Further Education for Ballroom Dancing

This education is a continuation of Guy Howard and Alex Moore’s technique books on ballroom dancing.  These books are the foundation of foot movement and step patterns.  About 30 years ago Walter Laird developed body timing from foot timing in the latin American dances.  These changes have not taken place in the standard dances until now.

It is a must that the student has mastered the teaching in the two above mentioned books (i.e. foot timing and pattern), before it is possible to continue into body timing.

 If we accept that there must be a leader and a follower in ballroom dancing, then the social examination is  not adequate.  Over many years the trend seems to have gone in the direction of developing two people, who could execute a set programme of choreography  without the priority of leading/following.

This education is aimed not only at competitive teaching, but also at helping any dancer to make the transition either from a beginner to a competent dancer, or  from a young talent to a knowledgeable dancer.

Time and place:
Dance Academy Laxholm, Kongevejs-Centret 8, 2970  Hørsholm

Or

Place to be agreed between Dance Academy Laxholm and pupil

Duration:
The course would normally have a duration of approx. 3 years depending on the pupil’s availability for lessons and self-study. Depending on the pupil’s ability/background  the duration may be cut to 2 years.

Examination:
During the education three will be examinations in

- Timing
- Body movement
- Direction of movement

Once an examination has been taken satisfactorily in each of these three separate categories, the pupil will gain a diploma.  When all three diplomas have obtained, a final all round diploma will be granted.

Price:
Lessons can be taken in modules of six, twelve or 24 lessons of 45 minutes duration.  This enables the pupil to manage exactly how many lessons are needed for a diploma in each of the three categories.

Teaching material:
Based on the book:  Further Education for Competitive Ballroom Dancing
Based on the DVD:  Past, present and future of ballroom dancing
Both the above will be given to the pupil free of charge at the beginning of the course.

How  to use the education:
The aim with the education is to teach the social dancer in the dancing school, or the competitor how to make the transition from foot movement to body movement (i.e. from using the moving leg to the standing leg), and the timing so necessary to achieve that.  The education may of course also be taken by adjudicators of dancing, helping them to appreciate and recognize the qualities that make a good dancer.

David Koglin receiving his Associate Diploma from Hans & Anne Laxholm