Over the past several months I had this article in my mind; however, I put it on the ‘back burner’ until I was ready to bare my opinions to you. What better time than expressing my thoughts in the New Year?
Honestly, I have been struggling with frustration over teaching line dance and all the drama that goes along with it. Don’t get me wrong, I feel I was put on this earth to teach dance and I usually love to do it. Here I’ll address different groups of people with the hope that if you see yourself in my article, you will reply in the comment section below with your feedback.
First, a shout out to all the other line dance teachers; only you know how much time and effort we put into finding venues to teach in and learning new dances with the hope that our students will enjoy them. In addition, there’s email and social media communication to stay in touch with our students and answer any questions or keep them informed of classes and workshops. I would like to know if you have any tips to deal with all the personalities that you have to somehow bring together to conduct a harmonious environment?
Second, my message to line dance choreographers is two-fold: I want to thank you for all the interesting dances you choreograph, from ultra-beginner to advanced. I also want to ask how your process works to come up with unique step combinations that propel your dance to stand out amongst all the others?
Third, and most importantly, I need to speak to the line dance students out there, whether you take my class now, in the past, or have never been my student but attend class elsewhere. Please be patient with your instructor and other dancers in your class. Your teacher is trying his/her best to keep everyone happy and engaged to continue to come back. We were all beginners once, and a little compassion goes a long way to make someone feel welcome in a new class.
If you stopped attending my class, I need to know why so I can fix the issue if possible. I’m a line dance teacher, not a mind reader. That also applies if you’re taking class and you have a question or problem; I can’t help you unless I know you’re struggling. Believe me, you aren’t the only one who would benefit from another 8-count review of the previous step combination. Or for that matter, a complete review of a dance we haven’t done recently. Please speak up!!
In conclusion, thanks to all the readers out there for your continued support of my articles; I appreciate having this forum to discuss country line dancing with all its trials and tribulations, along with the ‘little rays of light’ when someone writes a personal note to thank me for my patience. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
Dori Yez teaches Country Line Dancing on Mondays at Rolling Mills Bar in Girard, Ohio and at the Cortland Ohio SCOPE Center on Fridays.
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