Instructor Needed in Dayton Ohio

[kingrat]

Hello everyone who reads this. I'm really interested in finding an instructor in Dayton, Ohio that won't break my wallet. does anyone have any ideas on how to find one or does anyone know anyone here or close to here? Thanks for any responses.

[SDsalsaguy]

What particular style of dance are you looking for?

[pygmalion]

Have you checked dancespots.com? Pretty cool. You can query for instructors or dance venues by discipline, by zip code. I'm not sure about the wallet-breaking part, but at least, it's a good place to start.

Oh, and by the way, welcome to the forums! :D

[Black Sheep]

Kingrat,
If you have the Basics of a dance, i. e. the rhythmic pattern, a basic
concept of leading a following (very simple techniques), a few Step paterns used in the dance, and use the music appropriate for the dance, e.g. Tango, Samba, Jazz/pop, etc. then you are ready to hire the best qualified teacher in the world..."KingRat'. And your best teaching tool is a full sized mirror which most rental studios are equipped with. Instead of spending $60 to $90 per hour, rent a studiuo room for one fourth the price. Get a partner to share the rent and you are in business at a nominal cost. 'You learn best by teaching'. John Dewey, circa 1920.
Now as for teaching material and techniques, you have more than enough of it right here on DuVal's Dance Forums, the most Dance Educational Forum on the Internet.
Let me suggest three of my personal threads: 'The Magic Pill', 'Teaching
Techniques', and the 'Bossa Nova Story'. And if you have questions, Email me at
<J.LANZA@sbcglobal.net>

Black Sheep 'You are your own best teacher' Joe Lanza 2003 a. d.

[Swing Kitten]

I really don't want to get into this Joe, but most people have an incredibly difficult time learning that way.

What you described is essecially learning in a vacuume with no real frame of reference other than the one belonging to the student who is already willing to admit a lack of knowledge. I'm not saying that students cannot makes discoveries on their own but why reinvent the wheel? The time one would save would more than compensate for the cost of the lesson.

While I'm sure there are private lessons that can cost $60-$90... most I have seen have been more about the $20-$50 range per hour.

[pygmalion]

Yup, SK. Especially in the beginning stages, you really need to cough up the bucks and hire a good teacher if at all possible. Some essential elements to good dancing -- like partnership and connection, for example, are impossible to teach oneself. Getting advice from experts, watching videos, and reading books ARE excellent supplements to good dance instruction. But I can't recommend trying to go it alone. That seems to me like a great way to teach oneself bad habits, at best.

That is, if it's structured partner dancing you're trying to learn. If it's fun, club freestyle stuff you want to do, have at it. But if you're trying to learn to dance a structured partner dance with others, I believe the best, if not the only way, is to learn it from another person, preferably a qualified instructor. One good way to cut costs, if necessary, is to mix in group classes with private lessons, or, if necessary, to take only group classes. At $5-$10 each, those are a bargain.

[SDsalsaguy]

Well said SK and Jenn. Expert input can never be anything but a boon. To think anything else is nothing but hubris in the extreme.

Kingrat, what style of dance are you most interested in? You'd be amazed what types of information can pop up here in the forums!

[kingrat]

Well, here it is. I'm simply in love with this wonderful woman from Uruguay. She is the most incredible person that I have ever met and she loves to dance, dance, and dance. I would love to give her this gift of dancing with me and we have started dancing together at my home at least once or twice a week. Mainly Salsa, Merengue and eventually the tango. I felt really frustrated at first but now it feels much more comfortable and I do really enjoy it. I hope to go out in public and dance and she said that what I know is enough to go out and dance. I don't feel scared for myself but want to do a good job to impress her and not to embarrass her. She said that I made a break thru because last week I could actually hear the beat for Salsa and Merengue which I didn't hear before. I don't know why I heard it all of a sudden, must be use to all that top 40 junk I use to dance to. any advice for a new guy learning the basics?

Kenny

[Swing Kitten]

Have Fun!! --it shows!! believe me!

also if she is as wonderful a person as it sounds like she is then she wouldn't be bothered by honest mistakes. Relax! Practice!... it's also extremely helpful to listen to the type of music you will be dancing to when you are not dancing-- learn how to listen to it -- your dancing will reflect that. But most importantly,

Have Fun

Have Fun

Have Fun!!

--it shows

[SDsalsaguy]

Heya Kingrat, congratulations on that break through! I know it took me a while to get there myself...

You also can't go wrong with SK's advice...no matter how technically correct you may be, if you aren't having fun and enjoying yourself she'll pick up on that! Also realize that she knows what level you're at and has communicated that that's enough for her to have you come out dancing...so go for it!

Beyond all of the above, if salsa is one of your main objectives, then you might want to take a look at this thread (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=557&highlight=) and some of the others it has links to...

Hope that helps and please keep us posted!

[twodance]

Hey Kingrat,
Just found this site. My wife and I own an independant studio here in Dayton, Ohio. It's called Elegance In Dance Dancesport Center. We teach all types of dance from social to competition. We compete in American 9 dance and have a lot of students who do also. There are no contracts at our studio and group lessons are only $6.00 p.p. Private lessons are available by appt. for $55.00 per hour. If you arer interested give us a call. Thanks Terry

[pygmalion]

Hi twodance! Welcome to the forums. Have a look around. Lots of interesting topics, and we'd love to have you join in the conversation. Again, welcome! :D

[DancingMommy]

I hope to go out in public and dance and she said that what I know is enough to go out and dance. I don't feel scared for myself but want to do a good job to impress her and not to embarrass her. She said that I made a break thru because last week I could actually hear the beat for Salsa and Merengue which I didn't hear before. I don't know why I heard it all of a sudden, must be use to all that top 40 junk I use to dance to. any advice for a new guy learning the basics?

Well, if the love of your life has confidence in you, then YOU should have confidence in you. 8)

If you are worried about no thaving enough style/patterns, hang out with the local salsa crowd. Get to know the dancers in your area and don't be afraid to ask for pointers from someone that just did some really cool moves. :lol: :o

As a leader, I know it is going to be a little harder for you than it was for me (a follower), but give it time. If you wawnt to add some variety to your dancing once you feel more comfortable, try out a Rueda/Casino style Salsa group class. I had the most fun of my life at the ones I went to. Since it is a "group" effort, it takes the pressure off being the "best". :) Your love will most likely enjoy it too since it is similar to "regular" salsa, but different. You can have a common denominator.

[Sagitta]

That's a great idea Dancing Mommy!! I'll second the salsa / casino rudea idea!! Apart from it being fun it has helped my regular salsa along. :)

The difference here is that you have to pay attention to the caller rather then initiating them as a leader, so if you're initimidated of this aspect you can still go have fun doing salsa in casino rudea. :)