smooth for the first time.

[biggestbox]

Started working with a champ lvl smooth dancer. Never done smooth in my life. What is the best way to approach this? I have training in standard, latin and ballet. I've heard Tomasz Mielnicki and J.T. Damalas say that they spent 6 months doing silver level standard before working on new routines. Maybe i should consider this approach.

[BallandChange]

I guess, I am not sure of how to answer your question. You seem to imply that you may be dancing championship level smooth fairly quickly. In my opinion, I think Upper Level American Smooth is very challenging since I feel it brings together the all the three ingredients in which you have had training. It combines the solid frame, traveling footwork, swings/sways that you have in standard and open positions and open connections, arm movements and lines you find in Latin & Ballet. Most of the good smooth dancers that I have spoken with have told me that being proficient in Standard is very beneficial for your Smooth since the basis for Smooth is Standard. The footwork of higher Level Smooth (Silver and above) is also full of continuity. Bronze Level Standard is very good for addressing basic transfer of weight but with the introduction of continuity the weight transfers are a bit more challenging. The elements found in Silver Standard introduce more movement and therefore it should be more conducive in helping you with the continuity you will find in higher level Smooth. I hope this was helpful and that it made sense.

[jjs914]

I dance Open American Smooth (mostly at collegiate comps) with my partner (Am/Am). Because we started dancing at a college focused on American styles, we also dance Rhythm, but have never spend much time working on Standard or Latin. If I had to do it over again, I would probably spend more time early on working on standard technique so that we wouldn't have to go back and learn it after. I think it can be helptul to have a standard base (it certainly won't ever hurt you), but not absolutely necessary to dancing smooth (based on how much time you have before you plan to start compete Champ).

[fire_dancer]

I think that Standard often gives a great framework for Smooth - especially since open work looks best when there's solid technique behind it. So I'd congratulate you - you already sound like you have a great basis for Smooth!

[reb]

Standard for frame yes - and very importantly how to move. Don't stop your standard work - if anything, increase it, you could never get enough.

Your Latin background is important because you may have Latin elements, and at least you've developed the confidence for your open work.

You also mentioned ballet - that can be helpful in a unique personalized way, depending on where your combined style develops, you'll always have this in your toolkit . . . (Valentina, Marie [Zee] Johnson, . . . )

[Chris Stratton]

The champ lvl smooth partner might have some ideas...