Sausan,

Thank YOU for sponsoring such a wonderful choreography workshop last
Sunday (April 24, 2005). I am a new student to belly dance and have studied with many wonderful teachers in Sbay. I think you are the only teacher of pure Egyptian style belly dance. Your knowledge of Egyptian dance, language and culture makes attending your classes fun and informative. I look forward to attending your future workshops and learning to dance like an Egyptian.

-Ms. Lavonne
South Bay Area

As an Egyptian and a scholar, I truly believe that Sausan is the most knowledgeable Raqs Sharki (belly-dance) teacher in the world at this time. Her grasp of the psychology, culture, and history of the dance is unsurpassed. I think that 99% of those who claim to be teachers should refund the money to their students and take her class. Sausan is single-handedly setting the course to preserve the authenticity of the oldest dance in the world.

-Hatem El-Sayed, Ph.D.

Dear Sausan, Your class is wonderful and is like no other dance class i've ever taken. Though i've had some experience with belly-dance before, it's the first time i've ever heard a coherent explanation of the structure of Classical Arabic music, which gives me a much deeper understanding of the dance itself and the ways to continually perfect it. Your generosity and willingness to give your students the best is without comparison. I stopped taking belly-dancing classes a couple of years ago because i've learned all the "moves", and asked myself "now what?" May i say this... i've become bored! I knew there had to be more to the dance than what i've already absorbed, but i did not know what, and nobody taught it... Through you i understood that it was self-expression, integrating the movements with emotions and with the music -- the most challenging part of the dance!!
Now it does not feel like i'm "learning the moves" -- i feel like raqs sharki is "becoming" me, penetrating inside me through my very skin, the exquisite atmosphere of your class, through communication with you and other beautiful women in our class.
I cannot express how happy I am to have found you.
With my deepest gratitude,

-Alina

Dear Sausan,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Although I have been studying raks sharqi with other instructors for several years, in the few short weeks I’ve been taking lessons from you, I feel like I’ve made a quantum leap in my understanding of the dance.
Your knowledge of the Egyptian Dance Code is unique in the United States. You have truly found the key to unlock the grace, beauty, and nephis of classical Egyptian belly dance and I am privileged to be your student. Your ability to break down Egyptian movements scientifically is truly incredible. You have a special way of explaining the dance in the context of the Arab culture in a way that makes it easy for an American woman to understand. I also especially enjoy the portion of each lesson when you illustrate the concepts by showing a short video of an Egyptian dancer performing the same movements we’ve just learned!
I recommend to anyone who is curious about this beautiful art form to contact you and begin learning about the dance. I would also like to encourage more experienced dancers who have a genuine desire to realize their full potential to seek you out right away. They don’t know what they’re missing. I really can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve given me. Sausan, you are the best kept secret in Egyptian dance instruction this side of the Nile!
With deepest appreciation; your Devoted Student,

-Melinda

I had been dancing for 8 years before I came to Sausan. For about 2
years, I felt I was missing something in my dance but I didnt know
what. I went from teacher to teacher trying to figure out what it
was. My friend told me that she started taking classes from Sausan
Academy and that I should look into it. At that time I had just
started with another teacher and had bought the class card, so I told
her I will look into it. I cannot tell you how much my dancing has changed. It has changed 180 degrees! I have videos of my performances from before and after sausan. Wow! what a difference. She not only teaches you technique, she teaches you how to express yourself to inturpet the music you are dancing to. You wont find any other teacher who really wants you to succeed and be the best!

-Shana

I had always been attracted to the beautiful dance known as “belly dance” for as long as I can remember. Last summer, I got the courage to take my first class. Although I knew very little about belly dance, I knew that what I was learning didn’t “feel” right. It became even more apparent when I refused my Egyptian friend’s request to show her one of my moves from class, due to embarrassment. So for the next six months I jumped from teacher to teacher in search of a sense of authenticity. After an extensive web search, I stumbled upon Sausan’s contact information on another dancer’s website. I contacted her immediately and after a brief conversation, I knew Sausan was who I had been searching for. She told me that I would learn the techniques for dancing and performing like an Egyptian dancer and she has kept her promise! I have been taking weekly classes with Sausan for the last five months and since the first day I have felt like I am truly dancing, rather than executing so-called “belly dance” moves that only look good in class. Now I feel completely comfortable dancing in front of my Arabic friends. Sausan has broken this dance down as if it were a science to the most basic foundation, unlocking the secrets to that little something extra that only Egyptian dancers seem to have. She has the skills to convey what she is teaching to her students in a caring, non-judgmental, and articulate manner. I am so happy I found Sausan, and I would highly recommend her to anyone interested in learning authentic belly dance!

-Shaunte Jackson, RN Student