Can I watch a class first?
No. We have never had anyone try their first class and not return. We are so confident in the quality of
our instruction and in the fun value of our teaching method, there is no need to offer a class viewing. Just do it, baby!
How
is your teaching different than other instructors?
Because of our extensive academic and formal training in both human movement and
teaching, certification, experience, and competitive status, we are the most qualified WCS instructors in Canada. In fact, we
are the only WCS instructors in Canada who are trained teachers, not just dancers. This is evident in our students' success on the
social dance floor. We place technique where it belongs at a higher priority level than patterns and figures. We
know exactly what it takes to make your body learn, so we get righ to the source. Because our students are trained
to be flexible, adaptable, creative, and ergonomic, they learn much quicker and understand the dance far deeper, which results in
them having more fun!
How are your group classes different than other studios in the area?
Again, it depends on the venue,
but most of our classes operate at a very high energy level, with lots of positivitiy and jokes and humourous analogies to help you
understand hard concepts. Many of our students walk away from our class with sore bellies from laughing, but are shocked to realized
that during all that fun they actually learned a ton! We also have much smaller classes, which allow for a more intimate setting
and more individual attention and feedback for each student. As stated above, we teach proper foundation skills right from
day one, so our Beginners class is more thorough and moves faster because the students learn quicker.
How do I know
what level to sign up for?
If in doubt, ask us for a quick 5-min assessment. The levels vary depending on the venue, as each
venue targets a different clientele. Salsa at Harbour Dance is aimed at raw beginners and people who have taken Salsa for
less than 6 months. WCS at Boone County is open level, beginners welcome. WCS at Funkngruven has 3 classes: Beginner is
for raw beginners or those who want/need to work on their fundamentals. Intermediate is by permission only. Dancers wanting
to take the Intermediate class must pass a Beginner syllabus assessment first. The Project class is aimed generally at Intermediate
& up dancers, but focuses on a different theme each month.
Why do I need an assessment to take the Intermediate
class?
Our Beginners class is much more thorough and complete than most Beginners classes. It is expected that dancers will stay in
Beginners for several series in a row in order to work on their foundation skills. It's not enough to simply learn the skills: dancers
must be competent at consistently executing all the skills in the syllbus before advancing to Intermediate. The Intermediate
class works on concepts and figures that require a certain competence level. We need to make sure that everyone in the room can dance
at that level so as to keep the pace of the class appropriately challenging for everyone.
Can I drop in for a
Beginners class?
No. Our Beginners classes follow a syllabus from week to week that is intendend to provide the fastest, most thorough
foundation training. We recommend waiting until the start of the next series.
Aren't private lessons just for Advanced dancers?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Is personal fitness training just for bodybuilders?
NO! Private lessons are for dancers of all levels who want to get more out of their dance. Maybe you're a Beginner who is frustrated
with the Whip. Maybe you're wanting to get to the next level and you just need a little boost. Maybe you're ready to add a little
style to your dance but don't know where to start. Maybe you're a competitor looking to get the judges attention. Privates are the
#1 way to guarantee progress. You get one on one feedback (which everyone so desperatly needs, right?), you can work at your own pace,
you can choose the topics you learn about, and most importantly, you always get way more value than you expected.
Does it matter
who I take private lessons from?
Yes and no. All decent instructors can both lead and follow, so gender does not usually make
a difference, unless you are working on styling. At the true professional WCS level, most instructors are able to offer you valuable
info from different perspectives, so it is recommended to take privates from several instructors so as to get a balanced approach
to your dance. But this does not apply to amateur instructors, because their knowledge base is still forming, and they are (hopefully)
in the process of learning themselves. An accountable amateur instructor will be able to teach you some but not all off what you need,
then will refer you to their mentor or a professional instructor to progress you further. Professional instructors (like us)
are those who actively travel on the circuit to compete or judge, so they are up-to-date in their methods and style. Of course, Professional instructors
also teach beginners, it's just not always that easy to get a hold of them!
Can I take a group class with my
significant other and only dance with them?
No. A group class is designed to be social, where you learn how to dance a social dance,
which means dancing with different people. When you go out social dancing, it is expected that you are there to dance with everyone,
so group classes develop your skills to be flexible and adaptable to anyone, not just your own partner. It is proven time and time
again that couples who only dance with each other progress much slower than the rest of the class, because they learn to accomodate
each others errors and have no comparison to other dancers who may be doing the skills better. It is also unfair to the students who
register as a single, like showing up to a potluck and keeping your dish to yourself. If you and your significant other are intent
on learning to dance together, such as for a certain party or wedding, we recommend private lessons.
