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