We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Alright, Rachel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry

One of the biggest trends that I see in my business today is the change in the music. Somehow hearing myself say that is weird since the nature of dance and music is to evolve, regardless.

This art form came from the music, with a dancer’s deep understanding of the story behind it; sentiment, appropriate movement per region, solos appropriate to the instrument, stage presence, stage etiquette, dramatic skill and presentations based on the music of a live band and the interaction from the band, to the dancer, to the audience. Usually a full set with a grand entrance, songs with specific rhythms and changes, with instrument solos based on the prop or mood or origin of the band member playing the solo and

Now days, in the middle east, we are trending to “cat walk” or “bar top” performances as a result of political backlash represented in the dance scene. Bands are no longer a key player in the show, if you would call it a “show” and dancers are no longer doing a set. It is more like a go-go dance vibe to music that is more like street pop, a off chute of “Shabbi” called Maharganatt.

So the traditional night club live music performance shows that families would go to see: the band and dancer, are fading if not gone all together in the middle east.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

“Beginning my belly dance career in 1994 based on a need for a Halloween constume and moves, I took a bellydance class and absolutely and completely fell in love with the music. That was and still is my “Why” of why I still dance. It has always been about the music. Not a native to Middle Eastern Culture and a need to represent and fully understand this dance form while exploring my skills and growth still keeps me a student. Fast forward a few years, I have now achieved the highest level of certification that is recognized worldwide; Level 5 placement in the Salimpour™ formats. As a perpetual student of movement art, a Level 5 certified dancer and a multi-award winning performer, I also teach workshops and classes worldwide.” Rachel :)

Based in Southern California, Rachel is San Diego’s number one premier belly dance entertainment highlight. She illustrates her incomparable musical interpretation, which is rooted in a great understanding of Middle Eastern cultural history and dance movement, through her strong technique and isolation strength.

Rachel’s performances are fantastically radiant, full of style and grace accompanied by her uniquely captivating personality. Her dynamic artistry brings to the classroom and stage a rare and powerful element in emotional expression that leaves her audience thirsting for more. And her unmatched enthusiasm for the dance, cultural history and correct training is reflected in her performance and teaching process.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Starting in this business in the 90’s, there was no such thing as social media. It was word of mouth, you website (if you had one), and business cards. Maybe every once in a while there was a competition or showcase to participat in to “be seen”. So with those tools, clientele was very localized and limited. Mostly limited to those who attended performances and wanted to “learn bellydance” or “hire me for a party”, but they would typically be an audience of the club I was working at first.

Now days I find the most successful ways to make my business know to folks looking and not looking is of course the internet and a few main streem platforms on there. And sometimes paid ads via social media. These things feed into Google search engines and based on my research, that is were the majority of my new clientele is directed from.

Googl search
Yelp
Instagram
TicToc
FaceBook ads
Google Business profile
Website
Paid ads on gig generator platforms
Always tag my performance spots on social media

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I have always believed that the “proof is in the pudding” persay.

-Above everything, how you treat people (customers, students and audience) and how you make them feel will reflect drectly on your reputation.
-Audience: Always consider your audience as a performer. Who are there, where are they from, how will you effect them based on your choice of music and costuming.
-Student: study wide and long and study with the best, know your craft.
-Training: Alwas train, of you reach a plateau, seek out the next step in your training.
-Presentation: As a performer, presentation matters: use and wear the best products, new and fresh costumes.
-Professionalism: is always the key, everyone is always watching and how you conduct yourself “IS” your reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.rachelbellydance.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbellydance/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelReneBellyDance
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelG1800
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsRachelgeorge/featured
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/belly-dance-by-rachel-san-diego-3

Image Credits
David Casey