DANce StepsNotes from Dan

First day of classes for the Georgetown University Ballroom Dance Team. Here are the notes:

Download Dan Calloway’s Class Notes – GUBDT – 20130911

Georgetown Ballroom Team Fall 2013
Sept 11

Advanced Class

Waltz amalgamation using three different dance positions (in line, outside partner, promenade)

1. Progressive Chasse to R
2. Outside Change to PP
3. Chasse from PP
4. Natural Turn

Standard Technique

1. Two methods of changing position: Slide (for outside partner) and Roll (for promenade)
2. Do not be the weaker link in the couple. Move big, even when going backward, for now.
3. Constantly be aware of and use head weight to feel where partner is and to move.
4. One of our top goals: Independence. Do not depend on your partner. Know your part, inside and out.
5. Ballroom dancing is about opposition. Keep pressure in all points of connection between partners.

Rumba/Cha Cha amalgamation

1. New York
2. Promenade Swivels

Latin Technique

1. Be able to identify which of the six connections is appropriate (always a combination of two at a time)
2. Out swivel your partner
3. The connection is firstly stable. Ideally, the connected hands rise when the bodies are closed and lowers as the bodies open to promenade.
4. Speed is achieved by stepping later. Be equally fast in all dances. Maximize the time keeping the feet in place between steps.

Beginner Class

Note to class: Like learning a foreign language, learning to dance will require frequent practice. Try for at least two 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.

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

Intermediate Class

Note to class: We will be moving very quickly through the bronze choreography of all dances. Please print out the bronze routines from danielcalloway.com and review our class amalgamations outside of class.

Rumba Amalgamation (Beginning in Open Position)

1. Alemana (Starting with Half Basic)
2. Closed Hip Twist
3. Hockey Stick
4. Half Basic
5. Backward Walk
   Recommence with Alemana.

Rumba Technique

1. Focus on presenting the trailing leg and foot, not the stepping foot. Stretch it and keep pressure against floor.
2. Stretch all four sides of the neck up

Waltz Basic Amalgamation

1. Natural Turn
2. RF Closed Change
3. Reverse Turn
4. LF Closed Change

Waltz Basic Amalgamation #2

1. Natural Spin Turn
2. 4-6 of Reverse Turn
3. Reverse Turn
4. Whisk (Do not end facing LOD)
5. Chasse from Promenade Position

Waltz Technique

1. Going forward: Travel/distance

Going backward: Swing your partner by you

1. The more depth in the lowering, the more distance traveled. Remember having your hand on the wall and swinging the free leg while being low into the supporting knee.

Foxtrot Routine

Long Side

1. Feather Step
2. Reverse Turn
3. Three Step
4. 1-3 Natural Turn
5. Closed Impetus and Feather Finish

Short Side

Repeat figures 3-5

Recommence with Reverse Turn.

Quickstep

1. Quarter Turn               SQQS
2. Progressive Chasse     SQQS
3. Forward Lock             SQQS

At Corners:

1. Natural Spin Turn       SQQ SSS
2. Progressive Chasse     SQQS

Buy The Ballroom Technique at usistd.org.

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