Thank you Dr.CharlesGarrett! You made my day! 😃

I definitely had some rich ladies upset they weren’t treated better than everyone else. My guess is if the owners are giving them better showcase placement and protection value, they might be just wanting to avoid the wrath of those ladies. I occasionally dealt with this elitism, where they thought they were superior ti everyone else, and should be treated as such! They’d do things like demand a private dressing room, refuse to attend dress rehearsals, refuse to participate in the all cast grand finale because they thought they were too good. Reality - not good dancers. When I saw the attitude to boot, I excluded them from performing in future shows. The teachers were mad at me for ‘costing them money’ by but making special exceptions for wealthy, condescending clients. Pfft!

Jonqu I am so vert happy to hear you A) SPOKE UP for yourself! B) Found an amateur partner C) Are t getting continued used-car-salesman hard-core sales pitches to do something you do not want to do! I feel a huge audience who genuinely want to be there is immensely more rewarding to dance for, compared with an audience obligated to clap for my ‘participation.’ At least that’s how I feel. Most people probably feel differently than me in this topic, as do many amateurs happily pay big dollars to dance in ‘ participation’ showcases. If someone e joys that and feels it’s worth their money, that is great. It’s just not the direction. I personally have ever recommended for my clientele.

@@totallyleftfield THANK YOU for sharing your severance TotallyLeftField! This is a great topic I should record a video on this, as most studios have performance options and prices vary wildly between the pros. I’m eager to hear other dancers’ experiences in this are a as well!!!!

Hi Azadeh! Yes I can make a video on that topic! I am happy to be sleeping in my own bed again. The places I stayed did a great job, but even the most luxurious hotel bed is never as comfortable as your own mattress, pillows, and bedding! I’m still in a great deal of pain when I sit or lay down (in any position). But standing, walking, range of mobility when upright continues to improve each day!😃

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel hope you be pain free soon.

@@azadehzereshkian3447I’m tough as nails, and I’m on the fast-path to 100% 😍😍 !

It may be too take to cancel as it’s already next week. If I do end up actually having to drive in, and do end up getting assigned to a trial once I get there, I do really like that I could get my service out if he way while minimizing the impact on my students. I’ve (temporarily) cancelled most of my privates. Ugh…..I already cancelled must two weeks of lessons month before last due to my Disneyland vacation, I feel terrible abandoning people. I also just want to dance!. I’m so happy I can do it again now. Being trapped in a jury box will be like being stuck that darn hospital room 🤣, without the freedom to stand up.

I’ shared my suggestions in another video prioritizing how to spend your dance budget to be most effective in dance in dancesport. In my experience, costuming is the lowest priority in the list, as judging is ultimately about the dancing. Costuming comes more heavily into Kay once competitors get to the highest levels, which realistically that is a small minority of the ballroom dance ss well as dancesport world. .i I think you’ approaching this with a level head Kirkland, which is more likely to result in the highest level dancing sooner. 😃😃

My pleasure Dawn! Words cannot express how much I appreciate when people ask questions. It makes it super easy for me to pick a topic to discuss. And these are always the videos that are most interesting for everyone!!!

You are too kind Ria! And you are spot on - dancing is healthy in so many levels. I am having loads of fun and joy every time I dance! 😃😍😃

I didn't know about that. If I get that, are they just going to 'delay' my jury duty Denise? If I absolutely have to sit through a trial, now would be a better time than the future for my teaching schedule, as I (temporarily!!!!) cancelled my standing lessons with my less experienced students. I'm 100% looking forward to seeing them ASAP, I just need to take it easy until these bones all heal back together.

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel no I believe you would just go back to the bottom of the pot just think about how many people are eligible for jury duty and they have to go through all of them so chances are it would be years before you get a call again

Brianna is a total sweetheart Smac! 😃

Thanks James I need all the help I can get!!!

Unlike most pros, I did attend and graduate from college. Tuition alone was over $100,000. It sounds crazy (and is!) that I spent exponentially more to turn pro. There are super cheap options (DVIDA certification, franchise studio ‘teacher trading, etc). But if you want to ballroom dance at an elite level, OR ECEN JUST COMOETE SUCCESSFULLY AS AN AMAREUR!!! // the expense is off the chain! Most PHD’s have dropped less $$$$$ on their education. I agteee it’s a shame I do feel there are many super talented dancers that never achieve their potential. Just based on the Benjamins

I agree also, it's pretty unfortunate. Btw Sunnie, I actually think you look really nice!

Thank you Annie! The black hair looked a lot better with my eyes and skin color than what I expected! In person the hair looks very plastic-y like a doll’s hair - stiff, very shiny, and kind of lumpy on my scalp, as well as the parts underneath where my hair kind of pops out or props it up. The only person who had an opinion as to Whether of not I’m the goth look would make me less desirable a candidate for jury duty was my daughter, who thinks if just looks like I’m dressed up fir a Halloween *laughs*! But she does know what I normally look like. No one in the courtroom would know me. For fun I might buy a higher quality black ‘vampire” style wig and sport it for fun!

Andrew you totally just made my day! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 😃😃😃

They are breathtaking Exxons!!!😍😍😍

I live this James! I’ve taken from some incredibly accomplished leads who (to my surprise) didn’t know the follows part. Likewise I’ve taken from a couple incredible follows, who could do zero choreography, and did not know how the lead most effectively implements their part. Im always painting with a broad brush to cram in as much info as I can in a short video snippet. I***I have absolutely taken with leads that have full mastery of the follows part, and vice -versa. Teachers like you are fantastic!!!***

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Thank you, you are very gracious. I'm currently just trying to get back into teaching. The little I can do here and there have shown me how much I miss it.

Thank you Jonas for sharing more about Chelsea! Now that you mention iit - most of the former DES pros have their spoon in many pots!😃

I didn't know she was in any movies

Thank you for sharing this Aries! 😃😃😃

I haven't seen her put any up for a while now

@@peachxtaehyung I listen on Spotify, there's 3 new episodes weekly

I totally agree DanceStar!!! There are so very many dancers that are beautiful and joyful to watch😍😍😍

I only picked one couple because someone asked the explicit question in our comments. There are so many dancers I admire!

Ricardo and Yulia are my favorite Latin couple. She nearly melts my eyeballs Christian! ❤️

Hi Dawn! I know several costume designers. I’ll put the Bat Signal out, and respond with a video as soon as I hear their response. I have some solid theories, but even better to hear directly! Thank you so very much for asking. I’m sure lots of people are wondering the same thing. 😊😊

I’m so glad you had the courage to stand up for yourself Jonqu! Despite my politely turning this teacher down every single time, he was oblivious (or hoping to change my mind). It was super awkward for me. When I finally spelled it out clearly for him that it made me uncomfortable and to not ask me again, it worked. His sales tactics only worked on one amateur dance that I know of. And she ended up marrying him, so maybe she had a crush on him or they were already dating. Certainly she would t have signed up to improve her dancing!

Hi TotallyLeftField! If I understand this correctly, your current Saturday dance partner is suggesting you replace her with a new partner? If yes, here’s my two cents… 1) Tell Martha you’re very happy with your relationship as it’s been with her, and you’d like to continue on this track. She might just be insecure, and passively seeking reassurance. 2) Ask Martha if she is suggesting this because she would prefer to take a break from Saturdays. I doubt this is the case, but I can tell you in retrospect - when my first pro’s burnout began, he encouraged me to partner with another pro who wanted to compete with me. He even offered to let that pro live in his home for free. I said no, I’m happy competing with you, we’ve built a reputation together, I don’t want to switch horses mid-face, yadda yadda. Soon after he cancelled nearly every practice, and when we did dance (even socially, in pro shows, even taking coaching) he had ever-increasing tantrums where he hated the way I danced. He ended up quitting dancing altogether. I ended up finding another pro partner, who treated me much better. Looking back, I’m confident he suggested switching, because he himself didn’t want to dance with me (or ultimately, didn’t want to dance AT ALL.). I don’t personally ‘get it,’ as a day hasn’t passed in my life where I cannot wait to slap those boards! Most people fade out over time, and transition to another hobby or career. Please update me if you have the conversation with her. I hope this turns out well!

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Wow Sunnie your awesome, I appreciate your input and I will update you, thank you. 😊

My pleasure TitallyLeftField😃😃😃!

@@jamesbenstine6020 good morning James! Oh my gosh it can be so hard to find the right personality match in dancesport. Someone you can problem solve with, ensure failures, agree on goals, etc gets dancers much farther than initial technical ability of that partner for sure!

I understand these studios can be the best match for some people. However, in my personal observation, I’ve never once seen them train an elite level dancer... and the students pay more for lesser quality technique. About 6 months ago I shared a video which detailed several lawsuits students won against franchise studios, due to unethical practices (and perhaps illegal practices, since the students won the lawsuists, even after the companies appealed). Soon after, I received a nastygram from the Powers-That-Be. Although I only stated the facts and public documented case law history, I removed the video rather than risk being attacked by a weathly laywered-up company. It would be nice if someone who is naively remaining in that system might see one of these videos, and make an informed decision about where the best place for them to dance is. It might be a franchise studio, but I feel it is worth making educated decisions. I’m sorry you had a disappointing initial experience. But it's wonderful that in the end, you found a learning environment that best meets your goals! 😃

@@Furcorners oh Darnit thank you Furcorners! I rarely watch my videos as the sound of my high pitched voice annoys me. 🤣 As soon as I get home - I’ll add description of the movements in the comments. THANK YOU for saying something!

Thank you Alan! It still hurts almost constantly, especially when I lie down, sit, or move while upright. But I’m super excited my ability to move my leg within tolerable pain limits is visibly improving. I’m doing great!

Awww, thanks! The candy pink one is a Chrisanne fabric.

Thank you so very much DanceStar!😃

Thank you Carol!!! It still hurts to do almost anything, other than stand dead still with my femur perfectly perpendicular to the floor. Bit I’m still very positive, and very excited to see growth every single day! 😃

Most pro dancers would rather like their eye out with a sharp stick than appear on the show, or any TV honestly. I was contacted by agents and even a network wanting to film ballroom dance “REALITY” TV in my studio. Furstly, it’s disruptive to the studio dancers to have film crew taking over when’s they need it. Second it, I knew they only wanted to draft melodrama between ‘characters,’ that sctuallly had zero to do with ballroom dancing. In fact it was to their benefit to craft a firestorm, and make the show emotionally compelling for viewers, and generate ad revenue. I agree with you Mr.39 - HARD PASS!!!!!

I didn’t know about that LGP thank you for sharing this! Whenever two famous people with big egos marry, I feel like I’m holding my breath just waiting for the firestorm to start. There are two sides to every story…. I am very interested to see how this plays out in the courts!

I didn’t realize how much I take eensyweemsy ‘mini breaks’ navigating my mouse (eg: place me hand on the countertop and pause for a moment) to give that super tender area a little rest. I went into the grocery store using just the cart, but actually really struggled getting out of the store and getting back to my car. I guess I didn’t realize how large the footprint of the store is ;it was Fred Meyer). They weeent able yk fi a surgery on me. As the broken parts are up inside the sucker. The ducted warned me it would be a very painful recovery. But on the upside, he said that surgery is a lot more likely to result i.permanent reduction in mobility. It hurt so much that first week I would have picked gag route anyway, as it exponentially speeds the recovery and oaun. But now that I’m over the himo, it’s probably gif the heat they couldn’t fix it right away. What a crazy injury! Whenever I hurt myself. It’s not in saving. My husband says I’m a total clutch, and when I put my dance shoes in, there’s my ‘magic shoes’ where I’m no longer a glitz!😆🤣😃

Awesome! Do you have round dancing there, too?

THANK YOU so much for sharing this DanceSrar!!

No we don’t but our Latin and standard ballroom classes are all done in international style but it’s taught with technical alignments and professional technique

I love this. In my opinion, international style requires deeper understanding of lead, follow, rotation, connection - in a nutshell, technique. My sexind pro partner added American style, per the recommendation of his primary coach at the time, after getting to champ level in international as an amateur. He dances standard for his whole life. After starting American smooth, he won the US championship title IN JUST ONE YEAR. Likewise, I had friends who were the king-time reigning American smooth champions. They added standard, said it was the most transition in their long dance career…I don’t recall them ever making even a single round. Either indicate to me that international style irequires a great deal more understanding of the mechanics of partner dance. I’m not throwing shade at American style - in fact I teach it to all wedding couples, so they can ‘learn to dance’ in a single lesson. But I always encourage dancers who want to eventually compete at an elite level, in either style, to start with international. It’s a just a wonderful foundation!

Also -almost all the pro American style finalists (not at the closed tiny chain studio comps, but the NDCA sanctioned legit open comps) all started in international style!

Thank you Bob! 😍

Interesting! I truly believe that sort of negativity an territorialism bit only hurts the community, but in the end - hurts the studio owner who’s spreading those ugly vibes!!!

***SPOT ON*** RanyCraze! Indicates to me massive arrogance and lack of understanding of how people of different talents and abilities than him are equally intelligent…probably ly more in his case given the life choices he’s made as of late. 2 of my wonderful dance partners were respected in their respective blue-collar careers. I suspect his construction career will not work out either. Firstly, because of his reprehensible attitude. Second, because like most champ pros, he lacks life skills necessary to be skilled in other industries. Good riddance!

You’re so right Angie! He was a walking encyclopedia of dance! He described a lots of figures in this way! It was very helpful for me to learn open figures faster/bette, rather than having to ‘reinvent the whee’ with every single figure l

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel In ballroom dancing, as in many fields of performing arts, the development of the art seems to parallel the development of the individual practicing the art/skill, progressing from the simple to more elaborate figures and amalgamations. Later developments always seem to build upon mastery of earlier accomplishments. I find this true in many sports as well.

Hi JoAnn! Fond memories teaching back at the grange! Can you believe I’m still teaching and dancing after all these years?! I 😍😍. love it just as much today as I did at my very first ballroom dance lesson

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Yes good times! I miss my dancing years though. You are as beautiful as ever.

@@joanngilliland6073 awwwwwww, thank you sweet friend!

Oh my gosh Jonqu thank you so much for sharing this! I learn something new every day - I’ve never even heard of this book! Where did you purchase it?

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel I didn’t, but I expect it is available at the Amazon. I always get to my lessons early and the dance studio I got to had it on the table. I just picket it up and read a few chapters every time I went. What I found interesting was when and how the current “standard” ballroom dances were actually introduced. It also focused a lot on how each of the dances became standards and popular. Dances I had never heard of used to be common and standard, and a few I thought were old turned out to be late comers.

Can you believe it Camille? 😃 !!!!!! I feel like I heading up the steep slip of the Belle curve (in a positive way!) where I’m seeing exponential growth, meaning not only improving daily, but improving faster than yesterday.” I just finished this mornings ‘home health” with my physical therapist Andrew. He gave me a bunch more exercises as it’s still crazy painful to have any turnout, and any lateral movement with my left leg. Steps in the right direction!!!

My pleasure Npryadko! Can you imagine competing or even social dancing, with absolutely no codified, ‘agreed upon’ foundation that everyone builds the foundation of their dance on?! It drives me batty if I go to a social dance, the DJ announces “Here’s a samba!” Then they proceed to play merengue temp music! I think we get more sensitive to the temp, the more experienced we become. Dancesport would never be as graceful, musical, powerful, and beautiful - if the ISTD never took the initiative to establish reliable perameters! 😊