Stepping Out Studios - Lessons

Stepping Out is the best dance school IN THE WHOLE WORLD! I can't recommend this studio enough. There is a huge number of classes taught by these truly great instructors. The students are lovely - warm and friendly. And lots of parties, too!

This studio was originally started by my friends, Diane Lachtrupp and Angel Figueroa. Diane had been Paul Pelicoro's partner at Dancesport. As a matter of fact, Dancesport was originally called Stepping Out. Diane sued Paul for the name and won. Paul was forced to rename his studio.

At first, Diane rented some space in NYC and taught west coast swing with John Festa. This was in the mid-1990's. There was a big surge in dancing courtesy of a very popular nightclub called Denim & Diamonds. New York City was in the mood for country at the time and this place offered loads of free lessons to the bar patrons.

Anyway, Diane opened a school at 57th and 7th Avenue and was extremely successful. Where Dancesport was snooty, Stepping Out was friendly. And, all the teachers went with Diane. She had a great formula for success by picking up where Denim & Diamonds left off and provided technique.

Eventually, Stepping Out moved to the Chelsea area of NYC (most other dance schools moved too because of cheaper rent). In the end Diane got a divorce, sold the studio, remarried, had a baby and moved to Saratoga. Angel also remarried and moved to Texas.

The school remains the epitome of dance perfection and since Paul Pelicoro's new teachers keep defecting and going to Stepping Out, there has been a steady influx of Russian trained professional dance teachers. (Paul is notoriously difficult to get along with.)


These teachers include some of the greats of Europe and Russia - where dancing is a serious endeavor. Christian Barens, who also coaches on Dancing With The Stars, offers the most amazing lessons in international style Latin (rumba, cha-cha, samba, paso doble, jive).

Jamie Cuneen and Linda Gammon have been the most important teachers of international standard and American smooth (foxtrot, waltz, tango, quickstep, Viennese waltz) in NYC for many years. They are extremely experienced in teaching dance-challenged people.

Equally important is Tetyana Bilych from Russia. Her classes are always packed. She focuses on international standard technique. The quality of her lessons enable dancers to dramatically enhance their performance. She's sort of a dance cross-trainer.

Lori Ann Greenhouse is the many times over world champion hustle dancer. The studio has open two rooms to accommodate the number of students in her classes! No one teaches the art of hustle better - an no class is more fun! She also teaches an awesome American style cha-cha class.

Maria Jose Sosa and Santiago Steele, both from Argentina, offer authentic tango lessons. The studio is very supportive to tango in NYC and provide several practice sessions and parties. Sarah LaRoca does an all night milonga once a month, Maria has a tea-time practica every Sunday and a monthly tango dance on Friday night. After classes on Thursday, the main ballroom is transformed into an Argentine milonga.

These are just a few of the extremely talented teacher at Stepping Out. If you want to learn to dance well - or are in town and want to find a great social event - I recommend Stepping Out. There is always something going on and always a warm and friendly group of people just waiting to dance with you!

http://www.steppingoutstudios.com

Dance Competition

Have you ever wondered what dance competitions are really like? Most people are only familiar with ballroom competitions. While fascinating to watch, these events are not social. People go to compete or watch and it is very serious stuff. That's okay - but there is a more fun way!

West coast swing, hustle and country competitions are extremely social. The emphasis is on lessons and social dance with a little performance and competition. They are usually held over a 3-day weekend in a hotel or resort somewhere. Lessons have lots of rotation of partners so that everyone makes friends. The teachers usually put on a dinner show and there is dancing all night long. There are tons of these events!

A highlight is the Jack n' Jill. This is a competition in which people are randomly matched up and then they get to dance as a couple. There can be several rotations but you are judged by yourself. When starting out, the pros tell you that Jack n' Jills are just for fun. Yeah, its fun all right - its fun when you win! But most people don't win or even make the finals. For them, it can be a bitter disappointment.

Social dancing is exploding - thanx to "Dancing with the Stars." Dancing well requires a big investment of time and money. Nobody gets good naturally. People take group and private lessons and practice all the time. So, when people don't make the finals in these competitions, it is really frustrating. And, yet, they get over it because the whole event is just so much fun!

The World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) is an international organization which makes up the rules for Jack n' Jill competitions, keeps track of results and schedules events. There are four categories: Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. Every event awards points to the top 5 leaders and followers.

The WSDC informed me that every competition has the right to decide its own rules about how many points one needs to go from Newcomer to Novice. Some competitions don't even have a Newcomer category - they just lump the beginners with the Novice level. This is usually done at smaller events.

And, I found out something else that is really interesting! Some events with a Newcomer category only require 1 point to dance in Novice. That means if you placed at all in an event, you get to move ahead. There is another rule that says if you manage to score at in Novice, you never have to go back to Newcomer again.

Why is this so important? Because in Newcomer there is usually triple the number of women to compete against as in Novice. Since there are much fewer men, guys have the advantage. Lucky guys can win points and be at a lower level than the women. A lot of times, Newcomer guys really shouldn't be trying to compete.

When one competes in Novice, however, the numbers and levels stabilizes and everyone is more noticeable. Judges can evaluate easier. And, its more fun! Even if you don't place, you still have the chance to do your best. Trust me, in Newcomer, this is impossible to do.

What does all this mean? Anyone who is involved in competition realizes that its about strategy. To get out of Newcomer, it makes sense to go to competitions that starts at the Novice level or it is a small event and get a point.

Another tip is that country competitions often have a west coast swing Jack n' Jills. These events feature dancers who come with 5+ routines in other dances and are not solely there for west coast swing. Fewer people enter the Jack n' Jill and its easier to place.

Most event organizers will let you see the judges' marks on your performance. This is very helpful and can explain why you didn't make the finals or place when you are probably a better dancer than someone who did make it. Sure, there is the luck of the draw (who you get for a partner) and there is the music (which may not be your favorite) but, we can't completely shirk the blame. Its easier to take defeat when you know why and what to do about it for the next Jack n' Jill.

All of this is great knowledge for those who are trying to get out of Newcomer. I've competed against 70+ women in this category (30 men) and it is brutal. The judges can't even look at all the women. The worst guys make the finals and the girls who make it are often trained dancers.

So maybe, its not about the best dancer - but about the smartest dancer?

That said, once you get into Novice, it takes 20 points to get to Intermediate. This is a major undertaking. Not only do you have to be able to bring it - but you've got to bring it at a lot of competitions.

Some of you may be wondering why us west coast swing fanatics are willing to go through all this stuff. Well, like Argentine Tango, its an extremely creative, satisfying and enhances our social life. (Not to mention that since it is so difficult, it takes my mind off my other problems!)

And, west coast swing is growing in popularity exponentially - making the possibility of teaching a real likelihood for self-employment. It can be found where ever you travel to - in the USA and abroad - and affords an instant social circle.

I hope I enlightend a few of my readers. Nobody wants to share the secrets of success. Feel free to e-mail me question.

Good luck to all with your west coast swing adventures!

http://www.swingdancecouncil.com