Hannah Romanowsky - Scheherazade School
7 years in business
About this pro
I have been researching, performing, and teaching popular, social, classical, folkloric, and world dance traditions for over two decades. Initially trained in ballet, jazz, and musical theater, my life-long devotion to dance as a vehicle of joy and healing inspired me to develop the DanceVersity multicultural youth arts education program in 2005, and the Scheherazade School of Dance & Sacred Movement in 2017.
I hold a B.A. in Dance Ethnology and World Music, and an M.A. in East-West Psychology. One of my specialities is belly dance and other dance traditions from the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa. I train professional artists as well as casual dancers in many different forms of dance, including swing, wedding dances, belly dance, sufi dance, Romani (gypsy) dance, and traditional folkloric dance from Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, India, and beyond.
I love bringing more joy, playfulness, beauty, connection, embodiment, and well-being into people's lives. I am passionate about inspiring women to love their bodies and express their unique beauty and sensuality through movement, and encouraging men to learn basic social dance skills so they can feel more confident on the dance floor. I have deep respect and appreciation for ancestral practices and world traditions that honor dance as a powerful tool for healing, and love inspiring curiosity in others.
Read more about this pro
Credentials
San Rafael, CA 94901
Email verified
Phone verified
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Hannah has a unique dancing style, it’s graceful and beautiful that encourage me to dance. Her coreographies are diverse and fun. She makes sure that everyone enjoys her classes
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Hannah is amazing. She makes it fun and easy to learn difficult techniques while teaching us beautiful Choreographed dances from my different countries and cultures of the middle east. Hannahs classes make me feel vibrant, beautiful, sexy and connected to a wonderful group of women.
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Hannah is an amazing dancer and teacher. I love dancing with her in class.
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FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
After finding out what the client's goals are we schedule a time and location to meet. I will send a link to scheduling options. Usually lessons are held at a studio in central San Rafael unless we decide to meet elsewhere.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
B.A. Dance Ethnology and World Music
M.A. East-West Psychology
Training in somatic therapy, and 30+ years of training and experience in a wide breadth of dance styles and techniques
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$95 per private lesson (60 minutes) for singles and couples.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching dance in my teens, so I have over 20 years of teachning experience. In the beginning I was teaching technique and choreography in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and musical theater. Later when I pursued cultural dance as an undergraduate, I started teaching folkloric and traditional Arabic and Persian dance. In 2005 I founded a youth multicultural arts education program called DanceVersity in Berkeley CA where I taught most of the classes and managed a youth performance ensemble. Later I was on faculty at the Afsaneh Art & Culture Society, teaching Persian dance to the Iranian community.
Currently I offer classes and workshops to women through The Scheherazade School of Sacred Movement, teaching dance history lecture courses through College of Marin Community Ed, teach weekly belly dance classes at Body Vibe Studio and the JCC in San Rafael, and coach wedding couples and their families.
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages! I've taught dance fundamentals to very young children, ran programs for elementary and middle school kids, trained pre-professional and professional teen and adult dancers, and have years of experience teaching belly dance fitness to women in their 70's. Currently my main focus is working with adult women, but I love teaching all ages.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I get so much joy out of teaching! Recently I taught a workshop to women on the art and practice of whirling, and the delight they were experiening in learning this powerful technique and connecting with one another warmed my heart. The experience reinforced for me that in times of stress it is so important to come together and dance.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Consider the depth of knowledge and training a teacher has. Also consider her or his approach to the material and if it is in alignment with what you are looking for.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Ask yourself the following questions: What attracts me to this particular form of dance or movement? Is there an issue I'm struggling with that I think dance might help me explore? Am I looking for physical fitness? Do I want to feel more at ease in my body? Do I want to learn the dance of a particular culture? Do I want to have more fun? In short, what are your three main goals or intentions?
Lessons offered
Dance Fitness Classes Dance Choreography Classes Dance Classes Belly Dancing Classes Folkloric Dancing Lessons Modeling Classes Swing Dance Lessons Tap Dance Classes Wedding Dance Lessons Theatrical Dance Classes Choreography Classes Burlesque Lessons Bollywood Dancing Classes Ballroom Dance Lessons African Dance Classes