Dance Camp Recommendations

[pygmalion]

Has anyone been to the Dancevision dance camp in Nevada? Thumbs up?

Michael Mead and Toni Redpath are on the slate of teachers this year, now that they're retired. And Bob and Julia are teaching all the advanced American Rhythm classes. Looks pretty good, but I'd like somebody else's input before I spend the cash. Thoughts, anyone?

Or, while we're at it, are there other good camps out there you can recommend for ballroom?

[SDsalsaguy]

Has anyone been to the Dancevision dance camp in Nevada? Thumbs up?

Michael Mead and Toni Redpath are on the slate of teachers this year, now that they're retired. And Bob and Julia are teaching all the advanced American Rhythm classes. Looks pretty good, but I'd like somebody else's input before I spend the cash. Thoughts, anyone?

Or, while we're at it, are there other good camps out there you can recommend for ballroom?

Yes, I've been to that camp. It’s a good one, but going as a single vs. as a couple gets a bit pricey. One really great thing about this camp, unless its changed, is that the couples teach the group classes. This has the dual advantages of letting both the men and the women learn their parts simultaneously (i.e. split up for a time) and providing input and feedback from the other lead/follow perspective.

The best value camps are the BYU summer ones. The dorm accommodations are a bit sparse, and there are on campus dress, alcohol, and caffeine restrictions, but the price can’t be beat. While this camp doesn’t have couples teaching, it does have more advanced BYU dance students serving as TA’s and helping each instructor to demonstrate. One plus is that there are also more levels then any other camps, a Beg., Int. 1, Int. 2, Adv. 1, and Adv. 2 class for most dances. The catch, however, is that not as many dances are covered in total…so more choice in level but in fewer dances.

Leading up to New Year’s Eve events are two smaller camps – both the Montez dance camp in San Diego and the Holliday Ball & Camp in San Francisco. The Montez camp has a beg./int. & int./adv. for each dance and concludes with a great New Year’s eve banquet and showcase. I’ve never been to the one up in San Francisco, but what I’ve heard is as follows: Advantages – top coaches covering a lot of dance philosophy, event concludes with a competition! Disadvantages – Latin and Standard lectures run concurrently so can only be in one or the other, and no different levels.

Hope that’s helpful…

[pygmalion]

Interesting you should mention levels. Dancevision must've gotten feedback. They've added a pre-bronze type level for 2004.

And your input is very helpful. I'm setting my dance goals for the next year or two, and am trying to choose a few activities that will maximize my value and help me advance as much as possible.

I also saw the BYU stuff online, and was totally turned off by all the restrictions. No caffeine? And there's a discalimer about not wearing revealing clothing as well. Strange to me, but I could deal with it, for just a week.


Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll take a look around, based on what you've said.

Thanks.

Jenn

[SDsalsaguy]

I'll reiterate then...if value is the issue then BYU is your place. And, in all honesty, I was surprised by how much the various restrictions were a non-issue. I do know of one couple that just freaked out at the separate dorms for men and women, but another couple just stayed at a nearby motel.

Just to speculate…would it work for you to put off your CA salsa trip by a month but then piggyback it with one of the CA camps?

[pygmalion]

You know, that sounds like a great idea!

I hadn't really thought about it, since I was thinking primarily about Edie's salsa bootcamp, visiting friends, and a couple other things. I'll take a look online at the dates of the CA camps. I bet I can fit everything I want into a power-packed week and a half. Even a lesson or two with good ol' d nice, if I play my cards right! :lol:

And that's great timing, since my coach usually takes December off. Can't beat that.

Thanks! :D

[SDsalsaguy]

My pleasure. :D

[pygmalion]

Hey SDsalsaguy,

I pulled down the info on the two CA camps you mentioned, and both look interesting. It's too bad they're at exactly the same time.

I recognized more names of the coaches for the SF camp, but the SD camp is a whole lot closer to Edie. What's a person to do? I'm going to print out both schedules and chat with my coach on Monday. He'll probably have a strong opinion. He does about everything else! :lol:

Thanks!

[SDsalsaguy]

Woa! Just looked at the instructor line-up for the Montez camp myself...quite a changing of the guard from the past few years I must say. OK, here's a quick run down...

Ron Montez: 7 time undefeated U.S. Latin Champ

Tony Meredith: Also former U.S. Latin Champ, also a great salsa dancer, owns Dance Times Square in NY.

Igor & Irina Suvorov: Retired last year as U.S. #2 in Standard and World and Blackpool semi-finalists.

Hunter Johnson and Maria Zee: Newly crowned (as in last week in FL at the USDSC) U.S. #3 in Smooth.

Thomas Lewandowski and Izabella Olszewska: Fun, powerful, younger Latin couple...also both do a lot of pro-am competing and their students are very good.

Wendy Johnosn: One of the top choreographers around (and also co-owner of 2 comps).

[SDsalsaguy]

Just looked at the Holiday Ball site...notice: "Please browse our 2002 schedule for a general overview of class topics. The 2003 schedule will be posted in December."

So what you see is not a list of who will be there and/or what will be taught...

[pygmalion]

Thanks. I didn't see that, but did notice references to both 2002 and 2003 on the webpage. The southern Cali one doesn't have a hotel confirmed yet, either, according to their website. So maybe I'll wait a couple weeks before committing to anything.

I'm leaning toward the San Diego one, anyway. I've always wanted to meet Ron Montez. :D

[SDsalsaguy]

Honestly, decide if you want more theory or more dancing...and if you want the dances being offered at the SD camp. The coaches for the SF camp *are* more "accomplished," but you still have to choose between Std. & Latin and don't have levels...but you will get to see a comp with some of the great Bay Area dancers.

I’m not sure if I’ll be in town at the time but, if I am, I may be able to provide you with a couch for the SD camp (would need to check with my roommate when he gets back in town) and save you on hotel costs.

[pygmalion]

Wow! I just saw this thread, SD!

Thanks so much for the offer. I'd hate to impose on your roommate (implication -- you I'd impose on in a heartbeat! :lol: :lol: )

Seriously, though, as soon as I figure out what I'm going to do, I'll get back with you.

You've now been elected to my excellent human being hall of fame! :D

[pygmalion]

In all fairness, I have to post something about the BYU camps -- not that I've ever been! :lol:

I just went back and searched their website. Their camp does seem to be the best value, especially when you account for dance classes, food, and housing. Also, the clothing restrictions really aren't all that bad. They just don't want "revealing clothing" on men or women.

Seemed reasonable to me. And one week without caffeine won't kill anyone. Probably. :lol:

Plus, the teaching staff (at least for 2003) was excellent, and they offered five levels of instruction. I'll definitely look into this over the summer for 2004.

[MissAlyssa]

A week without caffeine? Yikes!

[pygmalion]

Yikes is right. A week without caffeine, alcohol, smoking, sex (separate dorms), or, worst of all tank tops! Torture!

[pygmalion]

And while we're on the subject, are there other good dance camps or workshops that anyone can recommend? US or overseas counts. :D

[tiadancer]

I am a BYU alumni and actually graduated with my bachelor's degree in Ballroom Dance from there. The dress and behavior code are not bad at all. They allow you to focus on why you are there...to learn, not to party, not to sleep around, not to get drink. It allows for a very uplifting and learning atmosphere. I loved my time there and am looking forward to returning for their summer adult dance camp.

[mamboqueen]

Wow! I didn't realize you could major in ballroom dance. Did you minor in anything, just in case? Are there a lot of colleges that offer this???

Hmmm...makes me wonder if there were more scholarships offered to highschool students, you'd have more younger dancers??!!

[rb]

My husband and I went to BYU in 2003, Las Vegas in 2004, and are going back to Las Vegas again this year.
Both camps were excellent, but Las Vegas has the advantage that classes are held in the hotel. At BYU, we had to rent a car and drive several miles from a downtown hotel to the campus.
From that standpoint, the tuition difference is mitigated somewhat.

[pygmalion]

Oh. :? I thought the BYU camp had on-campus accomodations. :? *shrug*

[Dancing4Life]

We've been going to the San Francisco camp for the last three years. We like the timing and the coaches - as smoothies, having David Hamilton, Ava Kaye, David and Valentina Weise at the camp is a great thing. Added to that, last year Hazel Newberry was there for standard, as well as Mr. Tremblay. For latin, let me mention Bill Sparks, Kimberly Mitchell and Jean Marc Generaux.

In prior years, the likes of John and Sniguoule Wood, Louis Van Amstel, Giampiero and Ieva, Paul Killick and Vibeke Toft, and Wolfgang Opitz (these are the names that I remember) were there.

I would say that if you are looking for technique discussions and how to improve your dancing - NOT choreography -, plus would like to take privates with some world class dancers, it is a great camp to be at.

The camp is at the SF Airport Marriott, so it is quite convenient for both in and out of town attendees.

[tiadancer]

I am only aware of two schools that offer degree's in Ballroom Dance. I attended Utah Valley State College (just one city north of BYU) and received my associates degree in Ballroom Dance. At that time they didn't offer a bachelor's degree in it but as far as I know they do now. I transfered to BYU and received my bachelor's degree in Dance with an emphasis in Ballroom. I believe (I could be wrong) that you can even obtain a master's degree in it as well if I remember right. The BYU dance camp (they have one for adults and one for youth) does offer on-campus housing (dorm rooms) but you can also choose to stay at a hotel. I haven't ever done either because I live in Provo (where BYU is).

[tiadancer]

Sorry, this is kind of off the subject, but I thought I would clarify this as well since it was brought up. BYU and UVSC offer dance scholarships to graduating High School seniors to dance on their fromation teams and compete for their schools. I was offered one from each of the schools when I was graduating. You just have to apply for them. I had a dance scholarship for 90% of my time in college. In Utah they have ballroom dance programs in most of the High Schools, a few of the Jr. Highs and it is gaining popularity in the elementary schools (where I teach). It is funded either through the PTA or the school district itself. Each year, if you have attended the BYU dancesport championships, they hold a "High School Team Match" for all of the Utah High Schools competing. It is just like any other team match with six couples. It is complete with cheer leaders and school mascots and the winner is the State Champions for the year. The years I was in it and my school won we even got pins for a letterman's jacket in a school assembly.

[rb]

Pygmalion, you are correct about BYU having accomodatiions. Some people stay in the dorms on campus, although I understand they aren't terribly close by the student center.
We just preferred to stay in a hotel. For the privacy, coffee, bar, and so forth.

[tiadancer]

I didn't think of that, probably because I don't drink coffee, alcohol or need a lot of privacy. I guess if those are things you must have during the week, staying at a hotel would probably be a good option because you won't find them anywhere on BYU campus.

[pygmalion]

Having to go decaf would be tough for me. Not impossible, but tough. :lol: :lol:

There's a dress code, too, but from what I hear, it's fairly reasonable. 8)

[SDsalsaguy]

Having to go decaf would be tough for me. Not impossible, but tough. :lol: :lol:

There's a dress code, too, but from what I hear, it's fairly reasonable. 8)
Also keep in mind that some couples do not like the idea of needing to sleep in the seperate sexed dorms, so choose a hotel for that reason as well.

[kwa445]

Having to go decaf would be tough for me. Not impossible, but tough. :lol: :lol:

There's a dress code, too, but from what I hear, it's fairly reasonable. 8)

It's really not that bad. I've been living BYU standards for 16 years of my life, you can do it for a week (and it's not even a week, since at BYU you won't dance on Sundays! :) ) I'm thinking about going to the youth camp myself, I think it could be a lot of fun!

[standardgirl]

Went to the website for the San Fransisco dance camp. It looks really nice. A lot of really good teachers. And it's during winter break! Woohoo! Maybe I should go this year?

[pygmalion]

Which SF Dance Camp? Isn't there one held during the week between Christmas and New Years? :?

Is it this one?

http://w w w.holidayball.com/

[pygmalion]

Having to go decaf would be tough for me. Not impossible, but tough. :lol: :lol:

There's a dress code, too, but from what I hear, it's fairly reasonable. 8)

It's really not that bad. I've been living BYU standards for 16 years of my life, you can do it for a week (and it's not even a week, since at BYU you won't dance on Sundays! :) ) I'm thinking about going to the youth camp myself, I think it could be a lot of fun!

LOL. Spoken like someone who's never had to detox from caffeine. :wink: Just kidding. It really doesn't sound all that bad. 8)

[kwa445]

LOL. Spoken like someone who's never had to detox from caffeine. :wink: Just kidding. It really doesn't sound all that bad. 8)

yeah pretty much actually. I hate caffeine and I think I dance a lot better without it. I guess it would be a lot harder if I was nearly addicted to dr. pepper or something...

[pygmalion]

I'm not allowed to speak ill of Dr. Pepper. I live in Texas, where it's from. :lol: :lol:

But yeah, I have detoxed from caffeine a time or two, and you do have more clarity without it. It's just such a huge amount of work to avoid caffeine, when you're used to it. It's in everything, it seems.

[pygmalion]

Hmm. Actually, isn't there an end-of-December/New Years Eve Ron Montez camp, in SoCal? Anybody been?

[SDsalsaguy]

Hmm. Actually, isn't there an end-of-December/New Years Eve Ron Montez camp, in SoCal? Anybody been?
It's here in San Diego. I've gone a couple of times but not in the past two years.