Belly Dance Tribal Style w/ Frederique

LOVE Frederique. Her technique is flawless, she explains everything beautifully, and she definitely knows HOW to nicely and effectively correct and encourage. Taking classes from her is definitely doing yourself a favor.

I love taking classes with Fred — it is a highlight of my week!
The classes are a good mix of drills, moves, and formations. In the two hours we have I feel like I have time to really get into practicing but the segments are short enough that I can stay focused.
Fred is a welcoming and approachable teacher. She encourages everyone to ask questions and listens carefully and asks follow ups so she is sure she is answering the core of what you are asking. I feel like her feedback is actionable and appropriate to my challenges/​skill level.
Her positive attitude is infectious and the rest of the ladies in class are also welcoming and supportive week after week.

Fred is literally one of the reasons I decided not to move out of the Bay Area. No other belly dance teacher would ever live up!
She is an incredible dancer, first off. Her classes are really structured toward a long-​term understanding and proficiency with belly dance, with the goal of one day being able to perform with a troupe. That being said, it’s still an AMAZING workout (for strength, flexibility, balance, AND cardio) if you’re not interested in actually performing one day.
As a teacher, she’s silly and fun, but also creates an amazing safe space to take risks and ask questions in an incredibly supportive, non-​judgmental space. I felt welcomed immediately. All of her classes are a mix of fun, silly, supportive, physically challenging, and mentally challenging that keeps me coming back every single week!

Still taking classes with Frederique, still think she’s awesome.

first, please see my review of ariellah for my background…
then, know that ariellah and frederique were my favorites when it came to the local belly dance classes around here. and there are lots!
the thing about frederique that i liked so much was that she was so welcoming! i had never done belly dance, let alone much involving any sort of coordination, so this was important. she was kind, and she even made me laugh, even when i was tripping all over myself!
another element of frederique’s classes that i appreciated greatly was how she broke everything down… and then we’d repeat it over and over. as a newbie, this really made me feel a lot more comfortable in myself.
great teacher, fun class… i will return!
note: i learned of frederique through sharon kihara’s dvd. sharon kihara is a legend, and even she recommends frederique as a teacher. with such an endorsement, how can you not go?

I actually took bellly dance classes from Fred waaaay back when she taught on Solano in Berkeley (maybe like 2005?), then moved out of the area and got busy for a while. When I wanted to get back into belly dance about a year ago, I looked Fred up first because I had really great memories of the class and realized that no one else teaches the basics so thoroughly and makes everyone in the class feel comfortable.
Seriously, Frederique explains EVERYTHING — there’s none of that «ok I guess I’ll just follow you and pray I can do it like that in a few years»… Fred is really good at pinpointing EXACTLY what you’re doing wrong (or right!), which is the mark of a great teacher :)
P. S. Fred also has a really unique performance style (music mix, costumes, etc.)…YouTube videos can be hard to find but I know she has a good website…

I feel so lucky to have had Fred’s class as my very first. It seems that people end up having not-​so-​pleasant experiences when they are looking for a good class, and this one is a perfect fit! Frederique is such a wonderful person in general, and that really shines through in her teaching style. Personable, warm, enthusiastic and never intimidating. I never knew I was capable of this kind of dance, the things Fred has taught me are amazing and fulfilling in a spiritual, emotional and physical sense. Each class has plenty to feed the eager beginner and more experienced belly dancers. The studio itself is dimly lit and comfortable, and the music played in class is always awesome. The environment is not at all competitive, very easy going and fun!

Fred is a great performer and a beautiful person. I owe my ATS arms to her class. Belly dance is a great workout, a supportive atmosphere, and place to just have fun. One is free to learn, ask questions, and just be silly while training the body to do amazing ATS tricks.
Speaking of silly, ever seen anyone blow bubble gum bubbles and shimmy like a pro at the same time? Fred is hilarious.
Her class is a great little oasis for the body and spirit during a busy week.

If you are looking for an awesome experience that embodies the culture of belly dance… then Fred’s class is a MUST.
She leads with experience and knows how to translate information so you «get it.» I’m not a dancer, but she made me feel like «I could.» I found an immediate confidence in being a student under her direction. The mood is wonderful, great music, friendly and awesome group of all levels. The environment is a good balance between focused and charming «be yourself» fun. Im excited about taking many more classes and perfecting my techniques.

Sooo… today was my first ever belly dance class and if I had any reservations beforehand they vanished completly once I met the sweet and charming Frederique as well as the other lovely ladies in the class.
Totally relaxed atmosphere, awesome music and relaxing moody lighting (no flourescent!).
Frederique had such a wonderfully charming yet chill vibe… Completly at ease in her own skin. She made sure that everyone understood the movements in a very patient manner and was more like a friend than teacher. Plus she totally blew my mind with the way she can work those hips! I can’t wait to learn more from Fred and let my inner Goddess shine through:)

Frederique’s class was the first belly dance class I ever went to. The first time I went, I was amazed at how skilled and talented a dancer she is. I was so amazed, I thought there was no way I could do that and almost gave up in the first ten minutes of class! By the end of the class, I still felt a little awkward belly dancing, but the way she teaches and relates to her students made me feel compelled to keep trying. Four years later I am still trying, and I know that her guidance has helped me not only feel more comfortable belly dancing, but has made me a better dancer. I would try her class if its your first time and you want to dip your toes in it, or if youve been dancing for a long time and are looking for a new challenge. Her classes are set up in such a way that regardless of your level you will get something out of it. I have tried other classes and enjoyed them, but I really feel like Frederique’s class is one to try!

When the instructor was actually teaching it was very good. But, multiple times during class the instructor stopped teaching and chatted about random things, while we all stood around waiting (and exchanging uncomfortable glances). It was extremely disrupting. I honestly almost walked out at one point.
Perhaps I caught her on a bad day, which is a shame, as her instruction was great, and it was a friendly environment (as other reviewers have noted).

Frederique is a kick in the pants. She is a beaming burst of energy, which makes every class original and fun to be a part of.

I’ve taken a few classes from Frederique and found her very approachable and a great teacher, especially for beginners.

She captivates you. She mesmerizes you.
Frederique doesn’t dance, she becomes the dance. Watching her, you find yourself lose time and space. You become enraptured. If you think all belly dancing is the same, think again.
What are you waiting for? Go!
And if you’re lucky enough to get to know her, you’ll find she’s as awesome off-​stage as she is on-​stage.

Frederique brings out the soul in belly dance. Her warm-​ups are geared to developing the technique required to be a disciplined belly dancer. Her isolation exercises are all about strengthening the muscles needed to execute belly dance movements. Her drills are specific belly dance moves, but transformed into dance. Dance improvisation comes to mind when Frederique leads us through flowing arm movements. We learn dance sequences so that we are able to perform, if we want. This is all done in a warm and cozy environment with great lighting. Frederique is an excellent teacher and a wonderful person to know. I have taken her class regularly for over four years. There is a very supportive and friendly group of beginners, as well as the more seasoned, with an age range that expands through several generations. And most importantly, we all have a lot of fun! Gayle Ann

I have been taking Fred’s fabulous belly dance classes for six years. She’s terrific.
This isn’t your ordinary belly dance class with a bunch of routine exercises. Yes, there are the all-​important shimmy drills and stretches, but we also focus on the joy and expression of the dance. It’s an amazing reminder of what we’re really doing this for.
Although you’ll learn excellent technique from Fred, you’ll get much more as well. You’ll learn how to express yourself through beautiful dancing.
The class is friendly, irreverent and informal, a very comfortable and supportive learning environment. There is a wide range of ages and body types.
Fred’s class will keep you coming back!

I love FRED!!! She has the best tribal arms ever. You can learn to dance to anything beyond the traditional belly dance. Like classical.
Fred has the greatest attitude ever. She has a passionate genuine desire to teach and does it with tremendous patience and a great sense of humor. I love that in her classes you can learn to convey so much beauty and emotion through dance.
Everyone is super nice and not ostentatious or pretentious at all. The environment is fun and supportive.
Come to Wed Fred’s class!

Book them for an event, or take classes in the East Bay!
Not your traditional belly dancing, the founder, Frederique, has a style all her own (refered to as ‘Tribal Remixed’). She is amazing!
Check out the website for pictures and video (
).
If you want to take classes, they offer a beginner/​intermediate class and a mixed level class, where emphasis is on details & expression (fast paced). Prices for classes (as of November 2006) are as follows:
Beginner/​Intermediate Class:
* Drop in = $ 13
* 5 Class Card = $ 55
* 10 Class Card = $ 100
Mixed Level Class:
* Drop in = $ 15
* 5 Class Card = $ 65
* 10 Class Card = $ 120
You can also book them for events. They do corporate events, private parties, private lessons, and more!