I'm female and just starting the Silver syllabus of American Smooth and Rhythmn, and my instructor is now focusing much more on my arm styling. Unfortunately, I'm not a *fast* learner, and I'd like to take a few extra coaching lessons on arms/hands only, with a dancer who really knows what s/he's doing, and can help me find what looks good on me. I'm in the Illinois/Indiana area, and I don't care at all whether it's an independent or franchised person who can coach me. Any suggestions on whom should I approach? Thanks.

Just out of curiosity, why can't you get the extra coaching from your own instructor? I know an advanced female pro in the Chicago area who might be able to help but I know her from country dance and I'm not sure how much she is into ballroom.

As a retired pro compeditor I have always been disappointed by what I have seen in arm styling meny people try too hard and end up with a very unnatural styling. I wish you luck in looking for a coach and if you are ever in the milwaukee area I would be happy to help but regardless please never use any movement that feels unnatural.

If you can get to the Indianapolis area...then a VERY acomplished female coach is Nicole Carroll. She competes professionally and is an open finalist in the Rhythm division. She also competes extensively with her students in Smooth, Standard, and Latin. Just remember a little tip...arm movement originates in the back and rib cage. The fundementals of your movements come from your Lat muscles. Don't waste time trying to learn "patterns" of arm movements or wrist movements. Learn how to produce your arms through the controlled stetching and comperssing of your center muscles!! Good Luck, Larinda

Also, Kudos to your teacher for encouraging you to learn and experience all you can! It seems that he genuinly cares about your dancing...not just his income!!

My instructor is very good, and, and as such, he knows his strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. He tells me that he thinks that arm styling *could* become a great, great asset of mine - on the other hand, if done improperly, my arms could become a huge, lanky liability. He can teach me the basic things, sure, but he believes that there are other people out there who could take me further than he can with it, and he thinks he'd not be doing his job properly if he didn't let me know that (not unlike a family physician referring someone to a cardiologist if there is a need for heart surgery, no?).
I certainly don't expect that any single teacher is going to be able to give me my entire dance education, and getting coaching from a specialist not only can give me exposure to various other styles/techniques, but that exposure perhaps might be something that my intructor can benefit from too (like other professionals who consult with each other, and who get continuing education in their fields).
I hope that my initial query didn't give the impression that my instructor is incompetent - he isn't!