Last week, Daniel and I had our first formal experience as dance teachers. Monday and Wednesday we covered for Ms. Madison in her absence and taught the waltz to the “Pearls” class–10- to 12-year-olds. Monday night we also taught a private lesson to an engaged couple who want to learn a routine for their wedding reception. They also want to do the waltz, so we have done a LOT of waltz basics this week!
Teaching was exciting and surprising. I’ve been learning dance for so long that I’d forgotten how challenging it is to remember steps and positions when they’re new, before they become second nature. The “Pearls” had a hard time remembering how to do the closed dance position, especially because they are all girls and were trading off being leaders and followers, so they had to do it both ways. Finally, one of them pointed out that the leader’s left hand makes an L when she holds it up as part of the dance position: L for Leader. After that they were able to remind each other whose arm went on top on the other side. In a lot of ways they had the same challenges that I had when I started in ballroom. Learning the steps may have been tough, but learning to lead and follow was much tougher. But they got so excited every time they figured out how to do something, and I saw so much improvement in just 2 lessons. I hope we get to teach them again sometime. I’d like to give them a crack at the tango.
Our wedding couple is coming along wonderfully as well. They are smiling, having fun, and showing so much willingness to learn, and those are the most important qualities. Much like the “Pearls,” their biggest challenge is adapting to doing the steps while attached to another person. I will admit: that’s hard! Your body constantly responds to the other person’s movements while trying to do your own movements. Until a pair gets some degree of tone in their frames and consistency in their connection, their dancing won’t feel as smooth and enjoyable as it could. But if we had to work on posture till it was perfect, before we ever learned a step, we’d die of boredom and no one would ever enjoy ballroom. The wedding couple has the advantage of living together and being able to practice on their own. That will help their muscle memory and get their bodies adjusted to the posture they need, which is an effort till one gets used to it. But the effort is worth it: even the most basic steps look really impressive when performed with a nice big frame and a good connection. I hope we get to see their wedding video; I already know we’re going to be proud!