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Jun. 19th, 2007
First Day at Arthur Murray
Jun. 19th, 2007 10:05 amDue to the fact most people know how the Internet works and it's really not that hard to track down my blog (anyone in the Philadelphia network on Facebook can see my basic profile, which includes a link here) I won't be posting some details about my first day or my new employer. That said, I'm very happy about how things are going.
I got there at 6:00 and was introduced to some of the staff. I already knew Barbra, the owner and main teacher, but I met Allison (another teacher; don't know her hours), Amanda (same deal), Jeff (another trainee who'll be working part time), and Hannah (another trainee who'll be part time teacher and part time receptionist). I talked a bit with Jeff, then he and I had an hour of private lesson time with Barbra. We went over the basic steps and the patterns for the lessons she'd be teaching that night (two lessons, two dances per lesson, one move per dance. So four moves). Barbra definitely knows her stuff and she works you to whatever level you're capable of.
At 7:00 her first class showed up. While a private lesson was taught in one half the studio, Barbra taught a bronze I class in American rumba and mambo. Jeff and I worked as assistants. I loved this part as much as the private instruction; I love teaching dance. I love helping people. I love seeing their face when they "get it" for the first time. I knew in five minutes that this is what I want to do. At 7:45 bronze ended and her starter class (complete newcomers) came. She taught American tango and salsa, again with Jeff and I assisting. At 8:30 there was a practice party with Jeff and I circulating as partners and giving advice.
When practice party let out at 9:15 I spent about 15 minutes writing down everything we'd gone over (I'm taking damn good notes) then Barbra asked Jeff to work on me one-on-one. We started filling out a basic evaluation sheet - basically a checklist for the basics of about a dozen social dances, with Jeff making corrections. This part could have gone a bit better. Jeff has only been dancing since March (apparently the bug bit him hard at his first lesson) so his technique is a bit lacking, not due to lack of talent but limited training. I don't have a problem with that; he's very good for the amount of time he's been dancing and it's damn hard trying to learn 10+ dances at the same time and I respect him for the skill he does have, but it means... well when we were doing slow waltz he tried to convince me there was no rise and fall. Oh well. He may not be able to teach me that technique but I resolved to make the best of it, swallowed my pride, and just worked on foot positioning.
Overall, I'm extremely happy with the studio. It has a great energy to it, I like the staff, and I'm almost certain I'll pass the evaluation period.
Bitchin!
I got there at 6:00 and was introduced to some of the staff. I already knew Barbra, the owner and main teacher, but I met Allison (another teacher; don't know her hours), Amanda (same deal), Jeff (another trainee who'll be working part time), and Hannah (another trainee who'll be part time teacher and part time receptionist). I talked a bit with Jeff, then he and I had an hour of private lesson time with Barbra. We went over the basic steps and the patterns for the lessons she'd be teaching that night (two lessons, two dances per lesson, one move per dance. So four moves). Barbra definitely knows her stuff and she works you to whatever level you're capable of.
At 7:00 her first class showed up. While a private lesson was taught in one half the studio, Barbra taught a bronze I class in American rumba and mambo. Jeff and I worked as assistants. I loved this part as much as the private instruction; I love teaching dance. I love helping people. I love seeing their face when they "get it" for the first time. I knew in five minutes that this is what I want to do. At 7:45 bronze ended and her starter class (complete newcomers) came. She taught American tango and salsa, again with Jeff and I assisting. At 8:30 there was a practice party with Jeff and I circulating as partners and giving advice.
When practice party let out at 9:15 I spent about 15 minutes writing down everything we'd gone over (I'm taking damn good notes) then Barbra asked Jeff to work on me one-on-one. We started filling out a basic evaluation sheet - basically a checklist for the basics of about a dozen social dances, with Jeff making corrections. This part could have gone a bit better. Jeff has only been dancing since March (apparently the bug bit him hard at his first lesson) so his technique is a bit lacking, not due to lack of talent but limited training. I don't have a problem with that; he's very good for the amount of time he's been dancing and it's damn hard trying to learn 10+ dances at the same time and I respect him for the skill he does have, but it means... well when we were doing slow waltz he tried to convince me there was no rise and fall. Oh well. He may not be able to teach me that technique but I resolved to make the best of it, swallowed my pride, and just worked on foot positioning.
Overall, I'm extremely happy with the studio. It has a great energy to it, I like the staff, and I'm almost certain I'll pass the evaluation period.
Bitchin!
Dance Hosts
Jun. 19th, 2007 12:04 pmNext year I'm so getting work as a dance host for my vacation.
Basically you get free room and board on a cruise ship, and in return you attend all the dances and dance with all the single women. They seem to be set up for men 40-70, but I'll bet I can find something.
Basically you get free room and board on a cruise ship, and in return you attend all the dances and dance with all the single women. They seem to be set up for men 40-70, but I'll bet I can find something.