Help me planning my first Salsacongress

[Lucretia]

In April I will attend my first salsacongress. Perhaps it seems a bit too early to plan the schedule, but last night I realized that all the teacher I want to go for only give advanced classes. So either I have to give up the idea to go for these classes - and stick to the Scandinavian teachers - or I have to make a plan before I go to the salsacongress. That could include taking private classes (a very rare thing in Sweden). If I go for the advanced classes - I must be good enough to learn and not slow down the tempo for the others. I must plan the remaining months before the salsacongress as well as the salsacongress itself.

The teachers are:
Griselle Ponce & Jossue Torres
Edie the Salsa Freak & Henry Herrera,
Tito & Tamara, Puerto Rico
Alex da Silva & Ruby Karen, Los Angeles
Manuel Mascarel, Valencia, Spain
Rodrigo & Yesenia, Los Angeles, USA
Angel Ortiz, New York, USA
Cristobal Olivares, Cuba
Pablo & Katti Miranda, Chile


The complete schedule is here:
http://www.salsacongressscandinavia.com/workshop.htm

I want to know if you ever have been to any class with these teachers. If you have:

1. How good where they as teachers - I mean if they where easy to follow, pedagogics and so

2. What tempo - many patterns in one class or few, a lot of fancy advanced stuff before you have learnt the patterns etc.

3. How advanced where they - how hard where the patterns to learn. Many moves that where hard to do beacuse of lack of physics etc.

I consider myself as a advanced dancer regarding Cuban style (most leaders seems to agree - my ordinary teacher also). I'm an intermediate in line-style/ X-body.

Please help me!

/luc

 

[africana]

my first guess is that your situation is not unique, so I wouldn't worry about keeping up. most teachers simplify their material to meet the level of most students

it happened a lot this past weekend. sometimes it means the students are reaching beyond their level and other times it shows that the routines taught aren't very leadable in a social setting, but take the chance and see for yourself

You could find a way to video tape the lessons and perfect them later

 

[yola]

is this really the schedule?
curious ... seems they haven't been thinking about 'something for each level' at every hour..
or do they expect beginners to have become intermediate after saturday, and everybody advanced on last sunday's class?

btw: it doesn't say you have to buy a pass at a certain level.. so, i'd try the classes / teachers you want, and if the level is to high you can always switch classes.

 

[ash88]

Lucky you, spoilt for choice. At my last congress, we had Tropical Gem and Eddie. That's it.

 

[Lucretia]

Yola, you are right about the schedule. Since I'm an Intermediate going to advanced I didn't read the schedule with the eyes of a beginner. I will tell the management.

I find it quite hard to switch class. If I start with an advanced one and fail and then go to an intermediate - they will probably have managed at least one new routine and I will be lost. If a class doesn't work I regard it as "waste of money & time".

If you add the fact that I'm a girl and probably will stand still 25-50% of the time because of too many girls in the class - you will not get much out of a class. Escpecially if it is too hard or if you are too late.

Africana - of course you are right about the teachers. A good teacher adjust him/herself to the students. But I don't want to be the one everybody is waiting for. I attended a Cuban Advanced class a few weeks ago. I managed well but I know how some reacted to a few guys that where in the wrong class. I also saw how bad they felt about it. One guy didn't pick himself together for the rest of the day. He was so sad, his selfconfidence was soo undermined.

I have two favorite teachers Carol-Ann Stephensen, Edinburg and Joseph Davids, London. They start up with one pattern. Then they add some styling to that pattern. Then they add one more pattern. Then they add some styling to that one. In the end - if everybody manage so far - they add more and more styling. In this way you never feel any "information overload" and you never get stressed. You have the control all the way. And you will probaly manage the styling as well since they are such a great treachers. With this way of teaching - I manage the advanced classes.

/luc

 

[HF]

Luc, I have found it hard to give congress reccomendations since everybody likes different teachers - maybe even prefer different teachers at different stages of the own learning curve.

One idea to find out would be to collect some information in advance, browsing their websites, looking for some internet videos just to find out whether their style looks appealing to you. Also a chance for that may be the congress pre-party that usually is on friday evening.

Second thought - it is simply impossible to get all the available knowledge in one congress. The same people could come there again and again yearly and every time it is possible to pick up different aspects of what they can teach - then it will never be boring. So if I go to a congress my goal is not to get all they can give in one weekend but to get something that is essential and that I need at my current state.

If I were a lady I would try not to miss Griselle Ponce and Edie the Salsa Freak. Ruby Karen is a very nice and helpful person besides of being a technically superior dancer with a sharp eye and one or two privates with her would be very instructive - she helped my partner a lot when she was here lately. If you like to get in contact in advance I might be of help.

 

[Rosa]

I have two favorite teachers Carol-Ann Stephensen, Edinburg and Joseph Davids, London. They start up with one pattern. Then they add some styling to that pattern. Then they add one more pattern. Then they add some styling to that one. In the end - if everybody manage so far - they add more and more styling. In this way you never feel any "information overload" and you never get stressed. You have the control all the way. And you will probaly manage the styling as well since they are such a great treachers. With this way of teaching - I manage the advanced classes.

/luc

I've never been in classes with Joseph Davids, but I agree with you about Carol Ann Stephenson, Luc. Though I believe she lives in Edinburgh, she gives workshops all over the UK and she's one of my favourite teachers, for all the reasons you mentioned. And I agree that she seems to lift you up to a higher level! :notworth:

Rosa

 

[Pacion]

Lucretia, unless you already dance on 2, then I would suggest you "delete" those classes from your list. Jazzy, whilst Scandinavian based, I would say is always good/great value, unless he has changed his style since I last saw him.

Edie, definitely go, even for the cuban class I think I saw she is down to teach. Whilst she may not be an original cuban dancer, she has a great way of teaching/explaining ESPECIALLY from the female dancer's perspective.

Yesenia... don't know her but if she is who I think she is, I have heard she is a good dancer. Her teaching skills, don't know BUT you might still pick up a few things.

Goodluck, have lots of fun (!) and remember to pace yourself!!!

 

[itorres]

In April I will attend my first salsacongress. Perhaps it seems a bit too early to plan the schedule,

Boy, are you anxious! Five months in advance?
Just kidding, I understand... We want to get as much as we can from the time and $.

If I go for the advanced classes - I must be good enough to learn and not slow down the tempo for the others. I must plan the remaining months before the salsacongress as well as the salsacongress itself.

I don't think the teachers will slow down the tempo much for anyone. I wouldn't worry about that. There wil be dozens of people in the group usually so there will not be individual attention. (Although occasionally you will take workshop by a dance "company" and they'll have all the teachers roam around)

Tito & Tamara, Puerto Rico

Yeah!! My teacher, Tito Ortos!! :notworth: I would recommend him highly. Great dancer, coreographer and all around great guy! I think he's the best around. He breaks down the moves quite well to a count (which some don't). Power 2.

Did you see Dirty Dancing - Havanna Nights? He's the one who would have won if the revolution and the shooting hadn't started. :lol:

I want to know if you ever have been to any class with these teachers. If you have:

1. How good where they as teachers - I mean if they where easy to follow, pedagogics and so

2. What tempo - many patterns in one class or few, a lot of fancy advanced stuff before you have learnt the patterns etc.

3. How advanced where they - how hard where the patterns to learn. Many moves that where hard to do beacuse of lack of physics etc.

I consider myself as a advanced dancer regarding Cuban style (most leaders seems to agree - my ordinary teacher also). I'm an intermediate in line-style/ X-body.

When I look at these congress schedules I try to map out the whole experience too, but I think you should try to relax. There are a many unknowns. The schedule will change in these months, some teachers wil get there or not at a particular date and they'll switch them around, they may decide to cover some other "topic", or the program will specify a topic and the teacher will cover something other than advertised when you're actually there, the levels advertised may not be accurate, and on and on.

I remember, I went once to one workshop - "Salsa/Tango Beginner by So and So, Argentina". It was a Tango influenced style so I went to check it out... They started to teach a little routine and on the 4th or 5th 8 count they introduced a move in which you lifted your partner from the ground while twirling around 360 degrees and landed the girl sitting on your knee! :shock: My partner at the time and I looked at each other and said, "Let's see what's on Room B".

Things wil happen. Try to have fun and get the most you can out of it. It'll be impossible to get everything right.

For chosing, you can also think about what you want to work on most (partnering, shines, styling) and what styles/teachers you want to see that are not available where you are.

Aside from chosing topics, I think something very important is trying to go with a partner or hooking up with someone there early on. It's a bit frustrating if you're at a workshop involving partnering and you can't find an appropriate level partner at the moment to practice the moves.

Anyway...enough. Have fun!

 

[Lucretia]

Luc, I have found it hard to give congress reccomendations since everybody likes different teachers - maybe even prefer different teachers at different stages of the own learning curve.

Of course you are right in this. I like some ways of teaching that other doesn't like. I like for example to grasp a whole shine at once and then break it down. Other like to break it down at once and then build it up. It does not suit me at all beacuse I like to find the complete-over-all-rythm of a shine before I go into details.

But I have also found out that the teachers I love most seems to suit everybody. Also the more advanced students. They have something special that seems to appeal everybody. I have for example heard so much about Super Mario (I have never been at his classes) - everybody seems to like his way of teaching and his way of leading. There must bee something essential that he has got. I've heard the same about Albert Torres (and after seeing him gently dancing with an old lady and after having one dance of my own I must agree although I never have been a student for him). I have heard much about Juan Mators - not beacuse he is good at instructing but the way he shares his knowledge with the students. The nice & openminded person he is seems go give a mental kick to the students. And since this is the response I get from everybody - I believe what they say.

(This is the reason why I started up this post..I want your personal advices and rumours also. If the information from different sources is consistent - there must be something in it)

get something that is essential and that I need at my current state.

True indeed!

I have already planned to go for Griselle Ponces styling and and Edie the Salsa Freak Cuban class. Ruby Karen I will try to go for. But she seems only to give on-2. I'll come back to you if I need to get in touch with her. Do you know her well?

I run out of time - I have read all what you different authors have written and will come back later with more comments.

THANKS EVERYBODY FOR EVERY WORD I GET ABOUT ANY OF THESE TEACHERS! I will keep track of all what you are saying.


/luc

ps.

 

[yola]

I find it quite hard to switch class. If I start with an advanced one and fail and then go to an intermediate - they will probably have managed at least one new routine and I will be lost. If a class doesn't work I regard it as "waste of money & time".

If you add the fact that I'm a girl and probably will stand still 25-50% of the time because of too many girls in the class - you will not get much out of a class. Escpecially if it is too hard or if you are too late.

yeah you're right there.
i don't know your level of dancing, but remember that for a lady it's easier to go to the advanced classes. You just have to have a good partner..

about the girl thing: in my experience there is a shortage of girls in advanced classes at congresses. In Hamburg en UK this year i attended the classes as a lead... was asked everytime by several men if i wanted to partner up.. don't know if this is the case in Scandinavia as well.

I think you should think about the on2 thing as well (like pacion said). unless you're a véry talented dancer, the on2 thing (be it Power2 or et2) will confuse you mightily.

Hé luc, don't worry too much just go and enjoy it!! it'll be wonderfull and fun. so many people, great shows, wonderful dancers...

 

[Lucretia]

yeah you're right there.
i don't know your level of dancing, but remember that for a lady it's easier to go to the advanced classes. You just have to have a good partner..

Don't they trade partners at salsacongresses - I mean rotate/exchange partners?

about the girl thing: in my experience there is a shortage of girls in advanced classes at congresses. In Hamburg en UK this year i attended the classes as a lead... was asked everytime by several men if i wanted to partner up.. don't know if this is the case in Scandinavia as well

I think you are right about this. The advaced classes I have attended at Salsaweekends have been about 50/50. Wonder why - do girls stop going to classes while they become advanced ones? Perhaps it is beacuse the guys is the one who take command. They have to invent all fancy stuff...we "just" follows.

Both Yola and Pacion are rigth about on-2. I will go to some on-2 classes - but not advanced ones. I don't find it hard while doing basics....but when ever I run into trouble I fall back to on-1.

/luc

 

[Lucretia]

I've never been in classes with Joseph Davids, but I agree with you about Carol Ann Stephenson, Luc. Though I believe she lives in Edinburgh, she gives workshops all over the UK and she's one of my favourite teachers, for all the reasons you mentioned. And I agree that she seems to lift you up to a higher level! :notworth:

Rosa

Sheers for Carol-Ann, if you like her way of teaching you must try Joseph Davids, Latin Collective. He teaches all the things other teachers forget. Another dimension of dancing.

/luc

 

[africana]

The teachers are:
Griselle Ponce & Jossue Torres
Edie the Salsa Freak & Henry Herrera,
Tito & Tamara, Puerto Rico
Alex da Silva & Ruby Karen, Los Angeles
Manuel Mascarel, Valencia, Spain
Rodrigo & Yesenia, Los Angeles, USA
Angel Ortiz, New York, USA
Cristobal Olivares, Cuba
Pablo & Katti Miranda, Chile

Ok on the specific teachers I've been to classes by Griselle, Alex da Silva, Manuel Mascarel, Yesenia, Tito & Tamara.
-Griselle: if it's a partnering class be ready to spin and style on2. Not for beginners. If it's ljust adies styling, it's good material for all counts (on1 or on2), you can learn the moves and translate to your count later
- Alex: I've only taken one class from him and that was enough ok seriously take someone you know for his class and stick with the same partner, especially if it's tricks or "sexy parternering" (it gets real sexy )
If it's advanced, get ready to spin, and be flexbile (Ruby is like woah!)
- Manuel M: very nice teacher, goes into details, approachable for asking questions (or a dance ) I couldn't finish his beg workshop on "seducing on the dance floor" too sexy for me but he's great, chill
- Yesenia: This is on1 right? For styling, excellent teacher of body movement/adding 'oomph' to ladies styling. For partnering, get ready to spin
-Tito/Tamara: Even though they perform P2, Ibelieve they still taught their workshop ET2, actually all the so called P2 teachers that I've seen do the same - like Addie of Razz M Tazz (I don't know why).
If the class is taught P2 then that will be easier for on1 dancers to learn. Their overall style seems to relaxed, smooth, not overwhelming. I don't remember much spinning in their class...

You noticed a common note for many of these instructors: get ready to spin. I recommend working on your connection and spinning technique (prepping, spotting, center, etc) if you want to get the most out of all these classes.
As others have said, ET2 classes will be more challenging for non ET2 dancers, but since they mostly count it could be what you make of it. And yola right, the leads have the tougher challenge: I find i can jump into any partnering workshop at any moment and be ok (talk about dancing dummies lol)

For the tricks/lifts classes, you just need to be short/skinny lol

 

[Lucretia]

Thanks Africana!

I believe you had most of them. I'm impressed. It is really great to hear these thing from you. Thank you very much.

When you say spin - is there more than 2 at a time?
Does it matter what startup sequence you use before you take off?
I have found that some patterns need the sequence I call "new" below.

Last salsaweekend I did learn a new startup sequence giving me more "force". But I find it hard to incoorporate with the dance.

New startup sequence:
on1: step back on right
on2: left leg cross the right one,
on3: twist shoulders to the left,
then take off to the right, spinning on right foot

Previous sequence:
on1: step back right
on2: step left on the same spot as before
on3: step forward with right - foot "open" (like a ballerina in position 3 or 4), then spin on right foot

Which one do you think suit best?
I find the old one to be a quicker way to take off, but I can go more turns with the new one.

I guess I have to "educate" my husband to manage the sexy classes. So far he only like cuban. (I wonder if he will let me loose to dance with other guys if he reads this post).

Unfortunatley I'm not short and skinny - I will not survive any dips&tricks class. Last time I almost hurt my back although my husband was my partner. He i BIG and very strong. But it didn't help much since I was like a sack full of potatoes :lol:

/luc