This year has proven to be interesting in the regards of Danny's and my competitive dancing and teaching. Interesting in such that it seems the harder we try, the harder and slower things get. How do we get things moving when the emergency break is on and we don't have the release?
Next weekend was supposed to be our first competition together in Dallas, we are going to Dallas, but not to compete. How does this work and why??? Well, for starters, we simply aren't ready to be put on a floor with other competitors because we don't completely know our material, and secondly; it was going to be way too expensive as far as entry fees are concerned. However, us not competing this weekend seems to be working out as more of a blessing than anything else at this point because it has granted us much more time and mental energy for coachings and practicing! It's also given us a chance to speak with some close friends about what level we want to compete at.
This gets a little confusing, so bare with me for a moment please. Originally I'd wanted to compete at the professional level, because; well let's face it, Daniel and I are professional dancers. Logic would tell one that a professional dancer would compete in a professional competition, right?? Wrong! One of our coaches suggested to us that we start out competing as amateurs which made a little sense to me based upon his reasoning, so Danny and I talked it over and agreed on it.
Tonight at the studio, after working with another one of our coaches, a couple of our friends, another competing couple, approached us and started offering advice on competing professionally. This made much more sense to me based on my own knowledge of professional dance instructors and competitors, plus it was more along the lines of what I was originally thinking anyhow, SO, Daniel and I are going to do our first competition in Phoenix, AZ on February 19th as an amateur couple; then continue on to bigger and better things after Nationals in Baltimore, MD in April.
I think and hope that this experience as amateurs though will help us as far as floor time and exposure is concerned. Not only that, but we shouldn't cut ourselves down to a certain level simply because someone suggested it. Yes, I'm sure that our coach has/had our best interest in mind, but I also believe that whenever a dancer makes money for his or her talent, they are then considered a professional, and rightfully so.
What do you think about this?
Monday, January 10, 2011
Saturday, November 27, 2010
My First Post!
This blog is to track what I am doing in the wonderful world of dance! I'd like to invite all my friends and fellow dance lovers to follow me here for exciting announcements regarding my upcoming competitions and performances with my partner, Daniel Blain, news about new classes I'm teaching, information regarding private lessons, or the next time we are going out dancing!
This blog is intended to inform the general public about partner dancing. Dances such as two step, country western waltz, salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, etc are all great social dances; especially here in South Texas! These are also all dances that I teach.
That small list of dances though is not all I teach! I teach a vast variety of popular and classic dances ranging from dances you see on the hit TV show "Dancing with the Stars," to more specialzed dances like the old fashioned peabody, or the upbeat cultural dance polka.
Ballroom dance is a far underappreciated art form in which two people come together to express inward emotions in an outward form. It is one of the most underestimated expression of feelings people can use. Nonverbal language speaks mounds over any poetry or song ever could. Dancing with another person is a great way to start a conversation for the first time upon meeting, and also a way to rekindle an old flame. For instance, I've known more than one couple that has been on the brink of divorce, only to try ballroom dancing at the suggestion of a friend or colleague as a last ditch effort, to come back from the permanent cemetary divorce offers, to the land of the living happily in love.
If you have ever been interested in learning to dance, for yourself or someone else, or if you just want to learn a little more about this lost art; I'd love to be your tour guide on this magnificant journey. Follow my blog and stay up to date on all the latest happenings and trends! I hope to hear feedback from you!
This blog is intended to inform the general public about partner dancing. Dances such as two step, country western waltz, salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, etc are all great social dances; especially here in South Texas! These are also all dances that I teach.
That small list of dances though is not all I teach! I teach a vast variety of popular and classic dances ranging from dances you see on the hit TV show "Dancing with the Stars," to more specialzed dances like the old fashioned peabody, or the upbeat cultural dance polka.
Ballroom dance is a far underappreciated art form in which two people come together to express inward emotions in an outward form. It is one of the most underestimated expression of feelings people can use. Nonverbal language speaks mounds over any poetry or song ever could. Dancing with another person is a great way to start a conversation for the first time upon meeting, and also a way to rekindle an old flame. For instance, I've known more than one couple that has been on the brink of divorce, only to try ballroom dancing at the suggestion of a friend or colleague as a last ditch effort, to come back from the permanent cemetary divorce offers, to the land of the living happily in love.
If you have ever been interested in learning to dance, for yourself or someone else, or if you just want to learn a little more about this lost art; I'd love to be your tour guide on this magnificant journey. Follow my blog and stay up to date on all the latest happenings and trends! I hope to hear feedback from you!
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