NEW Ballroom Lesson Setup-Please read!

[CMU Ballroom Dance Club]

Hello Dancers!

I hope you've been enjoying your time off from CMU!

In the coming Spring 2010 semester, CMUBDC will introduce a new structure
of lessons in order to match the different goals of each dancer. With your
survey answers in mind, we have divided the lessons into 2 tracks: Social
dancing and Competitive dancing, and added a class just for TECHNIQUE. In
addition, we have added tryouts for the Silver level classes (to be
explained in the next e-mail).
Puzzled about what class you should be taking? Scroll down to the bottom
to read our recommendations!

Social Dancing track (now moved to MONDAYS, 8:30-10 PM)

In the social dancing track, there will be one lesson per week. Each
lesson will consist of 2 dance styles and each dance style will be taught
for 45 minutes. The lessons are usually on Monday at 8:30 - 10 PM. These
student-taught lessons will focus on the dances you normally see at night
club or social events such as American Waltz, American Foxtrot, American
Tango, Argentine Tango, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing, Salsa, etc.

The social dancing lessons are intended for all dancers who are interested
in dancing as a hobby. Neither dance experience nor partner is required to
attend the lesson.

In Spring 2010, the social dancing lessons will include Waltz, Salsa,
Rumba, Argentine Tango, Lindy Hop, Hustle, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, West Coast
Swing, Tango.

Competitive Dancing track

In the competitive dancing track, there will be four lessons based on
dancers' experience. All four lessons will be focusing on International
style rather than the American style.

FUNdamental Technique Class (NEW set of lessons! WED 7-8 PM)

This professionally taught lesson will focus on building the essential
technique of the dances (the stuff that makes your dancing look good)
rather than the steps. Therefore, no prior experience is required to
attend the lessons. ALL dancers are encouraged to attend this lesson to
build up their fundamental techniques in order to improve in their
dancing.

In Spring 2010, the lessons will cover Rumba, Waltz, Jive, and Tango.

Bronze Lesson(SAME from Fall 09, NEW TIME: WED 8-9 PM)

The goal of the Bronze lesson is to cover all the Bronze steps in ISTD
syllabus. Therefore, dancers are expected to know basic techniques and the
rhythm of the dances before attending the lessons. If you are unfamiliar
with the dance, be sure to attend the first lesson when the instructor
will give a brief introduction about the dance. Tryouts are not required
for the Bronze level. All dancers are encouraged to attend the Bronze
lesson to build up their knowledge of Bronze syllabus and to prepare for
the Silver level classes.

In Spring 2010, the Bronze lessons will cover Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Quickstep,
and Samba.

Silver Lessons (WED 6-7 PM, same time, new tryout requirement)

Silver lessons are intended for dancers who are confident in their
knowledge of the Bronze syllabus and technique and are able to dance
competitively at the Bronze level. The goal of Silver lessons is to go
over all the steps in the Silver level. The instructor will not go over
the Bronze syllabus, as it is assumed to be known. Therefore, tryouts are
required for attendance to ensure that all the dancers in Silver lessons
have the knowledge of Bronze syllabus and could dance competitively. It is
recommended for all Silver lesson participants to attend the Technique
class (coming after the Silver Lessons on Wednesdays) as well. Silver
tryouts will occur in the end of the fall semester and beginning of the
spring semester (December 5th and January 11th) and individual dance
tryouts will occur before each new set of dance lessons so that there is
always a chance to join.

In Spring 2010, the Silver lessons will cover Samba, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha,
Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz.

Gold Lessons (moved to MONDAY, 6:30-8:00 PM)

Gold lessons are intended for dancers who are confident in their knowledge
of Bronze and Silver syllabus and are able to dance competitively at the
Silver level. The goal of Gold lessons is to prepare dancers to compete in
the Silver and Gold levels. Tryouts are required for attendance to ensure
that all the dancers in Gold lessons have the knowledge of Bronze and
Silver syllabus, are able to dance competitively, and have the correct
techniques for all styles of dances.(Tryouts will be at the same time of
Silver tryouts, Dec 5th and Jan 11th)
In Spring 2010, the Gold lessons will cover Rumba, Foxtrot, Jive, and
Quickstep.

RECOMMENDATIONS for levels:
What lessons to go to now? Read below!

-If you took only social lessons last fall: We recommend to continue in
the social lessons (now Monday,8:30-10 PM) and to go to the Technique
classes and Bronze classes on Wednesday (7-8, 8-9 PM) to make your dancing
really shine! (NOTE: all three of these are still included in your basic
membership)

-If you took Bronze lessons last fall: We recommend trying out for Silver
lessons (you will be tested to see if you know the steps taught in the
Bronze lessons in the Fall) and attending the Technique classes on
Wednesday (7-8 PM). For Silver Tryouts, review the Bronze review videos!

-If you took Silver lessons last fall: We recommend you trying out for the
Silver class and Gold class if you feel capable! You should take the
Silver class (since we will be teaching different dances) and also take
the Technique class right afterwards (7-8 PM). If you've forgotten the
bronze steps for Samba, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, and Quickstep, please check the
review videos. ALSO, we will be teaching those dances (except for Samba,
which we are teaching now) in Bronze the lesson set before they are taught
in Silver, so you can take the classes simultaneously.

If you have any questions on the new lesson structure, do not hesitate to
ask. We hope that with the new lessons there will be increased
opportunities for all dancers!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving break, and we'll see you next week~
CMUBDC Officers