Last week I filmed a segment with one of my couples (Manisha Mahajan and her fiance Alex) for the #RachelRayShow with #DWTS pro #LouisVanAmstel crashing my#weddingDanceLesson! It was a blast! Then they went on to the Rachel Ray studio and danced on National TV! They were amazing!
Don't know the air date yet, but I'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Everything is easy, once you know how, whether you want to recreate a dance or create your own unique wonderful moment, learning how to dance for your wedding is a fun part of the wedding planning. Oh, and you'll pick up a life skill you will use frequently, I hope!. The thing to remember is that, if you can walk, you can dance!
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
Katherine and Mark took their last lesson last night getting ready for the big day. Michael Bouble's Everything is a fantastic Foxtrot which we combined with a Swing break, and a fast-paced piece of choreography in the middle when the song's dynamics kick into high gear. They look good after only 3 lessons, unfortunately spaced out over about 2 months! They look good, and have promised me pictures from the wedding, so I'll get the professional shots up as soon as I get them.
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
Laura and Jason have decided to go back to At Last for their first dance. We're putting together a rumba/salsa mash with an uptempo style to match their personality, balanced on the slow beat of the music.
They were off to see Alan Cummings' Macbeth last night. (I'm a little jealous...) But they are doing an amazing job. (pics to follow)
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
They were off to see Alan Cummings' Macbeth last night. (I'm a little jealous...) But they are doing an amazing job. (pics to follow)
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Choosing a dance studio or instructor
Choosing a quality Dance Studio or instructor takes some research and common sense. If you are shopping around and are looking for the cheapest thing you can find, keep in mind that you generally do get what you pay for - you may learn a few steps, but you might not be learning how to dance.
Some of the factors you might consider include professional certification. Some studios employ teachers who are not certified. Certification is simply a professional affirmation of a skill level, and is always nice, but perhaps you are not looking for an instructor that will drive you to winning competions in a few months.
One of the things I have noted in the past is that students work best when they are comfortable and relaxed, so be sure that you actually like your instructor! That should be the first thing you decide when you start your lessons. Take advantage of a Trial lesson, which is either low cost or free. (But be prepared for the interview afterward, when the instructor or studio presents their comments and recommendations, and of course the Pitch. After all, the Studio does want to sell you lessons - it has to, to stay in business. But do not let a hard sell trap you - if the studio has to resort to being a used car salesman, it may not have a lot of confidence in its instructors.)
Know what you want, going in. Do you want the personal attention you get in a private lesson? Do you want a slower paced Group lesson? You will learn faster in a private lesson, but group lessons are much less expensive, and can be a lot of fun. Would you prefer to have a small group of your friends come in together and make a private Group lesson? There are always lots of options.
Look for atmosphere. Are people friendly? Is the Studio clean?
And always have fun.
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
Some of the factors you might consider include professional certification. Some studios employ teachers who are not certified. Certification is simply a professional affirmation of a skill level, and is always nice, but perhaps you are not looking for an instructor that will drive you to winning competions in a few months.
One of the things I have noted in the past is that students work best when they are comfortable and relaxed, so be sure that you actually like your instructor! That should be the first thing you decide when you start your lessons. Take advantage of a Trial lesson, which is either low cost or free. (But be prepared for the interview afterward, when the instructor or studio presents their comments and recommendations, and of course the Pitch. After all, the Studio does want to sell you lessons - it has to, to stay in business. But do not let a hard sell trap you - if the studio has to resort to being a used car salesman, it may not have a lot of confidence in its instructors.)
Know what you want, going in. Do you want the personal attention you get in a private lesson? Do you want a slower paced Group lesson? You will learn faster in a private lesson, but group lessons are much less expensive, and can be a lot of fun. Would you prefer to have a small group of your friends come in together and make a private Group lesson? There are always lots of options.
Look for atmosphere. Are people friendly? Is the Studio clean?
And always have fun.
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
The real partner dancing pointer!
Ballroom dancing points and positions
Just some general notes
Dancing in a Closed Dance Position
The lead's left hand should have straight fingers pointing to the left with thumb up. The right hand rests on the follow's shoulder blade.
The follow's right hand should hook onto the lead's left hand. The left hand rests on the lead's shoulder.
The lead's right arm and the follow's left arm should touch at the elbows. There should be a small amount of pressure between the couple's arms so the lead can signal to the follow.
The Promenade Position
The leader should link the left thumb around the follow's right hand. Both dancers’ palms should face out.
The lead's right hand should rest on the follow's shoulder blade, exerting direction/ pressure with the heel of the palm . The follow's left hand rests on the follow's shoulder.
Both partner's hips should face out.
The Open Dance Position
This is a more relaxed position where the lead's hands are at waist height. The thumbs should be up and the fingers should face inwards. Take care not to wrap the thumbs around the follow's hands. The follow should hook both hands over the lead's hands.
The Apart Position
Dancers are not touching each other with their hands, and there is no point of contact between their bodies
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
Some basic ballroom dancing points and positions
In traditional ballroom dancing, the male dancer is the lead and the female dancer follows. In all these dance positions, the lead directs the follow with body language and initiates the motion. The follow should never try to lead, nor anticipate the lead's next move.
These moves are all written in terms of the actions the lead initiates.
These moves are all written in terms of the actions the lead initiates.
Dancing in a Closed Dance Position
The lead's left hand should have straight fingers pointing to the left with thumb up. The right hand rests on the follow's shoulder blade.
The follow's right hand should hook onto the lead's left hand. The left hand rests on the lead's shoulder.
The lead's right arm and the follow's left arm should touch at the elbows. There should be a small amount of pressure between the couple's arms so the lead can signal to the follow.
The Promenade Position
The leader should link the left thumb around the follow's right hand. Both dancers’ palms should face out.
The lead's right hand should rest on the follow's shoulder blade, exerting direction/ pressure with the heel of the palm . The follow's left hand rests on the follow's shoulder.
Both partner's hips should face out.
The Open Dance Position
This is a more relaxed position where the lead's hands are at waist height. The thumbs should be up and the fingers should face inwards. Take care not to wrap the thumbs around the follow's hands. The follow should hook both hands over the lead's hands.
The Apart Position
Dancers are not touching each other with their hands, and there is no point of contact between their bodies
Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter
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