DANce StepsNotes from Dan

UM Class 1 – 9/16/13

Download Dan Calloway’s Class Notes – BAM – 20130916

Intro Class

Note to class: Like learning a foreign language, learning to dance will require frequent practice. Try for at least three practices per week. Thoroughly review everything we have done in class in those practices.

Waltz amalgamation: Four Closed Changes forward and backward, then two Closed Changes forward and backward, then one Closed Change forward and backward.

Rise and Fall: Use a heel step when going forward on count one. Counts 2 and 3 are on the toes.

Quickstep
Begin on a diagonal.

1. Quarter Turn to the Right       SQQS
2. Progressive Chasse                 SQQS

Rumba Basic: (1) 234; (1) 234

Cha Cha Basic: (1) 234&1 234&1

Jive Basic (with a variety of holds): 123 123 12

Bronze

Waltz
Basic Amalgamation:

1. Natural Turn
2. Right Foot Closed Change
3. Reverse Turn
4. LF Closed Change

Amalgamation #2:

1. Natural Spin Turn (NST)
2. 4-6 Reverse Turn
3. Reverse Turn
4. Whisk
5. Chasse from Promenade Position

Quickstep Amalgamation:

1. NST                                            SQQ SSS
2. Progressive Chasse                 SQQSS
3. Chasse Reverse Turn              SQQ
4. Progressive Chasse                 SQQS
5. Forward Lock                          SQQS

Standard Technique

1. Followers: Keep the head outside the frame, looking in (over left wrist), not head inside the frame, looking out.
2. It is better to be too low than too high in the legs.
3. Swing everything. Be self-sufficient.
4. Leaders: Practice with your thumb on the end of your nose to find and maintain the ideal head alignment.

Rumba/Cha Cha Amalgamation:

1. Basic
2. Three NY’s
3. Alemana
4. Three Hand to Hands
5. Solo Spot Turn

Latin Technique

1. Know the six connections. Ballroom and Latin dancing are about opposition.
2. Know the six judging criteria: Technique, Rhythm, Character, Choreography, Presentation, Charisma
3. Keep pressure in the moving foot on every step.
4. Never have weight on a bent knee in Rumba
5. The key word for Rumba is “sensuous,” meaning stop the feet but keep the body action going on every step.
6. Character in Cha Cha includes showing conspicuous enjoyment. Make your partner laugh.
7. Three Cha Cha Chas should be used to learn to twist the base from under the torso.
8. Forward Lock footwork: Flat, Ball, Flat
9. Backward Lock footwork: Ball, Flat, Flat

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