Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 18:25:30 -0500 From: David.Millstone(a)VALLEY.NET To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] Star Promenade - communicate the feeling of a good one? Bob wrote: "It is difficult to teach subtlety, especially from 'the pulpit." One of thethings that made Ted Sannella such a masterful dance leader-- not simply a caller-- was his understanding of this. It was not unusual to see him go out onto the floor during an evening to demonstrate the timing of a right and left through, the styling of moving from a swing into a ladies chain, the pattern of a vigorous "lady round two and the gent cut through," and much more. By giving dancers a visual picture, not simply a mental image, of how the dancing could look, he made it easier for others to move in that style. Yes, he taught dances but more importantly he was teaching how to dance and how to interact with the others on the floor. Such demos need not be long or tiresome; Ted's demonstrations were brief, delivered with a fine combination of serious intent and a light touch, and they were effective. David Millstone _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers