Category: In the Studio

Guest Post: Finding the Best Fitting Latin Dance Shoes by Yami Dance Shoes

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It’s an exciting moment when you buy your very first pair of real dance shoes. It’s like going from being a person who dances to a honest-to-goodness dancer! Anyone who has shopped for dance shoes though knows that finding the right pair of shoes isn’t always easy. Different brands fit differently, and just because others love a specific brand doesn’t mean that brand’s shoes will fit your feet. I remember shopping for a pair of Latin shoes and trying on different brands. It was interesting to me to see how one popular brand didn’t fit the heel of my foot, no matter which style I tried.

If you’re in the market for a new pair of dance shoes, then please check out this guest article by Tina Lee-Almazar of Yami Dance Shoes! She provides some great insight and tips into what to look for when shopping for dance shoes. Happy (and pain-free) dancing!

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Studio Solo Practice

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I solo practiced at the studio yesterday! First time in 7 months. With talk of competing again in early 2021, 2021 being only three months away, AND only one lesson a week on the books for the foreseeable future, I thought it was time to get back into the solo practice habit.

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Guest Post: Writing the Prescription for Ballroom Dance

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Erin Drake is a professional ballroom dancer and teacher in Orange County, California. When I heard about her new nonprofit, Rx Ballroom Dance, I knew it would be something you guys would love to learn about and support. Please read on to hear about the amazing progress her first participant has already made.

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 25: When you buy the Solo Practice Guide for Ballroom Dancing, I will donate 25% of the sale to Rx Ballroom Dance.

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5 Reasons You Should Attend Dance Camps

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This past Saturday, I spent pretty much my entire day at the studio to attend an American Smooth dance camp. My studio holds these all-day camps at least once a quarter, and usually two in a row – one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Both amateur and professional ballroom dancers attend the classes, sometimes sharing classes and sometimes splitting into separate groups. All have their heads filled with dance knowledge from top-level coaches.

Have you had the opportunity to attend workshops like these but wondered if it would be too much for you or you weren’t “good enough” yet?

Even at the risk of being overwhelmed, you should definitely include these kind of workshops or dance camps in your dance training, in my humble opinion. Here’s why:

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Guest Post: Non-Dancing Dance Lessons – Melissa Cyr | DanceSport Place

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I’m pleased to welcome Melissa Cyr of DanceSport Place for a mid-week guest post! Pay attention because this article is packed full of value and answers a few questions I know you’ve been wondering about. Meanwhile, I’ll be practicing my drills.

You’ve had a long day. It’s finally time for your dance lesson and you quickstep it to the car and head to the studio. You can’t wait to lace up your practice shoes and be transported from paperwork and drudgery to footwork and self-discovery.

Your coach starts the lesson but to your dismay, halfway through you’re still working on solo rumba walks across the floor. By the end of the lesson, you’ve hardly been in dance position at all, and haven’t danced together once to music.

The lesson ends and although you learned something (like how can rumba walks be so complicated?!) and your legs will be sore tomorrow, you feel unsatisfied.

“What happened to the dreamy laps around the floor, communing with my partner and the music? What about reviewing the new choreography we were working on for the showcase? It feels like I didn’t dance at all today. It felt more like a mind numbing session on the rumbawalk stair master.” 

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Starting December Off Right – With Dancing!

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I can’t believe it’s December already! I feel like I’ve said this before, but every year seems to go by faster and faster. Part of it is probably due to the fact that I’m getting busier. If you caught my Facebook livestream, you know that November was especially busy (not my choice). Thankfully, for this first weekend of December, I am not working overtime. I get to dance instead!

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Almost Musical

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Yesterday’s lesson focused just on rhythm. Teacher wanted to finish going over the choreography for the rumba and cha cha routines and introduce the east coast swing. We didn’t end up getting to the swing, but we rarely get to the last things on Teacher’s list so no matter. Next time!
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