What To Ask a Pro to Teach?

[jjohnjjr]

This summer, a champion pro couple are coming to town to perform a showcase at my studio's (not MY studio, but where I dance) formal ball. The day before, they will have time to give private lessons.

My wife and I are early 50-somethings who have been dancing for 8 years now. We are in it mostly for fun, but we do want to do it well. We have learned that the right technique makes the steps go so much easier. We have passed 10 bronze medal tests scattered all over the dance styles. We haven't competed and aren't interested in it now.

My question is... What would I ask the pros to teach us in a private lesson? Or is the brutal answer, "Don't waste the pro's time and my money?"

John

 

[waltzguy]

I would say learn technique (vs. steps)

 

[Laura]

Think about what things give you trouble, and see if there's a common theme. Then, tell the pro that you've noticed that these related things are giving you trouble, and ask them to help you improve your technique with them. Sometimes by really explaining and helping you to understand and fix one thing, it will help you improve a bunch of other things at the same time -- and will make your dancing even more enjoyable.

 

[fenixx]

I would say it depends on how good your current pro is. If you take with a good quality pro, then I would say its worth taking the lesson to gain some insight into where your strengths and weaknesses lie. If, on the other hand, you take with a pro who does not have the facility to follow up the high-quality instruction of the visiting pro, then that lesson, while insightful, will probably not do much for your dancing.

 

[SPratt74]

It depends on how many privates you plan on taking. If you only want to take one private, then I'd say focus on the dance that you want to learn more about. If you spend the whole time nitpicking (spelling???) things then you might not accomplish anything, or it won't feel like you have. But yeah single out something whether it would be a dance or styling and technique to a dance rather than a lot of things in my opinion that is lol. But most of all... have fun!

 

[fascination]

I would pick a few dances you most enjoy and then dance a few walls of each...top level pros...will have tons to say to you that will help in an instant...THEY will know what you most need...and no, it is not a waste of time...your money is as good as the next persons...and so is your passion for dance

 

[DennisBeach]

This summer, a champion pro couple are coming to town to perform a showcase at my studio's (not MY studio, but where I dance) formal ball. The day before, they will have time to give private lessons.

My wife and I are early 50-somethings who have been dancing for 8 years now. We are in it mostly for fun, but we do want to do it well. We have learned that the right technique makes the steps go so much easier. We have passed 10 bronze medal tests scattered all over the dance styles. We haven't competed and aren't interested in it now.

My question is... What would I ask the pros to teach us in a private lesson? Or is the brutal answer, "Don't waste the pro's time and my money?"

John

We are in a similar situation. They gave us an hour with a coach for some reason. We would dance a smooth dance, he would pick out a few key technical items to work. Than show the correction to us and our teacher. It really helped our dancing. Top coaches are very good at finding the key technical improvements, you need to improve. He also told us what we were good at, which was also beneficial.

 

[DancinAnne]

I would say learn technique (vs. steps)

Ditto.

We typically let the pro tell us what they think we need. My DH and I train with several top pros around the country. They will usually they ask us what we want and our normal response is to ask them what they think we need in order to be competitive. As fascination said: 'top level pros will have lots to say that will help you in an instant.' I've never been disappointed. And it is absolutely not a waste of money.