Dancing Online
By Kelly Wandel
I am no dancer……..
Growing up in a small town the only dance class available were Ballet and Tap. Of course my parents sent me along with my fantasy lasting a few years. Then the boom of line dancing erupted thanks to Billy Rae Cyrus…….so of course I followed that movement. Then my next dance teacher was the Top 40 Count Down and the VCR on record. So you could say I possess no solid foundations as a dancer but I kept showing up.
Fast forward 20 years, a bucket list, a pre midlife crises and I find myself signing up to a dance class – introducing La Encantada.
Off I go in my trainers to my first beginners Salsa class with current Australian Champion Elysia Baker. Class complete and a BIG tick against my list I’m impressed, now 10 months later my world has changed with a new sense of culture, emotion and movement.
Then everyone’s world changed – welcome COVID19 and dancing online.
In the beginning I wanted to support the school. Secondly I’m defiantly a face to face person, and thirdly where am I going to dance at home? How was this possibly going to work?
With the garage becoming the optimal space all I needed to do was turn up. Unlike the school who needed to find a new way to teach, adapt content for remote learning, coach students from a screen, and ooze energy and motivation to an empty room. I praise their resilience.
Honestly I am so glad I stuck it out. Dancing online has immensely improved my technique and I encourage anyone waiting for COVID restrictions to lift to stop waiting – you can learn so much virtually and I highly recommend giving it a go (who has bought shares in ZOOM recently!)
Below is a list of the benefits I have discovered.
Its equivalent to one on one coaching as students are watched individually and offered tailored coaching.
Foundations have been broken down and we are back to basics.
I count out loud which improves everything. 1, 2, 3; 5, 6, 7
I dance with more confidence and effort because as no one else is watching.
I have no studio mirrors in front of me and as much space as I like!
You can play a class back – double your money!
It has given me a community and a purpose
Of course I cannot wait to return to the studio, but I can honestly say dancing online has been a blessing and well worth the commitment. If dance is on your bucket list remember you don’t have to be great to start, you have to start to be great.
And a shout out to myself in closing; I can gladly report I no longer wear trainers to class, I have advanced to heels and aiming upgrade to some sparkle in the near future.