The PiperMethod™ School of Belly Dance

August '10
Dear Piper, Belly Dance Magic was an amazing show!  All the performers had their own wonderful style, showing the diversity within this art form.  SPECTACULAR.  Your group was SO good, you've still got it girl!  It was inspirational, and magical.  Much love & gratitude, Kim

August '08
Hi Piper – Just wanted to let you know how much fun my friends and I had at Bellypalooza again this year. I can only imagine how much work it must be to coordinate the weekend, so thanks for all your hard work. I was able to attend some great workshops and pick up some beautiful costume pieces – as well as network with other local dancers. I can’t think of too many other ways I would like to spend a weekend. Thanks so much! Tania

August '08
Hey Piper, Just wanted to tell you I had a great time this year at Belly Palooza, again.  It’s so much fun and the new girls that we brought with us had a great time too.  Can’t wait until next year! Thanks again for such a great time!! Hugs, and shimmy on! Zeenath

July '08
Hello Piper, I'm looking forward to BellyPalooza a lot - my friends and I had a great time last year and will stay in a Hotel room in Baltimaore again this year. Thank you soooo much to you and your staff for working so hard and making this event happening for us dancers! Carmen

Sep. '07
Piper, I really miss your classes (and the students in them)! I'm looking forward to getting back to dancing in the spring.
By the way, of the workshops that I attended @ Bellypalooza, my favorite instructors were Melina (fantastic, always), Artemis (what can I say; I liked her Romany workshop so much, I took it twice) and Gerson Kuhr (really liked this one!); my favorite vendors were Magical Fashions (EXCELLENT SELECTION AND PRICES--I spent far more than I had intended, but there were too many goodies to pass up), Fantastic Designs and of coarse, Anatolia Imports. Warmest regards, Renee

Aug. '07
HI Piper, I really enjoyed the workshops and my husband loved the drumming class. The show was phenomenal too! Deborah

Aug. '07
Dear Piper, I wanted to thank you for all of your efforts in putting together another Bellypalooza. Over the course of two days, I attended twelve classes and walked away with a wealth of information on the history of belly dance, different dance styles, and the use of props. Again, thank you for organizing an amazing event. Respectfully, Tessa

Aug.'07
Good morning Piper, THANK YOU....THANK YOU....THANK YOU !!!!! Belly Palooza should be re-named BELLY PA-WOW-ZA !!!! What an AMAZING time I had !!! It is such an honor to be immersed in the beauty of all of the talented people who made the weekend such a FANTASTIC experience and what a pleasure to be surrounded by so many with such PASSION for the art of dance !!! For me, Belly Pa-wow-za started with a class with the "Fitness Pharoah". The stretches that seemed effortless at the time...were definately felt the next day !!! I haven't met many trainers who specifically target dancers needs, so the sequence of excersises made sense. I bought the DVD and in three months I should see results...I'll keep you posted. THEN... it was onto ISSAM'S M. E. rhythms for dancers class. What a TREAT !!!! It's the first time that I've seen a class offered that gave you a breakdown of the core rhythms with out the focus on trying to be a drummer. He's a first class musician and technician. He broke down the the basics and even gave suggestions for steps to go with the rhythms !! And then the REALLY BIG GIFT was that he allowed enough time for each dancer to have a 1 minute dance solo with him playing to your movements !!!!! WOW !! I guess because of where I live (which is culturally extinct of any middle eastern musicians) it was one of the most exciting moments in my dance career !!! I stayed in his class for the actual drumming session as well. You saw how small my drum was but he was able to make it SING !! He was so generous with his drums and talent that although I could only get my "DUM" (..no "tek" "ka" yet), I still felt as though I could apply everything I learned to advancing myself. He was definately a "Jewel" in the Crown of success of the weekend !!!

On Sunday, I got to spend time with the STARS !!! I only took Rhea's , Melina's, and your classes.....I'm always amazed at how gracious you all are with your insight and enthusiasim, especially after all the energy you expended the night before !!! Suddenly it was 5:30 on Sunday, and time to surface from the magical depths of the Belly Palooza pool. Although exhausted, I always leave with a renewed and re-energized commitment to dance ! I also leave with a glow of sisterhood/ family from the level of your gracious,warm and genuine hospitalitly that permeates the entire experience !!! So , THANK YOU again for creating and organizing such an wonderful event !!! Kudos to everyone who supports and assists in the success of the weekend !!!!

I'm already counting the moments to the annoucement of the dates for my next BELLY PA-WOW-ZA weekend !!! Sincerely, Carol

Aug '07
Thank you so much for putting on Belly Pallooza & the Magic show. I know it takes an inordinate amount of time money and work, I know how long it took you to plan & work things out, but it was sooo great! I thought the belly magic show was really wonderful. My 4-year-old went with me & she was enchanted the whole time (till she passed out), and said she wants to be Melina when she grows up (the ultimate kid compliment). Though I’ve seen some of [Melina's] circus numbers a few times, they still are still a marvel to witness, and the duet with Sascha was especially touching to me—it made me cry! Such a beautiful metaphor for love, the trapeze act… And the sword on the dagger—words cannot describe the amazingness!! You really presented something no one around here has ever seen, I think. It was so great to be just an audience member and enjoy the show—I really loved it & hope everyone felt good about it, because it was a show to be proud of.

I also thought your peacock hip scarf costume was yet another feat of creative costuming genius! It was extremely flattering and looked gorgeous on you, even from the back. I don’t know how you found the time to make it! Niiiice job!! Kudos!! Mazeltov! Cheers! Xoxo val

Feb. '07
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the Palooza last year. I am currently an advanced student of Latifa's. The workshops you and your family offer never cease to amaze me and push me toward being a better dancer. I won't likely be able to attend classes this year; I am due with my second child on August 13 so I think I will be too pregnant to keep up but I do want to come to the show and I wanted you to know just how upset I am that I am not going to be able to take classes this year. Galena

Aug. '06
Piper, I want to tell you how much I enjoyed [BellyPalooza] this weekend! This was the first time I have danced in two years and I'm now excited about getting back into it.You asked us to email you suggestions for next year. I thought everything was great. I just couldn't take all of the classes that I was interested in! :) I just read all of the bios on the Daughters of Rhea website. You truly are an amazing family who has accomplished alot. The dancing, the shows, the teaching, the academics, being a mother... where do you find the time!?! I am looking forward to attending again next year! Thank you! LL
Oct. '04
I would first like to say, although somewhat belatedly, What an AMAZING ,WONDERFUL, FABULOUS WEEKEND we experienced this summer at BELLYPALOZZA !!!!!!! The entire weekend was a first class act !!! The enthusiasm, energy, & passion that you, your mother & sister and I'm sure many other talented people conveyed throughout the whole weekend was a "BEAUTIFUL THING" !!!! So many thanks to everyone !!! Zatara from Lewes, DE

Aug. '04
I want to say "hats off" for Bellypalooza. I learned a lot, gained more confidence, and had fun! Your family and your team are much appreciated. Masani

Aug. '04
I can't even describe how fabulous this Baltimore BellyPalooza weekend was! The seminar classes were incredible and the Belly Dance Magic show and all of the dancers were mesmerizing!!! It was a melting pot of traditional dance and contemporary style. I feel almost selfish because it was a weekend that I spoiled myself with and it was so much more that I could have hoped for. This was the first time that I have met, or watched perform, Rhea and Melina. I loved your dancing from the first time that I took a class with you and now that I have seen all three of you, I am so glad that I have begun dancing. I just wish that I had started much sooner! I learned so much this weekend and I look forward to taking many more lessons with all of you. You are all such an inspiration and so extremely talented. Thank you so much for putting it on and I will be an annual attendee!!
Thank you, again, for hosting such a fantastic event. I love, love, LOVED it! Great job! Tina
Aug. '04
Dear Piper, I wanted to thank you and your family for all of the effort and time you spent coordinating the workshop. I had a blast and learned so much! And, my friend, who I brought as a 1st time belly dancer is now hooked for life and taking classes with me in Richmond. Thanks again and best wishes all around, Nashida

Aug. 04
Hello Piper…Bellypalooza was wonderful – I had a great time on Saturday, and the performance that night was excellent. I brought several people along and they all just loved it and can’t wait until next year! Molly

Aug. '04
Dear Rhea, Piper and Melinda, just a quick thanks for all your efforts last weekend. The workshop went beyond my expectations and the show was fabulous. Also, a special thanks to you, Rhea, for your show last night at the Funk Box. It was a gift. Rhea, the Greek power walk is awesome. I use it all the time for sprints through the airport. It is effective and amazingly rejuvenating. Linden Kosub

Aug. '04
Melina and Piper, thank you so much for a wonderful, wonderful weekend. I LOVED BELLYPALOOzA! I'm a relative beginner, and am so inspired I can hardly contain myself. Wish I could remember more. You both are terrific teachers, as well as Rhea. I'm a nurse-midwife and a meditation teacher and am brimming with applications from the chakra/aura classes. I absolutely loved the way you teach. And the way you dance. And your welcoming, centered, joyous energy. I took a 5 day belly dancing workshop at the Omega Institute in New York in July with Dondi and Titania Dahlin. Are you familiar with it? I wish you would teach there. www.eomega.org I would love to spend a week [taking workshops] with you. Or another weekend before next BellyPalooza. Peace, Beebe Frazer

May '04
Piper, Thank you for the wonderful veil seminar. I have taken a few classes from you via workshops, and I am awed after each one! I also have had the opportunity to take several workshops from Rhea and one workshop from Melina. I can't wait until Baltimore [BellyPalooza] this year! My boyfriend and I attended Rakkasah in NJ last fall and he was floored by You, Rhea and Melina! Thanks and hope to see you soon~ Jody