new partnerships

[elisedance]

Starting Disclaimer! I know there must be a thread on this - but I can't find it because the search engine will not include short words or often used words. And I can't find a way to search a phrase (usually enclosing in "" works). So sorry if this is the twelfth billion thread on the subject! However, I think new threads on old subjects are a good idea - the 100 post thread can get rather intimidating.

Developing a dance partnership must be unlike any other activity on earth - least thats my impression. I've only had two, and the first was really too short to count so I am not speaking from experience but from interest and hoping to get some great input to avoid screwing up!

We have managed to start on the right feet, so to speak, - there is little in the way of bad feelings with previous partners (least I hope so). We also have very similar goals - both want to compete and do well and very similar approach to dancing - both love technique and basics. And we are obviously committed. I have invested the family fortune in this while PM has just shown his committment by signing the check on the tail suit! So we are feeling our way forward and doing pretty well. :friend:

Differences? Not really major ones yet. eace: We try to not critisize each other (some will happen, but we deal with it quite well). One interesting one is the issue of two coaches. I have danced pro/am with mine for almost 2 years and would have a very hard time giving him up (but would if it proved essential); he has a woman coach that he is very fond of. The solution has been to take lessons from both (costs the same!) - and, to our amazements, we are actually learning more from the other's coach: finally I can get a woman's perspective and vice versa. Also, they complement each other as she has more competition experience and maybe a more traditional technical strength whereas he is more tuned in to current trends and pushes us harder. Thus, this is working far better than I expected - but we have not had a total contradiction yet and any insight on managing two coaches would be greatly appreciated! Does anyone else work this way?

One area that may become an issue is that I am happy to travel to New South Wales :car: whereas PM would rather compete within walking distance of Toronto (yes, I exagerate on both counts). We have a big Ontario competition coming up in september and I think we have to get our feet wet somewhere else. Trouble is there is nothing local in the time frame. Any suggestions of a great comp for the first try out at senior I gold am/am? We are looking for a moderate field and a very friendly competition - preferably with a very large floor (we are both tall) and not too long a flight from Toronto.

 

[latingal]

we have not had a total contradiction yet and any insight on managing two coaches would be greatly appreciated! Does anyone else work this way?

I have consistently taken from two different instructors pretty much for the entire period I have been dancing. One is the pro I dance with in competitions (who does the main instruction and pilots the path forward) and one is what I would call a "follower's coach". Often I will receive information from both on the same subject/technique.

When differences seem to appear, I have learned to keep two things in mind; 1) they may both be saying the same thing and I have interpreted one or both of them incorrectly, and 2) some coaches take different paths to get to the same result (for instance some use a "layered" approach to teaching rather than a core dump).

I do ask both coaches (carefully! remembering point 1) when I get conflicting information, and have only come across truly conflicting technique maybe 3 or 4 times....and even then, they were more stylistic issues. Most pros will be more than happy to try to help clear up any confusion you might be having resolving what might be considered conflicting information....but you will know the personalities involved better than I! *grin*

 

[and123]

Just started a new potential am/am Standard partnership.... don't think he reads here, but don't wanna say anything too personal just in case. Too new to say much except that he seems willing to learn and work out something that will be beneficial to both of us. We're having our first coaching session tomorrow. We just had a quick (hour-long) try-out last week. I didn't wanna critique him much. Not my place; leave it to the Pros, at least until we get a few lessons together under our belts. Then I can say "Remember when Pro said ____?"

Fingers crossed. I don't care for that awkward stage when you're still feeling each other out (literally), but it's unavoidable. It always feels weird at first.

 

[RIdancer82]

Just started a new potential am/am Standard partnership.... don't think he reads here, but don't wanna say anything too personal just in case. Too new to say much except that he seems willing to learn and work out something that will be beneficial to both of us. We're having our first coaching session tomorrow. We just had a quick (hour-long) try-out last week. I didn't wanna critique him much. Not my place; leave it to the Pros, at least until we get a few lessons together under our belts. Then I can say "Remember when Pro said ____?"

Fingers crossed. I don't care for that awkward stage when you're still feeling each other out (literally), but it's unavoidable. It always feels weird at first.

glad to hear that you found someone! (and now quite curious to find out who.....)

Good Luck!!

 

[mamboqueen]

Just started a new potential am/am Standard partnership.... don't think he reads here, but don't wanna say anything too personal just in case. Too new to say much except that he seems willing to learn and work out something that will be beneficial to both of us. We're having our first coaching session tomorrow. We just had a quick (hour-long) try-out last week. I didn't wanna critique him much. Not my place; leave it to the Pros, at least until we get a few lessons together under our belts. Then I can say "Remember when Pro said ____?"

Fingers crossed. I don't care for that awkward stage when you're still feeling each other out (literally), but it's unavoidable. It always feels weird at first.

*fingers crossed* for you, too. Remember...your next mission is the latin guy for moi. I'll provide whatever finder's fee it takes

 

[samina]

hey, yeah... hope it goes well for you, &123... looking forward to hearing more details!

 

[elisedance]

&123

It will be interesting to compare notes - we are a bit further on having practised and taken lessons for about a month now (including a bit of time off for good behaviour) so the 'dynamic' is beginning to set. The hardest thing is keeping one's mouth shut! One great thing about two coaches is that we can talk to our respective ones about each other - then they fix the issue. Funny how that does not rankle at all really as the coaches will not take sides and only fix you if there is something amiss. As long as it stays like that it will work.

Now gotta find that ideal first comp place.....

 

[Dancebug]

elisedance’s post reminds me of one of our coaches’ tactics. We alternate our lessons between a male and a female coach. While we are working with a female, I bring up problems, saying something my partner does does not work. Then she will ask us to show her the problem area and she will look at my partner and try to help fix the problem. On the other hand, our male coach uses a very different approach. If I do the same thing---saying my partner does something wrong, either he will ask us to show him the problem and then look at my part (instead of my partner) or he will ask me to dance with him and always try to fix “me” (first any way). Of course in the end, he will have a couple of things to say about my partner’s part. But he makes me feel I am the problem if I am the one who complains and vice versa. Any way I learned quickly blaming my partner was not going to work. Now I tell our coach that I must be doing something wrong because so and so does not feel right to me. Then he will look at both of us and give me less hard time. Oh yea, our coach is sneaky that way.

 

[Rugby]

elise:
Why noy try out Niagara on june 24th. It will be a good way of finding out how you handle competions together before you go to Kingston. I also heard there was going to be a competition in Ottawa on july 1rst, but nothing has been posted about it so far. I will let you know if I hear of anything.

 

[elisedance]

elise:
Why noy try out Niagara on june 24th. It will be a good way of finding out how you handle competions together before you go to Kingston. I also heard there was going to be a competition in Ottawa on july 1rst, but nothing has been posted about it so far. I will let you know if I hear of anything.

Hi there Rugby,

We were planning for Niagara but neither the tail suit nor the partnership will be ready! I heard that the Ottawa comp is not going to happen this year.

Gotta dash, in Manchester at a meeting....
ee

 

[Rugby]

Hi there Rugby,

We were planning for Niagara but neither the tail suit nor the partnership will be ready! I heard that the Ottawa comp is not going to happen this year.

Gotta dash, in Manchester at a meeting....
ee

Too bad about the Ottawa competition but I was starting to think that it was not going to happen in the long run. Looks like after Niagara there is nothing in Ontario until Kingston. Looks like a trip or two to Quebec is the only alternative.

 

[Rugby]

elisedance: Where is PM getting his tailsuit made?

 

[elisedance]

Too bad about the Ottawa competition but I was starting to think that it was not going to happen in the long run. Looks like after Niagara there is nothing in Ontario until Kingston. Looks like a trip or two to Quebec is the only alternative.

There are (sanctioned) competitions in Quebec? I couldn't find anything else in Canada before Kingston...

Tail suit is being made in Montreal - I don't know if its a good investment or not (there has been some doubts expressed) but its reasonable and the tailors are near. I'll let you know about the outcome (crossing fingers...).