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salsarhythms
08-27-2003, 06:38 PM
I've seen a growing trend in the group regarding the
right or wrong thing...one instructor, or 15 instructors,
male instructor, female instructor...

As people we often like to see things in black and white,
right or wrong...nothing in between.

It's obvious though that when you look at the diversity
of this human race, and the additions and/or contributions
from all different parts, that there can never be this
nice little box where everything just fits in...

There are shades of black and white to look at.

I mean take something like hip-hop/salsa...

Many criticize it, many like it...but the point here is to
become tolerant and accept that there are differences
but they all share a common goal...

That common goal is to enrich the life of the person it
touches.

Is On 2 your thing....well then go for it.

How about On 1...go for it...

Swing? WCH? Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia...go for it...

How about a dance with bits of Merengue/Hip-Hop/Salsa/
Cumbia all rolled into one...go for it.

In terms of any art form, we have to stop looking at it from
a this is right and that is wrong perspective...black and white...

Because just as we are diverse, so are the ways we express
ourselves, whether it be dance, the arts, music, martial arts,
whatever...

So take a moment to embrace it, if you don't like it, well
that's ok, but it does not take away from the merit that
it should have...who knows, you may just learn something
from it too... :D

youngsta
08-27-2003, 06:46 PM
Great advice!! ::clapping hands::

pygmalion
08-27-2003, 06:47 PM
Yes. Yes. Yes. I agree.

And as an African-American female in the ballroom and salsa dance worlds, I agree even more.

We all bring whoever we are, whatever our backgrounds, to the dancefloor. May not like it, but that's how it is. And that's what makes your style or preferences different from mine, but still okay. And that's the beauty of it. We're all (hypothetically) listening to the same music, but the music tells every one of us a different thing. The beauty of dance is that, as long as we observe a few basic rules, we all get to do our own thing. There's no right or wrong about it. Just dance.

MissAlyssa
08-28-2003, 12:48 AM
I always have students telling me "mr/mrs X said to do it this way". I just tell them "isn't that wonderful? you get to experience more than one way to do ____" :]

pygmalion
08-28-2003, 10:55 AM
I always have students telling me "mr/mrs X said to do it this way.

That must be really irritating to you as an instructor.

Just out of curiosity, do you (and other instructors here) have other clueless student pet peeves?

MissAlyssa
08-28-2003, 01:28 PM
I always have students telling me "mr/mrs X said to do it this way.

That must be really irritating to you as an instructor.

Just out of curiosity, do you (and other instructors here) have other clueless student pet peeves?


I hate to hear "it doesn't feel NATURAL" the first time the student learns a new move. I just want to say "well duuuuuuuuuh". :roll:

Why don't you make a new topic in general dance about this!! :D