Finding a Good Instructor

[peachexploration]

Very good article of finding a good instructor....

by Sam Boone, Washington DC, sboone@erols.com

Been dancing Salsa for a while, but you want to be better? Feel like your dance moves are predictable? Do the ladies read your moves before you even lead them? Is there not enough variety in your repertoire? Has a creative urge hit you? You know certain moves are possible, but for some reason, does the execution elude you? Or is your desire more fundamental? Do you simply want to get better at this Salsa (Mambo) thing?

So far so good. So, let’s do it! Let's get some help. Oh, you tried? You asked a few of your friends, but it didn’t work out too well. Now you’re more confused than ever. Looks like you need help. Well, how about a class or two? You know-- you find an instructor, someone who knows the things you want to learn and have that person teach those things to you. Finding a dance instructor in the DC metro area is not difficult. They are all over the place. From the Tango to the Two-step, from Samba to Swing, and of course Salsa (my favorite), instructors abound. But what do they offer, and more importantly, what should you look for in a dance instructor?

My advice is to consider four critical characteristics when you look for a dance instructor. These are vital. First and foremost, an instructor needs to have teaching ability. The instructor must be able to convey to the student the desired outcome. This means that the instructor must be able to describe, explain, and illustrate. Also, the dance instructor must have the ability to demonstrate what the students are supposed to do, and successfully transfer that dance information to the student.

Second, the instructor should have a thorough knowledge of the steps, the technique, and the associated styling. This means that the instructor must be able to take those complex dance elements, and reduce them to simple steps, relate them to other moves, and/or demonstrate the similarity between these and other steps.

Third, your instructor needs to have people skills. The instructor must be able to relate to the people in the class, enjoy working with people, and be able to work with a diversity of people and a variety of dance capabilities.

And fourth of course, the instructor must have a desire to teach. The dance instructor must have the attitude, interest, and ability to translate the Salsa steps, styling, and related elements into form, format, or content that the student can understand, along with the innate desire to do so.

Additionally he or she should be patient, thorough, and supportive. Patience is a critical asset for the instructor. It is frustrating for both teacher and student when you are having trouble explaining and obtaining the students' understanding about some dance element. Thoroughness matters if the full learning process is to be successful. Seek out the instructor who expects you to do it well and will not accept that which is only adequate. The instructor who is willing to offer constructive criticism will generally demand more of you and as a result, push you more towards excellence. After all the reason for attending class is to learn the "what and how" of dancing. In addition the instructor should also be aware of and informed about the various Salsa activities in the area. You’re looking for a person who is involved in Salsa

In closing, remember that the class environment should temper all of your expectations. Salsa is taught in many forums. Classes can be group or private, single level or multiple levels. The teaching goals vary based on the type of dance class being taught. The teaching objectives of a large basic dance class may be to only introduce the basic dance step and to assure that every one has fun, whereas the goal of an advanced class may be to teach a specific dance step or steps at each session. Ask the teacher about the class objectives. Visit the class and observe how the dance class is taught. Try out the class, and the instructor. See how you like it. Ask the other students in the class about the things they like and dislike. Students will often be surprisingly candid.

Finally, I remember reading that the most important ingredient in any class is the student. After all the purpose of any dance class is to teach dance so that the student is able to perform in a manner equal to that of the teacher or better than the teacher is.

[peachexploration]

Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions about this one?

[MacMoto]

Thanks Peach -- I seemed to have missed this article!
Yes, some good points here. I'm happy with my current teachers, and they score well in all of the four aspects mentioned. I must say though it took me a while to find them.

My two cents on this subject are:

Ask other dancers -- the ones whose style of dancing you like -- who teach them and what they think of their teachers past and present.

Try different teachers. Every teacher has a different approach and teaching style, and you don't know which one works well for you until you try. Good teachers often encourage you to try other teacher's classes -- my teachers even invite guest teachers to their classes. There was a discussion on a local salsa forum recently about teachers who give students a hard time for going to other teachers' classes, which I think is pretty petty. :?

[peachexploration]

Just wanted to add that when I look for classes, particularly now. I look for an instructor who concentrates on the music. For me, that's where it starts. I find that when you received instruction that is musically based, the dancer's achievements are much greater than it would be if there's total concentration on just patterns.

[peachexploration]

Yes!:banana: Yes! :banana: Yes! :banana: After 2.5 years of pure AGONY! I'm back in classes with...(drum roll, please!) Yay! :bouncy: The Cobo Brothers! :rocker: I'm so happy, I can hardly contain myself!

The Peach is back! Yeah! Yeah! :rocker: Uh Huh! Uh Huh!

PS: Found some good instructors. :lol: ;) :banana:

[TheBear_CanDanceToo]

Way to go, Peach! :D

[peachexploration]

Thanks, Bear. :D

[peachexploration]

Yes! I've been dreaming about taking classes with them for a few years now but I thought maybe someday at Congress maybe BUT I got lucky and just moved the the Raleigh/Durham, NC area. So really happy to just to be back in the "physical" Salsa mode with good instructors with all the attributes mentioned above. :)

Another thread of interest :arrow: http://www.salsaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=472&highlight=joy

[smiling28]

Yes!:banana: Yes! :banana: Yes! :banana: After 2.5 years of pure AGONY! I'm back in classes with...(drum roll, please!) Yay! :bouncy: The Cobo Brothers! :rocker: I'm so happy, I can hardly contain myself!

The Peach is back! Yeah! Yeah! :rocker: Uh Huh! Uh Huh!

PS: Found some good instructors. :lol: ;) :banana:
HURRAY!!!

Lucky Cobo brothers!!!

[lolita]

Lolita hangs her head in sorrow and envies peach.

Congratulations peach:D tell u7s how it goes

[sweavo]

yay! go peachy!

[pr]

Yes!:banana: Yes! :banana: Yes! :banana: After 2.5 years of pure AGONY! I'm back in classes with...(drum roll, please!) Yay! :bouncy: The Cobo Brothers! :rocker: I'm so happy, I can hardly contain myself!

The Peach is back! Yeah! Yeah! :rocker: Uh Huh! Uh Huh!

PS: Found some good instructors. :lol: ;) :banana:
I'm so happy for you Peach! :D :D :D

[terence]

Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions about this one?


The " choice " of instruction ( in any genre ) is totally dependant on availabilty-- large metro areas have a much greater selection than do some of the small backwoods towns ( and they are numerous ).

If you are in area where there is a wide selection-- take a class from as many as you see fit-- and base your choice on how they suit your needs .

For a beginner-- discernment is ,and or can be, very challenging.
Oddly enough-- the main criteria for a beginner, is often personality .

Ones opinions tend to change ( not always ) after the beginner stage changes into more advanced work-- happens in ballroom and salsa .

Have coached in many small towns , and it never ceases to amaze how little exposure they have to the bigger picture-- but-- the enthusiasm is always top of the list ! .

[Jambo]

Great to hear Peachy, enjoy the classes :D

[tj]

Congratulations, Peach! :rocker:

[peachexploration]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. :D

Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions about this one?
....Have coached in many small towns , and it never ceases to amaze how little exposure they have to the bigger picture-- but-- the enthusiasm is always top of the list ! . Terence2, have you found that the enthusiam is much less when there are a variety of choices in bigger cities? Just curious...

[MacMoto]

Lolita hangs her head in sorrow and envies peach.

Congratulations peach:D tell u7s how it goes
Ditto - I'm sooooooooo jealous! I love them both (though I haven't danced with Milton - I bottled it... :oops: )

Enjoy your classes peachy!

[peachexploration]

:D :D Will keep you posted. :D :D

[terence]

. Terence2, have you found that the enthusiam is much less when there are a variety of choices in bigger cities? Just curious...[/quote]


What I found in general terms, the loyalties change, between the students, searching for that " something ", and the attendance consistency will change--- IF you dont pre register,--- otherwise , the weekly turnover can be about the same, small or large .

The smaller locations seem more appreciative , as in many cases, there is not a deal else to do .

The main advantage for the larger cities-- there is generally more dance opportunities, for students in the club scene , which seems to generate more busines for the teachers .

[peachexploration]

:bouncy: Very happy so far! :bouncy:

I decided to start over completely. After not dancing for a long while, I decided that would be better to start from scratch. Good beginner instructors (not Milton although he was in the studio teaching another class :) )Taught very good beginner basics. The pace was a little rough though since I'm a quite a bit advanced compared to the other beginning students but I did learn a couple of things about styling which I really liked. I also had a chance to watch Milton teach level three a bit. Everyone single one of his students were fantastic. So measuring by the skill of the studentsand the instructors there, I think I'm in good hands and pretty happy. :D

[Salsamakossa]

Wow,

How long have you not been dancing?

:bouncy: Very happy so far! :bouncy:

I decided to start over completely. After not dancing for a long while, I decided that would be better to start from scratch. Good beginner instructors (not Milton although he was in the studio teaching another class :) )Taught very good beginner basics. The pace was a little rough though since I'm a quite a bit advanced compared to the other beginning students but I did learn a couple of things about styling which I really liked. I also had a chance to watch Milton teach level three a bit. Everyone single one of his students were fantastic. So measuring by the skill of the studentsand the instructors there, I think I'm in good hands and pretty happy. :D

[sweavo]

You know you're an advanced dancer when...

... someone asks you
How long have you not been dancing?

[peachexploration]

You know you're an advanced dancer when...

... someone asks you
How long have you not been dancing? :lol:

Sweavo, is that you in your avatar? What a cutie. :D

Salsamakossa, I haven't danced since Christmas 2005 when I moved from Orlando. :cry: I moved to Brunswick, Ga (US) where the only thing that was Salsa was the dip and not too many people there knew what that was. :lol:

The other thing about my classes is that it's heavy on the partner work and zero shines. At least in the beginner classes. When I took On2 classes before, it was 1/2 shines (footwork) and 1/2 partnerwork for the 2 hour classes. Even though I thought too much focus were on shines at the time, I must say I really miss them now. :? If only for the first 30 minutes just so that the beginners can work on conditioning themselves to the music.

[sweavo]

Sweavo, is that you in your avatar? What a cutie. :D


:oops: shucks! :oops: yes that's me as seen through the eyes of Jambo, her expensive camera, and a bit of photoshop. (The original is a bit sweatier!)

[barrefly]

peachexploration,
Thankyou so much for the post. It affirms what I beleive. My daughter's teacher has a perfect score in all 4 (and is one of the biggest names in salsa), yet, many ask why my daughter is training with "him". I won't mention names, but here in L.A.,...there seems to be so much bias and politics toward teachers/pros. I feel like she will be balckblisted if she is friends/study with certain teachers. This really is problematic for us. My daughter is on her way to becoming pro., (a great deal thanks to this teacher) but is already getting labled as being a "teacher's name here" follower. She follows no one and wants to be friends with all. Is that possible in L.A.? ...in any city, country?
I guess my daughter will just have to learn..."you can't please everyone".

[Salsamakossa]

Hey Peach,

That's impressive. Can't believe you have stuck with it all these years, moderating the forums as well when you have not been dancing.. atleast not actively. I am assuming you went to Atlanta every now and then to get a small fix .. lol.

Hopefully you can make up for lost time/shines in Raleigh/Durham now... lol.

Salsamakossa, I haven't danced since Christmas 2005 when I moved from Orlando. :cry: I moved to Brunswick, Ga (US) where the only thing that was Salsa was the dip and not too many people there knew what that was. :lol:

The other thing about my classes is that it's heavy on the partner work and zero shines. At least in the beginner classes. When I took On2 classes before, it was 1/2 shines (footwork) and 1/2 partnerwork for the 2 hour classes. Even though I thought too much focus were on shines at the time, I must say I really miss them now. :? If only for the first 30 minutes just so that the beginners can work on conditioning themselves to the music.

[peachexploration]

...I guess my daughter will just have to learn..."you can't please everyone".Yes, you can only please yourself and that's really all that matters. Especially, when it's your sweat and money going into what you're doing. A good friend of mine asked me once if I thought it was okay to switch teachers or use different teachers at the same time for different techniques without asking them first or something along those lines. My answer to that was when it comes to Salsa, I don't play politics with anyone. It' my money, my sweat and my hard work that I'm spending, not theirs. In my opinion, for whatever your goal is in Salsa, you find the instructor that is better suited to help you reach your goal and not because one instructor does not like the other one or you're labeled as "his/her" student.

[peachexploration]

Sweavo, is that you in your avatar? What a cutie. :D


:oops: shucks! :oops: yes that's me as seen through the eyes of Jambo, her expensive camera, and a bit of photoshop. (The original is a bit sweatier!)Very nice photo of you, Sweavo. Looks like we have a nominee already for the next SF awards. :D

Hey Peach,

That's impressive. Can't believe you have stuck with it all these years, moderating the forums as well when you have not been dancing.. atleast not actively. I am assuming you went to Atlanta every now and then to get a small fix .. lol.... No, didnt get to Atlanta at all unfortunately. Yeah, life threw me for a loop for a little while but getting back to it with some great teachers makes it much sweeter. :)Even in the Orlando area, it took me a long time to find a great Salsa instructor there and unfortunately, I had to go through quite a few terrible instructors to get to a good one. :?

[nowhiteshoes]

No, didnt get to Atlanta at all unfortunately. Yeah, life threw me for a loop for a little while but getting back to it with some great teachers makes it much sweeter. :)Even in the Orlando area, it took me a long time to find a great Salsa instructor there and unfortunately, I had to go through quite a few terrible instructors to get to a good one. :?

that saying ' you've got to kiss alot of frogs to find the prince' rings a bell :lol: . there's some real amateurs in all areas.

[KP-salsa]

Sweavo, is that you in your avatar? What a cutie. :D


:oops: shucks! :oops: yes that's me as seen through the eyes of Jambo, her expensive camera, and a bit of photoshop. (The original is a bit sweatier!)Very nice photo of you, Sweavo. Looks like we have a nominee already for the next SF awards. :D

OooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooo!

Peach and Sweavo sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[peachexploration]

:lol: KP-Salsa, you're too funny. :lol:

[peachexploration]

No, didnt get to Atlanta at all unfortunately. Yeah, life threw me for a loop for a little while but getting back to it with some great teachers makes it much sweeter. :)Even in the Orlando area, it took me a long time to find a great Salsa instructor there and unfortunately, I had to go through quite a few terrible instructors to get to a good one. :?

that saying ' you've got to kiss alot of frogs to find the prince' rings a bell :lol: . there's some real amateurs in all areas.
Right, and you really have to be discerning when it comes to selection. Unfortunately, Orlando had very few good instructors and a whole lot of bad/deceptive ones. That's why sites like SF ;) are key along with other sources, and essential especially when you're new to Salsa and are unaware of the many styles, instructor and techniques that are out there. There is power in knowledge. :)

[Flujo]

How long have you not been dancing?:lol:

Sweavo, is that you in your avatar? What a cutie. :D

Salsamakossa, I haven't danced since Christmas 2005 when I moved from Orlando. :cry: I moved to Brunswick, Ga (US) where the only thing that was Salsa was the dip and not too many people there knew what that was. :lol: Tritto, Quadritto, Quantiplo(?) the congrats for jumping back on the saddle!! 2005 maaaaan oh man that's a long time. Glad your back to send some positive ripples throughout Salsa continuum.
:cheers: <-- Mojito or Guiness...or both ;)

[sweavo]

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

* draws curtain across KP's gurning face *

a little privacy, please!

[noobster]

gurning
:eyebrow:

[sweavo]

gurning
:eyebrow:

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3670504.stm

[noobster]

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3670504.stm

:lol:

Where I'm from that word's got a slightly different (though related) meaning.

[peachexploration]

...What I found in general terms, the loyalties change, between the students, searching for that " something ", and the attendance consistency will change--- IF you dont pre register,--- otherwise , the weekly turnover can be about the same, small or large .....
Yes, that's true. I actually like the idea of pre-registering as opposed to drop-ins for the reason of ensuring that there is a good lead/follow ratio. Students are more likely to attend classes on a regular basis if they [pre-register/pre-pay]. That's a plus for the instructor and the student.