Testimonials

May 17th 2009

Dear JoEllen / Magnificent Sohaila

Thank you for the joy of participating in your Extravaganza. It was quite a remarkable experience - and you are a remarkable woman.

You accept each of us as worthy and capable of learning. Women of every age, shape and background are part of your classes. You have a joy for life that shines through everything.

Thanks for the fun, the great exercise, and the opportunity to witness a leader who inspires her students. I am determined to continue my lessons and get better a little at a time. Lisa has enjoyed her classes for years with you and I am grateful that she finally "hounded" me into participating.

With appreciation,
Linda Grahame
Student in SAAD

---

May 17th, 2009

JoEllen!

Thanks so much for the great extravaganza. It was fun and an event that I was able to invite my friends and family -- and they all had a great time.

I really thank you for your friendship. Your generosity has blessed me and your circle of interesting friends have broadened my horizons. I enjoy them all, and had a good visit with Edouardo and Alejandra today. Your home bbq's and company are the best. Look forward to having you and your friends up here after your return.

The following is an email from my friend, Patsy Fritz, and I know you will enjoy reading it. FYI, Patsy has an extensive background in PR and film production. She has worked with some of the big stars of Hollywood past, including Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

Be safe and have a great vacation.

Warm wishes and Blessings...............Ray

Thank, Ray, for including me the spectacular evening of dance, friends, world cultures ... and great chow! I could tell from the excitement in your voice, as you invited me to Sohaila's and her group's performance, that it would be a special event. Beyond my wildest imaginings! Sohaila's performance was staged last - so she would not upstage/eclipse the other dancers. She is silky-smooth with her moves. It's now second nature to her, like breathing, even with complex routines. Her professional guest dancers were also superb. Sohaila's not only a magnificent dancer, she's an impresario. It took organizational talent and enormous effort to put on that program. The enthusiasm in the room signaled that everyone who attended thought it was a great evening. Again, Ray, thanks for a truly inspired evening. I loved it! Patsy

---

Thank you Sohaila,

I just wanted to tell you how beautiful and elegant you are. I am 53 years old, and recently lost 55 pounds, thanks in part to belly dancing. I have been belly dancing for four months, and have your first instructional DVD and the Divas Performance DVD. I have enjoyed it so much, that I wanted to get more. You represent all that is elegant, classy and feminine about belly dance, and are an inspiration and role model for me in the art! We don't have any good instructors in my area, so your DVD's are my best teacher!

---

I don't mind at all if you put my letter on your testimonial page, it is a sincere letter from my heart and soul!!! I ordered the "Shimmies, Moves...and More!" DVD last evening. I danced with your basic DVD again last night. After I do the exercises, I try to follow you in your dance incorporating the moves you taught in the DVD. I always feel so graceful and feminine, it has done wonders for my self-esteem! My 10 year old son saw you in the drum solos, and I had to order him a dumbek! He wants to play for me so I can dance just like Sohaila!! (Not a chance, you are incomparable!)

Thanks again,
Katrina Gray

---

Dear Sohaila,

I am writing on behalf of my 2-year 9-month old daughter who absolutely loves your performance in the bonus section of the Bellytwins' DVD "Discover Belly dance, Basic Dance." She has carefully watched the Solo drum dance on that DVD hundreds of times, and can do a few of your moves on her own! In fact, she is a dancing star at most family events, where she breaks out into her belly dancing routines that she has learned from watching you dance! I never thought toddlers can have it for belly dancing, but this one really does...

So, in light of that, we would like to know if you have any plans to perform in Los Angeles in the near future, so that we can attend your show. It would be wonderful!

With many thanks,
Luana Scherzberg
12/20/05

---

Sohaila,

I'd just received my copy of the Basics to Belly Dancing video yesterday. I quickly opened it and couldn't wait to watch it that night when everyone had gone to sleep. I'm very impressed with your teaching method; it's clear, easy to understand and very well explained.

Your performance at the end of the tape was spectacular. You are very graceful and elegant, and so soft all over. I hope to be able to learn to dance like you one day. Oh, I do wish you live in Atlanta; I would definitely have signed up to be your student. If only there was a way to do online classes with you. I plan to learn a little everyday and watch your video closely.

I'm looking forward to be able to order your Dvd's - Belly Dancing for the Boudoir and for the Single Woman next month when they come in. I hope one of these DVDs will teach the dance that you did in the video that I now have. If not, I will have to try to figure out the dance myself. I plan to also order your Bellyrobics and Yoga DVDs. They will be gifts to myself for my birthday in September.

I truly appreciate you. Thank you for helping me realize my femininity. It's awesome to be a woman.

Love,
Aina May 2005

---

Regarding your Dance Extravaganza:

Wow! What an amazing experience it was to participate in the recital this year. It was an honor to be a part of it. I am proud to be the "de" in Debbie's group" Jensumande", which I consider an extension of you. I thank you as well for having the confidence in me to include me as a solo act. My family and friends were so proud of not only my act, but the entire show. What a wonderful success. I can't wait to get the DVDs, so I can see the actual entire show.

De Andria Cloud

---

Sohaila,
I just wanted to write you a note to express my appreciation for all you do for women. I think that it is wonderful that you are so supportive of all women of all sizes and ages to dance. It was a great show, your performance was great and you looked so beautiful. I have more people that want to attend next year.

Juana

Congratulations on another smashing success! I can't wait to see the DVD. It was even better than last year's. Many thanks and great job again

---

Sohaila

Thank you so much for the opportunity to perform with my students at your show. What a wonderful show you organized. You really put so much effort and time - it paid off!! Everyone loved it and didn't want to leave! Can't wait for next year. It will be even more dazzling. Love Lucy

---

I loved your dance style so much more than the others on the DVD, although they were very nice, but your body just sang the music in my estimation. Through the years I have seen how Americans "over dance" most of the time, but I felt you were in sync with the music and not in competition with it. Your dance looks as though you were born understanding the music and didn't have to learn what to do although I'm sure you spent many hours perfecting your style. It was very natural and beautiful to me. I don't like flashiness for the sake of flash or dancers who appear to be on speed when they perform, so your style was so beautiful that it really swept me to another time and place.

Aziza (Linda Coleman) (This testimonial was from Aziza watching the DVD "Bellydance Divas DVD" ...thanks again for yesterday...I always have a good time at your place...

---

...you know why I would never be taught by anyone but JoEllen?...because there's no one better than you, which is true.
...there are certain words and phrases that you never ever have used or said to any one of us since I've been your student:
"No, that's not right."
"You're doing it wrong."
"You're not getting it."
"I don't think you understand."
You teach by motivation and extreme patience. That's why I have no other teacher. If we're not doing it correctly, you point it out, show us, then we keep trying.
If I had had school teachers who did the same thing, I would have been smarter (than I already am, thank you...)

Margaret Robertson

---

Sohaila is an achieved oriental dancer with her own charm and originality. Watching her perform is a totally enjoyable experience."

Yousry Sharif The Great Master Teacher New York

---

"I have seen her beautiful dancing from Las Vegas to Cairo - a truly international dancer."
"Sohaila is a natural and inspirational dancer who created a great reputation in Dubai - just like her personality, warm and welcoming."

Sahra C. Kent (Sahra Saeeda)
Oriental Dance Artist
Riverside, CA

---

"Exacting precision in all moves articulately broken down."

Amira Eid
Oriental Dance Artist
Sydney, Australia and Lebanon

---

Sohaila is a true professional who cares about her students and teaches from the heart.

Nuala
Middle Eastern Dance Instructor
London, England

---

Class sizes are manageable so students get personal attention. She is the best at teaching moves that at first seem impossible. I have learned so much from her and have gotten many compliments on my dancing ability since I started her class. I highly recommend Sohaila for any level of dancer."

Dr. Barbara Bui
Psychologist

---

San Diego, CA "Sohaila's videos are helpful for learning moves. Her Bellyrobics video is useful for warming up before dancing. Her costumes and dance accessories are unique and of the highest quality."

Layla
Professional Dancer
Mexico DF

---

"You have a great rapport with all your students and that's what I find they like about you---along with your talents for teaching. You have the ability to motivate in a personal way--a privilege I never had with my previous dance instructors."

Jolene Steigerwalt