I highly enjoy Jill's belly dance class at ODC Dance Commons in the Mission - it is a nice blend of stretching, body scupting, and sensual dance - I always finish class feeling like a goddess! Unlike some belly dance teachers who really go overboard emphasizing the ethnic elements of the dance - and jumping in too soon (in my opinion) to all of the accessories - such as the finger cymbals...Jill sticks more to the basics and uses a wider range of music - everything from traditional belly dance music to Missy Elliott. I like that her class still feels like a dance class - we start with stretching and often work in sit-ups or other ab work before digging in to the undulations, figure 8's, and footwork. The students in the class are very friendly and the vibe is feminine and upbeat. The few times that I have been there when she is absent (off traveling in shows and such), her subs have all be fabulous - you really cannot go wrong with her class - she asks for feedback at the beginning of class on which moves we'd like to cover and really works with the students - I find her approachable and very knowledgeable - she knows her stuff. I only wish I could take her class more often - I make it whenever I can! read more

I arrived in the Bay Area a couple of years ago now wanting to take advantage of its rich art scene. Top of my list was belly dance as I'd taken it when I was younger and loved it. After a AST class one night I went over to a nearby school for another belly dance class. It wasn't Jill teaching that night but one of her top dance parters Stephanie Fields from Jill's troupe The Foxglove Sweethearts. I truly felt something magical overtake me. I'd always enjoyed other types of dance as well as free style dance and have a dancers soul that until now had never found its home. The movements were deep and sassy while all the while being ethnic and rhythmic. As a stellar representative of Jill Parker Tribal Fusion, Stephanie welcomed me graciously and explained how Jill is the 'Mother of Tribal Fusion', I felt truly at home with the movement/ music experience I had that night and sold on this Jill Parker style. Later that week I began taking Jill Parker classes at ODC with the legend herself. She didn't disappoint. Her classes are always a trilling ride of Tribal Fusion Belly dance moves that hypnotize my soul. There has never been one I didn't enjoy to the utmost. No lack of cardio here as I sweat a sweet sweat that is symbolic of the essence of this young form of ancient dance style. There is so much Jill offers to her students. She watches everyone in class diligently and coaches, so even if the room is full you can rest assured that you will have her guidance and full attention. There are performance workshops at ODC which are great training for those that want to learn and practice to entertain. There is the Little Egypt student troupe to work towards performing with. Jill hosts workshops of high quality dancers in her genre and others. She has drum nights for people to learn to drum or practice their zills. We are kept up with Jill's local performances ( often with performances from Little Egypt as well) and special classes In the area like the Middle Eastern Dance camp for example. Jill keeps in touch with her ongoing students through Facebook and text so we never miss anything and always feel valued. There are always high quality Jill Parker jewelry pieces available for purchase. She has a great instructional dvd to use when you can't be with her. There is so much that I'm sure I'm missing something. To train with Jill is to become a valued part of the Tribal Fusion Dance community. The people in her classes are always wonderful to know. I also enjoy taking classes from the other great dancers that have been inspired by Jill. I'm recovering from an injury right now ( not suffered while in class with Jill and not even dance related), but as I heal I feel so grateful to have Jill's classes and the great community inspired by her to return to that I felt compelled to write this review. Everyone is welcome there. Men as well as women, young and old, all body types, beginners to advanced. Jill will welcome you and guide you through the amazing adventure of tribal fusion. Don't hesitate. Jill is a wonderful and pure person who loves her art and truly cares about her students. read more

Jill Parker Bellydance - Jill Parker and the Foxglove Sweethearts @ Kafana Balkan from the balcony. - Dance Studios Near Me

I've really enjoyed Jill's classes at ODC. I wish I could do more than a couple of times a week. I've been going for about five months, and I think it's been for several reasons; I like the workout, she is technical enough to articulate what's happening, and she has great taste in music. Also, the moves are gorgeous. If you have a beginner level, I recommend getting there early to get up close and really see what she is directing. If you have a dance background, the choreography is approachable but it will take time to train your body to do moves that are unique to belly dance. You will flow if you practice the unique movements an additional day on your own. If you're advanced, Jill will always find something you need to work on. What else can I say, this girl rocks! I'm addicted to a new dance! read more

I tried Jill Parker's Belly Dance class in San Francisco in January 2005 and still go three to four times a week. From the minute I stepped into the classroom, I was hooked! I fell in love with the dance, the music and especially Jill's style. The moves looked difficult but Jill kept encouraging the class that with practice they would come. They did. She has an amazing teaching style that benefits students at every level. Jill's classes have been instrumental in conditioning my body. My cardio-vascular endurance has improved more than I ever thought possible, and so has my strength, flexibility and grace. Most people think I'm in my mid-twenties but I'm pushing 40! I give full credit to Jill Parker for this phenomenon. Her classes, her community and her style make me happy and have allowed me to fulfill my deepest passion: to be a beautiful dancer. I recommend taking classes with Jill in San Francisco and/or the East Bay for many reasons including: to reconnect with your sensual and artistic self, find the dancer in you, improve your strength, flexibility and grace, enjoy a healthy and supportive community, learn the art of belly dance and be part of its evolution! You can't miss! read more

I've always been a fan of Jill's belly dance style - innovative and out of the box but with roots in traditional dance - it's sexy, original, exciting and grounded. And it feels SO good to be able to learn from the best! Jill's experience, wealth of knowledge, and engaging teaching style makes it worth going to her classes. They're an amazing workout and fun challenge for both beginners and intermediate/advanced students. She has a way of breaking down the basics and the intricacies of the dance. She's also open to students' needs and often works on moves that are requested in class, frequently going around the room to give personal feedback. I've been taking her classes since 2007 and I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed them and how much belly dance has enriched my life and made me more confident as a dancer and person. Thanks to Jill's classes and encouragement I've grown so much, and it's been great. Thank you Jill! read more

Jill Parker is one of the most important dance artists in the San Francisco Bay Area and her visionary approach to the art of bellydance has created a world wide movement in dance. Jill is one of the most knowledgeable, personable, friendly, down to earth and wonderful people and dance teachers, performance artists and coreographers in ethnic and contemporary dance today. Her years of experience and her resume speak for itself, she has influenced just about every single professional or up and coming dance artist in the realm of fusion and bellydance fusion called tribal fusion bellydance. Jill is a jem of the city and its what makes this place tick, having access to such knowledge and talent in the caliber in that of Jill. Jill also has wonderful classes where you will receive a very welcoming atmosphere and a great workout. You will learn to get into your body and explore the realm of possibilities, taking your understanding of movement and technique to a whole new level. You will enjoy the opportunity to ask for imput and feedback and to get the chance to ask for what you want to do in class. Further, you will be given the platform to explore and express and come up with new understandings of the movement base and yourself. Highly respect and recommend Jill Parker. read more

Jill Parker is one of the best instructor's I have ever had. I started dancing with Jill a few years ago as a beginner and I was hooked after one class. She explains dance techniques and can break down sensual movements so that they are accessible to everyone, she teaches choreography and musicality, and she makes it all fun in the process. Her classes are creative and welcoming - she is open to questions and requests and works hard to make sure her students understand the movements. It's amazing to start working on a couple of different moves in the beginning of class and by the end of class you are dancing to a short choreography of what you covered. She is wildly creative and makes belly dance accessible to everyone, whether beginner or advanced. Jill is extremely knowledgeable, experienced, approachable, super friendly, and she gently encourages you to push yourself. Her choices of music are fun (sometimes there are live drummers in class!) and the classes are definitely a workout. You leave Jill's class feeling re-energized, empowered and fabulous. read more

I adore Jill Parker, her methods of dance instruction, the workout I get, and the way I feel afterward! A friend of mine brought me to my first JP class in 2005, back when she taught downtown. The first half of class was challenging warm up and ab exercises; I recognized a lot of yoga and pilates which I love. Great music, and a great core workout. The second half is dancing, and Jill is a virtuoso dancer and master teacher! It's obvious she has been explaining these movements and concepts for years (decades?) because she is able to break it down into words, based on a comprehensive understanding of anatomy. This style of dancing is joyful and fun, and is appropriate & comfortable for all ages, genders, body sizes... So convenient that she teaches in the Mission and in Berkeley. I'm addicted. I won't lie, I was intimidated by Jill for a while and probably didn't introduce myself for a few months, but when I did I found her to be not what I expected at all--less a dancing diva superstar (which she deserves!) but incredibly helpful, generous, supportive lady with a big, lovely, genuine smile and something sweet to say :) read more

I highly recommend Jill Parker's belly dance classes. She is a highly skilled professional with extensive knowledge in belly dance as well as a beautiful dancer. Jill is one of the great leaders of the Tribal Fusion movement and we are extremely lucky to have her classes available to us here in the Bay Area. She is an excellent patient teacher and the format of her classes makes it easy to follow for beginner or advanced dancers. She breaks down the moves in a manner that makes them easy to understand and eventually master. I have taken classes from many different belly dance teachers and she is one of my favorite teachers. She just has a style of teaching that allows you to learn in a safe nonjudgmental place whether you are a beginner or advanced. Her skills at just teaching are fantastic and she excels at it. When I started to take belly dance 5 years ago, I took classes where I felt treated out of place by not only the teachers but the other students in the classes. Then it was like the sky opened up and the sun started shining on me when I discovered Jill's classes. When I started taking classes with Jill 2 years ago I immediately felt welcomed not only by Jill, but by the other students in the class. I have been attending her Thursday Berkeley class every week since then. Jill has helped me become a better dancer. Sometimes Jill offers advanced classes after the 7-8:30 which are just fantastic!! Jill also has the best shimmy in town!! read more

I have been taking Jill's classes for years now. I simply love them and am so thankful I found her among all the teachers out there! The classes are fun. The community is friendly. The moves are gorgeous. Jill's approach to teaching combines lead and follow with detailed mechanical explanations of the steps and some very creative mental imagery to make even her most challenging ones seem approachable. Best of all, I always leave her classes with amazing energy and a big smile. read more

Jill is an amazing teacher and we are lucky to have her in the Bay Area. I have a job that requires hours of sitting, and once I started belly dance, all of my boring little aches went away. I've been taking Jill's technique classes for longer than I'm willing to admit, and one of the reasons I keep coming back is that she teaches in layers (start here, add x, add y; if possible, add z.). This means you can pick your pace and find something to learn at every level from Day One to Day Infinity. She also teaches in different modes. Learn best with imagery? She gives a visual. Numbers? She counts. Imitation? She demonstrates. Mechanical understanding? She explains. Asking questions? She's wonderfully articulate. Sole caveat: Her classes can be highly addictive. Fortunately, they're affordable with excellent side effects and the potential for endorphin-release overdosing. read more

I took Jill Parker´s classes for about 8 months during my stay in Berkeley, she´s an awesome teacher, she has an engaging teaching style. She´s open to students needs, and teaches often teaches requested moves and gives personal feedback to the students. read more