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How to Get More Men to Dance

Any female ballroom dancer knows that the majority of classes and socials she goes to is going to have considerably more women than men. And that means longer waits between before paired with a leader.

True, there are increasingly women who learn the leader's part as well, but this remains in the minority. And the reality is that most women would rather dance with men, and vice versa.

I used to think men's aversion to dance came from seeing it as something only for "sissies". In my own research however, I realized that sometimes there are men who want to dance, but don't. And that's a tragedy.

Tune in for why I believe this is - and what both women AND men can do about it: Continue reading "How to Get More Men to Dance"

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What A 5-Day Dance Camp Taught Me about Perseverance

dance camp

Every year, a 5-Day West Coast Swing (WCS) dance camp is held in Ancaster, Ontario. That’s 5 days of workshops, assessments, and coached practices, from morning to night. It’s quite the endurance run. And it’s often a painful process, as I discovered last year.

So this time, I kept a record of my journey, as a reminder to others who sometimes face doubts and negative thinking in their learning process; that they are not alone, and yes, it does get better. Continue reading "What A 5-Day Dance Camp Taught Me about Perseverance"

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Ballroom Dance Wear: A Comprehensive List

When we first get started learning a new skill - woodworking, for example - we start with only the basic tools. After all, why buy an entire workshop when you still can’t make a shelf properly? It’s only as you grow in experience, that you invest more in your craft, so you can be prepared to respond to more interesting requests from your clients. Likewise, we’ve covered the basics of ballroom dance wear: Now let’s look at a larger list for those looking to be a bit more prepared. I encourage you to print them out, if you like. Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Wear: A Comprehensive List"

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How Many Dance Lessons Until I’m ‘Good?’

So, you walk in, nervous and excited the day of your first set of dance lessons, and take in the breath-taking sight of talented dancers gliding across the floor. You secretly promise yourself you’ll be better than all of them in half the time. So naturally, when your instructor asks if you have any questions, the first thing that pops out is: ‘How long until I’m good?’ Continue reading "How Many Dance Lessons Until I’m ‘Good?’"

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Ballroom Dance Classes: Groups or Privates?

Groups or privates: which is better? If your vision of great ballroom dance classes is learning while socializing with a like-minded community, group classes are probably best. Or, if you enjoy honing your skill with a personalized approach, private lessons are the way to go.

But it’s not always that easy - let’s look at the pros and cons of each. Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Classes: Groups or Privates?"