Testimonials
See What Raving Fans Are Saying…
Belly Dance Trainer Certification Program
“I am only on page 12 of part one, and I’d just like to say how well thought-out your program is ! This is going to be a tremendous help to me. So far, it’s all I’d hoped it would be.” ~Christine (CA)
Teaching
“Thanks for sharing the information in your Obvious Belly Dance Expert seminar. The information on media kits alone saved me years of experimenting with trial and error promotion.” ~Khadejah Grubbs (VA)
“Thank you sooooo much for your fabulously candid input and critique (from the Intermediate Intensive workshop). I really appreciate it and feel very lucky to have access to your knowledge and background.” ~ Kalaa (VA)
“It is hard to express how impactful your detailed and thoughtful comments and targeted assistance are. Everyone who has had you as a resource is so lucky!” Samira, (Winner of the 2005 Headliner category of the East Coast Classic)
“Taaj is a Professional’s Professional. Most of the time skill sets don’t overlap—some people are excellent performers but terrible teachers; some great teachers are only solid, not fantastic, performers. And we all know people who are better marketers than they are either teacher or performer! But Taaj has it all. She is a superb dancer, one of the more thoughtful and phenomenal teachers I have encountered, AND she is truly professional—informed, articulate, organized, prompt, on top of everything and completely professional and classy in her approach to, and teaching of, business and marketing skills. She is one of a kind.” –Shakira al Fanninah
“Taaj …gives one of the best intro classes I ever had to Egyptian Style Dance” Sitamun (MD)
“Your break down of drum solo is the best I’ve ever seen. Can I borrow your technique?”~ Maya (Grand Champion winner of the 2004 East Coast Classic)
“I want to thank you again for the (Intermediate Intensive) workshop. Everything you covered is exactly what has been lacking in my training. It stretched me in a lot of ways, as I’m so used to a very structured environment with lots of drills and choreography but no development of myself as an individual dancer. Now I have a starting place to begin developing my “Self” as a dancer and discover what I want to express through dance. ~ Pam Wolfe (VA)
WAMEDA says Taaj’s teaching, “unveils the mystery.”
“I’ve been taking lessons for two years, but I’ve learned more from you in the last four weeks than in all that time. Your teaching style just makes sense.” ~Ruby Armstrong (VA)
“I am completely spoiled by Taaj’s teaching style. Taaj always explains about the characteristics, music, and costuming for the dance she is about to teach. She explains the “feeling” of the style she is teaching, so you can keep that inner sense while you dance it. Taaj teaches specific concepts of style and movement to the music. When you apply these concepts to your vocabulary of Oriental movements, you absorb a better understanding of the style. This is more beneficial than learning a one-size -fits-all choreography. She’s a true “teacher”, organized, knowledgeable, gives the facts and true nature of what is being taught. After her class, you’ll know what your doing!” ~Sharon (Grand Champion winner of the 2005 East Coast Belly Dance Classic)
“You did a fabulous job and even though I have been involved in Middle Eastern dance, I learned a lot from you.” Melina (PA)
“I am listening to Egyptian music differently now. Thank-you so much. Oh, my goodness! I’m going to have to re-teach myself, which is a good thing!” Payal (MD)
“The Intermediate Intensive was wonderful. I always feel energized when I leave the Intermediate Intensive. Your experience level is not available anywhere else, in my opinion. I feel like I am breaking through to the next level — again!” Zuleika, VA (winner of Headliner in the 2006 East Coast Classic and runner up in Silver at the 2006 Personal Best Competition)
Your musicality workshop was the first belly dance workshop I ever took and I loved it. Over the last couple of years and the dozens of workshops I’ve taken, a part of me always wondered whether it really had been THAT GOOD, or whether I was simply too inexperienced at the time to accurately judge it. I realized today (after taking your Intermediate Intensive) your workshops truly are THAT GOOD. Zenilla (VA)
Performing
“That was great! You really know the music, and that is the most important thing for any dancer.” ~ Issam Houshan, drummer for BDSS
…”very classy”
“She dances with no accent.”
“When she dances, I must watch. She dances with such pleasure.”
~Arab audience members at the Hakim show where Taaj performed Oct 2, 2004.
Products
“Thank you for sending me the book (How to Position Yourself as the Obvious Belly Dance Expert and Double Your Income). It is, how shall I say, a masterpiece in the business of belly dance world. You really have tapped into something here which I’m certain you know by now. I will be sure to encourage the women I know in this business to consider taking a look at it. Your approach is paramount in so many ways. You are a true pioneer.” ~ Eshta (MI)
“I have listened to them (self-hypnosis CDs) for 21 days now. I had a real problem dancing in front of other teachers. This problem now is dissolved. This has totally taken me to the next level of dancing. I almost gave it up, then I started reading a women’s book of power, then found Taaj online through a search – and the tapes! Oh, they took me to a new level. Taaj also has a DVD out that is great for the beginner to create confidence in herself into reach the next level of intermediate. She creates a feeling of welcoming and “you can do it.” Guess what, and you can. Anyone can with the influence of these self- hypnosis tapes. Not only are these CDs good for teachers, but for students who have never had stage experience. She has subliminally helped me to want to reach my goals, actually to put me back in touch with my goals. I recommend these CDs to every women that is serious about dance. Taaj has touched my life in the dance world. I cannot say enough about her wanting to share her knowledge. More souls need to be like hers.” ~Roxann Scotella (MI)
“My mom bought me your “How to Position Yourself’ e-book last year and it was and continues to be a help. Most of the things that work for me were already in there plus I learned some new approaches. Thank you.” ~Ruric-Amari (KY)
“For anyone who didn’t call in to the teleseminar Sunday (“Money: Get It, Use It, Spend It Keep It” with Patrick Astre)…boy, ya missed it! It was worth it for the stuff on the LLCs alone [never mind how to avoid an audit 
]. How to avoid losing all you have to tortious interference [also known as, lawsuits by deranged/evil/greedy/whatever dancers] was really worth it. The guy who spoke could easily have done *3 different* teleseminars, on each of the topics! ~Shakira (OH)
” I just finished reading the “Are You Ready to Be a Belly Dance Teacher” e-book. The book is great. It was just like you were sitting here talking to me! I can see why your students progress and become such great dancers.” Serina Jones (WV)
“I purchased this book (Beyond Moves, Combos and Choreography) because I wanted new ideas on teaching concepts — beyond just how to move — in my bellydance classes. What I received was an absolute treasure trove of ideas, games, exercises, things to look out for, new ways to describe concepts, and even coverage of concepts that I had never thought to include in my classes. I am so pleased with this book!
Broken down into “concepts,” each section focuses on a different activity to get your students thinking about things like dynamics, emotionality, and musical interpretation. From exercises on level changes to smoothing transitions, from layering movements to teaching students how to hear the beat — this book covers it all, and the exercises are infinitely customizable. Although the book is geared towards activities for beginner to intermediate students, you could easily adapt the exercises for a more advanced class. The advanced dancer can also adapt the exercises for her own home-study.
This is real 110+ page BOOK — NOT a pamphlet. It’s an oversized paperback, with no fluff or wasted space. The book does not describe or break down any movements. It’s assumed that if you’re teaching bellydance you will already know the movements. This book strictly deals with teaching concepts, not moves. I especially love the little checklist/test for each activity, with notes on what to look for to see if students understand the material. This book is a MUST for any bellydance teacher.” ~ A Niehuas
“This book (Beyond Moves, Combos and Choreography) has many great ideas for group practices. It is helpful to have taken at least some belly dance classes before purchasing this helpful manual. There are no pictures describing the activity, just details and assessment sheets. Brush up on your vocabulary and basics before purchasing. I highly recommend this book… It Raq’s!” ~ Corinna
“I just received your book Beyond Moves, Combos and Choreography (ordered via Amazon) and really like it. I am a beginner “back porch” belly dancer and was looking for a good resource to guide me in ways to use the basic moves I am learning, and use them in fun, creative and interesting ways so that I enjoy dancing in my own home. Your book is going to be perfect for it.” ~Lynda Schmansky
“Someone recently said to me ‘Teacher is a very big word.” I agree and would highly recommend this methodical and well thought-out book to any teacher, whether novice or old pro, who is herself on a path to self-discovery.” – Kanina (read the complete review that appeared in Belly Dance New England here).
Tours
“I would like to thank you so much for your kindness… We had a wonderful time in Cairo, too short and we will come back.” ~ Birgit, Zimbabwe ‘04
“I had no idea Taaj knew so many people, but I can see how. Everyone is so friendly! This was way better than going on a commercial tour. I felt like I experienced everything and got to connect with the land and the people. A Nile cruise, two birthday parties, two weddings, and six marriage proposals- wow! Unforgettable. Go, and have a great experience too!” ~ Lisa, Rhode Island USA ‘04
“The key to having fun in Egypt is…opening your mind to the vastly different culture, breathing in the beauty of Cairo and the people! If someone asked if I should go to Egypt, my advice would be…GO! GO! GO! Take a backpack, good walking shoes and a sense of adventure! I enjoyed my trip to Egypt so much, I started saving for the next one before we departed the airport in Cairo to come home!! My only regret is that sleep interfered with my shopping and touring!” ~Gameela, VA ’06
“Egypt takes everything: my control, my contacts, my cohesion, my comprehension…At the same time, she gives everything: majesty, wonder, intensity, companionship…I also cried when I first saw you, and when I left, because I knew I’d never be the same without you. You taught me take care of myself and to let go… I believe only Taaj could open the doors to: buying scarves at Hussein’s, ordering the best, hardest-won costumes, “trekking” through the Khan, dancing in a workshop with Raqia Hassan in the middle of the night in evening clothes, riding in taxis that made me call on Jesus, and so many other things. I was never really scared, though, and I think people who have this impression are wrong and should not let this idea stand in their way of the trip of a lifetime. These were opportunities that had to be taken as soon as they were offered, for fear that they would not come around again. Insh’allah, we will have this chance again.” ~Zuleika, VA ’06
“Touring with Taaj is like touring with a well-connected native. Seemingly effortlessly, Taaj pulls together the sights, people and places you want to see. “Tourist” destinations are included, but most everything has an “off the beaten path” perspective you won’t often find on crowded buses with overworked tour guides. Touring with belly dancers was also very fulfulling, as our goals meshed well. How else would we have convinced our guide to take us to a local music store to clean out their DVD collection instead of touring the Egyptian Museum?” ~Samira, VA ’06
“I loved the non-stop go go go go pace. If felt like we were there for two weeks. I loved having everyday crammed full!! I also want to thank you (Taaj) for your patience, stamina, and afro-senses! Your guidance and knowledge made the trip an experience of a lifetime. I feel so fortunate to have met you and so blessed to have been invited to participate in this adventure.”
~Aisha,WV ’06
