DANce StepsNotes from Dan

Download Dan Calloway’s Class Notes – GUBDT – 20131120

GU Class 11 – 11/20/13:  Ohio Star Ball Prep

Advanced

Silver Waltz

1. 1-3 Natural Turn
2. Open Impetus
3. Weave from PP, end in PP
4. Chasse from PP
5. 1-3 Natural Turn
6. Back Whisk at corner
7. Weave from PP
8. Natural Spin Turn in corner
9. 4-6 Reverse Turn
10. Double Reverse Spin (twice)

Technique

1. Keep head weight outside the frame
2. Following can mean going first, i.e. Follower’s Weave from PP
3. Double Reverse Spin: Follower’s biggest step is step 3, facing LOD (like a Wing)

Silver Foxtrot: Review routine of the last two lessons, but precede figure #1 (Hover Telemark) with Feather Finish, leader starting backing LOD.

Technique

1. Body first when going forward; legs first when going backward. Ex: Reverse Wave
2. 3/8 turn is best for most figures, i.e. Feather Finish

Cha Cha

1. New York                   2 3 4&1
2. Cross Basic                 (2) &3 4&1; (2) &3 4&1 (Spiral on last step)
3. Aida                            2 3 4&1

Technique

1. All ballroom and Latin dances are romantic. The best way to express romance is attention. Look at your partner frequently and with intent.
2. Raise the leading side of the body to stop efficiently on the Cross Basic.
3. “Back” into most figures, i.e. chasses.
4. Small steps show the rhythm; long steps obscure it.

Beginner

Review W/Q/T/R/C/J

Quickstep: Dance smoothly as if there is a book on your head, especially on chasses.

Rumba: Remember Alexandra’s demonstration of leg action and extension.

Foxtrot: Basic Amalgamation

1. Feather Step                            SQQ                End outside partner
2. Reverse Turn                           SQQ SQQ       End outside partner
3. Three Step                               SQQ
4. Natural Turn                            SQQ SSS

The first SQQ of each turn is a Heel Turn for the follower.

Intermediate

R/C/S/J: Full bronze routine

Cha Cha: Use stop action separation between steps to show the rhythm.

Samba: If the Solo Spot Volta is not ready for competition, use Whisks, instead.

Jive: Explosive foot pressure from the ball of the foot creates the sharp lift of the foot.

Waltz: See DanielCalloway.com for full bronze routine, including video demonstrations of the figures.

Foxtrot

1. Pick arms up in front of the body, then open them to the side, to make a production of taking dance position.
2. Practice closing the foot incrementally in heel turns.

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