What Do dancers REALLY Want????

I know they all want to be accepted or/and admired for their dance expertise.

How do they arrive into that state, and how do we as dance teachers help them along to the right path?

How does what they really need affect what they think or believe they want?

Do any dancers ever get to the point that they are satisfied with their abilities?

The question, "What do dancers really want?" has a complicated answer. There are the obvious generally accepted answers: a good partner who doesn't complain, mess up or have unreasonable expectations; a good teacher who has expectations but gives plenty of praise and encouragement; a nice place(s) to dance where the atmosphere is inviting and also a little exciting; etc., etc.

I have been asking dancers if they would tell me what they want, not in general terms, but in specifics. Last night, I asked a couple what they felt needed to be covered in their lesson. The man was very specific. He wanted to fix their outside spin, improve their reverse wave, and he wanted to get a samba, "that is easy, doable and will work when I get up to samba at a party." It helped save time and avoided confusion by using the names of the figures instead of saying, "You know that thing we do near the music station where she goes around me and I hardly move? And then that thing in the foxtrot where the man goes backward and we always bang knees?" We did actually improve the outside spin and the reverse wave. I am giving their whole silver Latin class the same samba this couple is learning, so they will have plenty of opportunity to get repetition and practice. I think they will get what they really want.

This morning a woman was asked, "What are we covering today?" She usually has a list of things she wants to work towards, another list of things she is struggling with, another list of things she would enjoy doing but only if we run out of important things to cover. Her list was too long. She had four things today. I am pretty sure the fourth thing was just in case time stretched itself out. 1-She wanted to improve her following in jive. The silver jive from her class is very doable, but only if the lady stays close and knows how to do her arm and head positions. 2-She wanted to get her foxtrot zig zag from promenade into working order. 3-She wanted to learn how to identify natural endings from one another: tipple, closed impetus, spin turn. 4-(this was the one she probably didn't really expect to get to and we didn't get to it) She wanted to do some American waltz. I know that she has been doing some practicing with a man who mixes, matches and slips into and out of international and American style. The figures are mostly compatible, but they are not all the same, so I know she probably gets confused in her mind when he does his switching, even though I am sure her body and legs and feet do pretty much the right thing.

So what does she really want? This woman wants her dance experience to be physical and mental. By knowing what she is doing she can mentally tell her pieces and parts how to perform and she can be emotionally comfortable and satisfied with how she is dancing. I think she really wants a complete dance experience where her role is maybe subordinate to the leader but still proactive, positive and assertive. How will she get to that state? By studying her part, recognizing what her partner is doing and contributing her own knowledge and physical efforts to produce beautiful movement.

 

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