The other day I was lamenting how difficult it is to get the word out about dance events in the Sacramento area. There have been so many times people told me after the fact (or have said it myself), "I wish I'd known about it!" I can talk about things here or on facebook, but I can only reach so many people, and I know there are hundreds of dancers in and near Sacramento. So, in a blinding flash of brilliance, I searched on facebook to see if there is a group for all of us to connect easily. To my surprise, there was nothing of the sort, so I created it myself.
You can join the Sacramento Ballroom, Tango, Country and Swing Network by clicking on http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=137240269643672. I want this to be a valuable resource for everyone who participates in these kinds of dances in the Sacramento area. Please join and look through the discussions. There are places to post regularly occurring dances and classes in the discussions tab, and you can post special events on the wall. Invite all of your dancing friends!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Bolero Workshop this Saturday, DJing at SBS
Just a reminder that I'm teaching my Bolero workshop this Saturday, the 24th, from 3:00 to 4:30 at the Dance Corner--see flyer below (click on it to see it bigger). That night, I will be DJing at the Sacramento Ballroom Society dance. I don't know how recovered my sprained ankle will be...it will be good enough to teach, but I'll have to take it easy on it still, so I probably won't be dancing much at the dance that night. I hope to see you Saturday!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Teaching/DJing this Saturday and an apology/clarification
First of all, I will be teaching and DJing this Saturday, the 10th, at Sacramento Ballroom Society. Lesson to be determined and will be posted as soon as that happens...any requests?
Secondly, it was brought to my attention recently that some students in one of my classes were upset with something I said on facebook, supposedly about them. Of course, I got this second-hand, so I'm not privy to all the detail. Since I almost never say anything negative about anyone on there that I wouldn't say to their face, I can only guess they were referring to my blog post here titled "What are you doing when I'm talking?" wherein I ranted about people who talk or practice when I'm trying to teach them something.
None of my blog posts here are directed at any particular person or class. I have been teaching for nine years, and in that time I have encountered some of the same problems over and over again. I also see them in other teachers' classes, too, so they aren't just mine. Sometimes one class or dance will inspire a post, but it's aimed at everyone who does whatever it is I'm talking about. If you felt singled out, I apologize. However, I very specifically did not mention which class I was talking about--it's every class. I admit, by the time I get worked up enough to write a blog post about it, I'm pretty irritated and my tone is blunt (that's putting it nicely--another B word would be more appropriate). I'm sorry if my tone offended you.
It is my hope that my readers will read my posts, determine whether they apply to you, and act accordingly. In grammar school, we had teachers and parents telling us how to behave and learn. As adults, we forget that there is more to learning anything than just showing up to class. By investing yourself in being the best student you can be, you will learn faster and more. If you recognize yourself in my posts, it's OK to laugh sheepishly and move on...we all make mistakes! It's what you do with your mistakes that make all the difference.
If you have a problem with something I've said or done, I invite you to send me an email and let's talk about it. Allow me the opportunity to apologize to you personally or defend myself. I'm actually a really nice person, even if I do lose my patience sometimes. I can admit when I'm bad and can take a licking--feel free to call me out. Sometimes we even have fun in my classes!
Secondly, it was brought to my attention recently that some students in one of my classes were upset with something I said on facebook, supposedly about them. Of course, I got this second-hand, so I'm not privy to all the detail. Since I almost never say anything negative about anyone on there that I wouldn't say to their face, I can only guess they were referring to my blog post here titled "What are you doing when I'm talking?" wherein I ranted about people who talk or practice when I'm trying to teach them something.
None of my blog posts here are directed at any particular person or class. I have been teaching for nine years, and in that time I have encountered some of the same problems over and over again. I also see them in other teachers' classes, too, so they aren't just mine. Sometimes one class or dance will inspire a post, but it's aimed at everyone who does whatever it is I'm talking about. If you felt singled out, I apologize. However, I very specifically did not mention which class I was talking about--it's every class. I admit, by the time I get worked up enough to write a blog post about it, I'm pretty irritated and my tone is blunt (that's putting it nicely--another B word would be more appropriate). I'm sorry if my tone offended you.
It is my hope that my readers will read my posts, determine whether they apply to you, and act accordingly. In grammar school, we had teachers and parents telling us how to behave and learn. As adults, we forget that there is more to learning anything than just showing up to class. By investing yourself in being the best student you can be, you will learn faster and more. If you recognize yourself in my posts, it's OK to laugh sheepishly and move on...we all make mistakes! It's what you do with your mistakes that make all the difference.
If you have a problem with something I've said or done, I invite you to send me an email and let's talk about it. Allow me the opportunity to apologize to you personally or defend myself. I'm actually a really nice person, even if I do lose my patience sometimes. I can admit when I'm bad and can take a licking--feel free to call me out. Sometimes we even have fun in my classes!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Dance classes coming up
In July, I will be teaching again on Tuesday nights at the Mission Oaks Community Center in Carmichael. From 6:00 to 7:25, we'll cover beginning East Coast Swing and Cha Cha. From 7:30 to 9:00, I'll be teaching intermediate East Coast Swing and Bolero. Bolero will be a new dance for many in the class, so it will start with the basics but should move quickly.
I will also be teaching a Bolero workshop on July 24th from 3:00 to 4:30 at The Dance Corner in Sacramento. We will review the basics while working on technique, but I recommend that yo have some Bolero experience before coming to this workshop. Feel free to contact me for more information!
See the flyers attached below.
I will also be teaching a Bolero workshop on July 24th from 3:00 to 4:30 at The Dance Corner in Sacramento. We will review the basics while working on technique, but I recommend that yo have some Bolero experience before coming to this workshop. Feel free to contact me for more information!
See the flyers attached below.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What are you doing when I'm talking??
Here is one of my dance class pet peeves: when I'm standing in front of the class giving a mini lecture and someone is doing anything BUT listening to me--talking to their partner, practicing the move (wrong), whatever. First, it's rude. Second, chances are good that if I'm explaining or re-explaining a concept, it's because you're the one who needs it. It disrupts the whole class, because you're going to ask me a question about what I spent five minutes talking about and I'm going to have to explain it AGAIN. I'm also going to have to come over and correct you when you torture your partner by continually doing the pattern wrong because you weren't listening.
When you talk or practice while I'm talking, not only is it disrespectful to me and self-defeating because you're missing something important, you're also affecting your partner, because you're distracting them so they don't hear what I'm saying, either. Now there are two people in the dark.
Dance class is a two way street. I can only teach you if you are willing to learn. That means listening when I talk and watching when I demonstrate. If I say, "Watch me first. Don't do it, just watch," that means don't follow along with me. Just watch. I don't know how many different ways I can say that. The reason I don't want you to do it with me is because you won't see the whole thing, and it will be harder for you to learn (which makes my job harder). I always have you follow along and do the step with me 5-10 times after that, so you will get plenty of chances to practice.
It's important that you focus in class and try to absorb as many of the concepts as possible and not move up to the next level until you have pretty well mastered those concepts. Yes, there is a lot to learn. Sometimes this means taking a class 2-3 times before you move up. Taking notes and practicing between classes will help. However you do it, you need to invest yourself in the class and try so the teacher can teach you. Otherwise, why are you there?
You are paying for the teacher's expertise--this is not just their expertise in dancing, but also in teaching dancing (although some dancers are not as good at teaching as they are at dancing). Trust that they know what they're doing. Follow their instructions. You'll learn so much faster than going along doing your own thing!
/rant
When you talk or practice while I'm talking, not only is it disrespectful to me and self-defeating because you're missing something important, you're also affecting your partner, because you're distracting them so they don't hear what I'm saying, either. Now there are two people in the dark.
Dance class is a two way street. I can only teach you if you are willing to learn. That means listening when I talk and watching when I demonstrate. If I say, "Watch me first. Don't do it, just watch," that means don't follow along with me. Just watch. I don't know how many different ways I can say that. The reason I don't want you to do it with me is because you won't see the whole thing, and it will be harder for you to learn (which makes my job harder). I always have you follow along and do the step with me 5-10 times after that, so you will get plenty of chances to practice.
It's important that you focus in class and try to absorb as many of the concepts as possible and not move up to the next level until you have pretty well mastered those concepts. Yes, there is a lot to learn. Sometimes this means taking a class 2-3 times before you move up. Taking notes and practicing between classes will help. However you do it, you need to invest yourself in the class and try so the teacher can teach you. Otherwise, why are you there?
You are paying for the teacher's expertise--this is not just their expertise in dancing, but also in teaching dancing (although some dancers are not as good at teaching as they are at dancing). Trust that they know what they're doing. Follow their instructions. You'll learn so much faster than going along doing your own thing!
/rant
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Great website for Sacramento dancers!
A wonderful lady named Alice has compiled a list of all the classes and lessons she could find in the Sacramento area and lists them on her website, http://www.dancing4friends.com. Check her out to see where you can trip the light fantastic any night of the week.
Don't forget my Tuesday dance classes at Mission Oaks, starting tonight! Beginning Foxtrot and Tango at 6:00, Intermediate Samba and Waltz at 7:30. Only $20 for the whole month--cheap cheap!
Don't forget my Tuesday dance classes at Mission Oaks, starting tonight! Beginning Foxtrot and Tango at 6:00, Intermediate Samba and Waltz at 7:30. Only $20 for the whole month--cheap cheap!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Upcoming Dance Class Dates
Hi all, sorry I haven't been keeping up on this blog! I was distracted from dancing and blogging for a bit, but I am trying to keep in touch a little better. Here are some things I have coming up:
Sacramento Ballroom Society, Friday, April 23rd. I will be teaching American Waltz. This class is always a mix of beginning and intermediate dancers, so we start with something basic and then do something more challenging. My partner and brother, Bill Riley, will be the DJ for the evening, and he always plays a great mix! I'll be hanging out to dance a bit, so feel free to ask me to dance!
I am taking over Ted Colbert's classes at Mission Oaks Community Center at 4701 Gibbons Dr. in Carmichael for the month of May and possibly a bit longer. Starting on Tuesday, May 4th, I will be teaching beginning Waltz and Rumba from 6:00 to 7:30 and intermediate Rumba and Tango from 7:30 to 9:00. Cost is $25 for the month, and you need to sign up with Mission Oaks.
I hope to see you there!
Sacramento Ballroom Society, Friday, April 23rd. I will be teaching American Waltz. This class is always a mix of beginning and intermediate dancers, so we start with something basic and then do something more challenging. My partner and brother, Bill Riley, will be the DJ for the evening, and he always plays a great mix! I'll be hanging out to dance a bit, so feel free to ask me to dance!
I am taking over Ted Colbert's classes at Mission Oaks Community Center at 4701 Gibbons Dr. in Carmichael for the month of May and possibly a bit longer. Starting on Tuesday, May 4th, I will be teaching beginning Waltz and Rumba from 6:00 to 7:30 and intermediate Rumba and Tango from 7:30 to 9:00. Cost is $25 for the month, and you need to sign up with Mission Oaks.
I hope to see you there!
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