SLO Tango -- in response to Jeff

[Laura Elizabeth Andes]

Jeff et al,



I really appreciate many of Jeff’s comments and ideas. Indeed, I agree with most them (and, in spirit, probably ALL of them). Whoever you are, Jeff, thank you for your thoughtful response!



Your point about lifts, aerials, and other dangerous dance steps is a good one. Int.-adv. content should be learned in a safe environment where the followers feel safe and the leads feel confident that they will not endanger the well-being of any of the dancers in the room. There are many advanced, intricate (yet absolutely beautiful) movements in Argentine Tango. Often these movements must be executed properly or the couple (or nearby dancers) could very well be injured. A “couples required/rotation optional” status helps protect our dancers in such classes.



Rotation does play a role a community’s being inclusive. All classes regularly taught in our community are “no partner required, rotation expected.” This goes for our social dances as well. I honestly don’t know of a more inclusive tango community. When visiting instructors are here, most of the classes (I am suggesting 5 out of 7) will have this designation.



On the other hand, disallowing participants from taking a class in which they may be able to learn one or two important gems is definitely exclusive. If we demand that all of our group class participants rotate, then we force ourselves to limit who can attend the more advanced classes. While I’m sure some list of prerequisites for int.-adv. classes could be constructed, I think the job is enormous in under-taking and likely to hurt feelings of those dancers told “NO, you are not experienced enough to attend.” On a practical note, who is going to do it and who is going to enforce it?



I’m all about a stronger bond between dancers and within the community itself. This is one reason why I am pushing for classes where everyone is welcome to come and participate in whatever capacity they can. I prefer this strategy to disallowing dancers from attending certain group classes or scheduling privates so that less experienced dancers cannot participate. It is reasonable to say that about 1/4 to 1/3 of our dancers are at int.-adv. level. I am suggesting that when visiting instructors are here, we offer a couple of classes (2 out of 7) that are created precisely with those dancers in mind. 

 

“Couples required, rotation optional” classes in no way limit one’s ability to rotate and check out one’s skills with other dancers. If you will feel “stuck” with your partner, then it seems that attending a “couples required, rotation optional” class with that person is imprudent. More importantly, this designation makes it clear that people will rotate when they want to, when they are ready, when the feel confident, etc. In an int.-adv. class where the movements and steps are far more difficult (and possibly dangerous), it is very reasonable to encourage this behavior. Some couples may never feel ready; that is OK too.



I feel very strongly that working out bad habits or discovering intricacies about movements is crucial to learning well. If you are forced to rotate before this process is completed, then you are forced to start all over again with the next partner. If this happens repeatedly over the course of an hour (which it can), then it is unlikely that the material covered will be mastered by the student. That is time and effort not well-spent.



I too think this is an interesting debate. But I think that it is more than a debate. Expected rotation doesn’t win hands down; nor does optional rotation, for that matter. There are times and places for both. While I am convinced that most classes should be “no partner required, rotation expected,” I do not believe that these are the ONLY classes that we should schedule when visiting instructors are here.



I, not surprisingly, love what Jeff says about dancers exchanging roles. I wish all dancers engaged in this from time to time – it improves one’s ability across the board and puts so much into perspective concerning the dance.



Jeff, thanks again your considerate posting. You clearly are passionate about the subject and are very thoughtful in your expression. I look forward to formally meeting you.



Best,

Laura



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