I moved back to Belmont (SF Peninsula) and the first thing I did was look up classes with Malia de Felice! She's an old school SF dancer, specializing in raqs sharqi, Tunisian and more. Malia teaches on the Peninsula and Coastside. If you're looking for a great class with an instructor that will work your buttocks nearly off, then check out Malia.
www.bellydancer.net/classinfo.html

Khajulah--a dancer, costume designer, artist, photographer --this woman does it all. Her student troupe, Raks al Khalil, performs at festivals all over the Bay Area. She will work your butt off, but is soooo sweet about it.
www.khajulah.com/classes.htm
Classes in San Jose (near Willow Glen)--a mix of cabaret, Egyptian, folkloric and tribal fusion.

Lunatic Fringe in Sunnyvale offers a variety of classes--tribal, cabaret, whatevah--and sells stuff too. It's a dangerous situation. :)
Dawn Devine, Kathy Stahlman, Sandra and Yolanda all teach here.
www.lunaticfringebde.com/
Call them for the updated class schedule--408.732.2405

Alyne
www.alyne.biz/
One of my all-time favorite dancers and the Queen of the Double Veil, Alyne teaches classes in San Jose/Campbell on Saturday mornings.

Raven's Fire in the City of Vallejo
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Beginner's Classes every Wednesday from 6:30 til 8 PM and
every Saturday from 10:30 AM til Noon

Please call for fees, 707.334.6630 (mobile)

~ Loa Kirkbride, also teaches Belly Dance in the City of Vallejo on Wednesday night and in the City of Benicia on Tuesday night.
Please call her for more info: 707.746.6777

thanks and good luck ;D

My recommendation would be Kathy Stahlman who teaches at Cambrian Yoga Studio.
Her passion for ATS and her skill level make her a superior instructor and leader. I have learned so much from her about form and function and I look forward to her classes all week. She is great with all levels of dancers and keeps the classes interesting and fun.
It's also a really nice group of students who meet which also inspires friendships and just adds to the experience. Everyone is welcome!

check her out at www.sanjosetribaldance.com

I have just began my belly dance journey this year, and have been taking tribal classes with Kathy Stahlman of Tribal Moon in San Jose and Sunnyvale -She is very thourough and has great technique and teaching skills-- She not only does the tribal drills ; she incorporates yoga as well. I love her class. I highly recommend her class if you like ATS.

As far as cabaret, (YES I DO BOTH) I really, like Sandra's class in Palo Alto. Her class is super fun, and upbeat. She has excellent technique. I also like that she offers her students of all levels-- the opportunity to perform on a regular basis at local restaurants--This is a great motivator to continue taking her class..In my opinion these two teachers (although they have very different styles) -- are the very best that I have taken.

I am enjoying Cera's Funk Fusion Bellydance classes at Shoebox Studios - after 2.5 years of ATS, it's challenging me to use different movements whole still building on my strengths. Her studio is small and very friendly, as are her classes.

There are also classes at Shoebox with Ariellah and Gibson Pearl.

www.shoeboxsf.com

If you want superb technical and artistic instruction, a super supportive environment for all levels of ability, and classic American Tribal Style belly dance, you go to Kathy Stahlman in San Jose. She's inspirational, patient, funny, and one of the most knowledgeable and beautiful Tribal dancers I've ever seen. Even if you're just beginning this wonderful tribal journey, she'll have you dancing the very first day! Those that go always come back for more.

I second the recommendations for Sue and Ariellah. I'm a bit biased b/c Sue is my dance partner, but I can tell you first hand that she is funny, patient, and warm, and her students love her!
Ariellah is a wonderful teacher also, very welcoming and with technique to die for.

I am just tuning in to this thread & want to enthusiastically second the votes for Kathy Stahlman in SJ (www.sanjosetribaldance.com). She's a fantastic teacher who pushes her classes really hard but always in the most supportive way & with a great sense of humor, creating a vibrant, fun, & fertile learning environment. Kathy is rigorous about technique (pura ATS/ITS), & very good at breaking moves down so they're digestible for new dancers. She's also very good--and very patient--at diagnosing what's wrong & how to correct when a move just doesn't look or feel right. ** LOVE her classes & recommend them highly.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kathy Stahlman's (San Jose Tribal Dance) ATS classes in San Jose and Sunnyvale.

Kathy is a former Fat Chance Belly Dance troupe member and now performs with her own troupe Tribal Moon, in addition to teaching superb ATS classes. I began studying with her a little over a year ago and I think she is fabulous! I have a background in dance and I've studied multiple styles with numerous instructors. It is not easy to find instructors who understand how to challenge their students, encourage and inspire them, provide individual attention without disrupting the flow of the class and the other students, are fabulous dancers themselves with excellent technical skills, are accessible and not intimidating. I appreciate her explanations and her willingness to hear from her students about what works for them. She is truly a gem.

Kathy offers beginning Levels I and II and advanced classes have been available in the past. She teaches within the Fat Chance format, but as I understand it, her beginning levels offer the occasional more advanced movements. Don't let this scare you off. When you walk in the door, you'll find students of all physical variations/strengths/abilities/levels... and we all support eachother and keep coming back for more. She is truly exceptional in her teaching ability. Classes are drop in ($15) and run on a 6 week cycle. She also offers non-expiring class cards at a discounted rate - which is cool. You can come into the class at any point and learn new movement while getting a taste for what is to come. I cannot say enough about her class and what joy I feel when dancing with her. It is a very supportive and warm environment.

Here is some info on her class schedule, etc. You can find more info on her website and tribe.

www.sanjosetribaldance.com
tribalbellydancesanjose.tribe.net

San Jose: Cambrian Yoga Studio, 1900 Camden Ave. (Intero Real Estate building, 2nd Floor, Suite 201)
Sunnyvale: Lunatic Fringe, 182 South Murphy St. (Near Washington)

Level I
Beginning/Fundamentals
Saturday 10:30 am to 11:30 am (San Jose)
Monday 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm (San Jose)
Thursday 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm (Sunnyvale)

Level II
Advanced Beginning/Intermediate
Saturday 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (San Jose)

Did I mention that I LOVE her class, yet? hehehe *wink*

Dunia teaches beginning and intermediate level classes in Newark on Thursday nights.
Beginning is 7:20 - 8:10pm, Intermediate is 8:15 - 9:05pm.
The registration homepage is at:
rec-connect.newark.org

The next session starts April 3rd, only $39 for 6 weeks.
This is not tribal, it is more cabaret. Dunia teaches beautiful veil work and lots of combinations.
She also puts together the annual Desert Dance Festival in San Jose.