Advanced Training & Continuation

The Heritage Classic - Twenty-Five Years and Counting!
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, May 02, 2012 - Colin Hillary

A Dancesport Judge's View Of Do's And Don'ts
What I like to see, and hate to see, on the competition dance floor.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, April 18, 2012 - David Hamilton

What factors does a judge weigh in assessing a couple's performance?
The criteria that a judge might choose to consider are actually too numerous to examine individually in the brief time allotted, since at least six couples are being judged simultaneously. Therefore, the judge must rely on the impression each couple makes relative to the others . The experienced judge, having seen and studied dancing at all levels, can quickly assess these factors collectively.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, April 18, 2012 - Dan Radler

How to prepare for your ballroom dance competition
Mental Preparation before the competition, Motivation, Start your preparations well in advance, Nutrition and Diet, Two weeks before the competition, Right before the competition, Stretching and Warming up, Learn how to move on
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, April 18, 2012 - Igor Galabov

Why Should I Compete?
Anyone who has ever walked into a dance studio and peeked into the ballroom can immediately tell you the dual feeling of excitement and intimidation upon seeing a pro/am or professional couple practicing in the ballroom.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, April 18, 2012 - John DePalma - Organizer of Capital Dancesport Championships

Ballroom Dance Teachers College & Move Like a Champion!
Welcome to Ballroom Dance Teachers College & Move Like a Champion! Innovative Resources for Ballroom Dance Studios, Teachers and Dancers
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, April 12, 2012 - Diane Jarmolow

What attributes do some people have that make them naturally great dancers while others have to work very hard to make minimal improvements?
Answers from Champions, Coaches, Competition Organizers, and Adjudicators -Yvonne Marceau, Jennifer Booth, Bill Davies, Pierre Dulaine, Elizabeth Knoll, and Ray Rivers.
Added to AccessDance National: Sat, February 11, 2012 - Christine Zona

LineDanceSport. Taking A Step Beyond Social Dance.
Until recently, linedancing has been thought of as mostly a social activity taught in churches, clubs and a few dance schools. But for some students, it's steps and patterns have led to an interest in Ballroom dancing; making it much easier for them to learn new skills.
Added to AccessDance National: Fri, January 27, 2012 - Melva Gail Smith

In addition to practice is it important for dancers to do other things if they want to compete successfully?
"I think going to a ballet class or a flamenco class, jazz, tap all those other forms are extremely important. For a workout it's best to do what you're doing, five or six rounds a day not going to the gym or running or swimming. It's a different set of muscles..."-Corky Ballas (Coach and Adjudicator)
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, January 12, 2012 - Christine Zona

What do competitive dancers do for relaxation?
"We go to the theatre to see any type of performance, but mainly musicals or dance We visit art galleries, walk in a park, spend an evening with friends, cook, eat, listen to music, go DANCING, go to a concert, sleep, read, take a bath, sit and have a coffee, do a relaxation exercise, go to a football match." - Jukka Haapalainen (1997 World Professional Latin Champion)
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, January 12, 2012 - Christine Zona

If people keep telling a couple they look great but they never move up in the rankings what should they do?
"You have to ask yourself a few questions. Are you practicing enough? Have you asked your coaches for their honest opinion? Are you constantly improving your mind set?"-Maja Servé (Coach and Adjudicator)
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, January 12, 2012 - Christine Zona

Dance Floors And Proper Traction
As ballroom dancers, we dance on many different types of surfaces, including some that are not quite as ideal as they should be. From floating dance floors to those splattered with beer, obtaining the proper traction can really keep you on your toes.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, December 22, 2011 - Melva Smith

Beyond The Physical
After dancing together for a couple of weeks, months or years, you and your partner have finally decided to compete for the first time.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Daphna Locker, Ph.D.

Amateurs vs. Pros, How different are they really?
Let's look at a couple of stereotypical views. The first is that Amateurs of all ages are hobbyists who dance just for fun, who dance in their spare time and do not earn an income from their hobby.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Michael Mead

History of the Polka
When dancers think of Polka, they usually visualize a lively, fast paced dance, that normally travels around the perimeter of a large dance floor. Originally a Czech peasant dance, Polka first became popular in the mid 1800's, and is the official sta
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

Managing Your Steps On The Dance Floor
Most of us have seen it happen. While dancing with your partner, a couple suddenly appears, and blocks the line of dance. Dancing on a crowded floor can be quite a challenge, and it takes a skilled dancer to be able to maneuver away from other dancer
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

The Making of National Champions
For many new dancers, competing in the Nationals is a goal, but when Nancy Davis began taking dance classes at Ballroom East, she had never heard of Ballroom dance competition. She had no idea that one day she too would be dancing at the Nationals.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

Tips To Improve Your Dancing
Once in a while you come across an instruction video that demands to be shared. "Ten Tips in Ten Minutes That Result in Ten Times Better Dancing," from the website thedancestoreonline.com is such a video. Producer of the video, and owner of The Dance
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

Foxtrot Basics
The foxtrot is a smooth dance that is usually danced to a music tempo of 120-136 beats per minute. Most of us grew up watching the dance performed in many movies and musicals, with dancers dressed in flowing ball gowns, top hat, coat and tails.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

Polishing Your Look With Good Posture
It doesn?t matter how expensive the dress, or how polished the look, bad posture can ruin the appearance of your dance.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, December 21, 2011 - Melva Smith

Understanding Body Movement Through The Alexander Technique And The Feldenkrais Method
The question posed in You Asked For It! drew some very interesting responses as to whether or not there is such a thing as a "natural dancer." We contacted some movement experts that are involved with The Alexander Technique and The Feldenkrais Method, two well-known movement techniques. Their explanations and ideas will hopefully help you gain a little more insight into how the body moves... naturally!
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, December 15, 2011 - Anat Baniel

Rave Reviews : LARRY DEAN LIVE
Talking to Larry Dean is like living the history of Ballroom in Quickstep time! I was on the edge of my seat, drawn to his tremendous energy. It was thrilling to learn how his commitment to the industry had grown into the Triple Crown and Crown Jewel competitions.
Added to AccessDance National: Wed, November 09, 2011 - Alex

How Ballroom Dancing Teamwork Transfers to Work and Life
Much have been said about the physical benefits of Ballroom dancing. In reality, Ballroom dancing in both Latin or Standard style is a type of partner dancing that involves a high degree of co-operation between two individual dancers. It is a great way to learn to build trust, communicate, co-ordinate, lead and follow according to the rhythm of the music.
Added to AccessDance National: Mon, July 11, 2011 - Sheri Leblanc

Ballroom Dancing: Sport, Hobby or Recreation?
As a child growing up in Nelson BC, I remember spending many Sunday afternoons watching old black & white movies of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. As they graced the dance floor with amazing form and splendor, chills would run up my spine as I watched them in awe. Oh, how I wished I too, could dance like that. Well, dreams do come true!
Added to AccessDance National: Fri, May 13, 2011 - Tracy Kaye Holly CSNA Master

Keeping In Shape Through Zumba
I magine arriving at a fitness facility where you are about to teach an aerobics class, only to find that you have forgotten all the dance music.
Added to AccessDance National: Sun, May 01, 2011 - Melva Smith

How Competition Dancing Has Changed My Life
The Winner Of The First Ever Emerald Ball Essay Contest. For the first time in my life, I am doing something for the sheer joy of doing it. Don't misunderstand, good marks do make me want to celebrate, but I'm not dancing to gain approval from judges or anyone else. I'm not dancing for anyone but me. I'm dancing because I want to, because it makes me smile, because I love it. I love it when the music seems like a live thing that carries me across the floor.
Added to AccessDance National: Fri, March 05, 2004 - Lynn Moreland - Houston, Texas

Innovation in the Viennese Waltz
IDSF Recommends The Introduction Of Additional Figures In The Viennese Waltz
Added to AccessDance National: Sat, January 26, 2002 - Johannes Biba

Dancing Tid-bits: Two Walks and a Link
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #63: Famous last words of Luca Baricci and Larrain winning the Championship Title at Blackpool 2000. Indeed, it seems like every time I take a coaching lesson in Tango the whole hour goes by and we do not seem to get beyond 2 Walks and the Progressive Link. Why?
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, August 09, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Lines in Dancing
Dancing Tid-bits #62: You heard it right, I said Lines in Dancing not Line Dancing or Line of Dance which I think everybody understands. Here we will discuss the lines as they are created by the Dancers Body and Movement.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, August 02, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Fan to Hockeystick
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #61: I don't know about other teachers but I feel that the Fan and Hockeystick in Rumba and Cha Cha seem to be the most difficult things to teach. I am talking about the beginner and bronze level students. I also say that if a student develops a clear understanding of these two rather difficult movements, he or she is ready for more advanced work otherwise not.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 26, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Stop and Go
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #60: It is perfectly OK if you want to dedicate your whole life for competitive dancing. However when this starts to impose on others in everyday and social life, I think it becomes a little over bearing. You know what I mean? If not, read the following.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 19, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Waltz 2nd step
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #59: "My partner and I are struggling with the waltz change step. The second step is presenting the biggest problem. The "Ballroom Technique Book"says that the second step should be taken side and slightly forward. My partner seems to think that the second step (his forward, mine backwards) should be the largest step he can possibly take."
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 12, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: What is in a name
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #58: Every Study has a Syllabus and so does Study of Ballroom and Latin Dancing. So it is only common sense that we be more specific about the names of the figures that we learn.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 05, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Getting the most out of your Dance Lesson!
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #57: This a summary of our last few letters on Dance Training. Investments in Dance is substantial and a student should consider the following points to benefit maximally by his/her investment of time and money.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, June 28, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Dance Lessons-Private Vs Group?
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #56: It amazes me to see some students just sitting on the sidelines for the whole hour, just looking, talking or loading up on coffee and not joining a valuable group lesson in progress. They are of course waiting for their favorite teacher to give a private and sadly they think that they don't need to know anything else besides what she or he will teach them.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, June 21, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Learning from Videos
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #55: Videos, Videos and more Videos. I do not want to embroil myself in an unending discussion such as, which are the best videos or who is on top. I simply want to share my personal experience of learning from videotapes. Which videos you like, is your choice.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, June 14, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: The Books, Shall I read them?
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #54: The answer is Yes! There will never be enough time between you and your teacher to cover all aspects of dancing. If you really want to be good and knowledgeable and this is one area not to be ignored. However be aware, books cannot replace a good teacher.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, June 07, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Preparation for a Lesson
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #53: Preparation for a lesson is required not only on the student's part but also the teacher. However if the teacher has reached a level beyond exceptional abilities, disregard the teacher part and let us concentrate on the Student's preparation for the lesson.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, May 31, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Dance Training #1
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #52: It is indeed an important issue to choose the first teacher. "My Daughter or Son deserves the best teacher." "I want to pick the most renowned teacher in the area or 'O, He is the US or World Champion, I want him or her." Absolutely logical and reasonable expectations. But is it necessary or realistic.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, May 24, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: The Dance Terms
"Dancing Tid-bits" Letter #51: Of course the terminology will be confusing because it depends on what kind of style you are pursuing. Feel free to ask your teacher because really in the long run you do not become a dancer by browsing the websites. As far as I am concerned there is only one Style, "Good Style Dancing".
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, May 17, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Pivots Footwork
"Dancing Tid-bits" issue #50: I thought we were done with Pivots (Dancing Tid-bits #44) but there were many questions on Footwork. Definition: Footwork is defined as to what part of your foot comes in contact with the floor. Footwork is not Feet Positions.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, May 10, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Remembering Michael Houseman
Dancing Tid-bits, Issue #49: Let this issue of "Dancing Tid-bits" be a tribute to Michael Houseman the great Dancer and Dance Teacher, for all what he did for the world of Dancing. Valerie! we will always share your grief and fully understand how you must feel when you are out there judging, but no, doesn't it feel like "He is right there, you can see him and talk to him."
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, May 03, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Bronze Samba Routine
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #48: In my opinion, Teaching Samba is slightly different from other Latin dances. Each element of the dance such as Whisk, Basic Movement, Bota Fogo and Volta movements, etc., must be introduced as separate steps like you would teach alphabet A to Z. Once the basic elements have been introduced and if students understand the timing, basic technique and a little bounce action, they are ready for choreography and dance to music.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, April 26, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Corta Jaca, Technique
Dancing Tid-bits #47: Ever since my earlier training days, this figure has caused me a lot of grief because if you do it as prescribed in Technique books (both ISTD and IDTA), it seems to break the phrasing 1 to 4 or does it really?
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, April 19, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Bronze Samba! O' My God
Dancing Tid-bits Letter #46: O' My God"" is really exactly what came out of my mouth when I saw the new ISTD Bronze (Associate) syllabus. Why? I will tell you why! Samba is a slightly more difficult Dance for beginners. The old Bronze syllabus including the Corta Jaca and Backward Bota Fogos was hard enough, but now some Silver and Gold Figures have been added at this level.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, April 12, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: 10 Dance or Just Latin
Dancing Tid-bits Letter #45: All this terminology from Modern and Latin etc. used to be confusing as I recall my early dancing days. It still gets confusing when they include Jive in Latin but V.W is excluded from the Modern. I still like the word Modern and some might say I should be saying Ballroom or Standard. It just happens that I am resistant to any thing that reflects change (relationships and marriage inclusive).
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, April 05, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Pivots and Spins
Dancemax Letter #44: Classically Pivots are used in Ballroom Dancing. Technically when you do a Pivot, the other leg is held Close to Pivoting foot or so called "held in CBMP." If this CBMP is not held and disappears quickly, we call it Pivoting Action. which is so commonly applied in many turns.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, March 29, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Paso Doble
Dancemax Letter #43: Living in USA, I thought it may not be a bad idea to present some very basic information on this most elegant, simple and exciting Latin Dance. Paso Doble is an exciting dance in Latin category. The Man is depicted a Matador and the Lady as his Cape. Remember there is no Bull but the theme of a Bull Fight is expressed in most figures.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, March 22, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Rumba Walks Backwards
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #42: I got many positive comments on the last letter on Forward Walks so I thought we will touch upon other walks also. Actually if we look at it this way! there are only Forward Walks and then there are Backward Walks. The Diagonal and Side Steps are under Cucarachas or Side Steps which is quite different from the Walking Movement.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, March 15, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Rumba Walks
"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #41: First of all, are we talking only forward rumba walks or both (backward also). We will take backwalks and others next time, let's discuss forward walks today. I wanted to write my interpretation of this very controversial subject for a long time.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, March 08, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Chasses: Cha Cha v Jive
Dancing Tid-bits Letter #40: Cha Cha Cha chasses are different in many ways from Jive Chasses, Let's count the ways! Note: We will confine our discussion to "side chasse movement" and will not discuss the chasse variations in this letter. Let's discuss chasse to right.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, March 01, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: O' it's a Cha Cha
Dancemax Letter #39: Why do we do this?..It used to be Cha Cha Cha but now it is called Cha Cha, what's the big deal, I dont understand. O' It's a Cha Cha!! Yes, Cha Cha is a vivacious, energetic and flirtatious dance that every body loves to do. The dance emphasizes leg and foot action with twisting and twirling of upper body and hips.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, February 22, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Hip Twists
Dancemax Letter # 38: Obviously the name suggests that it is a twisting movement of the hip, in other words the hips turn more than the upper body. We perhaps twist our hips so often doing Latin dances but as a syllabus figure it is classically assigned to Rumba and Cha Cha. Let us discuss Rumba Hip Twists.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, February 15, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Samba Bounce
Dancemax Letter #37: The purpose of this letter is not to raise a ruckus or point fingers but sincerely, it is an attempt to understand what is written in our textbooks and how to interpret that information and give it to our students.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, February 08, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: ISTD vs IDTA - The Books
Dancemax Letter # 36: Please don't take me wrong. I respect both schools a great deal and well for that matter what else is there. If you want to be a teacher you got to know all aspects of written technique. There always is one student, out there who will try to pick your brains.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, February 01, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Rumba Basic
Dancemax Letter #35: Well, You might say, Rumba Basic, so what about it? I would say that every time I teach a Rumba class, something new and something very basic comes to my mind. The following points evolved over the years that I have learned to dance Rumba.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, January 25, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Shall we Jive...?
Dancemax Letter #34: Jive is one of the most energetic and athletic dances in Latin Category. Let us look at some special features about this dance and compare it to American Swing.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, January 18, 2001 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Cucaracha Variations
Dancemax Letter #28: In my last letter, I said that a champ teacher can make things look "good" with their personal technique and touch and whether this is good for our students or not?.. I had a response from a reader. The comment was, ..."what's so wrong with that, actually it is good".
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, December 07, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Teaching Latin - Cucaracha
Dancemax Letter #27: In last letter I said, how different versions are of latin, from one teacher to the other. I guess the reason is obvious, latin is so versatile, so a champ teacher can bring his or her own style and technique into it and make it look real "Good." The question though is: Is it good for our students specially so for the beginner ones?
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, November 30, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Teaching Latin; Alemana
Dancemax Letter # 26: When teaching Waltz or any other Ballroom dance for that matter, No Problem. The technique is standard, nothing changes and if any questions, go to the technique book, it is all there. Generally speaking, Latin is another story. Whenever I take a Latin lesson, it boggles my mind.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, November 23, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Swinging Correctly
Dancemax Letter # 24: Dictionary defines Swing as, "To move freely to and from specially in suspension from an overhead support." I would assume that all of us have experienced what swing is as little children swinging in a tire attached to a rope hanging from a tree or maybe another sophisticated chain link swing in a public park.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, November 09, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Light and Shade
Dancemax Letter # 23: Light and Shade in Dancing: There are few things in life that are given to us by nature. As you are born, suddenly there is Light, and then come Day and Night. In other words Light and Shade with their own nuances is an everyday occurrence in real life.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, November 02, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Timing and Beat Value
Dancemax Letter # 22: Timing and Beat Value: Howard is absolutely right. Timing is one of the most important elements in any figure. Actually I was obsessed with keeping the Number of elements in a Figure to 10, an easier to remember "even number."
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, October 26, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Precedes and Follows
Dancemax Letter # 21: Why am I saying what I am saying? As I started to learn to dance in the USA some ten years ago I spent several thousand dollars and had worked so hard for the whole year that I thought dancing should come easy. I had learned the Waltz, or so at least I thought, with many private lessons and groups etc. Sure I had some problems with timing but low and behold, no one ever had mentioned alignment or anything such as precede and follow.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, October 19, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: CBM and CBMP
Dancemax Letter # 20: As we walk in everyday life, observe that as we take left foot forward the right arm goes with it and when right foot goes the left arm goes forward. Actually it is the momentum that starts in the opposite side of the body that swings the arm reciprocal or CONTRA to the body.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, October 12, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Sway in Dancing
Dancemax Letter # 19: We all know, Sway is inclination of the body either to left or right. When you ride a bicycle and turn or when you see an airplane turning, it sways towards the inside (center) of the turn. This happens because the centrifugal force that tends to throw you "out," has to be balanced by this "sway" towards the inside of the turn. Remember if there is no speed of the bicycle, perhaps sway will not be needed. Same in Dancing, No Swing, No Sway.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, October 05, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Footwork in Tango
Dancemax Letter # 18: We know there is no rise in Tango but if there is a turn, should the footwork become HeelBall? Logic says yes, but answer is both Yes and No. Depends how much turn and how.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, September 28, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Footwork
Dancemax Letter #17: Footwork is defined as to what part of your foot comes in contact with the floor. A clean footwork makes all the difference in dancing. I have heard many top coaches say, "difference between educated and uneducated feet." If feet could only speak, it would be obvious right away, who is who!
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, September 21, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Rise and Fall
Dancemax Letter #16: Rise and Fall is an important aspect of Swing Dances. Swing Dances are Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quick step, and Viennese Waltz of course. We will base our discussion on Basic Waltz today. The term Swing Dance could be a little confusing to North American dancers because we relate this to Swing, like Jive.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, September 14, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Amount of Turn
Dancemax Letter #15: Today we will discuss Amount of Turn. It may be said what is there to discuss about it. Well, in the least it is quite a thing to analyze. First of all, the amount of turn in Ballroom dances is measured between our feet. The feet are usually more or less parallel (?) at the end of the step. In Latin, turn is usually reflected by the body because feet are usually turned out
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, September 07, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Alignments
Dancemax Letter #14: Today we will discuss Alignment in Ballroom dances (we are not talking latin). Alignment is defined as the relationship of your feet to the room "Period." Hunh! That doesn't tell me very much. I think this definition leaves a lot to be said and is confusing (at least to me).
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, August 31, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: It's all in the Waltz
Dancemax Letter #13: if we can learn the discipline of Waltz and understand the technique and mechanics of turning, traveling and spin, you can either run with it or even go and fly on the dance floor. In the coming weeks we will study some of the very basic elements that are so important in all ballroom dances.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, August 24, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Music for Dancing, Tempo Q & A
Dancemax Letter #12: My mind is blank today, but so many of you tell me that you like to read these letters and find them informative, so I am going to continue. My instinct tells me that we should wrap up the series, "Play Good Music," so a few Qs and As
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, August 17, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Music for Dancing
Dancemax Letter #11: We defined Tempo and different Time Signatures in the letter #9 and #10. Our goal is to satisfy the majority of dancers coming to the party. Besides good acoustics, clarity composition etc, it is the TEMPO that decides the goodness or badness of music for dancing. Let us pick the Ballroom category today.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, August 10, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Music for Dancing
Dancemax Letter #10: We defined Tempo and different Time Signatures in letter #9. Our goal is to satisfy the majority of dancers coming to the party. Besides good acoustics, clarity, composition etc. it is the TEMPO that decides the goodness or badness of music for dancing. In America, we have many different Styles and endless variety of dances.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, August 03, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Play Good Music
Dancemax Letter #9: In the last letter we talked about the Chief Complaint, Signs and Symptoms and Diagnosis of a disease called "Bad Music' (medically speaking). Many a times I think DJs are like doctors, no matter what you say, they have already made up their mind.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 27, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Music for Dancing, I Went Dancing
Dancemax Letter #8: We will call this series "I went dancing last night". In this letter I will describe an experience, a fiction based on reality but will exaggerate and highlight some pertinent learning points
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 20, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: "a" and "&" in Samba
Dancemax Letter #7: When we split a beat and add an extra step, this is commonly referred to as "syncopation". This "split beat" can be danced as "a" or "&". The beat value of "a" is ¼ while "&" represents ½ beat.
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, July 13, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: American vs. International style Q and A
Dancemax Letter #6: The last letter "American vs. International" generated many comments and Qs and As. A brief summary is presented.
Added to AccessDance National: Mon, July 10, 2000 - Max Ali

Courageous Comebacks
David Hamilton, Alicia Duhon, Michael and Lucy Slywka are dancers who have gone through some amazing physical challenges, and are back dancing. Their stories are as remarkable as they are inspiring, and we call them... courageous comebacks.
Added to AccessDance National: Sat, July 01, 2000 - Christine Zona

Dancing Tid-bits: The Difference between "a" and "&"
Dancemax Letter #4:
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, June 29, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: "a" and "&"
Dancemax Letter #3:
Added to AccessDance National: Sun, June 18, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: The Difference between "a" and "&"
Dancemax Letter #2:
Added to AccessDance National: Sun, June 11, 2000 - Max Ali

Dancing Tid-bits: Rumba routine bronze
Dancemax Letter #1: Simple Bronze level Rumba routine that flows well with beginner groups
Added to AccessDance National: Thu, June 01, 2000 - Max Ali

Now is the time to renew your love affair with the world of dance.

AccessDance : Training & Continuation Dance Lessons in DOVER, Delaware