(LEFT) With some of the students in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. My good friend Iara Kendrick had organized this workshop series for me and people came from all over the South to attend.

I taught the “Temple Dancer” and “Mistaneek” choreographies based on selected Original and Advanced A to Z routines, along with my own original combinations and transitions. It was a great introduction to A to Z for the ladies, since I was able to demonstrate how to use the program and take advantage of its amazing versatility.

(RIGHT) With my Chicago sponsor and first Belly Dance teacher ever, Jasmin Jahal. I took my first MED class with Jasmin back in 1992, while in my second year of college. I returned to her in the summer of 2003 for the Chicago Shimmyfest, and now my teacher welcomed me as a guest teacher in her school.

Some comments from the NC and Chicago students....

"Thank you for a wonderful, interesting workshop.  Your teaching style is thorough, enthusiastic, and fun.  You are delightful." - Pamela Allen, NC,USA

"Thanks! I had a great time at the workshop! I think that you did a great job with breaking down all the steps to the routines... You taught me so much that I know I'm going to use later!" - Pamela/Asali, NC, USA

"God has blessed you with endless talent.  I am thankful to have been in your workshops. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us." - Debbie Cochrane, NC, USA

"I enjoyed your workshop very much. I participate in a lot of workshops, and yours is one of the best." - Gale Corbett, NC, USA

"Thanks SO much! You are an excellent teacher and dancer!" - Mary Beth O’Connor, Chicago, USA

"I REALLY enjoyed working with you! Please let us know when you are back in town!" - Linda Lieb Hawkins, Chicago, USA

Some comments from my Malaysian students...

"Paola's teaching is very emotive and in her classes, she encourages the students to bring their hearts and imagination into the dance. She demonstrates how the dance needs to come from the within the soul and how to transform the 'woman-dancer' into a 'goddess' ".  - Alina, Malaysia

"She makes the effort to make things happen. Paola brings in a fresh approach of reaching out to the audience. Belly dancing under her is just not only a dance but an expression of the inner soul." – Esther, Malaysia

"Paola's classes are fun, creative and very interactive. Her warm and caring approach and her personality makes it easy for just about anyone to learn bellydance. I like her expressions, her interpretation of music and body language as it really does capture and mesmerize everyone around her!"   - SMY, Malaysia

"I really enjoy your classes. You are very creative and interact with the students. I always leave your class with good feeling." – Catherine, Malaysia