Teaching Dance

The truth is that anybody can teach anybody to dance. And people can learn from others. But! There is a difference in results by different people and that is what counts. There are many ramifications of this. There are many studios on the mainland that now require a Degree in Dance to be a teacher. We have on this Island many good teachers of the International Style of Dance that do not have that degree.

"We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning."

However we have excellent "dancers" teaching and some mediocre "dancers" teaching. The results are different, yes. And the best dancers are not always the best teachers and likewise the best teachers are not always the best dancers. Everyone seems to agree with this.

On the island of Oahu where the Rootzi Tootzis developed the term "junk dancer," they very much believe in the competition concept and have very conveniently overlooked some of the results of the teaching. Two groups have consistently produced the best International Style dancers on this Island. And by the same token, there are two groups that have consistently produced the worst International Style dancers on this Island. You people are better judges than I, you figure it out.

Cultural dance is quite different, in that it is the art of expressing music and emotion in movement. Learning traditional social dance will ensure that you can perform in a regular dance floor of a social dance. Your role is cut out for you. It's a challenge, but it can transform any person's life for the best with the minimum of formal teaching and you can have a ball while learning.

Most of us remain in a class by ourselves, just enjoying moving to music,

but it should be our kind of music.

 

"Y Volvere"   ...   Los Bunkers

The following song is not the simple central american jungle version, early 70s. This is Managua, a band, big city, big audience, different presentation, more syncopation. But I like it  too. I am testing these for the blogs.



Dimly lit, but if you can get to heart of the music, you can dance your heart out. Then I still have to find out if you can choose from the others that are available. Then if your computer (the grey) can keep ahead of the playing. (the red)

Pub's Side Note: There may still be chance to stop the rail, and keep the city, city.