View Full Version : Favorite latin instructors
NoDayButToday
11-05-2008, 08:36 PM
Hey all! :) It's time for me to come out of my bubble! I'm considering taking lessons from different latin coaches. Although my current coach is great and I have no intentions of leaving him, I think different perspectives and different teaching methods will ultimately benefit my dancing as it progresses. Will you help me by listing your favorite latin coaches? Specifically in NY, NJ, MD, DC, VA, PA areas? Why are they your favorite and how can I contact them?
Thank you in advance!
chica latina
11-06-2008, 09:59 AM
Not to hijack this thread.. but I had similar discussion with a friend.
What are the pro's and cons of taking lessons with different instructors? I worried that they will be taking the dancing to different directions and at the end.. you end lost. My experience has been that sometimes an instructor will ask me to do something and then when I return to my regular coach: need to re-learn not to do that...
When do you decide it's time to take lessons with more than one coach?
pro's will be that sometimes hearing from someone else in a different way.. could click right away.
etp777
11-06-2008, 10:23 AM
I work with two pros regularly, one is in charge. Then work with a variety of coaches, and still, let that main pro be in charge. Trust her to know what's best, what not to do, etc. or what to do in moderation. Two different coaches, both wanted me to modify swing. One more twoards jive end, other completely away from jive. Pro listened gto both coaches, then has me somewhere in middle. Done. :)
Stagekat
11-06-2008, 10:50 AM
I'm in a similar position as etp... two pros...I'M in charge :) but as far as most dancing skill pro and I will defer to my buddy instructor as he has MUCH more experience (new development, I used to defer to pro always). I'll pick up the odd coaching if it's someone I want to learn from. I do discuss the general direction and goals in my dancing w/ main pro though. :)
DaviesLocker
11-06-2008, 02:11 PM
I can't help with the recommendations, but I do agree with people who said get a primary coach, then a secondary coach (or coaches). When I began, I made the mistake of going to several coaches and giving them equal weight, and that was a mistake. They generally did not like routines given by other coaches and changed. It was good to learn new amalgamations, but I felt it would've been a much better use of my money had I just one coach in control of creating my routines, and others to help with technique, and styling (although my main coaches have a lot of control).
What I've realized is that you get presented with a lot of different ways of doing things if you have multiple coaches. My Russian coaches emphasize different things than my Italian ones. With that said, it's nice to have options because not everything that looks good on your coach will look good on you, and in general you have a lot more control with respect to how you interpret music if you have more options for a single move.
Brush Tap
11-06-2008, 04:52 PM
I have a couple of suggestions in mind. I PM'ed you, so check those messages when you get a chance.
Leonid Turetsky
11-06-2008, 08:16 PM
I am the best pro!!! LOL
I do agree with everyone here, that You should have one main coach..... and then about 2-3 teachers who give you things that are up to-date. The main coach should be the one guiding you and making sure that you are executing what the teachers gave you, as well as offering his opinions on whether he shares their perspective on you--- He knowing of your strengths and weakness already.
syncopationator
11-07-2008, 07:28 AM
I strongly suggest that your 2nd coach be of the same gender as you.
NoDayButToday
11-08-2008, 01:57 AM
Thanks all! Keep the suggestions coming!
I do understand the downfalls of having several coaches however, there are other teaching methods that may accommodate my learning style better. Perhaps I might have a light bulb moment with another instructor than I would with my recent one. I think it will be a good thing for me...
Tangoqueen
11-09-2008, 02:19 AM
I strongly suggest that your 2nd coach be of the same gender as you.
My partner and I have 2 coaches, a husband and wife team. Works out great for both of us!
syncopationator
11-09-2008, 09:59 AM
My partner and I have 2 coaches, a husband and wife team. Works out great for both of us!
Do they each have a diferent teaching style?
sambanada
11-09-2008, 11:05 AM
joanna is great
Bella
11-09-2008, 03:23 PM
After weeks of browsing through this forum, I decided to join! So, hello everyone :).
Nikolai Pilipenchuk is my coach currently. He's good. Kind, fun, and very talented. He's on this forum if you want to contact him yourself!
SDsalsaguy
11-09-2008, 03:32 PM
Hi Bella, and welcome to DF as an active member! :cheers:
fascination
11-09-2008, 03:47 PM
welcome Bella
You need to make sure that you not learn different things but just apply new knowledge to what you're already trying to do.
Best Coaches:
Andrei and Lena
Hans Galke
Bryan Watson
Tone Nuhagen
Angel HI
11-10-2008, 05:09 AM
Bella, Welcome to the DF.
NoDayButToday
11-10-2008, 06:47 PM
Thanks for the PMs! I will be contacting them tomorrow.
syncopationator
11-10-2008, 07:14 PM
You need to make sure that you not learn different things but just apply new knowledge to what you're already trying to do.
Best Coaches:
Andrei and Lena
Hans Galke
Bryan Watson
Tone Nuhagen
Those are all incredible coaches, but for someone not quite at your level they may be way too overwhelming.
I'd rather pay you $75 or $85 (not quite sure what your rate is) versus paying Bryan Watson $200-300 (whatever he charges I'm sure its a lot) because I know that at the level I am currently at the knowledge Bryan will give me will be way beyond what I need at this point in my dancing.
Angel HI
11-11-2008, 01:01 AM
...I know that at the level I am currently at, the knowledge Bryan will give me will be way beyond what I need at this point in my dancing.
A good coach knows how to adjust to that which you need. The cost is simply a personal matter.
Those are all incredible coaches, but for someone not quite at your level they may be way too overwhelming.
I'd rather pay you $75 or $85 (not quite sure what your rate is) versus paying Bryan Watson $200-300 (whatever he charges I'm sure its a lot) because I know that at the level I am currently at the knowledge Bryan will give me will be way beyond what I need at this point in my dancing.
I wish I learned those things earlier. Yeah it is very expensive but well worth it. Just taking one lessons and being around those people, you already feel a better dancer.
latingal
11-11-2008, 12:45 PM
I agree Nik. I would like to take at least one lesson with Bryan Watson at some point. I hear he is amazing!
syncopationator
11-11-2008, 05:52 PM
I agree Nik. I would like to take at least one lesson with Bryan Watson at some point. I hear he is amazing!
I hope to do so at some point too. Maybe when I'm doing more advanced choreography so I can take full advantage of his creativity.
latingal
11-12-2008, 12:56 PM
Yeah, I wonder what lesson in rhythmicality would be like with Brian Watson.....
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