private time with instructors allowed?

[cali]

Hello all.

New to the forum and relatively new to Ceroc.
I am curious to find out why instructors do not offer private lessons or any one-on-one time with dancers to assist them in improving any potential problems.

Just in the time I have been involved I have found that some dancers could use a little advice in improving their skills. The problem is that there is no one to tell them they might need to make a change. Taxi's are great to help dancers execute moves and Instructors are good to let you know if you can move up to the next level, but (For Example) who teaches you how to execute a spin properly so that you (the follower) can keep your balance or so that you (the leader) doesn't take the follower out of balance, or knock your head?

I have found that dancers won't tell someone they are dancing with that they are causing them grief in a part of their dance out of common courtesy. So, how do you find out that you may have a problem that you didn't know about?

I hope not to offend anyone, I would want to be corrected myself! I would love to hear your thoughts.

[Chris]

Originally posted by cali
Hello all.

New to the forum and relatively new to Ceroc.
I am curious to find out why instructors do not offer private lessons or any one-on-one time with dancers to assist them in improving any potential problems.

Hi Cali!

I would just ask if I were you. It may differ depending what part of NZ you are in of course. Most of the Auckland instructors seem to offer one to one lessons at a very reasonable rate. Ask one you feel comfortable with or ask Angelique to recommend one. If you can't find one, maybe email NZ Ceroc central - I''m sure they'll help

Alternatively you should feel free to just ask any teacher to help on any specific points at the end of the class. I don't think you'll find them too scary!

(btw I'm not based in NZ, just speaking from my lovely experience in your country)

[thewacko]

Originally posted by cali
Hello all.

New to the forum and relatively new to Ceroc.
I am curious to find out why instructors do not offer private lessons or any one-on-one time with dancers to assist them in improving any potential problems.

sorry to hear you have unco-operative teachers, over here the last words out of the instructors mouths are usually "if you have any problems with any of the moves taught tonight come and see me and I will go over them with you"

Originally posted by cali
Just in the time I have been involved I have found that some dancers could use a little advice in improving their skills. The problem is that there is no one to tell them they might need to make a change. Taxi's are great to help dancers execute moves and Instructors are good to let you know if you can move up to the next level, but (For Example) who teaches you how to execute a spin properly so that you (the follower) can keep your balance or so that you (the leader) doesn't take the follower out of balance, or knock your head?

once again over here quite a lot of the taxi dancers will try and give good tips on spinning turning or general style if unsure just ask

Originally posted by cali
I have found that dancers won't tell someone they are dancing with that they are causing them grief in a part of their dance out of common courtesy. So, how do you find out that you may have a problem that you didn't know about?

once again try dancing with a taxi and ask them to point out any faults, it may need you to ask first because of the politeness thing, but dont be offended by what your told.


oh and welcome to the wonderful world of ceroc

Phil

[JamesGeary]

$50 an hour + hall hire (if required) is the standard rate for private lessons in NZ, for ceroc or any style of dancing. Do a private lesson a week for a few months with a good teacher and you'll make far better progress than any other way.

If you only have one local ceroc teacher and he/she doesn't have the time for private lessons, and doesn't like critiquing people in a social setting, then do private lessons on your ceroc with a good ballroom teacher, who will probably be as good for removing bad habits, and improving posture as anyone else. Actually better, if they are top-notch standard.

[DavidB]

Originally posted by JamesGeary
then do private lessons on your ceroc with a good ballroom teacher, who will probably be as good for removing bad habits, and improving posture as anyone else. Actually better, if they are top-notch standard.

This is not always better. Although a good ballroom teacher will be far better trained than any Ceroc teacher, and will know far more about ballroom dancing that and Ceroc teacher knows about Ceroc, there are still differences.

The timing is different, so the emphasis on the beats is different. Some of the body action (eg Rumba walks) you might want, some (ie Ballroom Jive) you should avoid. Most of the ideas on leading are similar - the differences are in the timing. Many of the presentation ideas are good, but you have to be careful you don't make a street dance look too clinical or artificial. And no-one is better at making your footwork look good.

But the biggest difference is musical interpretation. They do it completely different in Ballroom, and especially Latin American. They generally have one fixed style for each dance, but do not spend any time learning how to interpret individual songs.

Private lessons with good ballroom teachers are still worth doing - as long as you know what is relevant to Modern Jive. Also many of the best Modern Jive dancers (esp ladies) have a background in ballroom and latin.

David

[cali]

Don't get me wrong. The instructors always say if you have a question ask a taxi or ask after class in the freestyle/practice segment. That is always offered up.

Yet, I haven't seen more than 1 or 2 take up that opportunity. What I do see are some easy fixes on the dance floor that get missed and never addressed.

I guess I wish personal improvement was more widely encouraged. The only encouragement I do hear is usually to keep going to classes to get better.

Overall, the teachers do a great job in the classes and in encouraging new dancers. They are a great bunch!

[Gus]

Originally posted by cali

Yet, I haven't seen more than 1 or 2 take up that opportunity. What I do see are some easy fixes on the dance floor that get missed and never addressed.

I dont know to what extent this applies in the UK, but the idea is that the intsructor should take time to suss out who he needs to dance with ... and give them some gentle advice (e.g. a lady gripping too tight, a guy continualy overstepping). At least thats general guidannce from Blitz and I think the CTA recommend something similar.

[Martin]

Originally posted by cali
Hello all.

New to the forum and relatively new to Ceroc.
I am curious to find out why instructors do not offer private lessons or any one-on-one time with dancers to assist them in improving any potential problems.

who teaches you how to execute a spin properly so that you (the follower) can keep your balance or so that you (the leader) doesn't take the follower out of balance, or knock your head?

I have found that dancers won't tell someone they are dancing with that they are causing them grief in a part of their dance out of common courtesy. So, how do you find out that you may have a problem that you didn't know about?

Hi Cali,

Well it looks like they do private lessons in NZ (your original question).
If you are ever over in Australia private lessons are also offered here.

As to spinning certainly a private lesson should sort that out, if you are visiting Sydney, whilst the Intermediate class is on, they run a "freestyle" class for the beginners to teach all those things that get you freestyling quicker (including spinning, tips and tricks and feedback)


As to feedback from other dancers - I have stopped giving feedback unless it is requested as many people have an overinflated opinion of thier abilities after only a few lessons.
If you request feedback I am sure people will be happy to offer it.

Marty

[JamesGeary]

Amir, an NZ teacher based in London, got carried away one day and decide to write a 25 page essay on how to spin. It'll tell you all the things your non-teaching teacher would have told you, and another 24 other things too.

http://www.fusiondance.co.uk

Cool avatar picture Marty. Got to get me one like that. Got to learn to do that first.

[cali]

I spoke with a different franchise owner here and she said she would love to give privates and has never been asked. I guess it would just be nicer if personal improvement was just more encouraged by Ceroc. Outside of just taking more classes.
Thanks

[Martin]

Originally posted by cali
I spoke with a different franchise owner here and she said she would love to give privates and has never been asked. I guess it would just be nicer if personal improvement was just more encouraged by Ceroc. Outside of just taking more classes.
Thanks

Good luck with the private lessons

[Gus]

Originally posted by JamesGeary
$50 an hour + hall hire (if required) is the standard rate for private lessons in NZ, for ceroc or any style of dancing. Do a private lesson a week for a few months with a good teacher and you'll make far better progress than any other way.

At that rate (about £20 in UK money) I reckon it will be cheapaer for me to get back to NZ, have a week of lessons and get back to the UK able to give it some serious style

Is Paul T etc. available for these lessons or is that your rate James?

[Gordon J Pownall]

Both Sal and I have given private lessons for MJers as well as choreographing routines for wedding couples - first dance kinda stuff.

If you ask the dance teacher (who may need to refer to the franchisee), usually someone will usually provide dance lessons on 1-2-1 basis.

Generally there is not a set rate and price is usually left to the teacher (unless it is applied across an individual franchise). The trouble comes where the 'student' needs to pay for costs of a suitable place to be taught where there isn't a huge dining room with a wooden floor at home, for example.

Ask your teacher but make sure you are really clear about what you want to get out of the lesson(s) - it may be that a workshop with limited numbers will offer what you are looking for at a more reasonable cost and most dance organisations offer workshops covering all levels of dancer.

1-2-1 tuition is recommended though if you want to learn some really technical stuff, like for example some complex aerial moves or where you want to develop in a very specialist area - perhaps choreography for a competition etc...

David - you done any 1-2-1 tuition??? You obviously have extensive skills in specialist areas - any advice or thoughts...?


G...x

[JamesGeary]

Originally posted by Gus
At that rate (about £20 in UK money) I reckon it will be cheapaer for me to get back to NZ, have a week of lessons and get back to the UK able to give it some serious style

Is Paul T etc. available for these lessons or is that your rate James?

Paul T is $50 / hour, so to prove I can do better I charge $51 / hour.

Lene (my wife), before she met me, was a complete beginner and wanted to become a great dancer and did the same calculation as you. She then went over to NZ and spent several thousand dollars on private coaching, because it was cheaper than learning any other way. Did she improve ludicrously, you'd better believe it. And she met me. Remember the NZ woman you met on your last trip Gus? Brown eyes....

So there are some benefits to spending time in a banana republic!

[Gus]

Originally posted by JamesGeary
Lene (my wife), before she met me, was a complete beginner and wanted to become a great dancer and did the same calculation as you. She then went over to NZ and spent several thousand dollars on private coaching, because it was cheaper than learning any other way.

So if I start charging $52 an hour do you think any of the gorgeous NZ lasses will come across to the UK to study under me( )

To be honest not got the hang of this charging thing. Seems like all the coaching I do (outside of workshops) seems to be for gratis ... good job it isn't my livelihood.