Do you have what it takes to be a ballroom dance teacher? Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. American Style Tango evolved as a ballroom dance from the sultry Argentine Tango danced by gauchos and prostitutes in the brothels of Buenos Aires. Ballroom is a popular form of competitive dance, or dancesport, with competitions being held all over the world. Moreover, the International style heavily relies on the connection between partners, dancers are very close together so they lead, follow and move around as one. The Waltz is a progressive and turning dance with figures designed for both a larger ballroom floor and the average dance floor. Today rumba is a fun, sassy latin-style of ballroom dance that fits nicely with most modern types of music. Creative: There’s no simple rulebook for dance teachers that tells you everything you need to know or how to deal with every situation that may come up. If you tend to get frustrated and impatient when people don’t learn right away, then teaching dance may not be right for you. Ballroom tango is different when compared with Argentine tango. i think there are a few things that help everyone in the dance business, 1 be a personality chameleon, as we teach thru our day, hour to hour, everyone that we teach has a different personality and ways of learning and interacting with one another, learning how to be able to associate and motivate everyone we effect thru teaching and dancing sure helps along the way The dance is done bothto recorded songs or instruments. 4. BALLROOM DANCING A form of social dancing whose primary purpose is for recreation and entertainment. Dance is an art that comes in many forms that almost anyone can enjoy. American Rhythm Dances & Characteristics: Cha Cha. It is known for its athletic style and often contains aerial jumps, twists, and flips. The tradition was historically distinguished from folk or country dance by its association with the elite social classes and with invitational dance events. It has less rise and fall than the Waltz as the emphasis is on progression. Dancesport is competitive ballroom dancing, as contrasted to social or exhibition dancing. 2. become a word merchant, Words help us communicate with everyone, whether its staff, students , or friends and family, the words we use can positively or negatively effect everything we come in contact with. It is danced by going back and front and repeating throughout the dance. Ballroom teachers must have the discipline to push inappropriate urges aside and maintain their professionalism. 7. If you want to be a dance teacher, your answers to both had better be people! The music is in 4/4 time and has a marching rhythm. Origin: This dance style originated in Cuba. Compared to American Rhythm, which shares many of its characteristics, International Style places more emphasis on the straight leg part of the Cuban motion and a little less on the bent knee portion. First, what is Ballroom Dance? It has a 2/4 time signature, and it is 32 bars per minute. This sexual choreography was accented by the melancholy drone of the bandoneon, a German instrument very similar to the accordion. While the present forms of Tango really took off in Argentina during the mid-19thcentury, there are documented records of the dance in Cuba and Spain. These include waltz, swing, tango, salsa and blues. Possess Self-Control: There’s a lot of temptation in the ballroom dance business—sexy clothing, close physical contact, sensual movement, dance students having crushes on you, etc. This is easy to create when you’re a naturally outgoing, sociable person. 8. Students thrive in a fun, friendly environment. Below you’ll find all the dances that fall under this style. Salsa consists in the rapid movement of arms, shoulder, feet, hips and turns and lifts as well. Ballroom dance encompasses a whole range ofvarious styles practiced all over the world such as the Cha-Cha, foxtrot,quickstep, and tango. Great dancers often assume they’ll automatically be great teachers, but there’s much more to teaching ballroom than knowing how to dance. There is also nightclub dancing, which tends to be more casual and less competitive in nature. Ballroom dance is a type of partner dance originating at the end of the sixteenth century in France. Jazz dance, any dance to jazz accompaniments, composed of a profusion of forms. Most people are familiar with the Ballroom dance version used at dance competitions in the International Latin or American Rhythm divisions or they might've seen it on Dancing With The Stars. 2. "Ballroom dance" refers to traditional partnered dance forms that are done by a couple, often in the embrace of closed dance position ("ballroom dance position"). The dancers use aset of step patterns to keep up with the character of the music. Ballroom dancing consists of the waltz, the foxtrot, the tango, the Viennese waltz, and other similar partnered styles. Continuity Styling is an additional basic characteristic if the advanced form of … American Style Tango features sharp movements, head snaps, and a cat-like and stealthy foot action. Tango was originally formulated in Buenos Aires, Argentina among the working-class citizens. You must have excellent time management, planning skills (preparing lessons and class series), keep an impeccable calendar (so you don’t book two students at the same time), keep to do lists, and follow through on your promises and responsibilities. As you may guess, this new music was dubbed Tango. Commonly used as shorthand for any partner dance, ballroom has today evolved into two main subgenres – standard/smooth and Latin/rhythm. . As a dance teacher, you need to be calm, compassionate, and non-judgmental. BALLROOM DANCING Originated from the Latin word “BALLARE” which means “TO DANCE” Applies to any one of several dances in which two individuals, a “leader” and a “follower”, dance with physical contact. If your inclination is to see every person as interesting and wonderful in his or her own way, you’ll do well as a teacher. 9. Ballroom dance, type of social dancing, originally practiced in Europe and the United States, that is performed by couples and follows prescribed steps. It originated in the latter period of the 18th century. Without such self-control, you’re sure to ruin your career in no time. Astaire Styling (sway) and Rise and Fall are the basic characteristics of the Bronze Foxtrot where Walks and Chasses are utilized. Well-Groomed: If you think you can wear whatever you want as a dance teacher, then watch out. A progressive and turning dance moving along the Line of Dance. As a professional dance teacher, you may be on your feet and dancing as much as 40 or 50 hours per week. Good hygiene, immaculate clothing, and an overall professional appearance is important both for looking like a dance teacher and for showing respect for your students. Possess Self-Control: There’s a lot of temptation in the ballroom dance business—sexy clothing, close physical contact, sensual movement, dance students having crushes on you, etc. The ballroom couple dance performed in closed positions is known as Waltz. It was named for Charles Lindbergh's (Lucky Lindy) transatlantic flight and popular in the 1930s. Distinctive Foxtrot Steps Distinctive to the foxtrot, dancers take long steps during the slower counts, and short steps during the faster counts. It radically altered the style of American and European stage and social dance in the 20th century. The use of sway, rise and fall highlight the smooth, lilting style of the Waltz. Ballroom dance brings a feeling of poise as well as elegance to your life in addition to a heart-pumping workout. The dance enjoys worldwide popularity, and it isperformed in different soci… Although every ballroom dance style has its own particular aesthetics and rhythms, they still have a commonality that makes them somewhat similar. You don’t have to be young, but you do need to be healthy and strong, and prioritize taking good care of your body. Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Do you prefer being with people or with animals? Taking an honest look at whether you possess these qualities will help tell you answer the question: is a ballroom dance career is right for me? Outgoing: While it’s not impossible for a shy, quiet person to be a good dance teacher, it will require concerted effort. Many of Latin America's styles incorporate going in circles with the partner, or in other words trading places. The music is 4/4 time, and is danced to the slowest rhythms of the Latin ballroom dances (the spectrum runs Bolero, Rumba, Cha Cha, Mambo). In this blog we will take a quick glance at the history of rumba and even learn some of the basic steps and nuances of this smooth and sassy latin style of dance. The American Style Bolero is a unique dance style combining the patterns of Rumba with the rise and fall technique and character of Waltz and Foxtrot. We are experts at teaching beginners and we specialize in all forms of Ballroom and Social Dancing. There are many versions of this style of dance. There are several personality and lifestyle traits that are important in the ballroom business. Characteristics of this style are the close connection between partners, soft hip movements, and tap with a small “pop” of the hip on the 4th step (1, 2, 3, Tap/Hip). Both American and International style travel around the ballroom following the line of dance. They recognize the need to take lessons, get certified, and continue to challenge themselves—and they’re willing to spend their own money to do it. The dances that fall under the umbrella of ballroom dancing have undergone constant change with additions and subtractions to the list over time. The Lindy Hop is the ballroom dance considered to be the father of all swing dances. Foxtrot has smooth gliding steps with a heel lead, controlled movement and an easygoing look. The dance combines quick steps with slow steps, giving dancers more flexibility in movement and greater dancing pleasure. The foxtrot is an all-purpose dance that can be performed to many different styles of … Ballroom dance is one of the elegant and elite forms of dancing. As common as it seems, this style of dancing was developed in Western Europe in the early 1600’s. The Argentine style is usually danced in a close embrace, and the Argentine style involves intricate foot and leg actions. Beginner guide – East Coast Swing dance steps, Beginner guide – Foxtrot steps for beginners, How to practice Ballroom dancing: Detailed Guide, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zPgnTlsXco&feature=relmfu. 10. So if you are frequently sick, have low energy or are prone to injuries, this probably isn’t the career for you. But how do I know if I have what it takes to be successful as a dance teacher? This dance is a fun and cheeky dance with emphasize of quick, concise foot and leg actions. While dancing, the man is required to clasp his arms around his female partner’s waist. One commonality is that they are all performed by a pair of dancers, and they are danced in “closed hold”. Having a strong creative side will allow you to come up with new ideas for your students, choreograph routines on the fly, solve logistical problems, and navigate interpersonal tensions as they arise. Organized: It might seem like a ballroom dance career is as far away from Corporate America as you can get. "Ballroom dance" is the overall umbrella term, covering all three forms discussed on this page. As a general rule, American ballroom’s open position is not allowed in the International dance style. But surprisingly, being a successful dance teacher requires many of the same skills. Furthermore, there are Tango… Folk Dance - History and Types of Folk Dance With each passing year, customs and beliefs of groups of people get built little by little, slowly with time forming into traditions. 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