Sometimes the best dance of the night comes from the least suspecting partner! While attending the Fresno Dance Classic, I asked a young man in a ball cap to dance. My bad, I didn’t introduce myself before asking him to dance, sorry about that JD. Luckily, even tough he introduced himself to me, I did not realize that he was a Champion dancer! Had I known, I would never have asked, and would have been terrified to dance with him.

As it turned out, it was the best dance of the weekend for me! It wasn’t until we had established a connection and danced through the basics  that he ramped up the material and led me through some of the most amazing 2 Step patterns that I have ever danced!

My saving grace was that I kept my basic rhythm and timing of the dance, my arms relaxed and my lats engaged so he could lead me, and my mind focused! Sometimes I even amaze myself!

Even though I am now able to put one foot in front of the other, turn without wobbling and follow many different leaders, I still find the different theories and concepts of dancing quite challenging and often frustrating. It is amazing to me how many different ways one dance is interpreted and taught depending upon your instructor,  and often even where you live.

My “theory” is to listen closely to the person that you are either learning from, or dancing with, and apply what he or she is teaching you at that particular moment. Attempt to retain as much information and technique that you can from each and every individual. You will find that you will become a more accomplished dancer by allowing the many different styles, characteristics and  idiosyncrasies  that you encounter to permeate your body and mind while learning and dancing.

I am certain that we all hear and feel music differently, but during a  dance it should be both dancers’  goal to connect  to each other and to dance as one. So bearing this in mind, apply what you have mastered through experience, be open to new philosophies and technique and try and have the best dance that you can at any particular moment.