Do you feel like a traitor? AND: Balance in the lights? [Archive]

View Full Version : Do you feel like a traitor? AND: Balance in the lights?

Catarina

11-17-2006, 12:40 PM

yippee1999

11-17-2006, 01:00 PM

On your first question, first off, I wouldn't feel like a "traitor" at all. I think it's very common for people to get their training from multiple schools/teachers, and I imagine most instructors know this. I think trying out different teachers/schools creates a more multi-dimensional dancer.... one that can't be pigeon-holed as having a certain style.... be it the Frankie Martinez style or what have you... but someone who as a result of their diverse training, has a more individual way of putting all the various styles together to create their own look. Course, that said, if I were to perform with a certain school's dance troupe or something, I might feel the need to be a bit more discreet about working with other teachers/schools going forward (although it still wouldn't stop me).

As to this teacher you heard was "good", and with whom you want to have a private, I personally wouldn't do a private with somebody unless I had at least seen a video of their dancing. There are plenty of people out there that are considered "good", but with whom I'd have no interest in studying due to my not liking their style. And I'd assume many others may feel this same way including yourself. So I'd recommend you see if you can find some video clips of this instructor first.

Pacion

11-17-2006, 01:23 PM

Is it possible to do a one off group lesson, or even watch a lesson, before committing - possibly the studio might take that initial lesson into consideration of the package price?

As yippee1999 said, a teacher's style could influence whether you want to study with them or not. That said, I think you need something a bit more than a video to go on. There are people who look very good on video but I wouldn't want to have a lesson from them, even if the lesson was accompanied with free blueberry muffins and Starbucks coffee! Why? Because I have seen how they teach and their style of teaching does not agree with my temperament. Yet, I know of others who would rave about that particular teacher.

Similarly, I have had classes with a guy who does not look good from a social dancing perspective, but yet he is very good as a teacher - breaks down the moves and gives lots of tips for the guys (and the girls when he remembers! :lol:) and does a much better job than some guys I know who look great but just can't adjust their teaching to suit the level of the students.

Same goes for teaching DVDs. Some people I would consider great teachers have put out DVDs I think aren't good, yet, they are great teachers. I have yet to see a not so good teacher put out a great video, but then again, I haven't seen that many teaching DVDs.

englezul

11-17-2006, 04:02 PM

Two completely unrelated questions:
When taking privates or trying lessons at another studio, do you feel like a traitor? I've only taken lessons at one place (been dancing less than a year), and am being sucked in by a good deal for a combo of privates and group lessons for a great price, plus i've heard the guy is a good teacher. But i'm a little trepidacious about taking a private from someone that i've never danced with etc. Feelings on this?

Not at all. Anywhere I'm going for lessons I am providing a monetary compensation for their services. Thus I see no reason to feel like a traitor because it's just a business relationship. I'm there to get some value. I'm getting the value, I'm paying the money in exchange. It's done. If there was some genuine mentorship involved then your point would make more sense. But as long as there are money in play...nope!

Secondly, I encountered a new challenge to my dancing last night at a new-to-me club. It was darker than I'm used to and had a lovely light show going on--so how can i work on my balance with multi-colored lights moving around a dark room, shining in my eyes at random points in a turn or spin? half the time i felt like i was going to fall over last night because i felt disoriented. spotting is tough as is, but with the handicap of the light show, it felt nearly impossible. tips?

as always, thanks :)

Wear some cool shades. Like these ones: :cool: . Or don't look into the light, look at your partener and spot every other time.

Legato Bluesummers

11-17-2006, 04:12 PM

Catarina...I have never felt this way. I have no loyalty to any studio or instructor. I am all about learning something new. Do instructors get mad at people for learning steps/shines from another instructor?

borikensalsero

11-17-2006, 06:18 PM

learn from as many people as you.
it will be better for you at the end.

the shades idea sounds pretty good.

quixotedlm

11-17-2006, 06:39 PM

re the traitor question -

i've felt that a long time ago, so I guess i know where you are coming from. i think it's in your best interest to just get over those feelings. if your current studio/instructor perceives you as disloyal, i think they are being unprofessional and asking for too much.

if you are just afraid of this possiblity, then you are being too insecure. try t be a tad bit more materialistic, and remember that it's your prerogative to do as you please.

Catarina

11-18-2006, 12:12 PM

re the traitor question -
if you are just afraid of this possiblity, then you are being too insecure. try t be a tad bit more materialistic, and remember that it's your prerogative to do as you please.

It's not what the studio is telling us students, i just wanted to get a feel for how you all navigated sampling other studio's classes, etc. I'll work on that being selfish and materialistic thing...what's next? be more shallow and vain? :tongue:

Re: the lights thing...sunglasses eh? so when I'm not dancing, I'll just be bumping into everyone as I walk blindly around the dark room with dark glasses on!? haha. that would be quite a sight, and I can only imagine it wouldn't help my odds of getting more dances!

thespina13

11-18-2006, 06:39 PM

Dude I lose my balance all the time with the lights. It's very disorienting. I have to spot like crazy and focus totally on my partner. Eventually it becomes a regular part of the landscape and I can ignore it, but then I start getting tired and the disorientation comes back again near the end of the night.

I never feel like a traitor, and if my teacher tries to make me feel that way, I pity him/her for having so little security or scope. Soe of them don't seem to understand that the better the dancer, the more teachers they'll seek out. And what kinf of pride is it that makes them think they can shape a dancer from start to finish with no need for any other input from anywhere? Come on now. I see learning to dance as an experience like going to university. You go to a lot of classes form a lot of profgs and go for coffee with even more people. The more you can take in the better your education. No prof in his/her right mind would possibly resent you going to your next class.

alemana

11-18-2006, 06:45 PM

being more shallow and vain is crucial in your development as a dancer, trust me :)

Josh

11-18-2006, 08:33 PM

I personally wouldn't do a private with somebody unless I had at least seen a video of their dancing. There are plenty of people out there that are considered "good", but with whom I'd have no interest in studying due to my not liking their style. And I'd assume many others may feel this same way including yourself. So I'd recommend you see if you can find some video clips of this instructor first.

This reflects the opinion of so many dancers in the salsa community--it's all about looks. If you're paying to watch a dancer, then by all means, require a video first... but looking good and teaching good are about 98% unrelated.

Unfortunately most top salsa dancers have had no formal training on how to teach, despite having had lots of training on how to dance. Nobody's born a good teacher, and those who are good teachers who have not had formal training have still learned through observation, and are few and far between. So people pay for private lessons from a "name" dancer who's in town for a workshop, and figure out that he or she can only dance--not teach. I've had it happen many times unfortunately. There are, however, some excellent salsa dancers out there who are good teachers too, even big names.

yippee1999

11-18-2006, 09:12 PM

Josh, I agree wholeheartedly... not everybody that can dance well, or that looks good on the floor, is going to be a good teacher. However, my rationale (esp. when getting a private from a fellow female) is.... if I don't like a female's dance style, why would I then want to learn from her, which naturally would require my imitating her moves, and thereby consciously/subconsciously moving like her? Granted one class with her and her "bad" style probably isn't going to affect my own style fundamentally, but again, if I had my choice, I'd rather give it a try with someone whose style I DO like....

Josh

11-19-2006, 02:04 PM

yippee, you're right--I didn't mean to imply that watching a video was bad... I do the same thing. But I would go the extra distance of wanting to know the instructor's abilities as a teacher. That's what I was getting at.

SPratt74

11-19-2006, 04:53 PM

Two completely unrelated questions:
When taking privates or trying lessons at another studio, do you feel like a traitor? I've only taken lessons at one place (been dancing less than a year), and am being sucked in by a good deal for a combo of privates and group lessons for a great price, plus i've heard the guy is a good teacher. But i'm a little trepidacious about taking a private from someone that i've never danced with etc. Feelings on this?

I was made to feel guilty at my last studio. My instructors would think that I hated them and would ask me if I did hate them for thinking about going to someone else. They also would ask where their students were dancing in town, and they would want a head count at the places we were going to. It became frustrating, because it was my (our) money, and I feel like I should be able to dance any place. My new instructor told me to try out everyone first before going to him. I had already researched everyone, and I still decided to go to him.

Secondly, I encountered a new challenge to my dancing last night at a new-to-me club. It was darker than I'm used to and had a lovely light show going on--so how can i work on my balance with multi-colored lights moving around a dark room, shining in my eyes at random points in a turn or spin? half the time i felt like i was going to fall over last night because i felt disoriented. spotting is tough as is, but with the handicap of the light show, it felt nearly impossible. tips?

as always, thanks :)

Do you have contacts? This seems to happen to me a lot too, but I wear contacts. Anyways, I look for something else to look at if I know I have a light that's going to be hitting my eyes, and by this sometimes I will look down instead. I also bring a small jar of visine with me to help me out when it comes to dryness in clubs. It seems to really help. ;)

Catarina

11-19-2006, 05:27 PM

Do you have contacts? This seems to happen to me a lot too, but I wear contacts. Anyways, I look for something else to look at if I know I have a light that's going to be hitting my eyes, and by this sometimes I will look down instead. I also bring a small jar of visine with me to help me out when it comes to dryness in clubs. It seems to really help. ;)

I do wear contacts--are you saying that helps or hinders? I can imagine wearing glasses would make it worse...i'll try the visine, as the smoke and blinking lots in the lights probably does dry my eyes out! thanks!

SPratt74

11-19-2006, 07:05 PM

I do wear contacts--are you saying that helps or hinders? I can imagine wearing glasses would make it worse...i'll try the visine, as the smoke and blinking lots in the lights probably does dry my eyes out! thanks!

I think that wearing contacts can sometimes hinder you when it comes to lights etc. My eyes tend to dry out faster than others, it also seems that I have to blink more at the studio etc., and I seem to be having problems with the dryness even at the studio and at the club of course more than others when it comes to lights etc. I don't know about you, but sometimes I've had to put my contact back in after it has fallen out from dancing even at the studio becase of the things I have mentioned above. My new instructor carried Visine with him, and I thought that made a lot of sense, and it's really helped me as well. You don't need to buy the big bottles either. I buy the travel size, but it depends on what your stores carry though. ;)

Roo

11-19-2006, 11:34 PM

I have a really tough time with lights and also sometimes I dance in a corner by the kitchen in one place (more room), and the rapid change from bright light to immensely dark is especially difficult for me. My lovely doctor told me that difficulty in switching from darkness to light is actually a vitamin A deficiency. Apparently mom was right: eat your carrots. Ya might try that too...

SPratt74

11-19-2006, 11:47 PM

squirrel

11-20-2006, 02:50 AM

Normally, you should not feel like a traitor. Nor should a teacher try to make you feel like that on account of taking lessons from others.

In reality, things are a bit different. Many feel threatened or offended if you go to other classes as well (God knows why, since you pay them the fee).

What is interesting is when not the teacher, but the other students make you feel bad for your choice.

This is what happens sometimes at my school. And it is not because I influence them in any way, it's just that the way we treat people is not business-like, it is more like they are our friends. We spend our spare time with them doing non-Salsa related things and know what they do for a living and how they get along with parents and what pets they have... In such situations, if one of them goes to another school, the others are a bit aggressive.

I personally don't care. I don't feel threatened by the other teachers. I think it is good for one to visit more school and choose the style they prefer. And I tell this to my friends. But people can be weird sometimes.

Shooshoo

11-20-2006, 03:08 AM

What is interesting is when not the teacher, but the other students make you feel bad for your choice.

Yeah, that's true. I've seen it happen.

I think one shouldn't feel guilty as long as you're not involved in teaching with the instructor.
But I've experienced that my instructor would try to make me feel guilty that I'm not taking lessons with him (and I have improved just from practicing) or say I don't know the move if I don't get it right away, but I believe it's because some kind of insecurity. I try not to let it bother me (sometimes it does, but I don't do anything about it).

Sabor

11-20-2006, 06:47 AM

reference the lights.. past a certain point.. u don't need eyes to dance.. ofcourse.. on a crowded floor that is not practical.. but the idea of it is.. in absolute terms .. u do get to the point where sight is just a bonus..

OneCentSalsero

11-20-2006, 09:54 AM

I use to feel like a traitor at 1st... but my hard earned money will go to whoever i feel will help me become a better dancer period.

SPratt74

11-20-2006, 10:56 AM

What is interesting is when not the teacher, but the other students make you feel bad for your choice.

I've actually had this happen to me as well. I found out the hard way that people can turn on you (but most of the time they don't know why or the real reasons as to why you changed your mind, but they don't really need to know either, because it's none of their business until you make it theirs). (However, some will also stand by you so it's not always everyone.) Well, I mean I've been through situations before but I never thought it would happen at a dance studio. So, I can testify that it does happen. You just have to be careful as to who you associate with on and off the dance floor for many reasons. You never know, and you probably wouldn't expect it happen either but it can happen.

Love2Dance

11-20-2006, 12:12 PM

In my first year or two of dancing, I wrestled with the whole "feeling like a traitor" issue horribly. I was working with a single coach and going to a single studio. He never told me to NOT go to another coach. But, especially in retrospect, I think as a beginning dancer, it really helps you to stick with a single coach for a while before you start trying to work with different people. As a beginner, a lot of coaches may seem to almost contradict each other when in reality they are talking about the same thing, but you won't know since you don't have much experience or knowledge to draw from. I remember that for the longest time, I was afraid of going to even other parties at other dance studios. Eventually, I did start working with another coach and for a while, it seemed like, wow, everything my last coach taught me must've been wrong because this one's fixing so much. But, once you figure out that it's not about your coach, but about you, you begin to learn that as you grow as a dancer, your capacity to learn grows as well. Your prior coaches give you what they can and you absorb what you are able to, but ultimately it hopefully, makes you able to absorb more and more as time goes on. Like when a coach says something like "stabilize your core", this might mean something to a beginner who's been dancing for 2 years, something completely different to someone who's been dancing for 6 years, and yet something completely different to someone who's been dancing for 20 years, all while meaning only one thing to the coach that said it. It seems to me you could spend your whole dance career hearing the same things over and over and still get more out of it each time you hear it.

I really like the studios I attend now. None of the instructors I work with are so insecure that they tell me NOT to work with other pros or go to other studios. In fact, I think a studio likes it when they know you go to other places and still CHOOSE to come back for what they have to offer. Since only one studio really has any competitive pros in my area, whenever I get back into competing (this year has been crazy with the move and all) I'll figure out which pro I'm going to work with and invest the most time in, but until then, I am just a wandering dancer taking in all I can get!

If you intend to compete in any kind of pro-am competition, you really need to invest a lot of time with a single coach. But, especially from a social dancing aspect, the more people you can learn things from, the better! In a nutshell, never feel guilty from learning from more than one person. Afterall, it's ultimately your own fault how good or bad of a dancer you are, not your teachers'! ;)

SPratt74

11-20-2006, 01:22 PM

In my first year or two of dancing, I wrestled with the whole "feeling like a traitor" issue horribly. I was working with a single coach and going to a single studio. He never told me to NOT go to another coach.

Why did you feel like a traitor if he never told you NOT to go to another coach?

But, especially in retrospect, I think as a beginning dancer, it really helps you to stick with a single coach for a while before you start trying to work with different people. As a beginner, a lot of coaches may seem to almost contradict each other when in reality they are talking about the same thing, but you won't know since you don't have much experience or knowledge to draw from.

I think that I agree with my instructor that you have to try out everyone before settling down with one person and this should be at the beginning of your dance experience. That was the problem I had. I didn't do enough research to know any better. Now I do, and thank goodness for that!

I remember that for the longest time, I was afraid of going to even other parties at other dance studios. Eventually, I did start working with another coach and for a while, it seemed like, wow, everything my last coach taught me must've been wrong because this one's fixing so much. But, once you figure out that it's not about your coach, but about you, you begin to learn that as you grow as a dancer, your capacity to learn grows as well.

I like to think that dancing is about you not about your teacher. Your teachers are there to teach you yes, but ultimately it's about you and if you really want to learn and take the time to practice to do so etc. You have to put forth the effort not them (unless they are a beginning teacher then they really have to put forth the effort too).

Your prior coaches give you what they can and you absorb what you are able to, but ultimately it hopefully, makes you able to absorb more and more as time goes on.

I think this would apply to all coaches not just your prior coach.

Like when a coach says something like "stabilize your core", this might mean something to a beginner who's been dancing for 2 years, something completely different to someone who's been dancing for 6 years, and yet something completely different to someone who's been dancing for 20 years, all while meaning only one thing to the coach that said it. It seems to me you could spend your whole dance career hearing the same things over and over and still get more out of it each time you hear it.

I don't know if I agree with that or not. I think that in dance the same meaning will apply no matter how long you've been dancing. For instance, when I work on my frame now, it's not going to change anything in 20 years unless the rules have changed. If the rules change, then that's a completely different situation all together.

In fact, I think a studio likes it when they know you go to other places and still CHOOSE to come back for what they have to offer.

I guess that one students great experience could still not be so great for another.

Since only one studio really has any competitive pros in my area, whenever I get back into competing (this year has been crazy with the move and all) I'll figure out which pro I'm going to work with and invest the most time in, but until then, I am just a wandering dancer taking in all I can get!

:rolleyes:

If you intend to compete in any kind of pro-am competition, you really need to invest a lot of time with a single coach. But, especially from a social dancing aspect, the more people you can learn things from, the better! In a nutshell, never feel guilty from learning from more than one person. Afterall, it's ultimately your own fault how good or bad of a dancer you are, not your teachers'! ;)

I think it should be the opposite. I for one would learn from more than one coach if I could in order to compete in what I want to but I can't go with anyone higher than my instructor in my area. Now if I could and had the money to travel, I would set up with coaches in the different states in order to compete the way that I want to, but I just can't afford to do so. For social dancing I could care less about whom I learn from, and I'll even dance with anyone (well, I had one guy that I thought was going to break my arms, so I won't Swing dance with him any more). I wouldn't spend a lot of money for more than one social dance teacher.

nikita

11-20-2006, 02:30 PM

Feeling guilty? For what?
Catarina- you are a paying customer. So the school does, what you want. It's not you, who has to do, what the school wants;).
Or are you getting the lessons for free? I doubt this. But even in this case you are free to go whereever you want to.
The more experience you get, the better for you. That's the only possibility for you to compare and to find out, what's best for you. This might be one teacher or 10:p.

fascination

11-20-2006, 05:14 PM

waltzgirl

11-20-2006, 05:36 PM

I don't know if I agree with that or not. I think that in dance the same meaning will apply no matter how long you've been dancing. For instance, when I work on my frame now, it's not going to change anything in 20 years unless the rules have changed. If the rules change, then that's a completely different situation all together.
.

I think what fascination means (or would mean if she'd had enough sleep ;) ) is that, while the ultimate goal of what the frame should ideally be may stay the same, the specific aspect of "working on it" will change. For a total beginner, it may be just where in space and on your partner your hands and elbows should be. A few years later, it might be subtle adjustments in how you use your lats to connect your back to your partner.

I'd say that every single concept I've been introduced to means something different to me than it did when I first learned it.

Houdinni

11-20-2006, 06:12 PM

You should try other teachers. If not for anything else, to be sure you got the right one for you. More likelly there are different things to earn from different teachers.

If a teacher gets mad at you because you're also learning from other teachers, more likelly he's insecure about what he has to offer, and there should be a reason for that. Check it out...

Strobe light, or lights in your eyes, make most everyone dizzy or at least unconfortable, I think!

nikita

11-20-2006, 06:32 PM

Most people I know, go to different schools. To pick out from each school, what they need.
If I had one, I wouldn't like it much eather. Cose each penny, they spend in another school I would like to spend them in mine:evil: .

delamusica

11-20-2006, 06:40 PM

I don't know if I agree with that or not. I think that in dance the same meaning will apply no matter how long you've been dancing. For instance, when I work on my frame now, it's not going to change anything in 20 years unless the rules have changed. If the rules change, then that's a completely different situation all together.

Gotta agree with Fascination here.

I don't want to be offensive because it's obvious that you feel like you're progressing really quickly.

But as you dance for longer and longer, your understanding of your body and how you're using it will change. With that change in understanding of your body will come a change in the way that you interpret what your teachers are telling you.

It doesn't matter how good your teacher is or how fast you're learning - this is just fact.

DancePoet

11-20-2006, 06:42 PM

I think that I agree with my instructor that you have to try out everyone before settling down with one person and this should be at the beginning of your dance experience. That was the problem I had. I didn't do enough research to know any better. Now I do, and thank goodness for that!
Ok, however when you are a beginner this really could be quite impractical from both a time and money standpoint. Getting the basics can be accomplished anywhere. Then it might make sense to try other things out.

I like to think that dancing is about you not about your teacher. Your teachers are there to teach you yes, but ultimately it's about you and if you really want to learn and take the time to practice to do so etc. You have to put forth the effort not them (unless they are a beginning teacher then they really have to put forth the effort too).
Ok, yet this contradicts other things you have said along the way. Although perhaps you are discovering past statements aren't as accurate from a new perspective.

I don't know if I agree with that or not. I think that in dance the same meaning will apply no matter how long you've been dancing. For instance, when I work on my frame now, it's not going to change anything in 20 years unless the rules have changed. If the rules change, then that's a completely different situation all together.
Unfortunately, words mean different things to different people.

:rolleyes:
This reply will be having me send you a pm. And any further comments on this in the future could bring consequences.

delamusica

11-20-2006, 06:42 PM

Strobe light, or lights in your eyes, make most everyone dizzy or at least unconfortable, I think!

Ugh, yeah. I've even had trouble with merengue when the club had just the right combination of crowd and strobe!

fascination

11-20-2006, 06:50 PM

precisely delamusica...ya never "get it"...any high level dancer will tell you this

SPratt74

11-20-2006, 07:14 PM

Ok, however when you are a beginner this really could be quite impractical from both a time and money standpoint. Getting the basics can be accomplished anywhere. Then it might make sense to try other things out.

Not if they aren't teaching you the right steps to begin with.

Ok, yet this contradicts other things you have said along the way. Although perhaps you are discovering past statements aren't as accurate from a new perspective.

Please tell me what I contradict, and I will explain further.

Unfortunately, words mean different things to different people.

This is true.

This reply will be having me send you a pm. And any further comments on this in the future could bring consequences.

Why can't I post an opinion like everyone else? If you want me to reword something to explain then that's all you have to do. But to tell me not to write something isn't fair nor right especially if I am not breaking any rules.

DancePoet

11-20-2006, 07:28 PM

Why can't I post an opinion like everyone else? If you want me to reword something to explain then that's all you have to do. But to tell me not to write something isn't fair nor right especially if I am not breaking any rules.
It is my recommendation for you to cease speaking of moderation issues on the forums per our guidelines.

SPratt74

11-20-2006, 07:31 PM

It is my recommendation for you to cease speaking of moderation issues on the forums per our guidelines.

I did not know I was, so I apologize for that.

fascination

11-20-2006, 08:39 PM

I think what fascination means (or would mean if she'd had enough sleep ;) ) is that, while the ultimate goal of what the frame should ideally be may stay the same, the specific aspect of "working on it" will change. For a total beginner, it may be just where in space and on your partner your hands and elbows should be. A few years later, it might be subtle adjustments in how you use your lats to connect your back to your partner.

I'd say that every single concept I've been introduced to means something different to me than it did when I first learned it.nah, I was well rested, just blunt...but thanks for very artfully filling in the blanks...that was of course what I would have said had I been inclined to elaborate...;)

SPratt74

11-20-2006, 09:33 PM

nah, I was well rested, just blunt...but thanks for very artfully filling in the blanks...that was of course what I would have said had I been inclined to elaborate...;)

I think that I missed that post about frame fascination, but that makes complete sense. Thank you! ;)

fascination

11-20-2006, 11:02 PM

you are welcome

chachabelle

11-20-2006, 11:23 PM

After 2 1/2 years at the first studio I studied at, I decided I wanted to learn Standard. No one there teaches it, so I went to another independant studio for a few months. When I returned, I was made to feel like total crap. My instructor pouted and wouldn't dance with me at parties (only in our private lessons), then said his feelings were hurt and how could I do that to him. Then, informed me I wasn't "ready" for standard. To top it off, the owner, when I bought another large block of lessons, raised the price on me. So, it was pretty much a nightmare. But I only have myself to blame for putting up with it. Like it was said before, this is my dance life and I should be able to go anywhere I like. I want to learn as much as I can and be the best I can, and if I can't get that from one studio, then I'll go to wherever I please. So please don't feel guilty - - dance lessons are too expensive not to get the most you can from them.

thespina13

11-21-2006, 12:10 AM

That's the thng that gets me. You pay THEM. They work for YOU. You should be calling the shots because you're their boss. Granted you submit to their guidance, but they really are working for you, and you, as a client, are free to shop for service wherever you please.

I have heard of people getting kicked out of a dance team because they went and took lessons from the rival company... but here, even though it's petty and silly, I can sort of see the rationale. These dancers haven't paid to be on the dance team. It's a group of people chosen by the instructor in order that he may display publicly, (advertise) what he can create on his own. These dancers are a reflection of his own style. So when the rival company starts to have influence in his team, he would want to eliminate that.

But I'm not saying I even think there should be rivalry or that he ought to feel threatened. To me, a choreographer and coach should be happy his dancers are improving, and the routine itself is enough of a signature advertisement for your skills without having to own your dancers' development 100%. I hate this insecure fascist thing that winds up happening. But I guess this is what comes about when you have passionate dancers becoming teachers,without an idea of business or objective teaching. They're just flawed and possessive human beings with a lot of pride and vulnerability. The trick is to not take it personally, and maintain your power of purchase, and your right to shop at any store you choose. You're the dancer, here. Its about your personal journey.

chandra

11-21-2006, 12:58 AM

Re: There is the issue of things meaning different things to you as you progress, this certainly happens. I also feel like things are presented in a different way depending on your skill level. A teacher may simplify things for a beginner, or even give them seemingly opposite advice that they would give an advanced dancer, simply because the goal they are trying to acheive is different at that point.
In the begining you are told things as hard fast facts and rules. As you progress you learn the reasons behind the rules, and learn to twist and bend them. *Shrug*
What a teacher tells you know about frame may be TOTALLY different to what he'll tell you in 10 years. IMO

delamusica

11-21-2006, 12:56 PM

Ah yes. "You can't handle the truth."

Used to drive my standard partner nuts that what we were hearing was different than what he learned at first.

It has to be that way, though - layers and layers. A beginner dancer really can't physically handle trying to dance all the information that's out there about what they should be doing.

You've got to just pick teachers that you trust and roll with it as things change, IMO. If you're teacher is suddenly saying new and different things, that's good - you've progressed to where you can handle a smidge more truth. :)

DancePoet

11-22-2006, 09:12 PM

fascination

11-23-2006, 01:20 AM

I really applaud this cha cha belle...b/c while I understand some of what he might have been saying about readiness for standard (which I won't go into in the salsa thread)...you have every right to go somewhere to learn that which is unavailable where you are at, and there is always a way to do standard before you are "ready for standard" if they really wanted to...I wouldn't feel the least bit guilty

waltzgirl

11-23-2006, 01:23 AM

Everywhere else in the world (not US), people walk in the studio door "ready for standard," because that's what's taught.

PasoDancer

11-23-2006, 03:23 AM

We finally figured out what the other studio here means by "But you guys do STANDARD"...

... Their teachers have taught them that SILVER isn't American, but rather International... NOT that "it's another level in progress".

dgcasey

11-23-2006, 07:15 AM

I must live in a completely different world. A couple of months ago, the Super Shag studio here offered a beginning Quickstep class just before their Friday night social and I decided to go and take it. I'd always wanted to learn the basics and give it a try on the floor.

Everyone at my regular studio knew I went down there and no one seems to have had a problem with it. They've never offered a Quickstep class at my studio, so it was another option.

It's just like a couple of months ago I asked the Wed. night instructor how come he's never offered an upper level group class for Foxtrot. He said he'd love to, but it was the studio owner that made the schedule for the group classes. Lo and behold, next month the Wed. night group class will be Foxtrot. I guess it pays to speak up. ;)

waltzgirl

11-23-2006, 03:44 PM

samina

11-23-2006, 04:03 PM

Do instructors get mad at people for learning steps/shines from another instructor?

Actually, some do! I've heard of instructors getting their students to promise not to take lessons from anyone else, especially in the salsa world.

Weird, weird, weird...

I say, never feel guilty about learning all you can from anyone you can! :)