Dancing - Armonk, NY, and Stamford, CT

[standardgirl]

Ok, so I think I have posted this topic before, but I wasn't sure about lots of things at that time. Now, I have confirmed with the company, and I will being staying somewhere in Armonk interning this summer. Of course, I dno't want to take a break from dancing, and instead, I would like to "use" the summer wisely (since I don't have school! ) to prepare me for Hotlanta, and OSB right after it.

Where is Armonk? 40 miles north of NYC, 25 mile west of Stamford, CT
12 mile away from White Plain, NY

I know lots of people mentioned about studios in NYC. It is definetly an option, but it is more like a once a week option, and most definely not an everyday option.......so I have some quetions, and hopefully someone from the area or knows about the area can answer them....

Is there any good competitive dance school around where I am at?
I googled it and found this one school - Smith Dancing School (http://smithsdancingschool.com/) I don't know much about the owners. Anyone has any idea?

I am looking for something hopefully local (within 30 min driving) for regular lessons, and perhaps, I can drive down to NYC once a week for lessons too.

When I do go to NYC, where should I go? and with whom should I take lessons from? I focus in International Standard, and Latin.
Good instructor(s) at Ballroom on Fifth?
Good instructor(s) elsewhere?
Is it possible to have some lessons from top professionals or former top pros? or do most of them only coach?

Thanks a lot. Just for a note, I would really want to spend the entire summer learning little or no step, but to re-work on my bronze & silver standard and latin steps. I would be really happy if I can understand the details of the steps better, and get better techniques. One more goal that I would like to achieve is to be able to dance all my bronze and silver steps BY MYSELF (ie, actually knowing the correct alignment, foot placement, foot work, etc.), the applies especially to standard......

 

[Joe]

I'm sure Larinda can weigh in.

 

[Chris Stratton]

One more goal that I would like to achieve is to be able to dance all my bronze and silver steps BY MYSELF (ie, actually knowing the correct alignment, foot placement, foot work, etc.), the applies especially to standard......

Do you have a copy of the ISTD book yet?

 

[cl5814]

Do you have a copy of the ISTD book yet?

And where can she get a copy of the book ? Chris, I am sure you have told her, but for completeness sake, can you elaborate for us ?

 

[callen]

Where is Armonk? 40 miles north of NYC, 25 mile west of Stamford, CT
12 mile away from White Plain, NY

I'm probably the best to answer this as I live in Dobbs Ferry (west of White Plains, north of Yonkers) and compete in standard.

I know lots of people mentioned about studios in NYC. It is definetly an option, but it is more like a once a week option, and most definely not an everyday option.......so I have some quetions, and hopefully someone from the area or knows about the area can answer them....

Is there any good competitive dance school around where I am at?
I googled it and found this one school - Smith Dancing School (http://smithsdancingschool.com/) I don't know much about the owners. Anyone has any idea?

Smith Dancing School has a pretty good size floor. It's shaped like a really fat L. It's plenty big enough for any short wall, and it's not too far off on the long wall. The nice thing is that there is effectively much more space than you might find elsewhere because so few people train there. The floor is nice, too. Martin and his wife are friendly. I don't take lessons from them, but I deal with them frequently.

I am looking for something hopefully local (within 30 min driving) for regular lessons, and perhaps, I can drive down to NYC once a week for lessons too.

I take lessons from Terri Boucher. She used to own Let's Dance in Brookfield, CT. She still teaches there (Sun, Mon, Wed) and also teaches at Smith Dancing School (Tue, Thu). Let's Dance is probably close to your 30 minute range, though a touch farther. I'm not sure if she has any space in her schedule, but she's one of the best you'll find in the Westchester area.

When I do go to NYC, where should I go? and with whom should I take lessons from? I focus in International Standard, and Latin.
Good instructor(s) at Ballroom on Fifth?
Good instructor(s) elsewhere?
Is it possible to have some lessons from top professionals or former top pros? or do most of them only coach?

Not just good dancers, some of the best in the world. The other best competitive studio in Manhattan is Dance New York. If you look outside of Manhattan there are a few top-notch Latin Studios owned by Victor Kanevsky or those he's taught and one other in NJ. There are plenty of other studios around. I'd say the best social dancing is at Battista or Stepping Out. PM me; I can tell you lots more.

Christopher

 

[Chris Stratton]

I don't actually know what is the best source for the ISTD books... I seem to have lost my copy of Popular Variations and may need to figure out where to get a replacement

My copy of "The Ballroom Technique" came from Casa Musica in Germany as part of a bulk CD order. It seems you can get them through the USISTD. Also from Telemark Records, Dance Vision, and Dancescape.

 

[Kitty]

I don't actually know what is the best source for the ISTD books... I seem to have lost my copy of Popular Variations and may need to figure out where to get a replacement

My copy of "The Ballroom Technique" came from Casa Musica in Germany as part of a bulk CD order. It seems you can get them through the USISTD. Also from Telemark Records, Dance Vision, and Dancescape.

"The Ballroom Technique" and "Popular Variations" can be purchased from USISTD

"The Ballroom Technique" item 100 $28

"Popular Variations" item 102 $15

usistd.org/dance_books/manuals/
(not posting as a link because it wouldn't probably be allowed)

 

[standardgirl]

One more goal that I would like to achieve is to be able to dance all my bronze and silver steps BY MYSELF (ie, actually knowing the correct alignment, foot placement, foot work, etc.), the applies especially to standard......

Do you have a copy of the ISTD book yet?

The blue one? Yes I do.

 

[standardgirl]

I don't actually know what is the best source for the ISTD books... I seem to have lost my copy of Popular Variations and may need to figure out where to get a replacement

My copy of "The Ballroom Technique" came from Casa Musica in Germany as part of a bulk CD order. It seems you can get them through the USISTD. Also from Telemark Records, Dance Vision, and Dancescape.

I bought mine a while ago from Dance Vision.

 

[standardgirl]

Thanks a lot Callen. I will PM you.