2011 NOTE from
Skippy:
WHO should participate?
ANYONE who wants to teach - or simply wants to improve their dancing or their
teaching. 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
and advanced dancers -
actually learn from
the questions asked by newer people. You have to attend to experience it
and
understand it.
TEACHERS of Dance:
Attend to learn the language that fosters communication 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 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 Week-long Intensives usually devote at least one or two modules to
Judges' Training.
EDUCATION:
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 (Jordan & Tatiana - Sharlot Bott -
Mary Ann Nunez & others) participate from time to time
in
all of our educational Seminars.
However, the bulk of the sessions
are currently taught
by Skippy.
Clarification of a few Specific Sessions:
1.
MOTION STUDY classes are designed to drill
specific movements that enhance the overall performance of any dance.
Dance Dynamics(R) is a complete program of teaching dance.
Motion Study Routines are available for every level of competency, in order to
increase every specific element: develop better coordination, heighten musical
interpretation, develop better centering - and significantly raise the
overall level of dance performance.
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 the Walk" 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 -
Mini-Phrases - Rolling Count - Straight Count - Phrasing - Syncopation etc.
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 trying to
rely on WHO is right.
Still
have Questions? Feel
free to Call or E-mail.
Skippy:
(562) 869-8949 - Email: Skippy@SkippyBlair.com
Website:
www.SwingWorld.com