strathspey@strathspey.org:45245

Ron Mackey

Re: Attracting Young Folks/Music Tempo

May 12, 2006, 1:04 a.m. (Message 45245, in reply to message 45233)

> > Oh no!   These are the challenges that spice every teacher's life!   It
> > might take months or even years of patience but the reward is wonderful.

> If only everyone had your patience, Helen !
> 
> Martin

	It's not really a question of patience, is it?   It is allowing 
people to learn at their own pace.
	There is someone in my class who has two left feet and I 
thought would never, ever make a dancer but he did enjoy himself 
and often has us laughing at and with him.     Last Friday (my last of 
the season) for the first time he went through a whole dance x8 and I 
didn't call to him once. He noticed it too and was as pleased as 
punch.
He's been with me for five years!

	I think it is one of the causes of these 40 minute step 
practise sessions that some teachers are impatient and want to see 
perfect dancing as soon as possible so that when They are on the 
dance floor as few as possible interrupt their elegant progress.