Hip Expressions

I attended 1001 Nights at Hip Expressions last night. Coincidentally it was also their 12^th anniversary (YIP YIP). This was my first visit to the location, because honestly I always thought it was «too far away» from my home in Tarpon. Turns out that it’s actually closer than the place in Lutz.
The show was good, opening with «Kiss Kiss» by the school troupe the Hip Stars, lead by Johanna. All I can say is that they were fantastic. There were people who went to the school, and those who didn’t, all who where there to entertain us and make us smile.
The space we were in was absolutely stunning. I’m now going to look into the different classes they offer and see what fits into my schedule.

Large diversity of classes, great instructors, friendly people, FUN… it’s one of my most favorite places to be! I’m thankful that St Pete has a dance studio like this where I have the opportunity to learn & grow in the art of belly dance!

This is one of the most amazing dance studios I’ve ever been to. There are a wide variety of classes available. The instructors are all very knowledgeable, helpful, and so helpful. I leave every class with a smile and excited to go back for another class!

I love this place so much. When I was in St. Pete I did not write any review because it seemed to be the only legit one so I could not compare it with any other studio. The instructors, the music, the ambiance, everything there is great and so affordable. I usually caught myself smiling thinking the moves and conversations we made in class. My husband even thought i had a crush on an instructor. We have moved to Atlanta, and I attended a session of a popular belly dance studio here. It fails in every aspect when compared to Hip Expression. If you love belly dance and live in St. Pete ore Tampa bay area, you are blessed. Go to Hip Expression and do it diligently. I am regretful that I did not go to the Hip Expression studio everyday.

This place is fantastic :) Has truly helped me develop as a dancer in the few short months I have been in town — great passionate teachers, unique class selections, many classes per week at various times, and with an affordable monthly membership fee, I can take as many classes as I want. Excellent group, excellent studio :)

I’ve been conflicted about posting an updated review because I’ve bonded with some of the instructors in that time. Four and a half years later, things are really different though. They went from a single small room with a clearly defined «path» for their students to having a new location with three rooms and way too many people who just want to strap something jingly or sparkly on. So if you have no experience, check this place out for great foundations.
A few years ago their path was something like the following (they’ve updated their website and so I don’t have the exact information): based on a once a week class, you would probably be in total beginner classes for 6 months (+/​-​depending on practice at home). After that you would move on to add a 1.5 class and mixed levels until the instructors really saw that you should be progressing to 2 (intermediate) and then they would say something like «hey, it’s about time you start going to the level 2 classes.» You find yourself in level 2 for several more months, and then you move onto level 3 (advanced) only by instructor’s approval, and this is where you’re supposed to grow as a dancer. You should have all your basic moves in your muscle memory, you should be able to follow the class combinations and choreography easily, and you’re at a point where you should be working on the «everything else.» This is where you would be forced to piece together your own choreography, work on musicality and interpretation, and keep up with a fast pace. This is also where instructors expect you to be doing solo work and not just group choreography classes.
The following is what I experienced over the last 6+ months. There’s a mandatory 2-​part program for new students called the toolbox. Each part is 2 months and it covers all the basic moves, and if you complete both of them, you can go to any mixed-​levels and level 1 class immediately. I have no idea what the numbered levels mean any more because on the calendar level 3 is marked as intermediate/​advanced, but I’ve repeatedly found complete beginners in both 2 and 3 lately. It’s distracting to say the least because some instructors will slow things down for the lowest common denominator, and others have to politely say «you should be going to the level 1 classes» and ignore the questions and comments that derail the pace and format of the class. It’s like the completion of toolbox gives some students the impression that they’re ready for advanced topics and choreography and no one will tell them no for fear of offending someone into not renewing their membership.
Hip Expressions used to be my sanctuary, and then they got too big and couldn’t figure out how to deal with it other than becoming the big box store equivalent. Sadly, they have a bit of a monopoly on the area’s good instructors, and just recently they’ve added a couple mediocre ones onto the payroll. It’s sort of embarrassing to be affiliated with them if this is how they’re going to do things, so I guess in the future I’ll only be referring to my old instructors by name and not the studio. I will say that their long-​term students who go to classes regularly have some of the most flawless technique in the area (even better than some of the «professionals» I’ve seen around town), but the classes are still lacking in giving them the tools or confidence to do things on their own. It’s really unfortunate because it used to be such a better place for people who wanted to be dancers and not people who want a gym or social club.
As someone who needs a challenge and disciplined classes, they get a –meh– (2), and for beginners who need the basics they get between a «a-​ok» (3) and a «yay!» (4), so the average works out to something like 2.75, which means I’ll be generous and round them up to 3. In the meantime I’m left occasionally driving to north Tampa for Madrin’ha, Safety Harbor, maybe Palm Harbor, and then places like Gainesville or Orlando for weekend intensives. Total bummer.

They have alot of different classes that I lIke and interested in to dance. That’s why I love to dance. Dancing is my passion. This is my favorite dance studio.

Best. Teachers. Ever. I have never attended a class at the studio, but I attended many classes on their belly dance cruise. All of the teachers – Omaris, Johanna, Karen are all really excellent.
Hip Expressions is much more than going to a studio and leaning how to dance.. .it’s really about pure enjoyment and personal expression through dance, as well forming a dance community.
The studio offers plenty of opportunities to attend haflas, along with the drumming band as well as poi spinning.
Truly incredible community – you’re lucky if you live in the area and want to learn.. .wish I lived nearby, I would be there all the time!