Teaching a Basic East Coast Class

[LindyQuest]

A friend of mine has asked me and another friend to come to his church to teach a basic swing dance lesson for a function there. I have danced for about four years, and have shown a few people the basics, but have never taught a group of people before. The church function isn't until March 28th, so we have some time to prepare.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about teaching east coast swing to an audience?

Thank you! :-)

[kayak]

Those church mixer things are kind of fun. I'm not sure a whole lot of dance is actually learned, but just the structure of a class makes a nice social mixer.

I would decide if you are going to show them triple step or single step. My experience with church groups is teaching the single step is what most people expect.

You might be surprised at the number of people that show up. Women especially like to come to the church dance mixer. So I would focus on making sure you have enough guys coming - even snag a few of your dance buddies as recruits.

I'm sure you have been in those kinds of classes. So you know there is kind of a standard 4-5 moves that are about all there is time for if even that much gets accomplished.

Have fun.

[Sagitta]

Single step is teh easiest to show and get even the clumsy people to do. After the basic follower right turn, leader turn is usually shown. Another one done if thier is enough time is the sweatheart cuddle.

[Gypsy Wishing]

I think two things make a good beginner class, something for everyone and getting everyone feeling like they danced a little bit. That means turn on the music, do some basic, teach inside turn, outside turn, guy's turn and closed positiion. Then put them all together lin some sort of progression with a transition or two, for the people who may have some experience.
I firmly believe, if you dance today then you'll dance better tomorrow, but working at it today in hopes of being perfect someday is very discouraging.

[Spitfire]

LQ, how've you been since that evening we met at the Paragon?

I've never taught, but I think I'd begin with the single step and if all goes well with that then introduce them to the triple.

[LindyQuest]

I've been doing well, Spitfire, just haven't been out to Paragon for a while. I usually go to Club Red in Tempe on Wednesday nights, and occasionally Club Fahrenheit on Tuesdays.

Thanks, everyone, for your great suggestions! I think it will be fun evening!

[Spitfire]

I've been doing well, Spitfire, just haven't been out to Paragon for a while. I usually go to Club Red in Tempe on Wednesday nights, and occasionally Club Fahrenheit on Tuesdays.

Thanks, everyone, for your great suggestions! I think it will be fun evening!

Not familiar with Club Red, but guessing it to be a Lindy venue. I haven't been to the Paragon since last summer.

Hope all goes well and have fun with your class. :D

[Cha Cha Chick]

From my experience, as long as you're having fun, so are the people that you're teaching. Here are a few tips - I hope they help!
Not everyone learns the same way, so it's good to have several different ways to say the same thing - one way is bound to get through! Compare the actions in dance to actions they do every day. For example, I tell my leads that their left hand is just like it would be if they were holding the remote control - all men know how to do that!
Also, try not to spend too much time on the same pattern. In group situations that tend to be more social, like at a church, it's very easy to lose the students' attention. Avoid being too technical.
If you and your partner are comfortable, you may consider doing a demonstration at the end that includes all of the steps you taught, plus some more difficult ones to leave them wanting more.
Have a great time! Let us know how it goes!

[nucat78]

Go slowly. I have had some experiences at studios where the instructor threw too much at us (me?) too quickly. It was frustrating, not fun, and I did not return to those studios.

Also, I wouldn't put on music too soon. A lot of instruction flies out the window the first time people try to actually do a step to music.

[fire_dancer]

In college when I was a student instructor for the ballroom club, I'd always start beginner classes by teaching them the basic (single step), ladies outside turn, ladies inside turn (teach them how to put the two together - turn the lady out, then back in again... easy and fun for them), then a waist brush so the guy can do a little bit of turning too.

Have fun, and your students will have fun with you! I'm always amazed at how the teacher (in this case, you!) can set the tone of the whole lesson. :)

Good luck - I'm sure you'll be fabulous!!!