I often get asked why I started dancing. That question is fairly easy: My good friend Jack dragged me out of my dorm room to an intro event for the University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club during freshman year with the promise that “There will be girls there!” How could I say no? The rest […]
Dance
All Lessons are Wrong, but Some are Useful
Let me pose a scenario to you, and you tell me if you’ve ever experienced it before: You’ve contacted one of your favorite pros for a lesson. It’s going to be amazing, and you’ve got a list of questions and concepts that you’d like for them to go over. Your usual teacher is enthused that […]
Drills: You Need More of Them
Here’s a slice of truth pie: You’re probably not doing enough drills. To clarify, when I say ‘you,’ I’m talking to both the literal you, my reader, and the figurative you that I use when I’m trying to self-coach. Like, “Joel, get your sh-… stuff together and do what you need to do!” Drills = […]
The Road to Awesome Goes Straight Through Awkward
I vividly remember the first time I ever tried to do a body roll: Positioning myself in front of the mirror at a 45 degree angle I put on my best cool face and prepared to unleash a sexy, fluid motion that would blow everyone’s mind. Totally prepared, I executed it perfectly! Except that I […]
Expectations: Killing you Softly
“They’re here!” Your pulse quickens and a tingle thrills down your spine as your favorite pro puts their dance bag down and casually gets out their shoes. You’re equal parts starstruck, mortified, and excited. A plan quickly develops: First, you’ll grab a partner so that you can dance in their vicinity. You know, get on […]
NDCA Rules Change: a Bad Idea
A screenshot has been making the rounds recently that suggests that the NDCA will soon be changing its rules regarding who can dance the roles of lead and follow. Hint: it’s not particularly progressive. As you can probably imagine, I’ve got a few things to say about that. Some Context Before we get into that […]
Dance Insecurities: an Incomplete List
If vulnerability is the path forward (and I think it probably is), then it’s time to put that into practice. I can be very insecure, and it’s time to talk about that in the hopes that it will help others to discuss where they feel uncomfortable as well. As a starting point, I generally see […]
Are you a Dance Consumer or Producer?
In 2017 it is easier than ever to consume dance. Youtube videos abound of professionals doing the latest tricks in amazing venues, while DVD courses promise to revolutionize your arm styling in just 60 minutes. Competitions and showcases put the best of dance on display for everyone and their families to enjoy, and instructors are […]
How to Be Happy Competing West Coast Swing: Some Subjective Thoughts for Amateur Hobbyists like Me
The other day, a wonderful dancer and good friend of mine, Sam Hartzell, shared a few thoughts on Competition in West Coast Swing Dancing via Facebook. I loved it so much, I asked if he would allow me to share it here, and he graciously accepted. Enough from me, Enter, Sam Hartzell: Hi, I’m Sam. […]
5 Tips to improve your Group Class Experience
Over the course of the last 4 years, I’ve taken many group classes and taught many as well. Through these experiences I have noticed positive themes in the way the best students make use of group classes, so this month I’d like to share them with you here. My goal here is not to chastise […]