Dance Camp Recommendations

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?

pygmalion said:

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?

Click to expand...

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…

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

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?

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!

My pleasure.

Dance Camps

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!

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).

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...

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.

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.

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!

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.

A week without caffeine? Yikes!

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