October 2009 Weddings
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Anyone ever taken any Ballroom Classes?
I just got everything finalized yesterday and I'm going to be teaching an East Coast Swing class this summer through our Community College's Community Education Program (no college credit -- they just host the classes).
I obviously have alot of time to work everything out, but this is my first time teaching a ballroom class so my brain is swimming with thoughts. I'd love to add yours to the mix if you've ever taken a ballroom dance class of any type. Please share what you liked most, what you liked least, what would have made the experice better for you, etc...
Thanks!
Re: Anyone ever taken any Ballroom Classes?
Yes, there is a long list of ballroom dances. But generally the comments that would come from taking one would apply to other styles.
examples: I loved/hated that the teacher made us switch partners... the music was never loud enough/too loud... the teacher needed to show us the steps more individually rather than just in front of the whole class...
MY BLOG!
DH and I used to teach east coast swing in college! We loved it.
We used to make people switch partners, but everyone kind of knew each other, so it was a really friendly atmosphere and everyone was about the same age. We later took a ballroom class where we didn't know anyone and I really resented having to leave DH to dance with 50-year-old guys who were more than a little awkward. It's a good idea to get people accustomed to others' dancing styles and leading cues, but not always appropriate.
Knitting Blog
Updated 3-12
So awesome! I once took swing lessons, and I loved it. The instructor was very energetic and chose great music. At first she wouldn't blast the music (since we were learning the steps still) but when we all got the steps down she would blast the music and it was awesome! She also wouldn't call out every single person on every little mistake...just let them do their thing but not make them feel uncomfortable. This was before i dated my DH, so I did this with a group of friends...and we had to switch partners etc. I actually enjoyed dancing with others BUT...if the majority of the class is married, I wouldn't want to split them up. I have been bugging Tim about taking ballroom classes (at the college I work at...offer same community classes- non credit) and if we finally got to take them, that is like our "special" time together you know? I wouldn't want to dance with others. I never get to see my DH so taking a class with him would be special to me. I also LOVED that our instructor would dress up! Like it was an event and it really helped me get into the dance mood.
Have fun with it! I know you will do a great job!
MY BLOG!
We took a class once that exposed us to a variety of dances like old fashion waltz,fox trot, two step, polka etc. I really liked it except when we had to switch partners like you said. I was fine dancing with the Mr but as soon as we switched I got all self concious and lost my rhythum.
I guess they do that because if you are out at a real dance it's very possible that someone you're not used to dancing with might ask you to dance. But it just made me feel awkward.
MY BLOG!
What my college course did was do dances for the firstcouple of classes that either didn't require partners, or they just picked partners at random for you. After about 3 classes and everyone had a chance to get to know each other a little, we picked a partner that we would stick with for the rest of the course. I picked a friend of my boyfriends because I thought he'd be safe (kinda the chubby, harmless, goofy type) and the boyfriend wouldn't get mad (I was 18, what can I say). Boy was I wrong, the little perv! LOL!
We took a ballroom class at the community center prior to the wedding. The instructor is a professional dancer and you can tell he truly loves what he does--dancing and teaching. He would show either the women or the men their steps and then show the alternate group their steps (everytime in about 12 steps, so 3 or 4 measures of music depending on what we did). We would go over it as a group but not with our partners several times, then partner up. When we danced together, he would walk around to each couple and fixed what needed to be fixed. He would also bring students out to dance with him to show good form and make us feel involved. The only person who didn't have a partner danced with him when he wasn't teaching/observing. In a period of about 8 weeks, we went over basic waltz, cha cha, fox trot, and one other thing I can't remember!
(PS...You're gonna rock!)
I have another idea...I posted it after your response on my blog....but just wanted to make sure you saw it!
You can use your mason jars during your classes! Put tea lights in them and put them around the dance floor, dim the lights, and waltz to some Matt Monroe "Fly me to the moon" or "Moon River". Very romantic...
Lots of good ideas! I'm getting more excited!
MY BLOG!