I posted this message at another bb and didn't really get much input. I am the mother of a 7 (almost 8) year old girl who does ballroom. So far,she and her partner dance Swing, Cha-Cha, foxtrot, paso, and samba. I am not all that happy with the routines that have been set for them because their routines look like every other pee-wee competitor out there. I understand that there are only so many bronze syllabus moves they are allowed to do, but aren't there some steps that are a little less common than others? For example in the Cha-cha everyone has the New Yorker in their routines. Can any one suggest some steps that are bronze, but a little different or not so often used? They are going to start learning Waltz, Quickstep, Rumba and Jive next week so suggestions for those would be wonderful! Also any suggestions for any of the above routines would be great too!

Thank you, Sydni

guest--

this can be a difficult thing to respond to since we don't really know what your children are doing, or where, or with whom. However, if you are happy with their instructor but just a little bored with their choreography, why not ask your instructor about bringing in, or traveling to an outside coach? Most teachers are ready to admit that they don't know everything, and have a number of experienced instructors whom they regularly see with students (or alone) for coaching lessons. Try asking your teacher(s) about this, and see what they say...generally instructors are happy to go to an outside coach...but some can be touchy about it. Best Wishes, M

Thanks for your responses! It is funny, but we did just hit on the idea the other day of going to some outside choreographers to set routines. So we will be doing that. I think the main frustration is that the same coaches teach a bunch of pre-teen ballroom couples and all the routines are the same. I fully understand that they need to be dancing Bronze Syllabus, but, not being a dancer myself, I was hoping that someone could mention a little-used step that isn't quite so commonly used.

To answer other questions, they are barely 7 and barely 8 years old and have been dancing together for about 2 years.

It is my understanding that they can only really compete Bronze moves until they move out of the Pre-teen category. Someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong. They have been learning Silver/Gold in some of their classes, but their routines consist of all Bronze.

For some reason, the studios here teach Swing first to all the young new ballroom students. Then Cha-cha. And when you have to compete, Cha-Cha is grouped with Foxtrot, so that came next, instead of the Waltz. But I am interested in more about what Keh said about learning the order of the dances, because that isn't the order they learned. They learned, in this order: Swing, Cha-cha, Foxtrot, Samba and Paso. And are scheduled to start Jive, Rumba, Quickstep and Waltz in the next little while.

Don't worry, I fully understand that they have to master Bronze before Silver and Gold and don't really want it any other way. I am a firm believer in getting a good foundation first. BUT, I was hoping for some suggestions for little-used Bronze moves or combinations that would result in a more unique routine.

Thanks for all your input, and more is certainly welcome!

Sydni

Hi, Syndi:

First, I like to know how long have the kids been dancing/competing? What catagory are they going to compete? Bronze level, beginner or Novice?

I am surprised that the instructor would teach swing while they are obviously leaning International style. I am also surprised that Paso and Samba were taught before Rumba. And Foxtrot was taught before Waltz, Tango and Quickstep. It is only my opinion that Paso should be the last one to be introduced and International Foxtrot should be introduced after the kids have more basic understanding of Slow Waltz and Quickstep movements.

Kids will get bored dancing the same steps over and over again. But the basic fundation is very important. It is not how many steps/patterns can they do but how well can they dance them. I won't move on too quickly untill they can dance each step right. Luckily there are other dances I can switch to. If they are bored with Cha-Cha after half an hour, I can move on to Waltz or Tango. There are times that I would work with them on one single step for half an hour, yet we might go through some steps in 5 minutes. I always go back and have the kids danced the whole music so this ensures that every step they have leanded in the past get reviewed often. As a result they are able to dance with any one, not just their partner alone. That is to say I don't teach routine, the kids/boys have full freedom to dance/lead any step they choose to dance.

Regards,

Keh Gough

I think the reason you got little response is that there is very little that can be done. The whole point of restricting steps to bronze syllabus is make everyone do the same 10 steps. This forces students to improve their technique to stand out from the crowd. About the only thing that could be done is to amalgamate the various bronze figures in a slightly different fashion. However, they would still be doing all the same steps as everyone else.

Remember to be patient, your daughter will advance to silver and gold steps in time. But she will need to master the bronze steps first.

Regards,

Blair

Hi, Syndi:

Have you looked into N.A.D.O.A.'s (The North American Dance Organizers Alliance) regional championship competitions? One of their most recognizable competition is Ohio Star Ball. Pre-Teens can compete in Novice, Pre-Champ and Championship, all of these are open level events.

Regards,

Keh Gough

The primary point of most Bronze in the Medalist system is just to train people to collect their legs under the body. But let's face it, most social dancing outside of enthusiast ballrooms is American Bronze, inexperienced followers don't pass feet well, and we sure could use more variety in it - we don't have to be 8 years old to see this(grin). Hey, make up a few new patterns and send them to Esther Don, maybe she'll put them in the next book(ho-ho).

I think that the English social dancers can tell us that there is no shortage of variations in Quickstep, well beyond our comp-oriented syllabii & the "popular variations" book.