As Sandra Sees It
Before a group class started, a dance student said, "How do you know how to do things? Every dance teacher tells you something different." Good question!
How do you know? You could go by results reputation. Has the teacher produced dancers of note? When you look at that teacher's dance students, are you favorably impressed?
You could go by competition reputation. Many dance students choose to take lessons with a teacher whose reputation is for expertise on the competition dance floor. Why? Probably because dancers who are competitors are uniquely concerned with how they look on the dance floor.Looks count.
You could go by CERTIFICATION, as the National Dance council of America recommends. How can a piece of paper give a measure of a dance teacher's level of quality? Same way a diploma is evidence of a lawyer's, a doctor's, a therapist's education and training.
You could go by price. Economics might suggest a bargain price lesson is the best value. Or if you are a 'keeping up with the Joneses' type person, maybe you prefer to spend top dollar to feel like you are getting the best value for your dance lessons.
You could go by location. There is a proliferation of dance schools in our area, so avoiding traveling too far should be pretty easy.
You could go by atmosphere. Some dance schools are bright and open and some are like caverns. Atmosphere could affect your receptiveness to instruction.
You could go by the dance floor. A sticky floor should be avoided so you don't twist your knees and ankles while trying to turn. A slippery floor invites falls. Both should be avoided at all costs.
Here's something dance students have complained to me about, though I have no influence over any other dancer teachers. Some dance teachers never play the music. This happens partly because they have to share the sound system with so many other teachers at the same time.
I'm still thinking about how to answer that dance students question. I can tell you that a dance teacher who is constantly trying to upgrade his skills and going beyond just showing up at lessons is probably a good choice. A dance teacher who does extra to promote participation in dancing is probably a good choice. A dance teacher who gives you the feeling that he/she will be good to dance with is also probably a good choice. A dance teacher who can explain things and who is willing to help you understand your role as a partner and who doesn't say things like, "Just follow!" is a good choice.
Before a group class started, a dance student said, "How do you know how to do things? Every dance teacher tells you something different." Good question!
How do you know? You could go by results reputation. Has the teacher produced dancers of note? When you look at that teacher's dance students, are you favorably impressed?
You could go by competition reputation. Many dance students choose to take lessons with a teacher whose reputation is for expertise on the competition dance floor. Why? Probably because dancers who are competitors are uniquely concerned with how they look on the dance floor.Looks count.
You could go by CERTIFICATION, as the National Dance council of America recommends. How can a piece of paper give a measure of a dance teacher's level of quality? Same way a diploma is evidence of a lawyer's, a doctor's, a therapist's education and training.
You could go by price. Economics might suggest a bargain price lesson is the best value. Or if you are a 'keeping up with the Joneses' type person, maybe you prefer to spend top dollar to feel like you are getting the best value for your dance lessons.
You could go by location. There is a proliferation of dance schools in our area, so avoiding traveling too far should be pretty easy.
You could go by atmosphere. Some dance schools are bright and open and some are like caverns. Atmosphere could affect your receptiveness to instruction.
You could go by the dance floor. A sticky floor should be avoided so you don't twist your knees and ankles while trying to turn. A slippery floor invites falls. Both should be avoided at all costs.
Here's something dance students have complained to me about, though I have no influence over any other dancer teachers. Some dance teachers never play the music. This happens partly because they have to share the sound system with so many other teachers at the same time.
I'm still thinking about how to answer that dance students question. I can tell you that a dance teacher who is constantly trying to upgrade his skills and going beyond just showing up at lessons is probably a good choice. A dance teacher who does extra to promote participation in dancing is probably a good choice. A dance teacher who gives you the feeling that he/she will be good to dance with is also probably a good choice. A dance teacher who can explain things and who is willing to help you understand your role as a partner and who doesn't say things like, "Just follow!" is a good choice.