Adding Attitude to My Dance
May 7th, 2006. Posted by David LimI took a workshop with Arjay Centeno and Melissa Rutz at Reno Dance Sensation, labeled as “Making Finals - Keeping Your Cool on the Dance Floor.” I figured since I was competing during the weekend, it would be helpful to hear what tips these two pros had to offer to seasoned and new competitors alike.
I enjoyed that they focused on attitude more than ability. They asked the class what follows are looking for in a lead. Their answer? Leads who take care of their follows. I’m glad they teach this attitude because all too often I see leads too wrapped up in trying to impress follows (or other people) that they end up hurting their partners. And then everyone loses.
Arjay and Melissa gave these examples on how to taking care of a follow:
Pay more attention to your partner than to the music. If a follow doesn’t spin a complete 360 to finish the pattern, give her an extra few counts so she can anchor and be ready. When I took a private with Trudy Thatcher with Mario Robau, he noticed that I exerted too much energy in trying to hit breaks. I would hear a break coming and speed up a pattern so I could hit it. I’m glad he helped me change that habit. The worst that will happen is that a break is missed, but Miss Follow won’t be broken.
Give and take. Arjay and Melissa provided a mental image of a microphone in between the dance couple. If they both speak into it at once, it’s hard to understand what is being said. For the dance conversation to be clear, each partner takes their turn. They say the same thing, or they sing in harmony. After a follow has been led, the follow then has the microphone until she reaches the end of her slot when she gives it back to the lead.
All attitude. Not everyone gets the opportunity to dance. We should be grateful for the gift to dance. If you allow negative feelings to take root, they show up in your dancing.
I got a lot out of their workshop that prepared me for my competitions. It got my mind off of focusing on trying to win and helped remind me why I loved doing Jack & Jills in the first place—meeting new dance friends.
“Attitude, not Aptitude, determines Altitude”
- Albert Einstein