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Discussion: Why so many?
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dominck |
Why so many?
Dec 1 2008, 12:42 PM EST
Can someone answer some questions for me? Why are there 45 swingout instructors in the DFW area? Is it me or is that just too many people TRYING to TEACH this dance. My next question is: Why do people feel the need to teach a class when they just graduated from a class? My next question: Does anyone know what true SWINGOUT IS?
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velflo68 |
1. RE: Why so many?
Dec 4 2008, 2:28 PM EST
45 instructors! is that it! I thought there would be more. Why so many?.....for one, EVERYBODY loves this DANCE! It's growing, and for all that don't know...this is not a NATIONAL dance, it's more local, but it has made it to Austin, Ok., Killeen, and it's making it's way to Houston now! WOW, we should be glad of that. I'd rather have 45 so called instructors introducing the dance to people than just a hand full.........Now with that being said, The quality of the instruction is something that each student is going to have to deal with, my only advice is, (If you see other instructors dancing 10 times better than yours, then why are you in their class?) Why teach when you just graduated? Times are hard! 30 people paying 5 to 10 dollars for a couple of hours of your time is about 75 to 150 bucks an hour depending on what the charge is..........anybody can do the math on that. Hell, I'd teach if I thought anybody would actually show up. What is true swing out? See this is where I see the problem with all these new instructors, now if you graduated from an instructor that didn't give you the history and your instructor graduated with out the history....how can you have keep the history behind the dance? With the Fusion of other dances like west coast, it's becoming quickly lost! that would be a fear for me about this dance, to loose it's history, what a shame! To the people new to swing out, let me say this, everybody and their mother has an opinion about this dance, if you are not having fun and if you instructor is not telling you that you are supposed to be having fun, then you should RUN from them. GOT History? I'm all ears! 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
DeniseDiaz |
2. RE: Why so many?
Dec 9 2008, 10:07 AM EST
Really, there are more than 45 people teaching this dance in the dfw metroplex. People are trying to teach the dance cause they love the dance and they want to share their passion for the dance with others. Plus, you get a little recognition when you are a instructor, instructors get in free to a lot of the events, we give awards and certificates to a lot of instructors, it could be a few things. Lastly, I have know clue why some people start teaching right after they graduate, we have to realize not everyone can teach, just because you know the 6 basic steps does not mean you can teach the dance, but if it works for you than more power to you. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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dominck |
3. RE: Why so many?
Dec 12 2008, 5:14 PM EST
Thanks for the perspective. Well since there are so many teachers of this dance in the dfw, why is it that its hard for people from different classes, cities, or areas to dance together?Ex. A person who learns in Ft. Worth dances with a person from Dallas, when they dance you should be able to tell that the two people are doing the same dance, but most of the time it looks a messed up. I think it has something to do with the instructors..
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swingoutn2step |
4. RE: Why so many?
Dec 19 2008, 2:36 AM EST
Came to Dallas some years back. It was so beautiful to see the orginial ART of Dallas Swingpout. Those simple 6 steps were pure. Instructors Terrible T, Tracey Maloney & Lady Champagne were pioneers of keeping it orginial. I agree this lovely Dallas Swingout has been infected or as you put it fused with other dance styles and West Coast. Build up your dance knowledge, DO NOT combine varies dance style. Not a good time to be creating a whole new Dance style. I pray Instructors go back to teaching and preserving the ART form of Dallas Swing, You guys must don't know about the Pre-Requisite Guidelines to become a Texas Swingout: Teacher, Instructor, Professional Master Qualification to be a Swingout Teacher (1) Completing authentic Swingout Dance course and Graduating under an qualified Instructor prior to teaching (2) have spent at least 3 or more years dancing (3) Enter Dance Competition - either Winning or placing 2nd or 3rd Qualification to be a Swingout Instructor (1) Completion of the Teacher qualification (2) Graduate 100+ actual dancing students Qualification to be a Swingout Professional Master (1) Completing Teacher and Instructor qualifications (2) Teaching or Graduate 500+ actual dancing students (Graduation Class Photo) If you have been under an Instructor who have NOT graduated themselves, you learn and teach others. That's a NO! NO! Sorry!! rules or rules. These are the Official Texas Swingout Guidelines thay have been in place since about 8 or more years ago. Go through your 45 or more Instructors see whoes name will make the grade. Email me your results or comments. www.swingoutn2step@yahoo.com. We'e travel from City to city to connect, expand and open a wide gateway to pioneer, teach, preserve the ART of Swingout. Our efforts will paid off. Swingout is now a normal household word. 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
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velflo68 |
5. Good Points!
Dec 19 2008, 4:02 PM EST
However, there are always exceptions to every rule. For example, when I first learned the dance, I went out dancing every night for HOURS! for the whole year, and at least 5 nights a week after that. If you add my time on the dance floor, You could say that I've been dancing or gained more experience dancing than a person who has been dancing on the weekends, or maybe swing out class for 2 days a week. Some don't get out but a few times a month. So, it's very easy to have a person that has been dancing every day for a year (365 days) with more dance experience than a person who has been dancing for 2 or even 3 years. (going out 2 days a week for a year is 104 days)....get my point? You can't really judge someone's dance experience based on when they started dancing, it just don't work, Dancers all have different learning curves, A person that knows west coast (for example) already will not take as long to learn swing out as a person that has no dance experience at all. Time means nothing, if you ask me, it's the time on the floor that counts and the quality of instructions as well as the dancers learning curve and or experience from other dances. Now, when it comes to teaching this dance, People who take the time out to instruct new comers on a commercial level, meaning advertised group lessons where a fee is paid, they probably should be held to some type of standard (probably) if it can be done. But, what's wrong with a father teaching a daughter or husband teaching a wife and so on? Am I not supposed to teach people in my family who ask me? There's a bitter sweet situation about new instructors, I want as many people as possible to learn this dance, Those 45 instructors are bringing a lot of new comers to this dance, and if the numbers keep growing, the dance will grow and maybe we can have the dance added as an official category at some of these huge national competitions. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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velflo68 |
6. RE: Good Points! Part 2
Dec 19 2008, 4:03 PM EST
As far as what the students learn, trust me, it will show on the dance floor and for the new comers that really want to continue with swing out, they will seek the proper instructions, fake instructors will not last long, word will get around, they will come and go. I'd like to thank them for reaching people that the (certified) instructors couldn't.Now, this is the biggie. Don't confuse the skill level and technique of a dancer with fusion the dance with something else. Do we want to restrict the dance to where it will never grow? How are we to keep the people doing the dance, if it's the same old same old over and over by every dancer? I've heard all to often that people went to a dance like west coast because they got bored with swing out. You can't stop change, the old school swingers will be here, they are not going anyplace. Just like every other swing dance out there, swing out came from something else. People are going to change, you can try to stop it, but it will be a failed attempt. Embrace what's new and stop calling it fusion if you don't know what it is. I danced with a girl that knows nothing about west coast and after the dance she said, (you made me do all west coast stuff). That's silly, if you don't know Spanish how in the hell can I make you speak it? It's my skill with partner dancing that allowed me to lead her into something NEW, (that she followed well I might add). Trust me, a west coast dancer wouldn't be able to lead her because it's a DIFFERENT DANCE! HELLO! Learn it, dance it and enjoy it! 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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swingoutn2step |
7. RE: Added Points & Concerns
Dec 19 2008, 8:03 PM EST
I agree there ARE exceptions to rule. People don't understand being Professional Master Dance Instructors title comes a HUGE responsiblity. it's like driving a car. You drive for years, experence getting out of dozens of wrecks before you become a true driver Same as dancing. experience different dance situations to make you better how can you teach someone else when you just stepped away the day before from a graduation class. Start as a TEACHER first, Insturctor, Master. They jump out the gate as Instructors. My POINt being: The guidelines help future want-to-be's Instructors meet the required qualifications. There has to be a starting point to limited new Instructors. To become a School teacher attend Elementarty, high school, college, degrees. I agree you can't judge someone's experience base on dance ability. I've seen very good dancers, but teaching is bad. They need to stick to dancing. Family teaching is different then teaching the general public. A responsiblity to the public. I to want as many people to experience the joys of dancing.. As Master Instructors we faithfully met the requirements. We've taught over 1000's+. Some of those 45 Dance Teachers who can't or are teaching incorrectly have made many people get up and dance. But what make our Master job harder is when dancers come to usand we have to get them back on track dancing the correct way. They come asking why their turns aren't right, why the lead is off, why they can't transition well. The worst thing is new dancers who haven't been properly taught end up with pain & injuries such as foot, broken toes, kick in leg, ankle, knees, back, hip. I've known serveral who had to go get surgeries. Now these are the most serious reasons I think new Dance Teachers should be real, real carefull. Yes! The dance will grow and grow. Do you find this valuable? |
IVORY4LIFE |
8. RE: Why so many?
Dec 24 2008, 3:55 PM EST
I guess I need to start a class!! LOL ... More power to anyone who can generate income legally. Most new learners will seek out the instruction that suits there wants and needs anyway. -E
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swingoutn2step |
9. RE: Good Points! Part 2
Dec 25 2008, 6:56 PM EST
There are so many different dances around the world. Personally I want and have learn, dance and enjoy them all. I will never visit a new place (city, state, town) and not come back without learning a Line Dance, or their dance of choice. And I will also make sure I dance with some of the fellows before i leave. Most times they are quite polite when asked. I will NEVER stand in an corner, because I can't do a dance. My corner days are over.Hello ladies look like we have one of the guys who have made it out of the LEAD gate. He got her to a dance something new. We Ladies love it. Clap, Clap for this gentlemen, because this means his LEAD was on time. . Do embrace what's new, but when someone ask kinda be sure to let'em know it is a FUSION of whatever the Orginial dance is . They will understand more of the chance, Words could be used like added Fusion, twist, flavor, etc. I agree that the history of the orginial dance should be the formost kept intact. I look forward to one day when the world take notice, or become interested in African American Dance styles. I'm hoping that when other fellow dancers, finally take notice and see more then there own dances infused into our's. That's why the history and orginiality has to say in place.. Do you find this valuable? |
DirtyDancer |
10. RE: Good Points! Part 2
Feb 24 2009, 5:02 PM EST
You have to have passion for the dance to teach and although any one can say they are a Instructor, Master, ect........... We need to understand it's all about getting the word out about Swing dancing. I was in Alabama that's right I said Alabama a couple of months ago, and a lady walked by me with a shoe bag and I went crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I followed her to the other side of the hotel where they were having a West Coast Dance, I don't know West Coast but I can count and the people were so nice and we Danced all night. And by the way I've been dancing 4 years, teaching 1. I would ask anyone to come to my class and tell me how we can do better teaching. To me it's all about the man being able to lead. Do you find this valuable? |
Dallasbear09 |
11. RE: Why so many?
Mar 25 2009, 11:26 AM EDT
Hey Dom! I guess there are alot of over confindent people out there who want to make money. That's really sad though because I like to get around the DFW area and I haven't even scratched the surface.True swingout...I havent seen much of the that roun' des her' parts. Sorry. DFW swing....a hot mess. HOT MESS. THANKS! 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Dallasbear09 |
12. RE: Good Points!
Mar 25 2009, 3:49 PM EDT
I would like to comment on the last paragragh. I think that people should assist family and friends with learning the dance but when it comes down to it they need to be referred to a crediable instructor who meet "the standard". Those 45 instructors who are bringing in newcomers...thanks...I guess. If these instructors are not quality instructors then they will not produce quality students. With all the misconceptions on technique and form the dance is clearly evolving for the worse. Thanks for the heart instructors but continue to learn from the masters. Know your craft and stop robbing your students by your lack of... Do you find this valuable? |
shaunb525 |
13. RE: Good Points!
Apr 3 2009, 10:14 PM EDT
| Post edited: Apr 5 2009, 11:14 AM EDT
I've been dancing for a year now. I think the concept of teacher, instructor, master should be implemented in the Swing environment. When I was searching through classes, I went to the location that was closest to me. However, if I saw a list of classes based on the concept, I would have gone to the class with the most experience. The drive would have been worth it to me. I do agree that there are way too many instructors out there for a dance that is not recognized at the national level. I also think that the number has increased above 45! If you want to learn the dance, I am all for it! However, if you are not technically qualified to teach, then you should not charge a fee. When you graduate the students into the swing world, those students are a reflection of you. I would not want someone graduating from my class (I don't have a class, just an example) that still looked a hot mess on the dance floor and then told people that they learned from me! I think the newbies trying to teach should consider that. To all of the Masters, my hat goes off to you! Continue doing what you do and don't let the imitators discourage you.
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Honeysosweet7 |
14. RE: Why so many?
Jun 14 2009, 12:01 PM EDT
I think a lot people try to teach because they want the attention. It's not just for the love of the dance. And that same thing applies to people who have just graduated from class. They love the attention. All attention is not good attention. If your motives for doing things are wrong then its not going to pan out anyway.
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