Feedback and Accolades

Students say:

August 2010

Ruric knows her stuff. She is very good at explaining techniques and breaks down the moves so anyone can understand it.

Anna, you are a great teacher!! Good combination of fun while maintaining structure. You are very good at breaking down the technique and then drilling. Also very good at breaking down choreography steps when teaching combinations. Thank-you so much for everything you do. You are an amazing dancer and person!

Anna, I have always enjoyed your classes. You have a nice mix of serious and funny. You are also very articulate in explaining the movements and patient if someone isn't getting it. I also like that you help us have an understanding of the music. This is so important for good dancing. I also think your warm ups are kick-ass.

I think you strike the right balance of fun and pushing us harder...the more I practice, the more I realize I couldn't achieve the next level without being challenged.

Anna, I love the way you teach. You break down the moves so an old woman can understand them. You make the classes fun and interesting. You push me as well as Ruric does to do better and to be a better dancer.

I enjoy the Core workout and learning to "LET GO" and free my movements. Fun music and graceful technique.

[I enjoy] learning about the music forms and learning traditional moves.

Nov 2009

Theresa was a fantastic tribal basics teacher! She was able to break down moves in very easy explanations.

Theresa is very patient. Very peaceful atmosphere; good breaking down of movement.

Theresa is very affirming. She makes class challenging without being intimidating. I enjoy the focus on technique.

Sept 2009

I really enjoyed belly dancing with Ruric. I've learned a variety of dance styles, but belly dancing is by far the most challenging, fun, and rewarding. I may just bring my mother with me next month! :)

The moves were so fun and the teacher was great, even if my face might not have looked like that. Hip drops are my favorite. Thanks!

This is harder than it looks, but I learned a lot! Teachers were really good!

[I enjoyed] all of it.

Anna Beth's Fast Start workshop in July 2009:

Enjoy? Everything! I want to return! Missing? NOTHING!!!

Fun and playful. Great fun and exercise.

Enjoyed Everything: Choreography, Music, Connection with female self.

I enjoy the no-pressure class. Everyone is nice and helpful. It's a ton of fun. I look forward to coming to regular classes.

Very informative.

Spring 2009 classes and workshops by
Ruric-Amari and Anna Beth:

Great fun and instruction. Love it, always eager to come to class.

I enjoy everything about the class. I like the teachers's enthusiasm and their non-judgmental, supportive approach.

I enjoyed all the classes. Anna did a wonderful job of teaching and explaining. It was wonderful.

Basic steps then some choreogrqphy gave me a chance to see how it is used. Relaxed atmosphere, no pressure when my shimmy don't shimmy.

Class is always fun! Learning the choreography has been both challenging and rewarding. Both Ruric and Anna are GREAT teachers. I definately have been using muscles I didn't know I had! I have been having a blast.

I enjoyed the whole class. I am coming back, this is way cheaper than liposuction and way more fun.

Enjoy? Everything. The pace, choreography, and encouragement from both instructors.

Belly Dance is more fun than any dance I have enjoyed - mainly, I think, because of the attitude you can project! And Ruric definitely has the right attitude!

Music and education and fun! Anna's spirit and smile! All was great! I want more people to know about you!

I love to play zills! And I love how Anna adapted drum style to zills. It is new, original and fun! I have improved so much in a short time because of this class.

I enjoyed the patience of the instructor and willingness to answer any and all questions asked. The aerobics, how it is not only an art but a great way to stay in shape. I wish it were two days a week!!

Laughing, exercise, learning belly dance, positive re-enforcement. My beautiful body!

Enjoyed learning new things and feeling comfortable while doing it. I very much enjoy the class and feel very relaxed.

I enjoy the fun atmosphere after a stressful Monday at work. I like that Anna asks what we need to work on and adds some challenging layered drills that make other drills easier.

I enjoyed the whole experience. I am not coordinated at all so remembering the steps along with the the way to move is hard for me. But I really enjoy learning. Everyone is nice and encouraging.

Ruric - challenges you to excel and helps you advance beyond what you think you can do. Anna - really helps break down the movements in ways I can understand so I feel successful.

It is always fun. I leave class feeling happy and excited to practice at home.

Loved the whole experience.

Dec 2008

Ruric's classes make beginners feel like dancers. Choreography comes into play right away, giving movements musical, rhythmic, and personal meaning. Ruric pushes and motivates her students, seemingly because she has such abundant pride in all her dancers. ...classes are challenging and fun. Also, the atmosphere in the studio is completely welcoming, and I enjoy getting to know and learning from the more experienced dancers.

I don't like exercise for the sake of exercise. Then I started bellydancing. When I dance, my focus is not on losing weight... it is on improving as a dancer. I went from a size 8 to a size 4 without even realizing it! Yeah, I had to buy a whole new wardrobe, but it was so worth it.

Ruric's class structure is wonderful because it gives you somewhere to go with your dancing. There are the movements themselves, the style, the message, musicality, improvisation ... all higher levels which take the dance and turn it into an art form. All taught in a way that is easy to understand with practical exercises to take home.

Ruric sees potential in me that I can't see... and she's usually right. She believes in all her students and proves that bellydance really is a dance for all people, regardless of shape, size, age, etc.

I learn just as much from what she does as what she says. Just being in the room with a great dancer can greatly improve your dancing. There are so many small details that are picked up just by watching.

When I walk into the studio, I feel at home. I have made many good friends here and keep meeting new and interesting people. I feel accepted. I can wear purple sweatpants and a ratty tanktop and it doesn't matter at all. I feel happy in class. I don't remember a single class where I didn't laugh at least once.

Ruric is excited to give knowledge to others. We do not simply drill moves mindlessly...we learn about the different styles, the current fads, and the people who gave us this dance.

I admire Ruric's commitment to understanding her art form. She educates her students in the various styles of oriental dance as well as the interpretations of both ethnic music and language...Ruric's teaching style is very personal. Even in a large group she is able to assist dancers individually...I enjoy the variety of seminars Ruric offers. There is something for every taste. Plus if you attend all of them, you will be a very well rounded, educated dancer...much like Ruric herself.

Jan 2008 Weekend Warrior event

I enjoyed the explanation of what emotions different arm positions evoke and how that relates to different styles of dance.. Very informative with great insight... and very useful exercises and info. Cannot wait to employ what I learned! Thanks!

Ruric's classes are always lighthearted and so fun. I love learning the origins of the dance movements and the bits of history as well as how to apply the movements and techniques to various forms of dance.

I enjoyed the "why" of the arm and hand movements and how they make the dance more interpretive for the audience. It also gives the dancer the option of how she wants to convey her interpretation of the music's story line.

Dec 2007 Workshop Series

The improvisation workshop had nice organization and didn't seem rushed. I think teaching improv would be really difficult and Ruric did an amazing job. I learned quite a bit in 2 hours...I love her classes simply because they are all very intimate, even if there is a nice size group, it feels warm and cozy and friendly.

Enjoyed the review of original steps with new interesting ones. Also liked being taught a whole choreography in one session.

Studio was spacious, choreography was fun!

I like the different zil patterns that could be played to different rhythms. The handouts were helpful. The best part of this class was that we played while dancing. Because the only way to play zils and dance, is to play zils and dance. I look forward to additional workshops!

This was the first time I didn't feel overwhelmed, confused, and scared to improvise. Instead, I had structure and insight, which gave me the confidence to stop worrying about what I should have done, and just dance.

July 2007:

I loved that I was becoming more graceful. The movements made me feel less stiff. My abs and arms were sore! Yay!

[Enjoyed] learning new kinds of dance, being challenged, making my body move in ways I didn't know were possible.

Ruric is FUN and I enjoyed using my body in a different way. It was a great way to end Monday!

I liked the combinations being taught separately and then being brought together in the end. I liked the review of each combo in the following class.

[Enjoyed the ] upbeat atmosphere and very nonthreatening instruction. I received an excellent workout without realizing it because I was concentrating so hard on the steps.

Nov 2006:

Everything was excellent. The moves were easy to learn and so fun. Ruric is a beautiful dancer as well as instructor. I now feel so confident in myself. Thank you Ruric!!

It was funny, good humor while very informative. Good guidance and great music. Attention to each of us and time to ask questions.

[Enjoyed] stretching myself, not just physically either. I like that even in the Beginner class there are people who have taken this before but there is no judgment on my ability (or inability).

Open to all levels of dance experience/ ages /sizes. Very knowledgable and able to break down movements so that they are easily understood. She makes the class fun.

Enjoyed everything. I was able to learn movements I've never done and use muscles I forgot about.

Enjoyed all the help I received with the choreography.

Today's class with the veils was wicked fun.

You're a great teacher.

July 2005:

Enjoyed everything, nothing was missing.

I enjoyed meeting the other dancers and I always enjoy being a part of Ruric's class. She is a phenomenal teacher and a beautiful dancer.

I enjoyed learning the steps, using the veil, and watching Ruric dance.

Learning the choreography was a lot of fun! It really brought all of the elements we had learned together. I also enjoyed Ruric's personality - very fun and energetic!

[I enjoyed] learning fundamentals of movement [and] a choreography that incorporated most of these moves - good for review.

Enjoyed the fun, open-minded atmosphere.

February 2005 Drum-Solo dance workshop:

The drum solo you taught in today's workshop was so cool! I like the way you teach...The best use of 4 hours!

Loved it!!! I wish we could do these every month.

[I enjoyed the] new steps, fun combos, light-hearted.

Really enjoyed learning the new steps...Choreography was fantastic! Great way to use and practice new steps.

[I enjoyed] learning to put moves together, learning how choreography works.

January 2005 Fast Start workshop:

You have been the talk at [work] and just how awesome you are. We all had a great time and look forward to the upcoming classes.

December 2004 Veil workshop

Hi Ruric - I attended your veil workshop a couple of Sundays ago and loved it...I truly enjoyed your veil workshop with your instruction on veil technique and your original choreography...hope to get some people interested in your next class and end-of-month party.

No matter what you choose to do, I will be there for your next workshop...I am really impressed by you. I love your energy, your fun loving nature and no doubt you are a talented, graceful dancer. WOW.

As always, dancing with Ruric was both a learning experience and a joy. I had so much fun at the veil workshop and will do my best to go to the drum solo workshop. Thanks Ruric!!

That was so fun!!! I can't think of anything that could have improved it. The party sounds like fun too, count me in.

Customers and collaborators say:

Your show really MADE the party for my mom's 80th birthday. As you know mom was up and dancing from the beginning to the end. Everyone from my 10 year old cousin to mom's 80+ girlfriends had a blast. I received several phone calls the following day from guests still impressed with your show. I will definitely recommend you in the future and will have to try and top this year's party in the years to come! Thanks again for a memorable night!

Having worked with a wide range of dancers and dance companies over the last twenty five years, from ballet to modern and beyond, I can honestly say Ruric Amari is the greatest dancer I have ever had the privilege to collaborate with. First, there is her sheer musicality, her ability to hear the music as it is played and interpret that music and not just some idea about the music. She performs as a musician, with a musical ear. Second, there is her instrument, finely tuned with an elegant grace. Her sense of space, line and temporal thrust is without parallel. She is not only a great choreographer but the most skilled improviser I have ever encountered, even among dancers whose primary skill is improvisation. Finally, her ability to incorporate dance technique from all over the globe and fuse it to belly-dance is truly innovative. And to use belly-dance with musical idioms not associated with that tradition has really expanded the form. We consider her a equal partner in our musical ensemble, not merely someone who dances to our music. She inspires us to be better.

Joee Conroy, Ut Gret

Thank you for appearing on the WDRB-TV morning show and the outstanding performance at our Easter Seals Festival.Your professionalism really showed when you had to make some adjustments. Thank you for helping us raise funds for children.

Thank you so much for your enchanting performance at our KY Hemophilia Foundation Mardi Gras Ball! We know for a fact we sold more tickets to our event just because we mentioned Troupe Samovar would be with us. The zills and the veils included in your routine are real head turners in a loud, crowded room and are great for getting people's attention. Thank you also for your patience with us with the timing of everything! Overall the event was a smashing success.

Words to describe Ruric are:

stunning

graceful

highly professional

agile in body

flexible in interactions with audience

disciplined and informed.

Besides performing well, Ruric also instructs well from a breadth of knowledge. While she is serious about her presentation, she has a sense of humor that defies the stereotype of the temperamental artiste. She's real.

She is maturing by leaps and bounds as an artistic dancer. Louisville is lucky to have the lovely Ruric-Amari in our midst.

- Dr. Renee Rust-Yarmuth, Director
  Sullivan University Wellness Center

We like to have unique and exciting entertainment for our audience in addition to the exciting sport of roller derby! Ruric Amari and Samovar's performance was one of the best that the Derby City Rollergirls have had to date. It was exciting, interesting, and beautiful to boot. We received lots of great feedback on the performance, and are very pleased to have had them perform.

"We want to thank you and tell you what an amazing job you did. Everyone was talking about you, including my [Lebanese] family which has seen its share of bellydancers. Fabulous job, we enjoyed every second of your performance. God bless you."

I strongly recommend Ms. Ruric for any job or performance as she is sure to please. Ms. Ruric is very organized, on time, and wears a sincere smile all the time. Ms. Ruric is able to make each and every customer feel very special.

- Ramsi Y. Kamar, owner
  Ramsi's Cafe on the World