Thread: Workshop preparation and etiquette

I find myself with much less money for workshops and classes these days, so I want to get the most I can out of them. At the same time, I don't want to encroach on anyone else's learning experience or be rude.

I'm looking forward to a workshop with a dancer who has a conveniently-priced video, and I expect the workshop to contain some of the same elements. Should I go ahead and purchase the video and work with it right away to get a "head start", or should I buy it at/after the workshop, so I can learn the technique straight from the "master", with a better chance for correction/proper form from the start? BTW, this is NOT Suhaila - I know she has a list of preparations.

Also, I don't pick up choreography easily. I'm getting better! But I'm still usually lost by the end of the choreography part of a workshop. If I'm not mentally/physically exhausted, I've continued to try to "get" the choreography through the end of the workshop. But in two recent workshops I've been to, the 1/3 to 2/3 of the class that can't remember the full choreography drops out toward the end, while I'm still lurching along, trying to keep up with the remaining dancers. Am I being rude to continue to try to grasp what I can? Or is there a point where I should just STOP, so as not to interfere with the other dancers' groove?

I think it's a matter of personal preference whether to study with a video first or use it to follow up after. The main risk I can see in using the video first, as you mentioned, is that you could pick something up incorrectly and not be as open to correction at the workshop, because your mind thinks it already 'knows' this move.

(I can see other people doing that all the time at workshops, confidently going on with their same old move and not comprehending that the teacher is talking about some new variation, or something slightly different I'm sure I must do it too).

OTOH, if you buy the video first and discover there's nothing new for you there, or you don't care for the teacher's technique you can save yourself a lot of money!

On the other question, go go GO until the end if you can! You paid full price for the class, you should get to participate just as much as anyone else. If you're really stumbling, not getting the changes, etc. and might pose a hazard to others, move to the back. But you shouldn't have to sit out altogether ever.

You paid to learn just like everyone else. Why should you drop out? I don't think it would bother the other students. It wouldn't bother me, I'd either be watching the teacher or concentrating on myself.

I prefer to be a bit prepared for the workshop. I'm someone who would buy the dvd and watch it/do it at least once and make notes on it. This way if I have questions I can have them answered in person, or I can keep up a bit more.

By doing this, I've gotten a lot more out of workshops!

I'm kind of slow with choreography, so I usually position myself in the back. It's just a preference for myself, though. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't participate or stand wherever you want, although I think it's better to stand near the back if you keep bumping into people.

If you're interested enough in attending the workshop, then you should probably get their dvd before, especially if it is resonably priced. This way you'll have some of the material under your belt before the workshop and, while in the workshop, can concentrate on polishing/refining or getting intelligent questions answered.

I'm glad to know that it's OK to keep dancing! I do move to the back or side, if I'm not performing well, but I hate to quit if I think I still have a chance to pick up more.

Because I'm not the strongest dancer in the world, I do know that dancing with a group where *everyone* has it, is a lot easier than dancing in a group where *not everyone* has it, when you yourself are right on the borderline. I don't usually have a problem with running into people, I was more concerned with a finer point of politeness.

Just thought I would mention that getting any amount of pre-workshop prep out of the way goes a long way toward you understanding the whole thing better. Its an excellent idea to be prepared. Im also dismal when it comes to choreography, so I totally understand your hesitance, but hey, we gotta learn too right? Just the fact that you're aware of other people is good, staying out of their way, even better. Good luck and have fun!

I think you should keep dancing, and as long as you're not obstructing or slowing down anybody else it shouldn't be a problem! I think it shows determination actually. Plus, the more you do it, the easier it becomes (picking up choreography I mean).

For the DVD, I have noticed that many instructors offer a discount if you buy it directly from them at the workshop. So you might save a few bucks if you can wait til the day of.