This is where most people start. Group Classes are advertised in the Classifieds section of the newspaper, on directory websites like
this one, and on posters around the city. Dance studios are the most likely place to find them, but bars/clubs frequently offer drop-in
lessons early in the evening before the DJ takes over. They're usually weekly, 1-1.5 hours per session. The vast majority of studios
offer class series which last for 4-10 weeks in a row. The cost varies $5-20 per class, with the average being $10 per hour.
Sometimes a studio will offer a full day of group classes on one theme, taught by one instructor. This is called a workshop, and is
discussed on the Events page.
Private lessons are one-on-one instruction with just you and the instructor. This is your chance to get personal attention and
the feedback you need to progress exponentially faster. Many instructors offer private lessons in addition to their group classes.
The value of the instruction will vary depending on the level and expereince of the instructor, the instructor's education and
training, their teaching ability, their currency in the dance, and the teacher-student chemistry you have with them.
It is always
a good idea to "shop around" before you choose an instructor. It is also a good idea to take private lessons from a variety of people,
so you can find the right teaching method for your learning style. You are also able to get a broader perpective of the dance.
Private lesson rates vary depending on the instructor, $30-100.
The technology available to learn and promote dancing is constantly changing and evolving, much like our dance!There are some great
tools our there now intended to SUPPLEMENT one of the above learning methods. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE LIVE
LEARNING. This allows students to learn from home or review what was taught in a workshop. Video also allows instructors
to pass on new ideas and technology quickly, and to reach remote areas which don't get frequent training opportunities. Because
some technolgies are available to everyone, there are many examples of poor instruction or poor dancing out there, which requires
some research on the viewer's part. Because WCS is a contantly evolving dance, the technology and trends are changing yearly.
Like encyclopedias, videos that were excellent learning resources years ago are now out of date and have been replaced. Be sure to
invest in current productions (within the last 3-4 years), and don't learn from only one instructor - learn from many and get
a balanced approach.
Instructional Videos: Some top dancers/instructors produce instructional videos and sell them at events,
studios, or on their websites. We have a few favourites listed on the VIDEOS page.
Downloadable Lessons: A few new websites featuring
merit-worthy instructors have been launched lately. Visit our ONLINE page to check them out.
You Tube: Seems like an invaluable
tool to promote WCS to potential dancers, as long as the appropriate content is shown. Be wary of anyone demostrating WCS in a skirt
and heels - this is Ballroom style WCS, and is not authentic WCS. Same goes for instruction: Anyone of merit in the authentic WCS
world does not produce free instructional content on You Tube. Many overseas students have tried to use You Tube as their exclusive
source of learning WCS, and we have seen the damaging results firsthand. The result is rough, insensitive dancers with no concept
of flow, body flight, or the elasticity required to make the dance work properly. WCS is a dance that is far too kinesthetic to learn
visually, and trying to mimic the movement from watching others' competition clips on You Tube is actually detrimental to one's
permanent learning. You Tube is only a place for inspiration and exposure, NOT learning.
As you would with any other service provider, DO YOUR RESEARCH:
It's like shopping. Don't know who to learn from? Ask around.
Ask your instructors where they go for coaching. Go to conventions and shop around - take the workshops of a number of instructors. See
who appeals to you and who would fit your personality and learning style.
When you get an idea of instructors you are interested in,
try them on (just like going to he fitting room). Do your research - check out their website, credentials, resume, videos.
Much of
your success and enjoyment of dance lessons will depend on the relationship you have with your instructor. BUT, in order to get the
best value, and the most appropriate advice to meet your goals, consider these factors when choosing an instructor:
-
Their
dance training and history
-
The level of dance events they are hired to teach at
-
Their recent competitive success
-
Their level of teaching/instructional certification and experience
-
The chemistry you have with them
-
Their professionalism, accountability,
and attitude
-
Their reputation in the community
-
Their social dancing style.
It is recommended to maintain a balanced diet of all 3 methods of instruction:
Group Classes
Private Lessons
Digital Learning
Disavantages of learning in a Group Class:
- Little personal attention - you're more anonymous
- You don't get the feedback you need
to make sure you're doing it correctly
- The class might move to slow or to fast for you
- The instructor might teach a different style
than what you need/ are looking for
Advantages of learning in a Group Class:
- Social - you meet lots of people
- Learn to adapt to different leads/follows.
- Get lots of patterns
to try on the floor
- You're more anonymous - you can hide in the masses
- Learn with your friends
- Regular practice
- Cheapest way to learn
Recommendations:
- Balance group classes with Private Lessons
- Shop around
Advantages of learning in a Private Lesson:
- Personal attention & encouragement
- Feedback & correction of bad habits
- You can
FEEL the correct technique from the instructor
- Learn at your own speed, according you your own learning style
- Best value for your
dollar
Disavantages of learning in a Private Lesson:
Recommendations:
- Take private lessons with a friend to split the cost and gain a dance practice partner.
- Go social dancing between
lessons to practice.
- Shop around.
Advantages of learning via video:
- Learning in the private comfort of your home
- Watch it again and again if you forget the material
- Pause,
slow-mo and rewind to catch details of the movement
- Get technique tips from the Pros without having to travel
- Permanent addition
to your reference library
Disavantages of learning via video:
- Hard to ask questions to clarify
- No feedback to confirm if you are doing it right
- Trying to
learn patterns without learning the technique first to pull them off.
Recommendations:
- When you take a workshop from an instructor who impresses you, buy their video (as long as it's current). Ask them
to recommend one for you.
- Keep the website/contact info of that instructor so you can ask questions after watching the video.
- Take
private lessons to clarify things you learned from the video.
- Be aware that videos do not replace personal instruction.
- Be aware that
most videos teach patterns assuming you already know the technique. Technique videos are rare, so be sure to get your hands on them!