Technique classes

[MadamSamba]

My regular latin technique class is in hiatus at the moment and I miss it. It's invaluable and has helped my latin enormously.

Just wondering how many people here go to a seperate technique classes for either modern or latin or whether there is even one offered in your neck of the woods. Or is it just a case of learning technique as you go?

[delamusica]

I love technique classes!! Absolutely invaluable, if you ask me. :)

[MadamSamba]

Dela, what do you learn in your technique class and what style are they teaching technique for?

[cl5814]

Not a lot of technique offered in my area, at least not what i know of. At least one of the technique classes are reserved for advanced dancers, you have to do a certain amount of their dance courses before you are allowed into technique class. Yes, you want people to know the basic move/step before attending a technique class, but why do people have to do 2-3 months of classes before they are allowed to attend a technique class ?

[Katarzyna]

Hmm.. because the more classes you take, the more money goes to the studio?..

[cl5814]

Hmm.. because the more classes you take, the more money goes to the studio?..
I sort of got that idea. This particular studio attracts a lot of newbies, so they can make lots of money on the dance courses.

[Gumby]

We have a great technique class at the studio at which I take lessons. The class contains newbies as well as advanced students. One of the reasons it works so well is that we do very little partnering in the class. So each level gets plently of opportunity to work on their own balance, compresson, degree of shape - whatever. I've been taking it for five years and I'll probably still be there five years from now. It is taught by one of our top teachers and usually pretty well attended. Its ballroom only but the dance changes month to month.

For some strange reason the tango class is usually under attended and the V.Waltz technique class always draws the most leads - guys who don't come to any of the other technique classes all show up for the V.Waltz technigue.

[IndyDancer]

I was just saying last night that I wished our studio's group classes focused more on technique then steps. But, I suppose that the average group class student is more interested in learning steps then pure technique. I say this because there is much verbal whining when the instructor does stop and explain the proper way to do a step. She does her best to encourage people to start thinking technique, but most of them don't care.

So we have to rely on private lessons for technique, or the occasional Saturday workshop that is offered.

[dancin_feet]

Our studio had group classes set up so that only the steps were taught in groups and technique taught in private lessons. They have now changed this and anyone on a trophy programme can now take groups classes in step & technique. Much better setup, and you can get more practice and know who is doing the same technique so you can practice with them at parties.