1643 Commenting on/to teachers
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2003 15:53:50 -0400
From: Keith Elshaw <keith@TOTANGO.NET>
Subject: Commenting on/to teachers
Time is part of the equation in rounded evaluation.
Who has not had the experience of seeing dancers/teachers quite differently
than they did 2 years previously? While perhaps the teachers are
more-or-less the same, the dancer who progresses, with more knowledge and
experience in the ensuing time, will probably not have the identical
reaction to last time.
And as one's personal style develops, one looks for different things to
model or inspire. Opinions change.
Good dancers are evolving. So should good teachers be.
I will offer the generalization that grim teachers seem to tend to remain
that way. Grumpy ones might just have been having a bad time over a couple
of days. I've been in classes where I loved the guy but someone else thought
he was grumpy and unhelpful. Eye of the beholder.
Another part of the equation: the level of students the teachers run into in
their travels. Of course they will work down or up to the level they
encounter. If they are always working "up" over time, they and we should get
the benefit of the doubt that what one saw 2 years ago might not be a fair
comment now. If we bore them, let's hope they don't just do it for the
money. Good promoters will keep advanced classes strictly for advanced
students.
Most teachers I have talked to say the level has definitely been rising in
North America and Europe. The better we are, the more they should be
inspired to show.
I have a particular interest in seeing more teachers show close-embrace.
There aren't many. I want to have a class and do it that night on a crowded
floor. (This isn't how things are typically done now). How many teachers
show social moves for tight spaces? We customers should make our wishes
known to promoters and teachers before the events.
Where are Daniella and Armando? I have only seen them on old video, but they
interest me more almost than anyone else right now - because they were
showing social (what else is there?) dancing. I'm in a phase of wishing
every woman danced in my arms like Daniella ... a milonguera who teaches it
and can also make it look good on stage.
2 cents (Canadian) from a person who has liked almost every Argentine
teacher he has ever met as a person.
But I want them to know that WE want social moves. I propose they should
teach everyone as if they will be in Buenos Aires next week. That would be
quite a radical change, wouldn't it?
Am I alone in this desire?
Keith
https://ToTANGO.net
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2003 20:15:07 -0400
From: Keith Elshaw <keith@TOTANGO.NET>
Subject: Commenting on/to teachers 2
In my first post, I said there don't seem to be many teachers around showing
close embrace.
A good friend from the other side of the continent sent me a long list of
very fine teachers who do (almost all are non-Argentino).
I'm happy to stand corrected.
Keith
