Thread: Spin-off - Hobbyist Classes v. Pro Classes?

Another student voice... I have been dancing for 5 years, I go to multiple workshops a year, go see restaurant dancers whenever I'm visiting another city, buy instructional and performance videos... I'd like to think of myself as a fairly serious hobbyist.

And yet, I am so sick of preparing for haflas and workshop shows. I am tired of spending half of an hour-and-a-half class working on choreography. I just want to go, see my friends, and just drill and dance with no deadline in mind. I don't want to have to learn something by a specific date - I have enough deadlines in my life. I don't need to add more.

I am currently taking two weekly classes, one is the one I've been taking for the last 3 years. I keep going because I feel the level of the class is challenging to me, even if it is more choreo than I am interested in doing right now. I recently picked up a 2nd class which is a total beginners class, like the women next to me are in their first few weeks of class - but I'm loving it. I will happily hang back and clean up my basics so I can dance for an hour without having to learn anything on a timeline.

But if I could create the ideal class for me right now? it would be at a challenging level, layering, complex technique, etc - but with no choreo, no performances, no deadlines, and a very do-it-for-the-fun-of-it atmosphere. I like getting correction from my teacher, but a poke in the back is more than enough to remind me to watch my posture, I don't come to class for boot camp. This is what I do for fun, so it sure as hell should be fun.

Originally Posted by antimony

This is what I do for fun, so it sure as hell should be fun.

That certainly sums it up.

But also, it makes me wonder whether the pros in my class ever look at me and wish that only the career-minded were in their class.

(And hey antimony, when do we get to see some cruise pics over on your blog? )

I think I mentioned before that the late Rose Champagne had all her students fill out a survey about what their intentions in the class were (exercise? pro? etc.) Maybe that would help people see if it's advantageous to start the pro class.

Also, it might be me, but I don't feel any of my classes have really been structured to discuss stuff like our goals with our teacher. Maybe it's too school-like, but I think it would be helpful to start the discussion

Antimony -- great post! I think my rep group students were feeling the same way last year, we've backed way off performance and they seem happier. I'm offering a pure technique class at that level now -- no performance, no choreo -- so far only a couple of students are excited about it, but I think people will find their niche or go back and forth and be glad to have both.

It can be done but needs organizing.
My studio is 80% teaching oriental dance.

So:
1st year Basic Arabic
All the beginers

2nd year they are divided to
Arabic I (hobby)
Arabic II (dance)
I explain to them what are the requires for every class and usually the ones that just want to do it for fun, exersize, hobby go to Arabic I and the ones that see it serious go to Arabic II where its really hard training
Have also Arabic III class (4rth year) semi-pro

Right now have 4 classes Basic Arabic, 2 Arabic I (hobby), 1 Arabic II (dance), 1 Arabic III (semi-pro), 1 Kids Arabic Folklore, 1 Male Folklore in the week.

From each year I have people from Basic Arabic entering Arabic I (hobby) and they love it, its the largest group.

Maria Aya, Greece

p.s. In Greece we work by years and not sessions.
Each year is from September to June