feedback on Championship Dance Camps
- Thread starter waltzguy
- Start date
5678dance
Active Member
I went 2 years in a row, a few years back. The first year I went, I thought it was literally the best thing in the entire world. The 2nd year I went, I didn't get as much out of it.
Granted, I am primarily an American dancer and the camp tends to focus more on international styles, although it is still helpful.
I feel that if you have the money (for the camp AND hotel AND food for the week-- it definitely adds up) (and yes I used scholarships both years I went) then you should go. It definitely provides a broad overview of many different teaching styles, and I most certainly learned to think about things that I had never thought about before in my dancing. At the time as a collegiate dancer from a relatively small team, it just opened my eyes a lot. But I don't think I'll be going back. At this point in my dance career, I'd rather invest in private lessons with various coaches.
Granted, I am primarily an American dancer and the camp tends to focus more on international styles, although it is still helpful.
I feel that if you have the money (for the camp AND hotel AND food for the week-- it definitely adds up) (and yes I used scholarships both years I went) then you should go. It definitely provides a broad overview of many different teaching styles, and I most certainly learned to think about things that I had never thought about before in my dancing. At the time as a collegiate dancer from a relatively small team, it just opened my eyes a lot. But I don't think I'll be going back. At this point in my dance career, I'd rather invest in private lessons with various coaches.
dlliba10
Forum Master
I second 5678 on all counts and want to add, though, that the 2011 IDB was an American dancer's dream. Larinda, Eulia Baranovsky, Rufus Dustin, Marcus Johnson, Yuki Haraguchi, and Jonathan Roberts were all instructors. The following year, there was a noticeable (at least to me) drop in American style classes and instructors, and last year, to my knowledge (as I didn't attend), there was practically no benefit for American style dancers besides using the Standard classes to hone your closed work, footwork, and connection, which, of course, is useful, but I would much rather use the money on private lessons closer to home than on a week-long camp and hotel.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
yessssssssss
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
my wife competed with him.. and i with yuki
we are starting back up real soon!!
we are starting back up real soon!!
dance_girl
New Member
For my partner and I, it was really helpful. We come from a school in the middle of nowhere, where getting private lessons for than once (maybe twice) a semester is very difficult, so the two times we went to IDB have pretty much been essential to our being successful in pre champ standard.
We both learn very quickly, but I would say that we improved as much over each of those five days as we do over an entire semester of practicing on our own. It is definitely something where being a quick learner means you will get more out of it - by the afternoon of the fifth day, I'm usually mentally exhausted. Also, I think it is most helpful in the silver-gold-pre champ range.
We both learn very quickly, but I would say that we improved as much over each of those five days as we do over an entire semester of practicing on our own. It is definitely something where being a quick learner means you will get more out of it - by the afternoon of the fifth day, I'm usually mentally exhausted. Also, I think it is most helpful in the silver-gold-pre champ range.
5678dance
Active Member
I agree with dance girl -- I think you have to know your learning style, and the camp is VERY helpful and awesome if you are a fast learner and have the ability to get a lot out of group classes. Some people need more 1-on-1 to best learn, and it will still be helpful to those people, but yes, more beneficial to those who can learn a lot in a group class setting.
novemberecho
Member
I really wish they would make the schedule available more than one day in advance of the event (IDB). The entire week is not feasible for me, but I'd love to do one or two days. Unfortunately by the time I know which [standard] instructors are available on what days, its well past the registration deadline and there are a bunch of 'late' fees tacked on. Pass.
caw
Active Member
I live on the other side of the country, but will always make it out to IDB because I believe it is the best thing you can do for your dancing for the price (besides practice). Here's why:
For $400 bucks or so, you get amazing insights from some of the best teachers around. One part I really enjoy is the community of people as determined to improve in their dancing as you are. Even with the plane ticket and hotel costs, it is more than worth it. You get so much information, you'll find yourself working on things discussed there for months afterward. I encourage taking notes.
I've looked at other camps, and they are generally geared toward pro-am students, meaning they are expensive and silver is considered "advanced." There is no substitute for IDB.
However, I would say it isn't worth it if you aren't dedicated / financially capable enough to afford regular private lessons. If you can afford private lessons, this camp is certainly worth the lessons you'd forego to pay for it. Yes, the camp is geared toward students, so they try to make it as affordable as possible, but if you're broke you're broke. Also, if you're a newcomer and aren't sure you want to drop money on dance, then don't. Take your time and make sure dance is for you. For all serious dancers, however, this camp is number 1.
Finally, last year, the camp wasn't as good as it had been before. Less big 'name' instructors, and 25% fewer classes were offered (3 per hour, instead of 4). It was still worth it, but the difference was noticeable.
**I have heard guarantees from IDB that this year they will be back up to 4 classes per hour.**
TL;DR
Best 3 things about it (IMO):
Amazing instruction for relatively low cost
Higher level teaching than any other dance camp in the country
Chance to meet hundreds of others who share your passion
Worst 3 things about it (IMO):
They don't post the instructors list until the last second. It's understandable, but still kind of annoying.
The hot tub closes rather early, so if you wanna eat after lessons you better move it
The ballroom social is rather short, while the WCS social dance goes pretty much all night long.
P.S.
If you're going, DEFINITELY stay in the hotel. The price is right, and it would be unimaginable to drive in and out every night.
For $400 bucks or so, you get amazing insights from some of the best teachers around. One part I really enjoy is the community of people as determined to improve in their dancing as you are. Even with the plane ticket and hotel costs, it is more than worth it. You get so much information, you'll find yourself working on things discussed there for months afterward. I encourage taking notes.
I've looked at other camps, and they are generally geared toward pro-am students, meaning they are expensive and silver is considered "advanced." There is no substitute for IDB.
However, I would say it isn't worth it if you aren't dedicated / financially capable enough to afford regular private lessons. If you can afford private lessons, this camp is certainly worth the lessons you'd forego to pay for it. Yes, the camp is geared toward students, so they try to make it as affordable as possible, but if you're broke you're broke. Also, if you're a newcomer and aren't sure you want to drop money on dance, then don't. Take your time and make sure dance is for you. For all serious dancers, however, this camp is number 1.
Finally, last year, the camp wasn't as good as it had been before. Less big 'name' instructors, and 25% fewer classes were offered (3 per hour, instead of 4). It was still worth it, but the difference was noticeable.
**I have heard guarantees from IDB that this year they will be back up to 4 classes per hour.**
TL;DR
Best 3 things about it (IMO):
Amazing instruction for relatively low cost
Higher level teaching than any other dance camp in the country
Chance to meet hundreds of others who share your passion
Worst 3 things about it (IMO):
They don't post the instructors list until the last second. It's understandable, but still kind of annoying.
The hot tub closes rather early, so if you wanna eat after lessons you better move it
The ballroom social is rather short, while the WCS social dance goes pretty much all night long.
P.S.
If you're going, DEFINITELY stay in the hotel. The price is right, and it would be unimaginable to drive in and out every night.
5678dance
Active Member
You can go for only 1 or 2 days, which might be more affordable for you. A few of my friends who were in the area for the summer did that. The only problem, as mentioned before, is that they don't release the schedule until last minute, so it might be a bit difficult to decide which days to go. Although your own schedule might end up dictating which days you can go, anyway. I don't really know of other camps, but it does seem that IDB is the one to be at! I do have very fond memories
Dancing Irishman
Forum Master
I was there! Larinda's smooth class on connection was definitely one of my favorites! Jonathon's smooth class was also brilliant.
Like 5678, I don't think I'll be going back to IDB any time soon. For a fraction of the price, I could take a long weekend or week for a "dance sabbatical" to go to another local city with a good instructor or two, take a handful of private lessons, and spend several hours each day practicing and probably get as much (or more!) benefit than I would going to IDB again (and just for emphasis, I'll repeat: this would be a fraction of the cost). Going once really opened my eyes to the dance world beyond my small collegiate team and the local instructors available in south bend, in, but I don't think going again would give me enough new "eureka!"s that would eventually work their way into my dancing to justify the price.
Actually, after typing that up, I might talk to my coach about arranging something like that with him one long weekend...call it a "dance quality/technique boot camp", if you will.