"In the 2 years I've been studying at BDGR, I learned to ACCEPT & LOVE my body! I learned self -discipline (which has carried to other aspects of my life) and developed my love of Middle Eastern music, food, clothing, etc. This experience Empowered me to go forth into a new life adventure with confidence. I HIGHLY recommend The Mayne Studio, as Sarah & Na'imah are gifted dancers & instructors who bring every facet of the dance into lessons and encourages students to reach beyond their current view of themselves and find new potential for their success! This experience should not be missed!"
-Kristen McGuire, Caledonia, MI
Carla McCarthy
I have been a student at the Mayne Studio for about Two years now, and most recently I have had the pleasure of studying with one of their newest instructors, Cindy Feister, aka - "Bindi Cindi"!!!
Cindy’s Beautiful Choreographies and ability to adopt teaching styles to a wide range of student’s needs in truly amazing.Since studying with her, I have become a more Confident Dancer and have been able to expand my knowledge and skills to a level I never thought I would be able to attain.Her graceful poise, ability to translate complex moves into understandable instruction, and wonderful sense of humor make her classes the highlight of my week!I am so looking forward to my next semester with her!
Carla McCarthy Reliability Manager
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Celeste Kreger
Dear Sarah,
We wanted to thank you for making Rob's birthday a Very Memorable Event!! We LOVED your performance. Your costume & choreography were wonderful. All of our guests commented on what a"Great idea is was to have a bellydance performer!" We truly appreciated your Professionalism and not making any of our guests uncomfortable. You will come highly recommended from us! Maybe the next time I see you I will be a student!
Sincerely, Celeste Kreger Grand Rapids, MI
Sarah & Al-Asdeka
"It is great fun to work with Sarah! Her Knowledge of the Musical Structure and Rhythms, Sensitivity and Humor make Music and Dance a Single Expression."
-Kathy Roberts Al-Asdeka Grand Rapids, MI.
Cassandra Shore
"Na'imah's Dance Talents are such that she can bring Tears of Laughter and Joy to my Eyes -- and on Purpose!"
-- Cassandra Shore Director Jawaahir Dance Company & the Cassandra School Minneapolis, MN
Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library
As part of our Adult Summer Reading Program "Novel Destinations" the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library contracted with Sarah Mayne, to take us to the Middle East for an evening.We couldn't have been more pleased!She THRILLED us with her fabulous dancing and delighted us with her humor. She inspired us with her teaching, getting us up on our feet and giving us a chance to learn the basics of this timeless art form.The consummate PROFESSIONAL, she provided us with a most wonderful experience!
Deb Richardson Asst. to Director Alvah N. Belding Library, Belding, Michigan
Tayyar Akdenzi
"Sarah Mayne is a VERY Talented Dancer and Performer who has spent many hours working with the Best Instructors (including many hours with myself). She is becoming a very good Turkish Gypsy dancer!"
"Na'imah has a Lovely and really True Egyptian style with lots of interaction… she was very flexible, and adapted her dance to suit the audience! An experienced Dancer/Entertainer!"
-Ishtar New Zealand
Morocco (Carolina Varga Dinicu)
Sarah & Morocco in NY
"It has been & still is a GREAT JOY to know, teach, dance with & watch Sarah Mayne grow as a Student, Teacher & Performer. She is Sincere, Dedicated & Immensely Talented! I have the highest hopes & aspirations for her future as a Dancer & Teacher."
- Morocco (Carolina Varga Dinicu) President of Casbah Dance Company New York, NY.
Francesca Amari
“I’ve only been coming to The Mayne Studio for 4 weeks – and I am HOOKED! The teaching style is gentle, humorous & fun! Each session (while personally challenging) is a delight to be part of. I've discovered a never-before-experienced fondness for my own body. I LIKE feeling that I'm sexy & free to move - when parts of me shake, it’s okay and RIGHT!!” Wow, what a new concept. The personal connection I am feeling with my body & the ability to just let go - that feeling alone will keep me coming back.”
-Francesca Amari Cabaret Singer, Theater Educator & Director Grand Rapids Michigan
Amy Crabtree Campbell
As part of the Kalamazoo BellyDance community, I came in contact with the Mayne Studio just by osmosis. I've seen Performances, and now I've had the utmost pleasure of becoming friends with some of the Mayne Studio tribe! I love Sarah Mayne and Naimah!!!! Both woman have both been Very Supportive, Wonderful Role Models - they make great sisters in dance! I've always felt 100% Comfortable dancing around them - sometimes I get a little self-conscious around better dancers. The thing I like most about BellyDance is the friends I have made, though seeing that I can be beautiful dancing even though I view myself as a larger woman is a mighty close second.
- Amy Crabtree Campbell Kalamazoo MI.
Shirley Lawrence
"I believe Sarah Mayne is the FIRST instructor to be listed when talking about learning this dance! The Mayne Studio is a place I will be for a VERY long time. Sarah shows caring to her students, along with an abundance of Knowledge, Patience and Willingness to do or take on what needs to be done. She provides a SAFE atmosphere where her gentle direction assists me with my self-esteem. Being a student since 2007 and attending EVERY session has been a great help in my path to be the best that I can be. My support of The Mayne Studio is a direct reflection of my growth as a dancer!"
-Shirley Lawrence Grand Haven, MI.
Claire Freeman
The Mayne Studio is a real treasure for the greater Grand Rapids area! Sarah Mayne is a truly Professional Dancer, Coach, & Choreographer. Her performances, haflas, and other Productions are Top Quality. As a promoter of West Coast Swing, Hustle, and Bachata in Grand Rapids and a partner in eDance Dance Productions, I've had the pleasure of working with Sarah to promote dancing as a whole in Grand Rapids. She and her dancers have showcased at eDance swing events, bringing the elegance of Middle Eastern dance into the swing community. She is a wonderful artist to work with: Organized, Creative, and very attuned to her audience.
As a student at the Mayne Studio, I can say the teachers are Skilled, Excellent & the atmosphere very friendly. While providing professional-level instruction, the Mayne Studio instructors do not lose sight of the recreational and fun aspects of dance. Regardless of their dance goals, all students are welcomed and made to feel comfortable.
Middle Eastern dance is an exquisite art form. Beyond artistic expression, it is also great exercise. Outside of dancing, I'm a Yoga Alliance registered Yoga teacher & I STRONGLY feel Middle Eastern dance is an Excellent complement to Yoga. It is a dance form that strengthens mind and body, building focus, toning muscles, and strengthening confidence. I leave each class feeling taller, stronger, and beautiful. This dance form is about bringing out the beauty and expression of each dancer in a gentle, graceful, playful way. So while Middle Eastern dance is fantastic cross-training for Ballroom Dancing, Swing, Yoga, and a myriad of other disciplines, try it first because it is just a great thing to do!
Clare Freeman Research and Writing Specialist Office of the Federal Public Defender Western District of Michigan
Claire & Eric Freeman
Lisa Lanae Edwards Lohman
In 2005 I was a bellydancer for Halloween and I thought that I better learn some 'moves' to go with the costume. I signed up for my first lesson in Muskegon, where I met Beginner BellyDancer, Cindy Feister (Instructor and Performer at TMS)!
Cindy & I ventured into Grand Rapids for our 2nd year of bellydancing. I kind of veered to pyrodynamic performance group and recently decided to get back to basics. Cindy invited me to see her teacher, Sarah Mayne, perform at Oyster Bar in Grand Haven. The silk veil had such grace and eloquence! From that evening's performance I imagined a new goal. Someday I hoped to be able to fill a room with the beauty of dance... Effortless, Weightless, Graceful, Eloquent dance. It seems as though the world of bellydance is a small one, and we influence each other more often than we know!
-Lisa Lanae Edwards Lohman Muskegon MI.
Cindy Lee
I have been studying Middle Eastern Dance on and off since 1998, taking lessons with various instructors and have danced with a few performance troupes. As part of the Summer Boot Camp Classes at The Mayne Studio, I really enjoyed the classes with Michee and Sarah the most!
- Cindy Lee Grand Rapids, MI.
"Na'imah’s extensive experience in troupe and solo dance, along with her vast dance vocabulary, and her ability to Beautifully interpret music make her an amazing performance coach! She has helped me choreograph to my strengths, make appropriate changes to my dances, and she has given great advice on music choices, movements, and even costuming. She is an amazing resource for performance coaching."
-- Jill Ritchie-Russell Grand Rapids, MI
Cindy Feister
"The Mayne Studio is my HOME! I receive Quality Direction and I'm given the chance to expand my performing experience.I only wish I would have begun my belly dance journey with Sarah! Not only does she teach the dance - she teaches the history, how to use props, Middle Eastern rhythms, styles of dance and costuming and a lot MORE!She expresses her Enthusiasm in teaching and watching her students grow. Sarah is very open to questions and suggestions which makes her approachable. She shares many choreographies (which for a beginner performer can be crucial).What keeps me coming back? It's a bundle of love, devotion, generosity, skill, friendship, knowledge and I could fill this page with adjectives and still not say enough!"
-Cindy Feister Muskegon, Michigan
"I just wanted to give Na'imah a BIG HUG for the class last night! It had been my first time at the class and I was incredibly nervous as I really did not know what to expect. With her sense of humor and down to earth attitude, she did a great job of making me feel welcome."
-- Cynthia Grand Rapids, MI
"Sarah Mayne is responsible for two of the most PROFOUNDLY moving dances I have EVER witnessed!
The first performance was a troupe dance with flourishing Isis Wings. The fusion of human form, fabric, and thrumming sound was unbelievable. I have NEVER seen such marvelous choreography for Isis wings in my life, and Sarah and her students executed it with stunning synchronization! Waves and echoing spirals of light dominated the stage as they flexed their wings, evoking a special kind of divinity.
The second performance was a solo by Sarah Mayne that I witnessed less than a month ago. This dance reminded me of all the things I like BEST about Sarah's individual style: she moves like no other woman alive, blending a soft enjoyment in her art with an animalistic grace. Midway through the performance, I squeezed my mother's hand, and she squeezed back; we were in awe of what we were seeing. Of course, it ended too soon. Later that night, I was floored to learn that the performance had been completely improvised!"
-Christine Marfia, Grand Rapids, MI.
"I always wanted to try Belly Dancing, however my fear kept getting in the way. And then, one day I discovered Naimah's website and said to myself, there's no time like the present and the rest is history! What an experience, what fun! Na'imah's energy, presence, humor, and of course her dancing and teaching skills are awesome. Belly dancing allows me to connect with my body in an affirming way I have never experienced before. I can't stop smiling when I'm in class!"
-- Debra Berry Grand Rapids, MI
"I really enjoyed Na'imah's Beginner Belly Dance class! I so enjoyed myself, thanks to her teaching us gals it's okay to like ourselves as we are! Her sense of humor along with step de-coding really helped us understand the basics of bellydancing. I appreciate her teaching style that enhances the beauty and art of bellydancing, not to be mistaken for rough-around-the-edges dancing of a different sort. Thanks again for enabling me to feel good about some dance moves that beautifully display our awesome bodies!"
-- Patty Wyoming, MI
Would you like to share a memorable experience at a performance or class?
