Tips for maximizing your 30 minute private lesson.
A lot can be accomplished in a 30 minute private dance lesson, but to maximize your lesson, keep the following in mind.
1. Focus on one, or at most, two areas, i.e. mastering a specific move, improving your technique, or refining your style are good areas for a private lesson. Articulate your goal or objective to Mike and Mary at the beginning of the lesson.
2. Think about a “check ride”. In the aviation community, a check ride is a flight test that evaluates a pilot’s skills and abilities to operate an aircraft. If you’re not sure about a specific goal or objective for your private lesson, consider a Lindy Hop/Balboa “check ride” with Mike & Mary. Mike & Mary will then be able to focus in on one or two areas that you could work on to improve your dancing.
3. Movement and repetition. Maximize your time during this private lesson by emphasizing movement and repetition. Engage actively throughout the lesson; repetition aids muscle memory and accelerates progress.
4. After the lesson, make detailed notes on what worked, and what didn’t work. Jot down points of emphasis for future practice, and points for developing and reinforcing good technique.
5. Practice with a Purpose. Practice doesn’t make perfect, good practice makes perfect! Make a commitment that when you are out social dancing, you’ll put into practice your improved technique and skills.
6. A journey, not a destination….. Mike & Mary see these great dances of Lindy Hop and Balboa as a journey…. keep learning and improving – which makes dancing a lot more fun!
Postscript. On the Hepcats More Resources web page (https://luv2swingdance.com/more-resources/), check out the “10 Ways to become a better swing dancer” entry. Lots of good info and insights there, based on Mike & Mary’s experiences from over 25 years of dancing!