready to dance, do your best to be on time, and try to keep chatting to a minimum during class.
  • Take care of your body, pay attention and let the teacher know if something hurts or if you don’t understand what to do.
  • Stay hydrated, warm up on your own if you are late, cool down at the end.
  • Ask questions and request additional breakdown of movements when needed.
  • Don’t offer advice or corrections to other students unless they have specifically asked your help. Encourage them to ask questions of the teacher so all students can benefit from the answer.
  • Be friendly and encouraging to other students.
  • Make friends with your fellow dancers, they are a great resource and support system in future.
  • Ask other students if they would like to practice with you out of class. It is one of the fastest and most fun ways to progress.
  • Please don’t use put downs or negative body talk in class – either about yourself or other people (present or not). Such though and speech patterns are contagious and are harmful to everybody’s self esteem and wellbeing.
  • Do not gossip or talk badly about other dancers or teachers.
  • Share information about upcoming dance events you might be involved in or want to support.
  • You are encouraged to take from a variety of instructors and styles! It is a great way to broaden your skills and knowledge and develop your own style. Workshops are a fantastic source of inspiration.
  • You are strongly encouraged to support the local dance community by participating in workshops and festivals and attending haflas and performances.
  • Please don’t pirate materials such as music and DVDs– it hurts the small (often independent) artists that our dance form relies on. Making CDs and DVDs is very expensive in such a small market and artists need to eat. If we don’t buy their products they won’t make any more and that would be a bad thing.

At a Performance

  • Treat every performance as seriously as you would treat a formal job interview. Be professional. Prepare, be organised, be on time.
  • Maintain your mystery. Wear a cover over your costume at all times when not performing or change into nice street clothing.
  • Wear proper stage make up, be clean and fresh and look your best.
  • Make sure your costume fits properly. Ensure everything is repaired, closures have multiple fasteners, and are pinned into place where appropriate and use double sided ‘hollywood’ tape where appropriate. Ensure your costume won’t reveal any parts it shouldn’t. Always have extra pins, double sided tape and a sewing/repair kit in your gig bag. There is no excuse for wardrobe malfunctions.
  • Ensure your costume is appropriate for your venue and dance style. At some community events more covered costuming may be more appropriate. If you are not sure – check!
  • Practice in your FULL costume with ALL your props in advance – at LEAST twice. (This includes such things as false eyelashes, jewellery, hair ornaments, hair pieces etc.)
  • Choose costuming that flatters your body type and shows you off to best advantage.
  • Show your support for other performers, check each other’s costumes, smile, clap and cheer.
  • Be respectful at all times. Be polite and do not gossip about other dancers while they perform.
  • Be positive and complementary on performance night, always.
  • Know how to be culturally respectful.
  • Know the music you are dancing to and its meaning.
  • Do not do anything that might be considered lacking in decorum on or off stage.
  • Don’t ‘consort inappropriately’ with the audience while in costume.
  • Don’t drink alcohol or smoke while in costume.

As a Performer

  • Perform at appropriate venues for your level. Appropriate student venues include haflas, recitals, old folks homes, amateur nights and friends and family celebrations. Truth in advertising! If you are still a student - say so!!!
  • Professional venues include, restaurants, nightclubs, parties, weddings, cultural events, often charity events or any venue that offers pay.
  • If you are not a professional performer yet, DO NOT perform in professional venues.
  • Seek your instructor’s guidance and advice.
  • Don’t be in a hurry to perform professionally, make sure you are ready first and that it is really the dance path that is right for you.
  • Truth in advertising. Be honest in how you advertise events and performers. Credit musicians, teachers and choreographers.
  • ALWAYS ask permission before you perform works choreographed by others. Credit appropriately, for example – “Shimmyalisous is an original choreography by Souhair, performed by Zaghareet Middle Eastern Dance Troupe with permission. Original music by Bellyrificcca. ” “This choreography to Aziza, by Bellyrificcca, is inspired by a chorography by Souhair, stylised and adapted for troupe use by Zaghareet Middle Eastern Dance Troupe.”
  • Charge appropriate professional rates for our area and DO NOT undercut. Undercutting may get you the job, but you are actually sabotaging your own ability to charge, hurting other professional dancers and undermining the long term health of the professional circuit. Undercutting kills off dance jobs. Don’t ‘steal’ other performers gigs.
  • Be ethical, professional and culturally respectful. Maintain the highest standards of personal integrity. Don’t bring the dance into ill repute.
  • Support other members of the dance community when possible by attending workshops and shows, etc. be generous and support the community as much as you can. Be kind to students and offer them development opportunities as much as you can.
  • Network and be supportive of other professional dancers in your area. Join professional dance organisations such as Ausdance.
  • Continue to pursue training and education so you can present our dance form in the best possible light.
  • Ensure that you or the host/venue have performance rights for the music that you plan to use. See APRA for licensing arrangements.
  • Develop a mentoring relationship with your instructor or another seasoned professional dancer. Talk to them for support, guidance and advice.
  • When the time comes, support and mentor other new performers.

As a Belly Dance Instructor

  • Don’t begin to teach prematurely. Most dancers are not ready to begin teaching until after several years of training, performance and private coaching. Every so often you will encounter an “Eight Week Wonder” – a beginning student who has taken one 8-week class and who thinks they are now qualified to teach. This is dangerous and irresponsible and harms the dance community.
  • Ask your instructor about student teacher and internship opportunities. These are a fantastic way to develop your teaching skills in a safe supportive and nurturing environment. There are also teachers who offer formal ‘teacher training’ in particular styles. Research these carefully, some are just money-making exercises which produce a bit of paper – others offer a high quality formal learning environment.
  • Make sure you teach proper body alignment and that you understand the body enough to prevent your students from injuring themselves from incorrect dance technique. (I recommend getting a formal qualification from Ausdance or QUT.)
  • Remind students to check with their doctor before enrolling if they are pregnant or have any physical issues. Work with them to adapt the class to their needs.
  • Only teach in a safe environment. See Ausdance Safe Dance information.
  • Commit to regular practice. Invest significant time in class preparation. Have a class plan and curriculum. Always arrive at class prepared. Actively seek feedback from students.
  • Commit to regular additional and ongoing training and study to keep your skills sharp and growing. Study, study, study. Invest in DVDs and music.
  • Be generous with information. Check your facts. Don’t pass on errors.
  • Charge appropriate rates for your area. Do not undercut. It hurts both you and other teachers.
  • Respect copyright. Don’t teach another instructor’s choreography without the choreographer’s express permission first. This holds true for reproducing class materials too.
  • Encourage your students to become part of our larger dance community, by sharing information about events, workshops and classes of interest outside of your studio.
  • Be ethical, kind, respectful, honest and nurturing with your students. You have a duty of care to your students. Students are uniquely vulnerable. Be aware that how you treat them may have a huge impact on how they think of themselves as dancers and as people. Be positive, gentle, considerate and supportive with how you provide feedback (particularly after performances). Allow the student to ask for more if they need it. Be careful of showing favouritism. Don’t undermine a student’s confidence. I’ve known promising students to give up dancing totally because of ill-considered feedback.
  • Never be jealous of your students or afraid that they will surpass you as a performer or instructor. A successful student is something to celebrate! It is the mark of a wonderful teacher! Be proud and supportive.
  • If you have the time and capacity try to set up community events such as workshops, haflas and shows. Do your bit to keep the community healthy and vibrant!
  • Treat other teachers with respect. Behave ethically at other teacher’s events. Don’t circulate your school’s information without permission. Don’t set up opposing events. Don’t badmouth anyone to students.
  • Develop a mentoring relationship with your instructor or another seasoned professional teacher. Talk to them for support, guidance and advice.