{"id":2225,"date":"2025-01-31T15:01:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T14:01:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/?p=2225"},"modified":"2025-10-16T13:12:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T12:12:24","slug":"how-to-choose-a-dance-workshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/en\/2025\/01\/31\/how-to-choose-a-dance-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"6 criteria for choosing the dance workshop that will take you to the top!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You feel confident, surrounded by a group of regulars, with a teacher you know well\u2026 and who knows you well too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what about one-off workshops? Are they useful? Who are they for? For whom? How do you choose the right dance workshop?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No more doubts, here are the answers you’re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know more, this article is made for you!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/a>
A dancefloor (Image: Pixabay<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As a French native speaker, I write in English as best I can. Let me know if you spot any mistakes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of the one-off dance workshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I see three major benefits in the dance workshop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have fun<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A dance workshop is an opportunity to meet new people, as the workshop brings 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t underestimate the importance of the \u201catmosphere\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"1950s<\/a>
A dance lesson with a vintage flair (Image: Pixabay<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Learn and progress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the goal of the dance workshop is to “progress”, in every sense. This is the perfect 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 technique, etc. in depth. It’s up to you to listen to his comments and become a better dancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know that a new way of teaching can “unlock” you. A different approach sometimes is all you need to finally understand a figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover different dance and teaching styles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I like to attend workshop given by a trainer that I don’t know, or in a new repertoire that I want to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The workshops are ideal to discover new styles, without any commitment on the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dance
A dancing lesson in early 19th century.
George Cruikshank, The Dancing Lesson<\/em>, Pt. 1, G. Humphrey, Jul 8th, London.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A dance workshop, what’s in there for me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Thanks a lot, but that’s not for me”, I hear a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

False!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Dancers have everything to gain from taking part in dance workshops. You <\/em>have everything to gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criteria to consider to choose your dance workshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Repertoire of the dance workshop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some workshops combine several repertoires, some complementary, some very different. These allow you to sample several styles.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Female
A dance lesson during Edwardian era.
Mimi Pinson, La danse<\/em>, Feb 20th 1910.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

2. The teacher<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, \u2018know yourself\u2019. Depending on how you learn (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic\u2026), you’ll be more sensitive to certain teaching methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The budget<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The length of the course also influences the budget you need to allocate to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can protect your wallet by carpooling, sharing accommodation or even camping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Always make sure the level is right for you. There’s no point signing up for the \u201cAdvanced Waltz\u201d level if you’re still struggling with the tempo of this dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2018for beginners\u2019. 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two options :<\/p>\n\n\n\n