Has your instructor ever asked you to participate at a dance event, or showcase? When that happened, did you think your dance teacher was:
A. Absolutely crazy
B. Talking to the wrong person
C. On drugs
D. Plotting an elaborate conspiracy for a prank to be featured on a TV station you don’t even watch?
Well, this article is designed to put that request into a better perspective. After all, dancing in public is no different than many other activities you have done or enjoy watching.
Really!
No one is born ready to dance in public. The events like Dance-O-Rama® and showcase aren't exclusive to people born with a special dance gene. It is a process.
So we are going to look at a variety of non-dancing activities, find the correlation, and determine the real truth about dancing in public. You may currently hate the idea of district showcase, but anyone would hate a staircase with no steps.
We've got four, and it may change your perspective on dance events for good.
Every activity you want to improve has some type of private, one on one, activity to build skills. Whether we’re talking about learning the scales on the flute, how to properly tackle an opposing running back, or how to dance a Tango without looking at your feet: Private lessons are the way to do that.
| “Skill Building” | Material Covered |
|---|---|
| The Flute | Learning the scales in a private lesson |
| Football | Learning to tackle in the proper position |
| Dancing | Learning to Tango without looking down |
Bottom Line: Develop your dance skills in the most efficient way with private dance lessons.
You advance into this stage with group instruction. ”Assembled Skills” is the difference between private tutoring and a group class. Confidence begins to be acquired when the student can attempt their new skills outside of the “private” environment, and learn some additional skills as well.
| “Assembled Skills” | Material Covered |
|---|---|
| The Flute | Playing the scales in the school orchestra |
| Football | Tackle drills with the rest of the team |
| Dancing | Learning Tango in a group class |
Bottom Line: Using both private lessons and group lessons is like taking singing lessons to sing better in the choir.
We all know what a dress-rehearsal is in the theater, well the “simulation” is the dress rehearsal for any activity to build confidence in performing the skills that have been developed. This layer emphasizes practical application of the skill. This allows the teacher to see the skill in action in a controlled environment. Could a football team perform well without a scrimmage? Would the FDA approve a new drug that never went through clinical trials? For Arthur Murray, the practice parties are the perfect forum to test out dancing in public.
| “Simulated Test” | Material Covered |
|---|---|
| The Flute | Winter concert dress rehearsal for the orchestra |
| Football | Full team scrimmage |
| Dancing | Practice Party |
Bottom Line: A practice party gives you the luxury of having your teachers observe you in action, help you in a jam, and prepare you for dancing in the outside world.
This stage is the equivalent of a recital. Parents and teachers can’t interrupt this performance when little Johnny is doing his first solo. This layer adds a bit more pressure, but as part of the process, it isn’t much different than the previous stage.
So what does this stage accomplish?
Does the football team learn something about their skills after the first real game is over?
Does the flute player have some feedback on how to perform better the next time? The biggest misconception about the Test stage is that it is final.
The Test stage, with the help of your teachers and coaches, is only the beginning. It adds layers and layers of personalized instruction for how you rise up, or shy away, from the pressure.
| “The Test” | Material Covered |
|---|---|
| The Flute | Performing at the Winter concert with the orchestra |
| Football | Playing in the first regular season game |
| Dancing | Attending the showcase |
Let’s take a look at some other examples of this model in other hobbies, causes, or skills
| “Skill Building” | “Assembled Skills” | “Simulated Test” | “Test” |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Discovery | Pre-Clinical Trials | Clinical Trials | Available to the Public |
| Cooking Lessons | Cooking Class | Casual Dinner | Thanksgiving |
| Golf Lessons | Driving Range | A round of golf | Amateur tournament |
| Singing Lessons | Choir | Dress Rehearsal | Recital |
| Behind the Wheel | Driver’s Ed | Parking Lot with Mom | Driver’s Test |
There is a test, that is bigger than the showcase, or the recital, or the driver’s test. It’s THE REAL THING.
It’s that moment when your friends say, “show me your dance moves.”
That, my fellow dance friends, is the REAL TEST. It is bigger than a showcase, and more important than a showcase, because it isn’t scheduled, there is no pre-time, and it is probably the most important audience to you.
There will always be nerves. Nerves just mean that you care.
Fact: Every football player feels some nerves or excitement before the big game,
Fact: Every medical researcher feels some nerves, and excitement, before when their drug is up for approval by the FDA
Fact: Every company executive has nerves and feels excitement when their company is about to go public.
Fact: Your dancing is about to go public.
Your body may send you panicked messages of excitement, miscommunicated as fear, but that doesn’t mean you’re not ready.
You’ve followed the steps, you’ve put in the time, and the real thing, in public, is just the beginning.
Show them your moves. You’ve been tested.
Do you need an entry point to the world of Ballroom and Latin Dancing? We recommend starting with our free introductory lesson. Why?
Because everything about dance lessons at Arthur Murray makes more sense once you're on the dance floor.
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