I was a student of Jodette back in 1974 through 1977. My question to Mina is, "Why say no?" What about her is "horrid"? If you have a beef with her that's one thing, but to tell others that she is horrid because of your personal experience is another.

Jodette offers the true style of belly dance; the kind of dance that she only can bring to the students. She was born and brought up over there, has (had) one parent who is Egyptian, was taught by Egyptian gypsies, and has been a survivor in the USA when no one around her really understood her way of life and how she ultimately made a name for herself here in the United States. Jodette has her personality, but so do you and so do I. She brings with her a rare and wonderful glimpse of how life was/is like in Egypt. She is one of those rare teachers who actually and personally knew Taheyia Karioka, Samia Gamal, Na'eema Akef, Fareed Al Atrash, Adb El Halim Hafez, Mohamed Abd El Wahab, Faten Hamama, Yehyia Shaeen, and so many other great dancers and actors of Egyptian film.

It's unfortunate, Mina, that you have had upsets with Jodette, but those are YOUR upsets and really should not be unloaded on a public forum. Jodette is not a theif, she does not make her students cry, and she has all of Sacramento to offer in the way of restaurants and other venues. To tell you the truth, Jodette will always be a better teacher than you or I or anyone else simply because she is from there and she knows more than anyone of us knows about this dance and the culture from which it was born.

I say, yes, go and take from Jodette. Just know that she has a strong personality -- which is what makes her a survivor. And if she thinks you are good enough to dance in a restaurant after two weeks, consider yourself lucky. It took me one year.

I have to say, after visiting Jodette's studio once last year, I determined her style was not for me. I respect her highly as a dancer and for the knowledge she brings, and perhaps maybe I'll go back to learn from her, but I did not feel like I belonged in her studio, so I will leave it at that.

I now study with Mozelle in Stockton. I really like her classes, and they just work out better for me.