| If you are anything like me, you've been touched by | | | | physical fitness, and concentration. You can't assess |
| dance in one form or another at some point in your | | | | these qualities on your own. It is essential to get real |
| life. Maybe it was the first time you went to see The | | | | time feedback from a professional instructor who can |
| Nutcracker as a child. Perhaps you were caught up in | | | | give you an objective opinion on your skill and |
| the world of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, admiring | | | | progress. |
| their tap dancing in classic films. Or you might have | | | | There are dance instructors in almost every |
| caught a group of street performers one day, or an | | | | community who are available to teach different |
| ethnic dance troupe at a community festival. | | | | styles such as tap, jazz, hip-hop and ballet. These are |
| Dance is something anyone can appreciate, but only | | | | people who have made a life of dancing-who have |
| a few people can do very well. Every person has the | | | | real passion and enthusiasm-and they will give you |
| ability to develop their natural abilities, but it isn't | | | | the attention and support you need as you attempt |
| something you're born knowing how to do. In order | | | | to learn. A good instructor will also be able to give |
| to dance-really dance-you need training. | | | | you the encouragement you need as you undertake |
| But what if you aren't planning to be a professional | | | | a new learning experience. |
| dancer? What if you just want to learn how to | | | | Learning to dance well is a feeling that compares to |
| dance for fun? Or at the very least, learn how to | | | | no other. Your confidence and ability will grow with |
| not embarrass yourself in front of your friends? | | | | each lesson. Through regular practice, you'll achieve |
| Even amateurs need training. Just like any other art | | | | more discipline, and you will begin to see an |
| form, there are methods for each type of dance | | | | improvement in your physical fitness. Before you |
| that have been developed, refined, and handed down | | | | know it you may be ready to master even more |
| from teacher to student for centuries. There is no | | | | styles of dance and increase your skill level as a |
| substitute for one-on-one teaching with a master. | | | | dancer. |
| You wouldn't think of trying to earn a karate black | | | | Don't be intimidated! Call and ask if you can go watch |
| belt by watching a DVD, and neither should you think | | | | a class before you sign up, or ask if you can talk to |
| you can become a proficient dancer in the same | | | | the instructor one-on-one to discuss any concerns |
| way. Taking formal instruction-either privately or in a | | | | you have. You'll be glad you took the time to really |
| group setting is the only real way to learn the whole | | | | study with a teacher when you are dazzling your |
| concept of the dance. | | | | friends and family with your moves at the next big |
| Dance isn't just about where your feet are. It is | | | | party! |
| about rhythm, coordination, how you hold your body, | | | | |