The role of the Taxi dancer

[wongd]

When the Taxi Dancers take the beginners through the Beginners routine, what should they do?

1. Go over the routine, parrot fashion as taught by the teacher; master all the moves so that the beginner can execute the routine flawlessly.
2. Use the time to focus on some apsect of the routine (eg, where should the ladies hands be positioned at the start, during and at the end of the first move to dissuade the forming of bad habits at a very early stage; remind blokes that it is far better to master a few, than it is to know all and then poorly execute them)
3. use the time to focus on beat/timing
4. encourage /persuade/ cajole the beginner to stay during the freestyle session to get hooked on the music/ sheer fun

In my neck of the woods (London), many beginners drop out after the first visit.

From a purely business perpective, this is a lost oppourtunity. The Question is what can CEROC INC do about retaining Beginners/ Make the experience more infectious.

One way might be to make better use of Taxi dancers, to spend more time on (2), (3) and (4) and less on (1)

Personally, I think (4) is very important (taxi dancers should lead the beginners back in to the main dance hall and dance with each one in turn to music which has a very easy to hear rhythm. eg. emma bunton -"what took you so long" sort of tempo). However, Taxi dancers are not really trained to do this.

Is the situation different in other parts of the country, if it is, is the deployment policy left to CEROC franchises and not directed by CEROC HQ....and if that is the case, then surely CEROC HQ have made a commercial mistake by not insisting on a consistent approach.

[Gadget]

I'm not a Taxi Dancer, but I would have thought that the primary objective of a TD would be to bolster the beginner's self-confidence; it shouldn't matter whether they follow methods 1,2,3 or 4.
And I would also assume that it would depend on what the beginner's were asking of the TD: From observation it seems that one bold couple approach and ask about a specific thing {eg. "how do you get into/out of a move?" or "am I doing this bit right?"} and others just join in.

As a beginner {a while ago now}, I danced with taxi dancers and found them to outline where I was going right, not correcting where I was going wrong - giving me encouragement to stay on and giving me tips on general dancing, not on the specific moves. Personally I can't think on a better way for the taxi-dancers to do their jobs.

[TheTramp]

Been thinking about this for a while now. Both from a point of view of a taxi-dancer (was one in Central London for over 2 years), and also from the PoV of being a teacher, and what I expect the taxi-dancers to do.

I'm not too sure about point 4. The first thing that always puts me off anything like this - shopping, eating out, new hobby - is the 'hard sell' approach. If I like it, I'll come back/buy it/whatever. If I don't like it, I won't. So, the taxi-dancer should be trying to make the evening as enjoyable as possible for the new person, without pushing it down their throats.

A lot of people come along to dancing without really knowing what to expect - it's not like taking up football or something similar where you have a pretty good idea about what's going to happen before you arrive. Hence, some people take to it, some don't. And if they don't, then they aren't going to stick around.

Most of the time, beginners lack confidence, and the best thing that the taxi-dancer can do, is try to give them the confidence to stay. This comes through point 1 - feeling more capable of being able to actually do some moves helps. And while they've already been through them with the teacher, being part of a class - where most people already know what they're doing - doesn't really give them a great deal of confidence. Doing the moves again, where they can ask questions, in a much more relaxed setting (unless you're cramped in a small corner of the hall while the intermediate class is going on) is a better way of giving beginners confidence that they actually can 'dance'.

I definitely agree that point 2 should be done though. Although, it's important not to overkill - people can only take in so much information at a time. Better to give a few really relevant points, than to try to give all the information in one go.

Finally (at last I hear you cry), no matter how well the taxi-dancers have done, it's no good if the beginners come back from the consolidation (or whatever you call it) class, walk into the freestyle, and immediately get fast or rhythmically challenging tracks to dance to. I would say that the freestyle between the classes, and the first 15 minutes after the intermediate class should be aimed at beginners (which also gives the less experienced intermediates a chance to work on what's just been taught in the intermediate class) - there's still plenty of decent danceable tracks that have a strong beat without being too fast that can be played then, and would hopefully encourage the beginners to stay for a little while at least. I couldn't begin to count the number of times have I heard the DJ play totally inappropriate stuff right after both classes, not giving people a chance to practise what they've been taught.

Steve

[Dance Demon]

I don't know how the Taxi dancer selection process works, but do they receive any kind of tuition, on how to teach? I used to teach Customer relationship skills & leadership skills to pub managers, and was sent on "train the trainer courses, to learn training techniques. Is there a similar structure for taxi dancers? I know that Ceroc prides itself on the standard of it's teacher tuition, but sureley taxi dancing is the first step on the teaching ladder. I have never been aware of any taxi dancer workshops taking place.
It doesn't neccessarily follow that a good dancer is a good teacher. It could be the case that someone who has good dancing skills, does not have particularly good interpersonal skills, and therefore would not be too clever at guiding beginners.
I also agree with Tramp on the music thing.....music played during the freestyle between classes should be of a tempo that is suitable for begginers to practice what they have just learned, without feeling intimidated.

[Aleks]

I have been a taxi for only a few months. Whilst "working" I try to incorporate all 4 of the points mentioned - dependent on the "feel" of the group. The first-timers probably want to get to grips with the 4 moves they have just learnt and feel comfortable with them. Those on their 4th/5th lesson probably benefit more from emphasis on the beat (if they haven't already got it) and benefit from encouragement not to stick only to the four moves they have learned that night, but to incorporate moves they have learnt previously. I don't think there is a definitive answer to this one - it would just depend on the group you get on the night. I have even split the group into 2 and concentrated on the basics for the moves with the first timers and done something more complex with the others (adding other beginners moves to make the sequence longer), with each taxi dancer taking a group.

As far as I know there is no specific training (or at least I haven't been invited to attend any training yet). I have been told there are meetings between Ceroc staff and taxis, but have not yet attended one.

[TheTramp]

When I was a taxi dancer for Central London, one time , we had a taxi dancer training session, we were all given a manual, and was told that it would happen on a 6 month basis in future.

When I stopped taxi-ing about 18 months later, we'd not had another session.

I've been kinda out of it for the last year , so I don't know if there has been anything subsequently.

Steve

[Jon]

I've been a taxi dancer for awhile now and found you need to be flexible in the way you teach. Doing the routine parrot fashion like the teacher just did doesnt happen. Every class I've taught has always been a different format depending on the needs of the class. For instance some people need to be shown how to spin properly so I'd add a quick spining section in. Also the teacher on stage doesnt usually go over the finer points like bent arm no thumbs etc so I'd cover that too depending if I thought it was needed.

Of course I go over the moves that were taught and on occassion the class has got them so quickly that they've asked to learn some more. Which I'm more than happy to do.

But I'm a firm believer that it's not just the teachers that make a beginner come back its also alot to do with the taxi dancers. If the beginner is not having fun they wont be back. So I try to add jokes in to the class to help them relax while offering advice to everyone and make sure that I dance with every lady so I can offer advice if they are gripping on to tight, using thumbs etc etc.

I only know that Central London do auditions for taxi dancers but elsewhere it's the good dancers who are friendly that get chosen. After all if you can't teach the class you wont last long will you!

[Emma]

Hmm. Lots of really good points from everyone Here's my twopennorth. Including a small soapboax section you may like to skim over.

I feel that my role as a taxi dancer is to be welcoming friendly and approachable, whether or not I happen to be wearing my taxi t-shirt. I think that as a taxi dancer I should wherever possible take part in the beginners class, so I can keep chatting to people who are still beginners and encourage them to continue dancing. During freestyle if I happen to be taxi-ing I will try to dance with as many beginners as possible. I've not been taxi-ing long and have noticed that naturally this has bled over into my non-taxi time. Because some of these people are pretty good after a few weeks. I wanna dance with them

I'd love to have had some form of training. But I didn't. I fall back on my teacher training and on working with other more experienced taxi dancers. It would have helped me a lot to have had some form of document that told me what I was supposed to do. (However I accept I am fairly fixated on pieces of paper telling me what to do - other people would probably be perfectly confident without one). Most of my knowledge of what is expecxted of taxi dancers comes from reading this forum. And of course from how I was treated by the taxi dancers when I started.

[begin skim]
On the subject of London Taxis a friend of mine who is already an excellent taxi dancer at Charlton was recently turned down by London on the basis that he 'didn't meet the criteria'. In other words, he hasn't seen 40 for a few years. I fail to understand how age is a criteria in choosing taxi dancers. Personally I believe that there should be a cross section broadly similar to that of the dancers at a venue. It makes me absolutely mad. But then, I'm over the magic 35 myself, so it would I suppose.
[end skim]

But yeah Des, I'm with you. A more consistent approach would be good, but please please not with a bloody age limit. Some of us wrinkling beings over the age of 35 have something to offer too.

[Dan Hudson]

in my opinion as an ex taxi dancer and now franchisee Taxi dancers are there to make the beginers feel that they are not left out during the intermediate class, to make them feel as though they belong, to make them want to stay longer and enjoy the music.
Going over the moves is important, but dancing with them is more so. In my experience instruction is only part of the learning curve, practice is the other part..
Dancing with beginners through the routine they have just learnt or last weeks or even moves they want to is the most effective way of getting to know them and helping them build the all important confidence.

Before the invention of the revision class, taxi dancers in Kent used to sit and chat with the new people, get to know them as well as dance with them. i have made some great friends by doing this..

I agree with points 3 and 4 I don't think its necessary to go over the routine parrot fashion as this may lead to confusion with the way the move is signalled etc..

Remeber one important thing.. How did you feel on your first night at dancing and then how would you like it tackled!


Happy taxiing.. Ps if any Charlton taxi dancers feel they would benefit frm a taxi workshop, let us know and we can arrange one.. Its up to you guys. personally I think you are doing a great job, excpet maybe for Jons bad jokes!!

[John S]

Originally posted by Emma

I fail to understand how age is a criteria in choosing taxi dancers. Personally I believe that there should be a cross section broadly similar to that of the dancers at a venue............

I think that's very sensible, but by definition it's going to be difficult to forecast on any given night what age the beginners will be. Anyway I'm glad that in Scotland anyway, Franck doesn't insist on an MOT for some of us older taxis.

............Some of us wrinkling beings over the age of 35 have something to offer too.

Over 35, Emma? You haven't even BEGUN to wrinkle!

[TheTramp]

Yeah.

And people under 35 definitely haven't started to wrinkle either.

Although, it's only 6 months away

Steve

[Stuart M]

I think the only 'training' a taxi dancer needs can be summed up in 2 words: be positive!

We can all remember the first nervous time we went to a dance class. Having someone telling me not to worry/it'll come with practice/I'm still making mistakes 3 years in so why should you feel bad/ etc. was a help to me when I started.

When I taxiied, if it was a beginner's first night, I would work around all their mistakes as far as possible. When things went wrong, I'd take the blame for it. As a male taxi, this was easy enough to do - it's a male-led dance, after all. I think for female taxis the job is a lot more difficult, however...infinite patience and a durable smile required, I think.

On subsequent nights with that person, I'd only try to correct big obvious errors, and even then, referred them to the teacher in order to get the right (well, the 'official' anyway) answer.

[Franck]

Originally posted by wongd
When the Taxi Dancers take the beginners through the Beginners routine, what should they do?

As many have pointed out so far, the primary role of the Taxi-dancer is more to do with boosting confidence / encouraging new members to keep trying and make them appreciate how much fun dancing can be...
Of course, this will involve teaching / answering questions to a certain degree, but overall, the best qualities a taxi-dancer can have is a big smile, bags of patience and a friendly attitude.

All 4 points you mention, only become relevant for people that have already danced for over a month and are already hooked to dancing, and by then, they should join workshops to pick up all the extras you quote.
As Aleks says though, each week and each beginner will be different, so you can add flexibility to the above list of qualities

With regards to training, in an ideal world, there would be more, and I have tried periodically to organize taxi training sessions, but never seem to have enough week-ends...
I do ask / encourage all taxi-dancers to attend the Beginners workshops as often as possible, as it is the best training they can get, as all the questions they are likely to face on the night are usually answered by the teacher then. We also have a Taxi Manual, with loads of tips, and a clear description of Taxi-dancers' duties.

When it comes to the age of taxi-dancers, I am with Emma... it does not / should not matter, as long as they have all the above qualities, then they qualify in my books.

Franck.

[sbell]

I've just been "moaning" about the taxi dancing image too and agree with wongd. I have seen many beginners walking out of the class and never coming back. Whether due to lack of enthusiasm on some taxis part or general over awe or maybe just pure fright! I have no idea. As I said in the other forum, it might be an idea to have a form of "test" for potential taxiers to ensure they have a full idea of what and when to teach and the basic moves! I myself can remember being taught by various taxiers and none of them taught the same style. Now I realise we are all individuals and no two people will dance EXACTLY the same but the differences in the tuition was VAST and caused some problems for many beginners. I also heard a few comments about being taught the exact same moves time and time again. Surely a routine of moves could be made up that could be taught in sequence? This would ensure that everyone was taught the "16" basic moves within a certain period of time enabling them to piece together a form of dance themselves!

Since I came on this forum I think I've moaned and I apologise cos I actually enjoy dancing! I might need a bit of a kick up the bahooky to get my enthusiasm going again but I'm sure I'll bounce back!! Nice to see someone addressing the taxi training and in Scotland too- keep it up!

[Chris]

I remember when I taxied for Franck he supplied all taxi dancers with a 'manual' he'd written (I think several franchises have now taken up this idea). It wasn't so much as a gospel, but a text with basic info plus lots of really excellent ideas.

I've shown it to one or two other taxi-dancers who have enthused about it and said they found it very helpful, but there are areas that don't have a taxi dancer manual or handbook.

Franck - I have this as electronic format in pdf as an MS-Word document (could easily make it into pdf or html) - would you be willing for me to post it on the forum or my website (with suitable acknowledgements and any covering note you think advisable) as a source of inspiration/help to new taxi-dancers or new franchisees?

Chris

[Jon]

I would agree with you sbell that alot of beginners do walk out never to be seen before. Prehaps that is due to the taxi dancers, maybe the teachers, the music or prehaps they just simply didn't like ceroc. I guess we will never no the reason.

I also agree with you in that the standard of taxi dancer teaching is very wide. I've seen some very good ones and some bad ones. In fact I've seen some taxi dancers teach better than some of the teachers. However we do all have off nights so please consider this.

A taxi dancer does taxiing because they want to help others learn and because they find it fun to do this, there is no financial reward other than free entry to the venue. Unlike the teachers & Dj's who do get paid. Also a taxi dancer has to spend most of the evening concentrating on beginners where a teacher teaches 2 lessons and then is free to do whatever they like. Some teachers even disappear after the intermediate class. Some taxi dancers probably do taxiing purely for the free entry but I'd like to think most of us are doing it because we want to help people.

I agree we do need to ensure the standard of teaching is high and some form of taxi dancer training maybe of benefit but I would disapprove of a course & exam like the ones the teachers have to go through.

As for teaching routines, firstly there are a core 22 moves which I believe is soon to be extended to 23. Secondly Ceroc is not about learning routines its about learning moves and how to link them together.

But how do you decide who should be a taxi dancer? I bet if you look at your venue and then think about who the friendly approachable, people are who are also good dancers, who are regulars to the venue and would be willing to be taxi dancers then ask yourself can I find 6 people like this then you may find yourself quite limited for choice. If you start adding exams or tests then more people probably wouldn't want to be taxi dancers. My opinion is if a taxi dancer is no good then you can always replace him/her.

I've heard beginners saying they thought that in taxi class they would learn more moves not recap what they had done but we can't please everyone. If the whole class manages the recap quickly then I do ask if they'd like to learn more moves even done some intermediate moves before as they asked for them but it only takes 1 person not to be able to do the revision to prevent this so our job isn't easy can be quite stressfull but can also be rewarding.

[Dreadful Scathe]

Originally posted by Jon
I would agree with you sbell that alot of beginners do walk out never to be seen before.

again even ! The reasons will be different for everyone, Ceroc can only try its best to be as appealing to the majority of new comers as possible.

Some taxi dancers probably do taxiing purely for the free entry

i really doubt that to be honest, even the poor students among them must get something else out of it.

I agree we do need to ensure the standard of teaching is high and some form of taxi dancer training maybe of benefit but I would disapprove of a course & exam like the ones the teachers have to go through.

Me too - i think there would suddenly be a shortage of taxi dancers if it was tried, unless Ceroc offered them some other incentive; after all, taxi dancers probably have a good feeling about helping beginners enjoy dance as much as they do, that would soon be overridden by 'who do they think they are' attitude if Ceroc tried force training on them (although the objections would probably come down to the loss of free time purely for the benefit and Profit of Ceroc...'hey we're volunteers and you're making money from us' they'd cry). Hey, maybe Im wrong - would depend on the training and the exam and wether it was compulsory or not wouldn't it ?

I've heard beginners saying they thought that in taxi class they would learn more moves not recap what they had done.

really ? i thought that was always made clear...if they want more moves and are capable of doing them right, they should be in the intermediate class anyway ?

If the whole class manages the recap quickly then I do ask if they'd like to learn more moves even done some intermediate moves before as they asked for them but it only takes 1 person not to be able to do the revision to prevent this so our job isn't easy can be quite stressfull but can also be rewarding.

As a teacher* myself (though not of dance ) i would hesitate to go over too many new things when its quite likely it'll make the students brains overload - regardless of wether they pretend they know it all - theyre only lying to appear knowledgeable in front of their peers .


*Im not even a real teacher anyway, i just spout IT stuff now and again - 'lecturer' is less offensive to REAL teachers I find

[Graham]

Originally posted by Dreadful Scathe

Me too - i think there would suddenly be a shortage of taxi dancers if it was tried, unless Ceroc offered them some other incentive; after all, taxi dancers probably have a good feeling about helping beginners enjoy dance as much as they do, that would soon be overridden by 'who do they think they are' attitude if Ceroc tried force training on them (although the objections would probably come down to the loss of free time purely for the benefit and Profit of Ceroc...'hey we're volunteers and you're making money from us' they'd cry). Hey, maybe Im wrong - would depend on the training and the exam and wether it was compulsory or not wouldn't it ?

I think training and even assessment of taxi dancers could be performed in a different, and more relaxed, way from the CTA training. I do think it would be good to have training for taxis so that there was more consistency in what they were trying to do, even if this is just within one venue/city - it must be very confusing for beginners if they get different messages from different people in their first couple of weeks. I would have thought that coaching could be used (the taxi trainer, whoever that is, observes what the taxi is doing and offers tips for improvement).