Private Lessons

When dancers plateau in their training, find themselves unsure what to work on, or need a second pair of eyes on a choreography, private lessons are a great way to get objective, focused attention from an experienced teacher.

After an inquiry is submitted, I will reach out to discuss your goals and figure out a training plan via email. After payment is remitted, the lesson will be scheduled either in-person or on Zoom.

Is a private lesson right for me?

I am open to working with intermediate and advanced students and professional dancers. Generally, this means that dancers applying to work with me should have at least 5 years* of consistent, dedicated training in belly dance.

I primarily offer training on:

  • technical skills (e.g. fusion technique, layering, zills)

  • conceptual skills (e.g. stage presence, musicality)

  • consultation (e.g. competition prep, choreography consultation)

  • other peripheral topics (e.g. historical lecture, makeup and grooming)

*While this is a baseline, this policy is flexible and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Do you reject private lesson requests?

Very rarely. I generally only decline requests if there is a significant mismatch in expectations. Some examples of things I’ve declined are:

  • New beginners looking for basic technique

  • Hybrid styles of belly dance I am uneducated in (e.g. salsa fusion, flamenco fusion)

  • Prop instruction with props I am not proficient in (e.g. shamadan, assaya)

If you’re unsure if you meet the expectations for private training, I encourage you to send a request anyway! If I determine that I’m not the right teacher for you, I am happy to provide you with references for other qualified belly dance teachers.

Rates

Private training are offered at a variety of price points to accommodate individual dancers’ budgets and needs.

Individual rates

$60

  • 30 minutes of instruction

$80

  • 1 hour of instruction

$100

  • 1 hour of instruction

  • Personalized training plan

$200

  • 1 hour of instruction

  • Personalized training plan

  • Follow-up call with feedback

$350

  • 1 hour of instruction

  • Personalized training plan

  • Follow-up call with feedback

  • 1 additional lesson to refine

Group rates

$80/hour

  • 1-3 students

$150/hour

  • 4-9 students

$200/hour

  • 10+ students

Private lesson requirements

  • Lessons are scheduled for 1-hour increments.

  • Can be online or in-person.

    • Travel to a studio outside Drake’s preferred studio will incur a $20 travel fee or ride share reimbursement.

  • Lessons will not be scheduled until payment is received.

  • Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.

    • If re-schedule or cancellation is made by Drake, there is no penalty to student.

  • Scheduled classes must be fulfilled within 8 weeks of purchase date, or else lessons expire and are non-refundable.

Testimonials.

  • “I’ve had the pleasure of taking classes with Drake since he started teaching. We all know how awesome he is as a performer, but what’s equally awesome is his teaching style. Patience, humor, adaptability… regardless of who is in the class, the way he guides you and breaks each element down is effortless. He shares his unique style and opens up his toolkit without hesitation. I cannot express how wonderful and important that is as a student of dance.”

    Allison Costantino

  • “Drake composes private lessons in a profession, yet warm setting. Critiques and insights are kind hearted, meticulous, an entirely tailored to the dancer. I felt valued, and left re-energized and motivated.”

    Devin Alfather