Do You Have These
5 Good Dance Student Qualities?
Good teachers want good students, and certain qualities will accelerate your learning as well as the rapport you build with your instructor and the dance studio. On that note, here are some things teachers are looking for, and some things that good students do!
1. A good student will initially seek out a qualified dance studio with experienced teachers who can help meet their goals.
This is how the real learning begins! After noting down a few qualified studios, don’t be afraid to try them out and find the one you “click” with. Oftentimes, wherever you feel most comfortable will indicate the best type of learning environment for you, which should give you the best progress and results. Remember to think about what do you look for in a dance studio? This way, you can best ensure that your values and expectations line up with theirs.
2. They focus during lessons, and apply corrections quickly, logging the feelings in the body then and there.
If you don’t pay attention to how a move “feels” when done correctly, it’s hard to get anywhere fast. You want to create a muscle memory and an acceptance of correct movements. The more you can focus, apply corrections, and log what’s done right and what’s wrong – keeping the good and stopping bad habits – the faster you can get ahead.
Just remember, this is different than trying not to make any mistakes in the first place! Making lots of mistakes are part of the learning process and some people would argue that the more mistakes you make at the beginning, the faster your brain will start to train itself to pick-up new material more accurately, and quickly. So, apply corrections but never be afraid to make mistakes in the first place! Laugh them off and move on.
3. They practice outside of the lesson
Did you think we’d leave this one out? Not a chance!
Practicing outside of class is a must to make timely and cost-effective progress. Practice at least once for 20 minutes before your next lesson and watch as you start to advance quicker and easier within the lesson! Tip: If you are strapped for time, do a mental run-through of the dance steps or practice the moves in your head. Sometimes even a quick mental refresh is enough to maintain and progress your skills.
4. They ask questions.
A teacher wants to know what you want help with, of course. Never be intimidated – a learning environment is about learning. You have to speak up when you have a specific question or something isn’t “coming” even though you try over and over again to get it right. A good teacher will see what you are doing wrong and be able to correct your process, alignment, timing, and more.
5. They spread the love!
Do you remember the world before you started dancing? We can almost guarantee you are better off now!
A good student spreads positive energy by sharing the gift of dance with others. They also give credit where credit is due and demonstrate loyalty and respect to their teachers and their dance studio. This takes us back to tip number 1 because the right instructors will inspire you to tell others anyway. So, get out there and spread the word of your amazing new dance class, your dance studio and don’t be shy to share your progress with others.
So, how’d you go?
This list could go on of course… dressing appropriately for lessons, arriving on time, etc., etc., but we’ll stop here with these five solid and simple tips.
So to recap: Learn from the best that you can, focus, practice, ask questions, and turn others on to the gift that keeps on giving. Then you’ll be a good student – not only for yourself, but also in the eyes of those who teach you. And that rapport will likely accelerate your learning and continue to make your dance development more exciting, consistent and enjoyable!
If learning to dance is fun and progressive for you, and teaching you to dance is fun and satisfying for your instructor – then it’s the ultimate win-win situation. So be a positive, forward-moving student every chance you can and apply these 5 qualities to your dancing as well as other activities or aspects of your life and you will reap the rewards!
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