
6 criteria for choosing the dance workshop that will take you to the top!
When you think of learning to dance, you think of regular lessons, every week or every month. You progress at your own pace. As the sessions progress, a comforting routine settles in.
You feel confident, surrounded by a group of regulars, with a teacher you know well… and who knows you well too.
But what about one-off workshops? Are they useful? Who are they for? For whom? How do you choose the right dance workshop?
Stop here!
No more doubts, here are the answers you’re looking for.
First of all, to the question “Do I need to take any course?”, my answer is: yes! Absolutely, yes! No matter your dancing experience, your physical abilities, your age, your interests: you have everything to win by taking a one-off workshop!
If you want to know more, this article is made for you!

As a French native speaker, I write in English as best I can. Let me know if you see any mistakes.
Benefits of the one-off dance workshop
I see three major benefits in the dance workshop:
Have fun
A dance workshop is an opportunity to meet new people, as the workshop ring together dancers from all backgrounds. They’re an opportunity to get to know other organisations, choreographers and dancers. And even to get to know the members of your own group better. The trainees all come to have a good time in a friendly atmosphere.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the “atmosphere” factor. If people come back year after year, it’s because of the atmosphere. If the course is a success, it’s because of it. No matter how much the trainees want to progress, they won’t come back if they’re bored. Nor if they feel excluded.

Learn and progress
Of course, the goal of the dance workshop is to “progress”, in every sense. This is the perfec place to increase your repertoire. The more dances you master, the less you’ll be a wallflower at the next ball. If they aren’t regular lesson close to you, the workshops are a good way to train.
Obviously, you’re going to learn steps and figures, as in a regular class. But not only! The teacher will have time to go into the style, the rythm, the leading, etc. in depth. It’s up to you to listen to his comments and become a better dancer.
Know that a new way of teaching can “unlock” you. A different approach sometimes is all you need to finally understand a figure.
Yes, a different dance master may be off-putting. They will have other habits, other ways of doing and saying choreographies. See that as a challenge.
Get out of your comfort zone. Your self-confidence will get boosted at the end of the workshop! You’ll be impressed to observe that you can do much more than what you think.
And if it doesn’t work out as you hoped, this is not the end of the world. That experience will inspire you and make you stronger.
If you are a teacher yourself, analyse how the choreograph is teaching the difficulties. See which exercise they uses. Re-use those technique during your classes. Your teaching skills can only get better.
Discover different dance and teaching styles
I like to attend workshop given by a trainer that I don’t know, or in a new repertoire that I want to try.
The workshops are ideal to discover new styles, without any commitment on the long run.

George Cruikshank, The Dancing Lesson, Pt. 1, G. Humphrey, Jul 8th, London.
A dance workshop, what’s in there for me?
“Thanks a lot, but that’s not for me”, I hear a lot.
False!
Dancers have everything to gain from taking part in dance workshops. You have everything to gain.
For absolute beginners, an introductory course (adapted to your level, of course) allows you to discover a particular style of dance, without any pressure. It’s a chance to meet other people with similar interests while learning the ABCs of choreography.
After a few years of practice, a more intensive session than a simple class will really help you to improve. The same is true if you want to branch out into another style.
For an advanced dancer, it is important to stay challenged, and to expand your knowledge. You’ll be able to improve your dance technique, or try your hand at the most complex choreographies.
For dance masters, the workshops are a wonderful opportunity to broaden your repertoire of dances to re-teach. You too will see a different way of teaching, one that can only enrich your own.
Criteria to consider to choose your dance workshop
There are a number of criteria to help you decide which course is right for you. I’ve listed them here in no particular order.
1. Repertoire of the dance workshop
You can choose to deepen your knowledge of the repertoire you practise regularly in lessons and balls. Or you may see the course as an opportunity to discover a repertoire you’ve never heard of before.
Some workshops combine several repertoires, some complementary, some very different. These allow you to sample several styles.

Mimi Pinson, La danse, Feb 20th 1910.
2. The teacher
The choice of teacher is mainly based on their experience and teaching style. If you’ve never worked with this person before, take the time to find out about their teaching style.
It’s all very well to want the most famous teacher at any price, but do you need a star to teach you the basics of waltzing?
Finally, ‘know yourself’. Depending on how you learn (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic…), you’ll be more sensitive to certain teaching methods.
3. The budget
Let’s face it, that’s often the hardest part. Don’t forget that in addition to the course registration fee, there are travel, accommodation and catering costs.
The length of the course also influences the budget you need to allocate to it.
You can protect your wallet by carpooling, sharing accommodation or even camping.
4. The level
Always make sure the level is right for you. There’s no point signing up for the “Advanced Waltz” level if you’re still struggling with the tempo of this dance.
Experienced dancers and teachers alike should be aware that it’s sometimes useful to brush up on the basics by taking a course advertised as ‘for beginners’. This will allow you to extend your repertoire of simple dances, or to concentrate on a technical difficulty that you haven’t yet mastered perfectly. And even observe a different way of teaching!
Assessing your level correctly can be tricky, especially once you’ve gone beyond beginner level. If in doubt, contact your usual teacher, or even the workshop organiser. Explain briefly what you’ve done and what levels you’re not sure about. If you’re between two levels, you’ll probably be able to choose. Do this according to your objectives.
Two options :
- Play it safe and take the less advanced class. Beware, the goal is not to stagnate in a lower level. Set objectives for yourself before the workshop, to make sure you are progressing.
- Challenge yourself and choose a more advanced class.
Yes, it will be hard. Instead of leaving the studio, crying – as I did a lot in the beginning -, have a deep breath. Focus on one element at the time. Don’t hesitate to ask the teacher to explain again a part.

postcard dated between 1880 and 1945 by Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris but probably before 1914.
5. Workshop intensity
There are many different types of workshops. They can last a few hours to several days. Courses lasting several days can be intensive (up to six hours of dance per day + evening) or lighter.
The longer the course, the more tiring and demanding it will be both physically and mentally. So it’s a question of objectively assessing your physical fitness and stamina.
If the course takes place after a “break” from dancing, don’t forget to get back into gentle movement beforehand. This is to avoid any risk of injury.
6. Your goal(s)
Finally, the choice also depends on your objective.
Do you want to expand your repertoire?
Do you want to improve your technique?
Or are you simply looking to have a good time and meet new people?
Be sure to read the course description and how it is presented. This will give you a clear idea of what you can expect from the experience. You’ll also avoid any disappointments.

George Cruikshank, The Dancing Lesson, Pt 2. G. Humphrey, March 6th 1824, London.
Mental preparation before the dance workshop
That’s it, you’ve ticked the last box on your equipment list: your bag is ready for the dance workshop of your dreams!
And are you ready?
Learning can sometimes be more complicated than you thought.
Once you’re there, the learning process will be confusing: new place, new people, new steps… You may feel overwhelmed.
When I arrived at the course, the organiser told me that the intermediate level was full. ‘I’ve put you with the advanced’, she said. Ha… I smile to put on a brave face, but I lack self-assurance. Here I am, in this 6-day long summer course, where I don’t know anyone, with all these dancers who are so much better than me and this famous teacher… Obviously, I can’t keep up. I feel like everyone’s staring at me, I feel rubbish… tears are welling up in my eyes. I can’t concentrate and I feel ridiculous.
You know what? That was me in 2006. But I came back. the second day. The following days. And even the next year!
I’ve come up with a few tips to make sure it never happens to me again. And I’m generously sharing them with you! No more taking refuge in the bathroom to cry. No more going home early with your tail between your legs to drown into a tub of cookie-flavoured ice cream (any resemblance to real events is not entirely coincidental).

Thomas Eakins, The Dancing Lesson, 1878.
Three tips to whoever feel confused during a dance workshop
So here’s some advice on how to make the most of your course and have a great time.
- “I’m not the only one being lost“. Look at the others. No, not those amazing girls in the front row. The others, the ones right next to you. They’re struggling, just like you.
- “I concentrate on one thing at a time“. Like, the first two bars. Each time you do it again, try to do one more bar, or improve the piece you’ve already mastered.
- “I ask for help“. As a last resort, ask the teacher for clarification. Not in the ‘I don’t understand anything, explain it all to me again, from the beginning to the final bow’ way. Firstly, because that slows down the whole class. And secondly, because you’re better than that. There are moves you’ve understood, you must have.
This is a unique event, so make the most of it. It would be a shame to miss out because you’re discouraged.
Whatever happens, give it your all. Listen to the trainer. Apply his or her comments. It’s normal to make mistakes during the learning phase. Your nose is glued to your own mistakes, but I can assure you that others make mistakes too. And they’re too busy making mistakes themselves to look at you.
And above all, puts things into perspective!
Everyone gets distracted, or doesn’t understand an instruction sometimes. If a move is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask the dance teacher. You are probably not the only one in that situation. However, be careful not to inundate the teacher with questions, and listen to the questions of others. They can help you too.
Let me remind you by the way, that making a mistake is part of history. And it happens to everyone! It’s not the end of the world. The article on quadrille cartoons is a good reminder of that.
The workshop is also an occasion to socialise with the other dancers, the organisers, the teacher, etc. Don’t hesitate to initiate the contact, especially if you are shy or don’t know anynone. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people!

James Gillray, The German Dancing Master, G. Humphrey, April 5th 1782, London.
Conclusions
My conclusion will be very brief: workshops – yes!
The expanded version: workshops are a highly beneficial experience for everyone, from the novice dancer to the seasoned dance teacher.
The key is to choose the right course. Then, good mental preparation (setting clear objectives) and material preparation (don’t forget your slippers, for example) will enable you to make the most of this time of meeting, sharing and working on yourself that is a dance workshop.
And whatever course you choose: have fun!
What is your experience of dance workshops? Did you take any other criteria into account when making your decision? What advice would you give to a dancer who loses their nerve during a course? I’m always interested to hear your opinions and feedback… Even if they’re different from mine!

