My 5-year-old went to her first ever ballroom class!

[ChaChaMama]

Wanted to share some fun news.

We took Naomi to Atlantic Ballroom for a kids class on Monday. She liked it! (She also liked going to Rainforest Cafe beforehand. I'm obviously not above, um, strategic incentive offering, a.k.a. bribery?)

Olga Chekhova was the teacher. They did the waltz box step and the cha-cha basic. She had a little bit of a hard time with the weight change after the feet close on the waltz box step, but she kept trying! I think there were 9 kids. (My lesson partially overlapped, so I didn't get to see all of it. CCP was there to whisk her off to a bookstore while I finished up.)

Hopefully this is something she can continue into the fall.

[njdancegirl]

ChaChaMama - how fun for her (and you and CCP!)

We have more in common...my almost 6 year old is starting her first class next Saturday! Just a 10 week beginner class for 5-8 year olds...figure it is a good way for her to get a taste of it and see if she likes it.

You know kids at that age...one day its ballet, the next karate, the next soccer and now ballroom. Just seeing what "sticks"!

[Warren J. Dew]

So how do these classes do on boys?

[ChaChaMama]

On the day we were there, I think it was 5 girls, 4 boys.
No idea how typical that is of the turn out.

[njdancegirl]

On the day we were there, I think it was 5 girls, 4 boys.
No idea how typical that is of the turn out.

Not bad in terms of boys...figured it was 9 little girls in the class.

[etp777]

Warren, , friends kids class runs 1/3-1/2 boys, and they tend to like it. Actually hadone llittle boy and girl (7 and 6 respectively, if memory serves) enjoy it so much that THEY came up to him afterwards and asked if they could compete together (generally we've had to push the kids into trying to compete as a couple. Actually, often have to push the adults too :) ).

[Glasswren]

That's great, ChaChaMama. :)

I hope Naomi will enjoy it at least as much as you do.

[Standarddancer]

On the day we were there, I think it was 5 girls, 4 boys.
No idea how typical that is of the turn out.

That's very good, ccm, at least the ratio of boys and girls are almost equal versus some adult classes more guys than ladies:)

[syncopationator]

Olga Chekhova was the teacher.

Olga is the greatest teacher ever!!!

yes, I may be a little biased...

[syncopationator]

So how do these classes do on boys?

I had my sister take my 10 year old nephew to a kids class one day. When she picked him up an hour later his exact words were:

"Mom, I will never forgive you for this!"

[_malakawa_]

congratulations to both.

this is how i started to dance. :p

[ChaChaMama]

Olga is the greatest teacher ever!!!

yes, I may be a little biased...

I thought you would approve! ;)

I would venture to guess that she's employing a slightly different skill set teaching/corraling 4-6 year olds than teaching a dedicated and talented pro-am competitor ;), but from what I saw, she did a nice job.

[tanya_the_dancer]

I had my sister take my 10 year old nephew to a kids class one day. When she picked him up an hour later his exact words were:

"Mom, I will never forgive you for this!"

Typical boys.

[syncopationator]

I thought you would approve! ;)

I would venture to guess that she's employing a slightly different skill set teaching/corraling 4-6 year olds than teaching a dedicated and talented pro-am competitor ;), but from what I saw, she did a nice job.

If you ask her, she'll probably tell you that I act like a 4 year old:rolleyes:

[Warren J. Dew]

Not bad in terms of boys...figured it was 9 little girls in the class.

That's what I was going to guess too. Nice to see there are boys involved too. Maybe I shouldn't give up on baby Margaret dancing ballroom just yet.

[_malakawa_]

oh, who knows, if I'll have kids with my BF, that kids will be in ballroom dancing only because of genes. (we are both professional dancers for a long long time now. ):p

what i like in ballroom dancing is that people learn some manners that they can use in life.

this is especially good for boys.

[Glasswren]

That's what I was going to guess too. Nice to see there are boys involved too. Maybe I shouldn't give up on baby Margaret dancing ballroom just yet.

Goodness! Don't give up just because boys are scarce. We're not giving up, even though it is a rough road. My daughter has danced now 3 years and had a partner for effectively 4 months. Good thing she did get even that, for she could prove herself and it gave her self-esteem a boost that even his dumping her didn't wipe all out. D now knows for sure that she can dance and compete and so do those who assign partners. They estimated that it usually takes no more than a year to find another partner. In the meanwhile, we keep trying ourselves. :D

[biggestbox]

u gotta have a teacher who knows how to teach boys, otherwise it is a disaster. I would also go to a studio that specializes in kids. I learned at a russian studio with tons of boys, we would hang out after practice turning, tumbling and break dancing for fun.

[mamboqueen]

I had my sister take my 10 year old nephew to a kids class one day. When she picked him up an hour later his exact words were:

"Mom, I will never forgive you for this!"

See, on the one hand, it is definitely best to start them before they get into school and realize they are going to be hounded and made fun of for dancing. If they learn to love it enough, they're more likely to survive the treatment they'll get. Having said that, 5-6 year old boys generally have ZERO attention span. The first class my daughter went to was around the age of 6 and there were equal # boys and girls. The boy she was matched up with did not sit still for a minute and would grab her hands and start jerking them all around. All the mothers were watching behind a one-way mirror and I just had to announce "whomever is the mother of the little red-headed boy, I apologize in advance for what is about to happen to him at the hands of my daughter". She didn't stand for one minute of the nonsense. I don't think the boy lasted.

[njdancegirl]

Jumping on CCM's original post...mine went to her first class on Saturday. Turned out she's the only one in this new start up class. Maybe after labor day...or maybe she'll keep getting private lessons at a group class rate ;) Either way, she's decided to commit to the 10 weeks. Picked up mini me dance shoes for her - sneakers weren't going to cut it - and she proceeded to wear them all night showing her new dance moves to all who would watch. Boy am I going to be in trouble...

[ChaChaMama]

Update: Naomi had her second class last night. There was a substitute teacher this time. This time I think it was five kids: three girls, two boys. The boys were pretty rambunctious and kept wanting to race around the studio. I saw Naomi chasing down her wayward boy and dragging him back over to the lesson at least a couple times. :shock: I still think she had a reasonably good time, though.

Simultaneously, Polina was teaching a class of kids about ages 7-12: 5 girls, 5 boys. This was totally impressive. They were learning a pretty complicated routine, and some of the younger ones were having a hard time getting it, but she was patient, broke it down for them, sometimes laughed along with them. She was very firm, but also understanding. Pretty neat.

[emeralddancer]

I saw Polina teaching a group of children tonight too. I was very impressed at how she made fun exercises transition into the actual steps and then into put them together. The kids were having a blast.

When is the next time you are there? I had lesson tonight and my next one is friday night.

[emeralddancer]

Olga is the greatest teacher ever!!!

yes, I may be a little biased...

I love watching Olga with the little ones during the showcases I have seen at Atlantic. There is such purity there with those little ones! She does have a gift!

[ChaChaMama]

I saw Polina teaching a group of children tonight too. I was very impressed at how she made fun exercises transition into the actual steps and then into put them together. The kids were having a blast.

When is the next time you are there? I had lesson tonight and my next one is friday night.

Tomorrow.

[Joe]

I find it funny watching how strict Genya is with the kids. :)

[newbie]

Now that but be stress for the teacher. Managing the kids, and managing the watching parents too. Or maybe the parents are locked behind a sound-proof (and parent-proof) glass.

[emeralddancer]

Now that but be stress for the teacher. Managing the kids, and managing the watching parents too. Or maybe the parents are locked behind a sound-proof (and parent-proof) glass.


Nah ... but sometimes you wish us parents were! :tongue:

[ChaChaMama]

Now that but be stress for the teacher. Managing the kids, and managing the watching parents too. Or maybe the parents are locked behind a sound-proof (and parent-proof) glass.

I try not to be a stressful presence! I did stay and watch, but I also brought some work so that I wouldn't look like I was staring the class down! There really aren't a lot of alternatives, because the ballroom class is only 45 minutes. (And in my case, my home is a solid 45-50 minutes away!)

I love watching people work with kids. This past week, I also got to see Jamile McGee (from the first season of "So You Think You Can Dance?") teach hip-hop and street jazz. (He teaches at the same studio where my daughter takes ballet/tap/jazz.) He was SO terrific with the kids and very down-to-earth.

[Glasswren]

Where we go, the parents (or other escorts) are banished to the kitchen/lounge. We don't see the kids dance except twice a year. Unless they compete, of course.

Strangely enough, while we are not allowed to see what they are doing, we're still supposed to make them practice at home.

[euchoreo]

I saw Naomi chasing down her wayward boy and dragging him back over to the lesson at least a couple times. :shock:

Lol. I hope that one wasn't mine. My son dances to every song he likes (including the star wars theme), but getting him to pay attention to do specific steps can be a little more demanding.

Natasha (the sub) did mention that he seemed to have a fondness for spinning. I guess he takes after his daddy.:)

[ChaChaMama]

Her 4th lesson tonight. They did cha-cha, a little jive, a little waltz. I saw them doing New Yorkers and underarm turns. Naomi did not always have her weight on the right foot for those New Yorkers, but she opened to the side and stuck out her arm very dramatically. Nik's partner Natasha was the teacher and really did a nice job. The kids got clown lollipops AND I took Naomi to Barnes&Noble afterward (which she begs for every week). She got two Boxcar Children books. (It's a chapter book series.) So a happy evening for her.

MQ, you're going to love this. Nik was teaching the bigger kids (~7-12, I would guess). Don't think it's always like this, but there were 5 girls and 8 boys tonight. Some of the unpartnered boys would have been a good height for MamboPrincess.

CCM

[samina]

She got two Boxcar Children books. (It's a chapter book series.) So a happy evening for her.



huge fan of the boxcar children when i was her age... i woulda been in 7th heaven. :)

[mamboqueen]

Her 4th lesson tonight. They did cha-cha, a little jive, a little waltz. I saw them doing New Yorkers and underarm turns. Naomi did not always have her weight on the right foot for those New Yorkers, but she opened to the side and stuck out her arm very dramatically. Nik's partner Natasha was the teacher and really did a nice job. The kids got clown lollipops AND I took Naomi to Barnes&Noble afterward (which she begs for every week). She got two Boxcar Children books. (It's a chapter book series.) So a happy evening for her.

MQ, you're going to love this. Nik was teaching the bigger kids (~7-12, I would guess). Don't think it's always like this, but there were 5 girls and 8 boys tonight. Some of the unpartnered boys would have been a good height for MamboPrincess.

CCM

Wow on that ratio! Sad to say, but I'm trolling for partners during my lessons and other boys are there taking lessons (you'll hear me yell across the floor "hey you -- how old are you and do you have a partner?". It's a tough job, but a mother has to advocate! She's in good hands with her teachers until we find someone. Maybe we can make a road-trip at some point and see what the pickins' are down at your studio :)

I had her at the gym practicing with me last night and I have to say, my daughter has great little (long) legs and does a pretty good batucada for a 10-year old. Her jive kicks, on the other hand, completely have me in stitches.

[njdancegirl]

Double WOW! My daughter is not the only one in her class anymore, but there are zero boys. Up to about 5 or 6 girls now ranging in age from about 6 to 14...Olga mentioned she'll divide the group up by age in the coming weeks which will be good for both ends of the spectrum. At this time, partner is the least of my worries. She has a lot of learning on her own to do before I need to troll for partners. Right now I should be trolling for my own...

CCM, is she enjoying the class? Do you think she enjoys it because Mom and Dad dance too? At this age, we're still kind of cool to them ;)

[ChaChaMama]

My dd's class was 4 girls and 2 boys, btw. It was the older kids that had the ratio the other way.

She's enjoying it. It's all so new to her, and so are a lot of things this fall, as she just started Lower Elementary (1st-3rd grades in one room) and going a full day to school. So sometimes, she's excited to go, and other times, she would probably rather have more time to play. (But I always promise to play Harry Potter with her the whole way to Towson, and that's an incentive.)

I think it will take a few more weeks before I'll really be able to tell what she thinks.

[cantskiforlife]

I had my sister take my 10 year old nephew to a kids class one day. When she picked him up an hour later his exact words were:

"Mom, I will never forgive you for this!"

Ha Ha!

[njdancegirl]

My dd's class was 4 girls and 2 boys, btw. It was the older kids that had the ratio the other way.

She's enjoying it. It's all so new to her, and so are a lot of things this fall, as she just started Lower Elementary (1st-3rd grades in one room) and going a full day to school. So sometimes, she's excited to go, and other times, she would probably rather have more time to play. (But I always promise to play Harry Potter with her the whole way to Towson, and that's an incentive.)

I think it will take a few more weeks before I'll really be able to tell what she thinks.

Know what you mean about lots of new things, lots of changes. Mine is in the same boat. Will take some time to see if this dancing will stick.

What do you mean by 1st thru 3rd in one room? Literally? Are they working on the same curriculum?

[emeralddancer]

On the note of children taking classes ... ChaChaMama ... my 17 year old daughter was watching DWTS last night and she has noticed I have lost some weight since I started dancing ... She asked if she should take ballroom lessons ... You know ... I was a happy mom! (Now to actually make her butt go ... she is so scared to make that first step ... sigh)

Are there teen classes for her age at AB? I'll have to ask tomorrow when I go for class.

[ChaChaMama]

Know what you mean about lots of new things, lots of changes. Mine is in the same boat. Will take some time to see if this dancing will stick.

What do you mean by 1st thru 3rd in one room? Literally? Are they working on the same curriculum?

NJDanceGirl--Yes, literally in one room.

It's a Montessori, so each kid has his/her own work in reading, language, math, etc. They get lessons, either individually or in small groups. There are fourteen kids in her class and two teachers (which they call a "directress" and an "aide.") There are two other classes of similar size next door, separated by partitions.

The 6-9 year olds do share a curriculum in subjects like science and culture, and I guess it's a 3-year rotation. This year, science has already included The Big Bang and early life on earth (Naomi was in some kind of play where she was a cell--LOL!)

I know the cultural facts included something about Jesse Owens. She said something about Jesse Owens the other day and my jaw practically hit the floor. I know they get a little art history and music history as well. I know they did some stuff on Ancient Egypt, as she was telling me about King Tut. I told her that the exhibit had come to Philly last year and she said "I know that!"

I like the Montessori system of mixed age classes. The little kids look up to the bigs, and the big kids mentor the littles. Naomi did all three years of Primary, and I think she benefitted both when she was a teeny little 1st year, an experienced 2nd year, and a more mature 3rd year.

Emeralddancer--Don't know. Couldn't a 17-year-old take adult classes?

[emeralddancer]

ChaChaMama - i assume she could take adult classes but AB doesn't seem to have many adult groups, even though they are advertised or I would be in them as well. LOL

[njdancegirl]

NJDanceGirl--Yes, literally in one room.

It's a Montessori, so each kid has his/her own work in reading, language, math, etc. They get lessons, either individually or in small groups. There are fourteen kids in her class and two teachers (which they call a "directress" and an "aide.") There are two other classes of similar size next door, separated by partitions.

The 6-9 year olds do share a curriculum in subjects like science and culture, and I guess it's a 3-year rotation. This year, science has already included The Big Bang and early life on earth (Naomi was in some kind of play where she was a cell--LOL!)

I know the cultural facts included something about Jesse Owens. She said something about Jesse Owens the other day and my jaw practically hit the floor. I know they get a little art history and music history as well. I know they did some stuff on Ancient Egypt, as she was telling me about King Tut. I told her that the exhibit had come to Philly last year and she said "I know that!"

I like the Montessori system of mixed age classes. The little kids look up to the bigs, and the big kids mentor the littles. Naomi did all three years of Primary, and I think she benefitted both when she was a teeny little 1st year, an experienced 2nd year, and a more mature 3rd year.

Emeralddancer--Don't know. Couldn't a 17-year-old take adult classes?

Now I understand - was thinking it was a public school system trying something new. We looked at Montessori for Kindergarten, but it would have only been for the one year and I was concerned DD would spend too much time learning Montessori system and not learn the fundamentals she would need for public school this year. I know very little about it, but I know some people that absolutely love Montessori.

[njdancegirl]

DD had her class latin class yesterday and finally a boy came. 5 years old, so he was her partner - she's 6 and the youngest in the bunch. Asked if she showed him her moves...she laughed.