Joy and Tom are learning the 6-count swing. This is their second lesson. We teach couples using the basic elements of directional movement, timing, lead & follow and styling. This is the time-tested Arthur Murray method that all our dance instructors used.
Jack & I teach private & semi-private lessons in our mini studio in Medford.
Because Joy and Tom are taking private lessons, they are progressing more rapidly than if they were taking a group lesson. We can work with them and stop bad habits before they get repeated and into muscle memory.
Joy and Tom work the basic steps in swing. Joy is a professional hair stylist & accomplished equestrian and Tom is a retail store owner and professional piano rebuilder & tuner on concert pianos. They have a 3-year old son, Adam, who keeps them on their toes literally!
After a long day at work or keeping up with a 3-year old, it's not easy to concentrate on dance steps. We always review the previous lesson with our students before adding new steps.
Above: Doing the "cuddle" or "basket" step looks easy, but requires good footwork.
At the end of the lesson, we review with a final dance to music. Then the real work starts: that's homework. We use a printed handout to remind our students of the steps that they have covered. Then we assign homework...lots and lots of hours of dance practice are required to build muscle memory. The older you are...the more hours it takes!
Joy & Tom have a goal in mind with their dancing: a big wedding in 13 months where they'll look like pros on the dance floor. Yes, they have started just in time to get the basics in swing, fox trot, waltz and cha-cha...if they practice allot!
Below: Trying an outside underarm turn.
