West Coast Swing Brings the Kid Out

West Coast Swing was a dance that I thought I would never get.  It was a non-traditional dance where the leader and follower do different things but must be in sync.  In ballroom dancing the leader and follower are mirror image of each other.  But it was a popular dance, the music was addictive, and looked like it was fun.  So I practiced, studied videos, and took coaching.  I attended every dance that I could.  Each dance I prepared myself to try one new pattern.  I figured if I added one new pattern each week, that I would learn 50 patterns a year. 

We all know that kids love to play.  The improvisational nature of West Coast Swing gives dancers of all ages and levels the opportunity to play to all types of music.  West Coast Swing gives dancers of different abilities to dance together.  It can be danced anywhere to almost any genre of music.

Skippy Blair is one of the founders of West Coast Swing.  Included is an article on the history of West Coast Swing:  http://www.swingworld.com/history_wsc.htm

See you on the dance floor!


Larry

Enriching Life Through Dance

I don’t remember the first time I ever danced, but my mother says that as a very little girl, I would put on Halloween costumes and twirl around the house, playing Snow White or Sleeping Beauty, with a certain kind of dramatic flair that only five-year-old girls can pull off.

Even at such a young age, I seemed to have an appreciation for dance that has been a staple throughout my life. As I’ve “grown up,” which might be a loosely coined term, being that I’m only 23 and recently graduated from college, I am grateful for what dance has taught me, and the experiences I have had because of it. Now, as a dance teacher, I hope that I can help others enrich their lives through dance.

I have taken dance lessons since I was three. Ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop, lyrical, West African- you name it, I probably took it. It wasn’t until I was 13, that I got my first taste of ballroom dancing. As you can imagine, for many of you from first-hand experience, I was hooked from the start. Partner dancing was a whole new world to me, and I loved experiencing ways that two people could work together to make such beautiful movements. I learned how to trust another person to not lead me astray, which is a very difficult task for a stubborn 13-year-old girl. I also learned how to exude grace and poise, with awkward, long lanky legs and braces- another daunting task.

When I turned 14, I traveled to my first competition. I didn’t know what to expect, and felt out of place, in my long gown dripping in rhinestones, high heels and hair-sprayed bun. As soon as I walked into the ballroom, I was in awe. Words can not do justice to the feeling of pure bliss and excitement that encompassed me. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted that feeling to always be my reality. I cried for two days after it was over, and told my mom I didn’t want to go back to the “real world.” She felt the same way.

There is an “old world charm” that surrounds the art of ballroom dancing that I have always loved and appreciated, even as a young girl. I began learning so much more than dancing at these competitions, and in my hometown studio. I watched and observed as people were kind and courteous to each other, and treated each other with the utmost respect. Men always opened doors for the ladies, and asked the women to dance with such chivalry. I felt, that this was the way the whole world should be. The ballroom was beautiful, the people were elegant, the dancing was beyond explanation, and I started to feel at home.

To make a long story short, ballroom dancing has honestly shaped me into the person I am today. I don’t think there is any way to describe the things it has taught me in my life. I have learned the way I like to conduct myself, the way I like to be treated and the way I always want to treat others. I learned to be a humble winner and gracious loser. I learned how to feel physically and mentally in shape through the exercise that ballroom dancing provides. I learned how to respect others in a way that seems lost on much of society today. I learned how to see beauty with its enriching influence, because everything seems more beautiful when you’re dancing.

There is no way to describe the enjoyment you can get from dancing. In addition to all the above mentioned aspects, it is so much fun! It is my true belief, that anyone and everyone can benefit from dancing, and enjoy it, if you give it a try. It worked for me!!

Yours truly,

Katy Davis

When Did I Start Dancing????

This is the most common question asked by my students.  Dancing has always been a part of my life.  It is my life.  Since I could walk my family would take me along to parties.  They became my first teachers as I was exposed to the cha cha, the boogie which you may know as the lindy hop, and tango.  This was my first exposure to partner dancing.  Little did I know this was the beginning of my life story as a dancer.  As a child watching movies like Cinderella and Sound of Music I yearned to sing and dance like Julie Andrews and the other stars.  I guess that is where my theatrical nature started.  As a child I attended one of the top schools in the Philippines where our school books were written in English.  This posed as a challenge for me since English was not my native language.  This challenge forced me to communicate through body language.  As I started to learn and develop my dancing skills it proved to be a great asset in my development as a dancer.  I learned numerous styles of dance – ballet, jazz, flamenco, and ballroom to name a few.  I remember my dance teacher would give us a symbol and tell us to interpret it through dance.  These exercises taught me creativity and how to transform myself into anything I wanted to be.  I guess this is why I’m such a stickler for showing expression through movements with my students today. 

After high school I knew dance would be part of me forever.  At that time I was chosen to perform during intermission for a dance sport competition in Manila.  At that event I was noticed by the head of the Department of Culture of the Philippines and was chosen to be trained by world champion Paul Bishop.  I was honored to work with Paul Bishop and later on assisted him with numerous workshops around the country. 

This led me to become the owner of my own dance studio in the Philippines and a regional trainer in the Philippines.  The reason I dance is because its my passion.  My family has always inspired me and that inspiration drives me to inspire my students.  Dance allows me to share that love with my students.

See you on the dance floor!

Rosario

Dance Can Lift Your Spirits (and even save your life)

Nearly five years ago I was offered a full-time job in another city.  I rented my home and moved my belongings.  A week later after I moved to this other city, the owner pulled the job offer.  I found myself jobless and homeless.  My home was occupied by renters and I had no income.  One of the reasons I moved to this other city was to pursue dance teaching and to attend a ballroom dance teaching college in the evening.  After the shock of the job loss passed I found a dance studio that I could study, practice, and teach while I looked for a job.  Every day from noon to 10 pm I made dancing my job – studying the syllabus, reviewing videos, and attending classes.  Within three months I had 10 students and was dancing.  My income was low, but I was enjoying every day.

I have heard that dancing had many benefits.  At the studio I felt safe.  The dancing made me feel good physically and mentally.  It gave me purpose and provided daily joy.  The camaraderie with fellow teachers and students was intoxicating.  Having a reason to get up every day and looking forward to dance was the difference between life and death of my spirit.

Are you in a blue mood?  Is there stress in your job?  Well turn on the music and dance.  One day back in my dorm room, I blasted Madonna songs and danced until I collapsed of exhaustion into happiness.  Dance has obvious physical health benefits.  Sometimes the physical benefits of dance are not achieved because of the condition the mind and spirit is in.  There were days that the difference between feeling down and feeling good was music and dancing.  Body movement and music create endorphins in the body that makes you feel good.  But it goes further than that.  When one is dancing to music, there is no room for negative thoughts or feelings.  It keeps a person in the present.  No time for guilt or worry.  For four minutes at a time there is nothing to think about except the dance and the music.  Ballroom dancing adds another aspect of sociability and communication with others.  There are many dancers who claim that dance has saved their lives.  I am one of them.

Yours truly,

Larry Rindner

Lose 12 in 2012

 

Hi Everyone! I am sure you had a great Christmas - New Year Holiday period. I did and "boy" am I paying for all the good food, company and fine wine that I had. It is a shame when your favorite pair of Hugo Boss pants don't fit anymore. Thank heavens for the Fat Jeans....

So I am inviting you to join me in attempting to lose 12 pounds in 2012. The studio is going to have a weigh in at Dance Bethesda each night, starting Monday, January 9th. Come join me in this exciting way to fight the flab and get back in some form of aerobic fitness. At the end of February we will re-weigh everyone and have prizes for those that have lost some of their Christmas pudding.

The goal is to be 12 pounds lighter by the end of April, though I am hoping to lose it quicker than that.

Conditions of this little competition are easy. You must attend 2 of our 12 in 2012 classes, designated by a *star on our class calendars and any other class during the week. Get weighed in during the first week of competition and again at the end of February. You must lose a minimum of 8 lbs to qualify for one of our first prize givings. That should be easy enough......

I will be blogging about my experience and would love to hear about yours.

What will be the hardest part for me is not eating late at night after classes/lessons, limiting myself to one full glass of wine per night - not a never emptying glass, and cutting out the potato chips and french fries. Did anyone mention Pizza.....ssshhhhh!!!!! Plus get some exercise. Looks like the dogs will get some longer walks.

As well Ladies I will be having a Dance Card up at the studio, so you can help me dance the tummy away.

See you on the dance floor.

Michael

Private Lessons or Classes? - That's a Good Question

I often get asked "Is it better to start off with private lessons or group classes?"
The answer depends on what your dancing goals are.  If you are getting married or have a function to attend, take private lessons.  You will be given one on one instruction on how to dance with confidence, technique and style so your event will be a success.

Lessons are also great if your goal is to showcase your new hobby in competition or displays.

Classes are a great way to gain confidence while learning to dance.  The pace is slower as you move through the basic steps and normally you change partners to develop your leading and following skills.  It is an inexpensive way to learn but a great social activity at the same time.

The perfect world would be to do both.  That way you learn steps in a class environment and use your lesson to hone the finer skills and styling.

A lot of my students do both and they find it the most satisfying way to twinkle their toes.

Cheers!

Michael Rye