Yep, Hula again, sort of, it's more about dance instruction in general.

[kistha]

I just want to see if it's my previous dance experience that is making me crazy. I also am curious as to what other's think would be best for a non-pro class.

I'm looking for answers, and certainly wouldn't mind extrapolating or explaining further in the comments -

I'm hoping for dialog people, this is driving me nuts.


[Poll #758398]

Comments

[xlana.livejournal.com]

Practical: I think it's entirely up to the teacher. When s/he deems the student ready to move up, the student should be invited.

Balanced: Having structured guidelines, for me, is good. My mom used to have these little cards the RedCross handed out to swim instructors to fill in for each student. If you didn't get all of the little boxes checked, you couldn't advance to the next level of instruction. It was very helpful to see: "okay, i can swim 10 yards with my head down, but not 25. I stay in Advanced Beginner. Next session, I'll work on swimming that much farther." Now granted, dance is more subjective than swimming. But there should be standards. Intermediates should know the basics of the dance - the ummi, the hand positions, some of the chants, basic steps, etc.

When I start teaching, I will have a list of moves that Beginners learn. Once they've demonstrated ease of those moves, I'll let them go to Intermediate, where they're learn more complicated moves.

Personally: in the beginning, Alex would ask dancers who were getting everything easily to move up to the intermediate class. towards the end, anyone who wanted to, was allowed to perform with troupe. that did get frustrating. I think she got tired (she was a new mom by then) and a bit burnt out.

Sweetling, I hope this works out for you. I saw your face Monday night, and I've been listening to you. You *love* hula. I don't know if it was because you were concerned about the upcoming performance, but you made the hand motions part of your conversation all weekend. You've got it bad. (-: I don't know how far you're willing to drive for classes, but I think there's a studio in Shoreline. The store where they used to be held is gone, but I can ask the one person who works at the winglets' school who used to take lessons there.

[shellyinseattle.livejournal.com]

I second the idea of considering another studio for hula to continue on. I know that the instructor/dojo makes the number one difference for martial arts, and I imagine it's the same for dance.

I know that I did this as a piano student long, long ago. The switch of instructors made the difference in enjoyment as well as keeping me from quitting at the intermediate level before I could play the classical pieces that I could at the time I actual quit to go to college.

[kistha.livejournal.com]

I think switching might make me happier with the progress, which is what's killing me, but then I'd lose all of my current hula sisters as well...which is one of the biggest things keeping me interested.

I don't know how much of the bug I have. I love a lot of things, a large number of which are dances, but I've left them all at one time or another. I miss wildlife rehab, but I don't have the time to do that with out missing time with family and friends. So I don't, but I still miss it. I don't know how much I'll miss hula. I suppose this summer will give me an idea of how bad I have the bug.

Thanks for the input I'll keep it percolating.