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Who Should Attend? (Click here!) HAWAII - (Last time in Kona - May)
J&J O'Rama - June Miami Dance Magic - July |
Two Weekends each month
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(Back to top) What Is an INTENSIVE? GSDTA Intensives have been going on since 1970. In the 1970's our "One Day" Intensives at the Golden West Ballroom were conducted from 10am to 5pm - and we danced to a live band in the evening. For many years our GSDTA Intensives were designed for "Teachers Only"" and students participated on a different day. Our main goal at that time, was to train teachers in the Universal Unit System(R) Through the years, GSDTA Intensives grew from being held on weekends - to the point where they became 5 to 8 Days long - and everyone was welcome to participate. (NOT just teachers). I have always felt that dancers should know the "secrets" that teachers know. Even newer dancers speed up their development in an Intensive. To me, the most fascinating part of this equation is that everyone learns more and learns faster, when we have a variety of levels participating. Many of our highest compliments come from professionals who were not quite sure about attending classes with students. People come from all over the world to attend GSDTA sponsored, "Dance Dynamics" Intensives. Many colleges employ GSDTA teachers, based mainly on Dance Dynamics and Universal Unit System(R) Certification. 2009 NOTE from Skippy: WHO should participate? ANYONE who wants to improve their dancing. Have you ever wondered if YOU should attend a GSDTA Intensive? Intelligent questions - net great results. Testimonials pour in, following every Intensive. A few are posted under Testimonials. It is amazing to participate in an Intensive and witness the personal growth, attained by so many, in such a short period of time. What a powerful experience. The FUN part of most Intensives is the fact that the more advanced dancers & teachers learn from the questions asked by newer people, and the newer people learn from such close association with the upper level dancers. You have to experience it, to understand it. TEACHERS of Dance: Attend to learn the language that fosters communication in in every form of dance. Teachers who have completed only one Intensive, report wonderful results from their teaching - as well as a very definite increase in continuing students. Many full time teachers, who were once "part time" credit the change to their participation in Dance Dynamics Intensives. Education makes each teaching day more exciting - and more rewarding. CONTESTANTS, many of whom are talented performers, have found that their performance level zooms upward - once they discover what it is that makes them as good as they are. They soon learn how to capitalize on their good points and - just as important - how to eliminate the bad ones. SOCIAL Dancers, both Leaders and Followers - are amazed at how fast "head work" transfers to "body work" - Women find that their ability to follow improves dramatically, allowing them to become more creative and able to contribute to every partnership. Many men report that they enjoy the mathematical sense of the dance, which also contributes to their own creativity and their ability to lead EVERY follower successfully. JUDGES: Anyone who is already a Judge - or aspires to be one - is amazed at the variety of "elements" that can be identified - and how easy it becomes to determine a dancers level of performance. Judges' Certification is a complete program in itself, but most of the Intensives usually devote at least one or two modules to Judges' Training.
Every
subject - in every Intensive - deals with multiple learning disciplines:
Printed material - Discussion - Demonstration, and Dance
Participation. Questions are always welcome.
Within
the framework of each subject, the content takes the direction of
the needs and requests of those attending.
A variety of “GSDTA” Specialists participate from time to time
in
all of our educational Seminars.
However, the bulk of the sessions
are taught
by Skippy.
Clarification of a few Specific Sessions:
2. CRITIQUES
provide a totally different way of learning.
People frequently learn more from the critiques of others - than they do from their own.
Critiquing is a process where I observe a performance as if I were the
dancers personal coach. I then try to identify at least ONE element
that could raise their level of dance - right there on the spot - Not down the road - but NOW! Each Critique
becomes a special "Happening." 3. ANNOTATION is simply placing symbols on our “Sheet Music for Dancers”. This innovative process gives the dancer a better understanding of music and the interaction between the dancer’s “Center” and the Music being played. This fascinating study requires NO previous music training. 4. CRIB SHEET is the term ascribed to the simple 13 pages of Dance FACTS that are important for passing the Preliminary Exam. It’s not the EXAM itself that counts - The exam is simply an exercise that focuses your attention on the INFORMATION that is important for ALL dancers and teachers of dance. These facts help us to sort out and identify the things you need to work on. 5. "If you can WALK the WALK - You can DANCE the DANCE" The "Walk Like a Dancer" session is invaluable for separating the variety of dances that exist in our social dance world. Knowing the Basic Rhythms and Movement that forms the foundation for EVERY dance - puts YOU in control of your styling decisions. Find out how to discover - for yourself - WHAT is right. ( Rather than trying to determine WHO is right). Armed with correct information - YOU can make educated decisions for yourself. You also learn to "Read" new dances as they appear on the social scene. 6. TERMINOLOGY refers to the Dance Vocabulary that helps every dancer improve the quality of their dance. This same terminology contributes to the ability that Judges need, when determining specific levels of performance. The right Vocabulary is vital in order to intelligently discuss ANY subject. 7. Elements of MUSIC
-
Everything a Dancer needs to know about Music - and how it relates to the
dance. Every dancer becomes a BETTER dancer, once the BASIC Elements of
Music are understood: Critical Timing - Quarter Notes - 8. Elements of MOVEMENT - Everything a dancer needs to know about Movement - and how that knowledge helps determine your LEVEL of performance. Every dancer becomes a BETTER dancer once they understand how the body moves - and which PARTS of the body initiate the move! Conclusion: WHO BENEFITS from an INTENSIVE? Everyone benefits from an Intensive. In all these years - everyone who has gone through the entire process - (through to examination) - has praised the results they have experienced. Give it a try - Challenge yourself - Find out for yourself, the process for determining WHAT is right rather than relying on WHO is right.
Still
have Questions? Feel
free to Call or E-mail. |
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MONTEREY INTENSIVE 2010 Jan 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, & Monday the 18th, 2010 Held in conjunction with, & just prior to John Wheaton's Monterey Swing Fest - at the Monterey Hyatt Regency Hotel
Spend some QUALITY TIME with
Skippy Blair ONLY $375 if registered by 01-07-2010 - **After that date - $450** To Pre-register, call Linda at (562) 869-8949
Pre-registration not only saves money, but also guarantees
Subjects are constantly updated and vary at
every Intensive.
10am
- Set the TONE for the week. Overview of
the entire GSDTA program
TUESDAY - January 12th
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(Back to top) HAWAII
- Don't Miss Skippy's FAREWELL TOUR to KONA!!!!
2009 was a FABULOUS INTENSIVE
in Kona
- and in 2010, the Hawaii Intensive will take place the weekend FOLLOWING
SwingDiego - instead of the weekend before.
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INTENSIVE Reservations:
Please Call GSDTA Headquarters in
Here
is the 2009 Kona
Schedule -
(2010 will
be similar but not identical) Friday, May 1st, 2009 (Schedule - 2009) 10:00am - Check in, Name tags,
Registration Materials - PLEASE arrive early. Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 10 to 11:30am -
Skippy -Motion Study Routine to Orange Colored Sky Monday, May 4th, 2009 - Bring Snacks - no lunch break to accommodate early flights 10:00 to 11:00am - Jordan & Tatiana -
Accelerations in West Coast Swing
Remember, as Skippy always says, ------------------------------------------------------------------- Jordan & Tatiana are sometimes "guest" teachers for an hour or two at an Intensive, but the 2007 Intensive in KONA was the first time all three of us shared an entire Intensive. What an exciting experience. Over and over, we heard how powerful it was for people to hear all of us using the same language. "It was MAGIC!" - and none of this could have taken place without our multi-talented Guy, Warren d'Aquin. He hosted the weekend - and DJ'ed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Those attending Intensives KNOW they are going to
learn valuable information, but seldom realize that they will actually FEEL
and SEE a difference. There are always Critiques every day and every person
attending, received a critique, this year. This process is fast becoming the most
sought after class from Skippy, Jordan & Tatiana.
God Bless and have a great day - and plan to join us in 2010. The
SCHEDULE for 2010 will probably be posted in January, 2010. It will be
similar, but updated as all Intensives are - from month to month. |
| Join us in Kona -
Come Early & Stay Late - Participate in other Activities. |
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Jack
& Jill O’Rama -
THURSDAY, June 11th 10am - Noon Refine, Judge & Develop Patterns from “West Coast 101”
12 -1 CRITIQUES - an Exceptional Learning
Process for 1 - 2:30 LUNCH BREAK
2:30 - 4:30 “WALK LIKE A DANCER” (Change your Walk, Change your Life) 4:30 - 5:30 Judging & Dancing: "Elements of Movement" FRIDAY, June 12th 9 - 10am Skippy in the Ballroom - Motion Study “Orange Colored Sky” 10:30 – 11:30 Coordination Drills for Raising your Level of Dance 11:30 – 12:30 "Through the Eyes of a Judge" 12:30 – 2pm LUNCH BREAK 2 - 3:30 CRITIQUES (for personal growth - & for Judging)
3:30 - 5pm
Understanding “ROLLING COUNT” - What it is, but even
SATURDAY June 13th
9 - 10am Skippy in the Ballroom - Lead &
Follow -
SUNDAY June 14th 9 - 10am Skippy in the Ballroom - West Coast 101 Techniques
These few hours of
GSDTA Intensive Training are " Walk Like a Dancer." PLUS - GSDTA Critiques have created a world-wide re reputation for developing amazing progress in everyone's level of dance.
COST: INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS - available as a “Drop-In” $15 for any 1 hour session $20 for any 1½ hour session $25 for any 2 hour session. $145 Covers ALL Intensive Hours listed. |
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(Back to top) Phoenix - 2009 4th of July Convention
ALL DAY THURSDAY - FOUR 1-hour Workshops
Cost
$15 per hour or $40 for all four hours. Requests from people who attended the previous year always influence the selection of subjects for the following year. They always add up to a great little 4-Hour “Mini-Intensive” - Always guaranteed to take everyone’s dancing up a level. REPEAT of last year: The last hour devoted to CRITIQUES. Still the most popular Session. Comments showed how amazed people were that the level of the entire class seemed to rise on that last hour. 10 to 11am - Rolling Count & how you can OWN it. 11:15 to 12:15 - Making Syncopations look more professional 12:30 to 2pm - LUNCH BREAK
2:15pm to 3:15pm - 3-Toe Base, Sending Foot, Centering Knob & 3:30 to 4:30 - CRITIQUE SESSION (By popular demand).
Personal Note: Information regarding My Schedule at the Phoenix Convention has now been confirmed by the Greater Phoenix Club Board of Directors. Special requests? Call me: 562-869-8949
or |
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Summer Intensive Miami
Held in conjunction with & just prior to:
2009 Intensive Schedule
SUNDAY, July 12th 5 to 6:30pm - Upper Level Basics Including West Coast 101 MONDAY, July 13th
10am to 11:30 - Critiques - The most beneficial
form of instruction, currently taking the dance 1 to 2:30 - LUNCH BREAK 2:30 to 4pm - Annotation: How it improves your Dance Performance and your Learning Ability. 4 to 5:30pm - Syncopations - The Good - The Bad and The Ugly! 5:30 to 7:30 - DINNER BREAK 7:30 to 9:30 - "Walk Like a Dancer" Change the way you Walk - Change who you are!
TUESDAY, July 14th 1 to 2:30 - LUNCH BREAK 2:30 to 4pm - Rolling Count Produces 3-Dimensional Dance! (Don't settle for 2)! 4 to 5:30pm - Vocabulary Instills Better Communication. (Keep up-to-date) 5:30 to 7:30 - DINNER BREAK 7:30 to 9:30 - Owning a pattern in ANY dance. Do you just DO it? OR do you OWN it? WEDNESDAY, July 15th
10am to 11:30 - More Critiques - and we
ALL dance the "Upgrades" 1 to 2:30 - LUNCH BREAK 2:30 to 4pm - Looking Deeper into ROLLING COUNT - What it IS and what it is NOT. 4 to 5:30pm - Finding the Pulse in different dances. Raise your own level of ALL DANCE. Starting at 7pm: OUT ON THE TOWN in MIAMI - CLUB CRAWL!!! (Subject to Change). THURSDAY, July 16th - Special Sessions on West Coast 101 -
10am to 11:30 - Increasing your
Performance Level with Detailed Basics. 1 to 2:30 - LUNCH BREAK 2:30 to 4pm - Historical knowledge that allows you to understand WHY we do what we do. More info, Patterns & Techniques for West Cost 101. 4 to 5:30pm - The "Goose Bumps" Factor thrills an audience and excites a Performer! Learn how to add that perspective to every MOVE you make. ALL levels. 7:30 - Doors Open for General Dancing - the Pre-Convention Dance 8:00 - Jordan & Tatiana in the Ballroom. (More GSDTA Fantastic Instruction). FRIDAY, July 17th (No lunch scheduled today - bring snacks or ?)
10am to 11:30 - Latin Dances & how that
knowledge can improve your West Coast Swing 1pm - Sarah Grusmark - "Handle on Collegiate Training" 2pm - Review exam questions with Skippy for those taking exams 3pm - Wrap Up with SKIPPY! Get your Questions Answered. 4pm - Jordan & Tatiana in the Ballroom
5:30 - EXAMS for those Eligible More details as we get closer to the event. It's ALL - GREAT - Join Us! |
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2 MARCH & AUGUST INTENSIVES - 2010 Friday, March 12th at 11am. starts the 1st 4-Day weekend of the Series. These 2- Consecutive Weekends, will be held in the Training Room of Skippy’s home in Downey, California. Registration is limited to 14 Participants.
Ballroom Weekend Schedule -
March 12, 13, 14, 15, 2010. Below notes are from August 2009. Similar subjects 2010. Friday, August 7th - West Coast 101 “Teaching Order” - 1. Triple Rhythm Break & Anchor - 2. Left Side Pass - 3. Underarm Turn – 4. Underarm with Hand Change - 5. Right Side Pass - 6. Right Torque Turn – 7. Turning Basic – 8. Throw-Out - 9. 4-Beat Starter - 10. Basic Tuck - 11. Push Break - 12. Two Hand Contra-Body Tuck - 13. Release Whip – 14. Walking Whip 10:00am – 11:30 Orientation - The necessity for discipline. Setting a firm foundation. The importance of staying with foundation patterns in that first year. Patterns 101 in “teaching order.” 11:30 – 1:00 Continue Patterns 101 in “teaching order.” 1:00 - 2:30 LUNCH BREAK 2:30 –
4:00 Teaching in Units – emphasis on the importance of the 4:00 – 5:00 Questions and Answers for the day plus clarification of most recent patterns. Saturday, August 8th 10:00am – 11:30 Rhythm drills in
all directions. Continue the patterns in “teaching order.” Sunday, August 9th 10:00am – 1:00 We will explore the various other forms of Swing that should be taught for different audiences, under different circumstances – or for specific purposes: Mélange (Ceroc, LeRoc, Modern Jive) – Jump Swing (music should be all 32 beat phrases) – PLUS their relationship to West Coast Swing. 1:00 - 2:30 LUNCH BREAK Monday, August 10 10:00am – 11:30 Teaching techniques
(separating the rhythms – stop on 2, 4, 6, 8), pulsing Tuesday mornings Skippy has a chair dance and meditation class at Seal Beach in Long Beach. Anyone from this program is invited to attend free of charge.
Another part of the consideration for this plan, is to save on personal costs. The Comfort Inn (very reasonable) is within walking distance of where the training takes place. There are several eating places and a shopping mall across the street. All easy access and relatively inexpensive. Some people will be sharing rooms at the Inn. Another serious consideration was the possibility of having maximum attention in a very small group. What an opportunity for someone who wants to get it NOW and get it RIGHT! In addition to the Training, we plan for attendees to visit TOP CATS on Sunday Nights, as well as other specific local dance nights, to be selected and determined, as August gets closer. SCHEDULE for the month of August, 2009, is tentatively planned below, (with minor adjustments to include the needs of those participating). Let us know your thoughts and special requests! AUGUST 7, 8, 9, & 10 – Concentration on SWING. 1st three days are dedicated to West Coast, with emphasis on the nuances of West Coast 101. SUNDAY will explore the various other forms of Swing that should be taught for different audiences, under different circumstances – or for specific purposes: Mélange – Jump Swing – East Coast and Lindy, PLUS their relationship to West Coast Swing. MONDAY will explore the various teaching techniques that give any student the foundation that will last a lifetime. (Includes Rhythm Games – Annotation – and other Techniques that develop the whole musical Human Being – Not just the Dance. (and YES, it does all relate to West Coast Swing). AUG. 14, 15, 16,
17 - Concentration on
BALLROOM Dancing & LATIN at a Social level, with background and Techniques that lead
to competition and performance level. Waltz – Tango - Ballroom &
Niteclub Foxtrot - Cha-Cha - Mambo - Rumba - Salsa.
Ballroom & Latin Weekend Schedule – August
14, 15, 16, 17, 2009 FRIDAY, August 14th 10:00 – 11:30 Orientation – Level 1
Rhythm Drills SATURDAY, August 15th 10:00 – 11:30 Rhythm Games to Latin
music SUNDAY, August 16th 10:00 – 11:30 Salsa - Drills for
advanced level “Fourth Foot Position” (ALL Dances) MONDAY, August 17th 10:00 – 11:30 4/4 Time Hustle -
Samba AUGUST 21, 22, 23,
24 – Concentration on teaching
CHILDREN. We cover K thru 12th and beyond. There will be
Drills, Routines, and Social Dances at the various Grade Levels – Plus
information that will help anyone who plans on teaching school age
children. (in or out of Public Schools). Lesson Plans - Goals and Outlines
of ways to verify that the goals have been met. An excellent
weekend for the serious dancer, student, or
Teaching Children Weekend Schedule – August
21, 22, 23, 24, 2009 FRIDAY, August 21st 10:00 – 11:30 Orientation –Level I Rhythm Drills – Rhythm Song #1. – Peer Counseling 11:30 – 1:00 Counting (beat count, Straight Count, Sub-divided straight count, Rolling Count, Verbal Count) – and the importance of Foot Positions 1:00 – 2:30 LUNCH BREAK 2:30 – 4:00 Melange - Two Hand
Rhythm Dance that is as old as time
SATURDAY, August 22nd 10:00 – 11:30 Formula for a Dance
Pattern (OWNING a Dance Pattern) SUNDAY, August 23rd 10:00 – 11:30 Latin Drills – Emphasizes the difference that PULSING can make, when it comes to Downbeats and Upbeats 11:30 – 1:00 Cha-Cha - An
important standard social and competition dance. Breaks on “2” & “6”. MONDAY, August 24th 10:00 – 11:30 Grade by Grade Ideas
for Lesson Plans
EACH Weekend: In
addition to the material being covered, we will explore and Critique a few of
the “Dancing with the Stars” episodes. There will also be Individual Critiques
– available in person – or bring your own tape or DVD for critiquing. There
will be coordination DRILLS to music, every day – designed to tighten critical control of
muscle memory. “Education” is the name of the game. The idea is for
anyone who attends all 3 weekends, to be able to leave this experience with
absolute confidence. Confidence that they not
only understand what they need to be a good teacher, performer, contestant
or social dancer
– But that they have learned the process to solve major dance problems
and know the process for making controversial decisions. There is NO substitute for
knowledge.
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SEPTEMBER 20th thru 27th – on the Carnival Splendor.
We will
ALL
have a BALL! For those who signed up under my name as their Hostess for
the Cruise:
In addition to sharing our dinner table and taking any regular dance
classes, I will For ME - I view this Cruise as a great adventure -like a long past due “VACATION.” It is also an opportunity for me to get to know some of our Intensive Dancers – our Aerobics Dancers – and our “Chair Dance” participants – all on the same 7-Day Cruise. Sounds like FUN to me. It is also an opportunity for a variety of people to try different classes of mine, that they have not yet attended). PLUS: If you have something you would like to work on - LET ME KNOW.
When
you Call to register with John Riddle or
Jeanne Jackson:
There
is a Purple Flyer that contains all the special details of God Bless – Have a Good Day - and Keep Dancing Skippy
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