Visiting Coaches

[Dr Dance]

Some elite dancers have taken to visiting various studios to teach coaching sessions and workshops. One such very popular visiting coach in my area is Katusha Demidova. I personally have taken two of her group classes at two different studios. This has effectively supplemented my dance education.

Who have been some of your guest coaches and what were your experiences with their lessons? Group lessons or privates? Have they helped you?

 

[Well Rounded]

Corky Ballas. Took a group class. Found it very useful. Would like to have had a private coaching but it wasn’t in the budget at the time. I will make it a priority if I have another opportunity.

 

[fiesta0618]

I've worked with five visiting coaches (Charlotte Jorgensen, William Pino, Armin Kappacher, Nadya Eftedal, and Istvan Cserven).

I've had group lessons with Jorgensen, Pino, and Kappacher, all of which were extremely effective.

I also tend to angle for a private lesson every time. I didn't with Pino, and regretted it after. I've been fortunate to have multiple chances to work with Jorgensen, Kappacher, and Cserven, and I take every opportunity to work with them when they are in town. I'd be happy to work with Eftedal again if I get the chance.

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Overall, I find working with visiting coaches is generally useful.

In group lessons, you are often not going to learn any concept that is 100% new. But you will approach that concept from a completely new angle, which may "click" better than the strategy your main coach uses.

Private lessons can be tougher, because you and the visiting coach do not know one another. They can get a quick sense of your overall level, but are not conversant with the specific ideas you've studied. In addition, they do not know your psychological approach to dance, or your preferred learning methods. On your part, you don't know their teaching style or response to questions--and may be intimidated by their reputation.

I find that the first private lesson with a visitor is often OK, but not great, while subsequent lessons are worth their weight in gold. At that point, you've figured each other out a little bit, and communicate more efficiently.

 

[DanceMentor]

I believe I have danced with/ received coaching from 15 different World champions, and lots of others too. It is hard to say which one I liked best. Definitely Peter Eggleton was a treat, and Giordano and Catia Vanone were extremely memorable. When I was taking a peak level of coaching, I think we were spending $5000/month, but the couple in our area that were beating us was spending at least twice that! It was great fun though, and happy that I did it. I would take more coaching, but perhaps not at that level of spending.

One couple I remember would take maybe 8 lessons per week from travelling coaches at $230 per lesson, plus lots more from their local teachers. And that was when they were in my area. They also would go back and forth between California and Italy, and do coaching there too, plus some European competitions. I definitely envied them, but I also appreciate what we were able to do too.

 

[Dr Dance]

When Katusha was about to teach a workshop that I attended at a local studio, she was teaching a private lesson just before to Pillipenchuk and his partner Sarika Hudson. I merely gaped at them because their partnership was so good and the lesson was thoroughly captivating. I was blown away by the little teaching that I overheard. Katusha was teaching them arm styling, a very "smooth" thing.

Hopefully, instructors don't mind eavesdropping as long as it is brief and not intentional.