Up in the Air
Changui
Instructor: dandomambo.com
First impression : Showed up at 7:15pm for a "Beginner 3" class, promptly dropped $12, and rolled my eyes when the instructor was teaching the basic Mambo step. The woman collecting the coins confirmed that it was a "Beginner class, as in Beginner-Beginner", so I stuck around for the 8:30 "Intermediate" session.
People: Even mix. Follows were friendly and patient.
Agenda: 60% footwork/shines, 40% partnerwork.
Details: In Shine portion, we started with basics and proceeded quickly into a combo. Not sure how I feel about instructor periodically asking the class ("Si or no?") about moving on. Shouldn't the instructor be able to guage how well the class is doing and determine if it's time? Or are we moving on based on the loudest student(s)?
Partnerwork consisted of fairly intricate combo. Instructor would demonstrate 2 or 3 times, then students would practice a few times with rotation. Had to consistently clarify details (grabbing wrist or hand? right hand on top?). Pace was very fast, and there was no personalized attention. It was assumed that everyone knew the individual moves, so he was just piecing them together for the students.
At the end, instructor plugged Bachata class taught by his brother (or friend?). Then the brother came out and did a little Bachata demo - But he wasn't even that good! After class, everyone disappeared quickly even though DJ played music and club portion began.
Conclusion: On par for "class-at-a-bar". I'm terrible with combos, so my hope for these things is to take away 2-3 "nuggets" and incorporate them into my dancing.
First impression : Showed up at 7:15pm for a "Beginner 3" class, promptly dropped $12, and rolled my eyes when the instructor was teaching the basic Mambo step. The woman collecting the coins confirmed that it was a "Beginner class, as in Beginner-Beginner", so I stuck around for the 8:30 "Intermediate" session.
People: Even mix. Follows were friendly and patient.
Agenda: 60% footwork/shines, 40% partnerwork.
Details: In Shine portion, we started with basics and proceeded quickly into a combo. Not sure how I feel about instructor periodically asking the class ("Si or no?") about moving on. Shouldn't the instructor be able to guage how well the class is doing and determine if it's time? Or are we moving on based on the loudest student(s)?
Partnerwork consisted of fairly intricate combo. Instructor would demonstrate 2 or 3 times, then students would practice a few times with rotation. Had to consistently clarify details (grabbing wrist or hand? right hand on top?). Pace was very fast, and there was no personalized attention. It was assumed that everyone knew the individual moves, so he was just piecing them together for the students.
At the end, instructor plugged Bachata class taught by his brother (or friend?). Then the brother came out and did a little Bachata demo - But he wasn't even that good! After class, everyone disappeared quickly even though DJ played music and club portion began.
Conclusion: On par for "class-at-a-bar". I'm terrible with combos, so my hope for these things is to take away 2-3 "nuggets" and incorporate them into my dancing.