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strathspey@strathspey.org:44689

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Miriam L. Mueller

Miriam L. Mueller

Beginners in with experienced dancers (formerly Teaching and guns)

March 13, 2006, 8:54 p.m. (Message 44689)

If you will forgive a non-teacher speaking up, I will relate my
experiences with such mixed classes.

1) Although it is not SCD, I attend a monthly English Country Dance that
always has a few total beginners (never danced ECD, sometimes never
danced before). The early part of the evening is always geared to
straightforward but increasingly complex fun dances. The experienced
dancers make sure the newcomers and beginners have experienced partners
who reassure them that they CAN do this. With reels for example (heys in
ECD), they are told to weave in and out, we walk through it once or
twice, the experienced dancers point the way, and most have little
trouble with them. 

2) In Mobile, Alabama, some years ago, I danced with a non-RSCDS group of
enthusiasts. No certified teacher, experience range from several years in
that group to newcomers, age range 15 - 75. The sense was that everyone
was learning together. Had a great time.

3)  As relatively new dancers (not total beginners) several of us would
turn up to dance with an experienced group who welcomed the extra bodies
(feet?). They gave us experienced partners and got us through amazingly
complex stuff.

In all instances, everyone shared good humor, laughter, tolerance of
whatever level people were dancing at, and enjoyment of the dancing and
the learning. It may or may not be relevant that NONE of these groups was
an official RSCDS branch.
        Mimi/Miriam Mueller       San Francisco, CA

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