Deep Roots Dance

I am sold — if I could give more stars, I would. As a teacher of this belly dance form, she is expert BUT it did not go to her head — she is warm, funny, open, yet keeps her classes well managed and lesson material is on point. Carmen, as class assistant, helps Shay keep both non-​experienced and experienced dancers on point as well. While first class can be intimidating, by the end of the class series you are thinking, «hey, I think I got this and I am on the road to something here!» Highly recommend. Not kidding.

Shay’s passion for dance is clear the minute you meet her. If you are in her local areas, please give her studio a try… you won’t regret getting to know this fun lady, who takes the art of belly dancing very seriously.

Before finding Deep Roots, I tried belly dancing with a few different teachers and studios. My first experience in belly dancing left me mostly uninspired to move forward with the art form. A few years later I decided to pick it up again and while that teacher was a beautiful dancer, she didn’t actually give instruction on how you could become a beautiful dancer. Staring at yourself in a mirror with a room full of people behind you is not really quality teaching to me…
Okay, my Deep Roots experience: Shay is a beautiful dancer, she teaches you to become one (even though I am far from that), she is enthusiastic and makes you want to come back, she walks around the room and helps all her students, she looks at the mirrors to help you adjust, she is happy to answer questions, she has all these tips and tricks about belly dancing and all that it encompasses… So, Shay is super awesome! If you are looking to get into belly dancing this is the place! So glad I found Deep Roots! If I were still living in Seattle, I would buy the unlimited so I can learn as much from this awesome woman as possible! But alas, I am only in Seattle once or twice a month… That being said, if the opportunity exists I still hit up the Deep Roots studio if I can :)
Amazing! Love this place!!!

A group of my friends (with friends of friends) and me asked Shay to do a 1-​time dance workshop for beginners. (We just wanted a taste of it.) Shay responded enthusiastically about doing this. She was flexible about using an available multi-​purpose room that we had access to and charged us reasonably for the workshop.
It is clear that Shay loves teaching and loves introducing people to dancing. We had people who had very little dance experience and were very nervous to people who had tried various types of dance before. She was warm, humorous, eased us in gently, and found descriptive ways to get us to try different movements so different people could catch on. I had tried a little belly-​dance before and her guidance helped me learn some moves better. She is truly a gifted teacher as well as dancer. I look forward to taking more classes with her. My only regret for the workshop is that we should have done 1.5 hours. I recommend the workshop idea for a fun thing to do with a group if you are looking for something new to try in a group. (Shay knows of some studios you can use for additional fee.)

I’ve been doing ATS for years so I can say from experience that Shay is an exceptional teacher. She is very encouraging and makes the movements accessible to even the most beginner dancer while still keeping the classes fun and interesting for more advanced dancers. I encourage anyone who is looking to try a new form of movement in a supportive environment to take classes with Shay. The connections and support she encourages between her students is beautiful.

I love, love, love taking classes here. I’ve taken the Level 1/​foundations class two times, and have just started it for the third time, and every time I learn the moves in new and different ways that help me internalize them and grow even more as a dancer.
The moves we learn are beautiful and graceful and look so cool when performed as a group. The music chosen is always so well suited to our moves of the night, which build perfectly into little «mini routines» that always make me feel like a legitimate dancer (which I guess I am now!).
Classes take place in both the Phinney Ridge and Roosevelt neighborhoods. The environment is a safe space for all dancers (experienced, novice, those with experience in other forms of dance, or those who fall down a lot, like me), and it’s a very diverse group of fantastic women every time I start a new session of classes.
Our instructor, Shay (Sharon) is lovely and funny and helpful and kind. I think she is the best instructor I could have asked for. She’s so experienced that I was intimidated at first to ask a lot of questions and get feedback from her, but she’s so warm and wants so much to help us in our dancing path that my anxiety about her obviously high skill level and interacting with new people melted away in getting to know her. She’s an amazing dancer and just a cool lady, as is her instructing partner/​protégé, Carmen (who does her own Wednesday night class!)
TLDR: Going to these classes is the highlight of my week, and you won’t regret it. Whether belly dance is a possible new hobby for you, or a new passion, Deep Roots and the wonderful Shay, are the right place to start.

Let me say this, I have wanted to try Tribal Bellydance for YEARS! I was intimidated and felt like I had to look more «perfect». I finally risked and tried and Shay is so fabulous and welcoming. I absolutely love the positive energy as I bumble around and attempt to learn.
It sure helps to watch Shay as she dances, to inspire me to keep trying! She dances like she is underwater and moves like a mermaid! I want to dive in, too…

Sharon is an incredible teacher and she fosters an amazing classroom dynamic that makes dancers of all levels and experience feel welcome and valued. I’ve been taking classes with Sharon for a couple of years now, and I cannot recommend Deep Roots Dance highly enough. Come check it out for yourself — you won’t regret it!

I had never taken a belly dance class in my life (especially ATS), and was totally nervous about starting, especially because my previous dance experience didn’t allow waggles and shimmies!
Thankfully, I met Shay.
She is a DELIGHTFUL instructor –She makes a genuine and earnest effort to help «disarm» a lot of newbie woes, AND makes class a total joy with her abilities (seriously, an AMAZING dancer), warm smile, and sense of humor.
Classes are the highlight of my week, even when I struggle — and really, that’s the important thing, I suppose; If this stuff was easy, no one would need help. Thankfully Shay shines in that area especially well, — she encourages students to speak up about how their struggling and provides some awesome visualizations to help you improve. Not only that, her website and blog offer lots of tips, motivators, and perspectives to keep you informed and going.
There is a lot to love about these classes — the body positive atmosphere, the teaching style, the energy, I really can’t say enough.
If you’re thinking of joining, starting up again, continuing, or are just plain curious, Shay is a wonderful resource for all!

I studied Tribal Fusion bellydance with Frederique in Oakland before moving to Seattle, and I was desperately missing getting my shimmy on. I’ll be honest, I first took Shay’s class at the Phinney Neighborhood Center because it was close to my house and she answered my email, but boy howdy did I get lucky.
Shay is a great dancer, but what is more important to this review is that she is a great TEACHER as well. These two skills are not always found together. As an educator myself, I take the quality of my instruction very seriously, and Shay does not disappoint. Her instruction is clear and helpful, and her website and blog are among the best I have found in the field. The other students are kind and welcoming, and if you’re considering checking it out — DO IT! All shapes, sizes, and ages are welcome. I look forward to my class every week and need to figure out a way to go even more often.

I had never been a dancer before I started taking classes with Sharon. In fact, I’d never been very good at any physical skills. Since then, Sharon has been able to help me open up and enjoy working with my body. She’s as an enthusiastic and caring of an instructor that I could ask for. I can have pretty much as much or as little personal attention as I need. On top of that, Sharon has a particular strength for explaining skills in a variety of ways so that if I don’t get it the first explanation I might get one of the others. The environment she has created for learning is very inviting. The women are of all body types and ages so no one feels singled out.
Dancing at Deeps Roots has been a hugely rewarding experience for me. If you’re looking to give ATS a try or looking for a new group of people to dance with, definitely come give her a try.

I’ve taken numerous classes from Sharon and she is the best belly dance teacher in the area! I’ve tried other teachers up north and have not been satisfied. While I’m no longer a student I still miss classes with Sharon!
She is so patient and has a way of explaining moves that are easy to understand. If you can’t do a certain move she is quick to help you and find a new way.
I would highly recommend trying a class with Sharon… you will love it!

So much fun! I didn’t know much about belly dance and was just looking for a class that was close to home. Lucky me, I found Sharon and ATS. She is warm, welcoming and encouraging, and the community built around her classes is incredibly supportive.
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, I’d highly recommend taking classes with Sharon and Deep Roots Dance. You will have a blast and most definitely find yourself coming back for more.