WHAT IS SOCIAL DANCESPORT?
Social DanceSport (SDS) is a program for those who are interested in learning international-style ballroom dances but are either currently uninterested or unable to join the team. This program offers a fun way to learn many dances, steps, and routines identical to the ones taught to rookies on the team, without participating in competitions. It is offered in fall and spring semester of each year. Each semester SDS students will undergo progressive Standard and Latin classes, learning steps and technique for 8 international competitive dances (Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Jive) that are taught by the our own current Beginner DanceSport instructors. Since this is a progressive class, we’ll work on each dance for a total of 3 weeks in order to build up from the basics and put more performance into the dance.
SDS vs SOCIAL
Our Social DanceSport (SDS) program is different from our Social Program in that Social focuses on learning new moves and having fun, while SDS focuses on technique and performance. While SDS keeps Social’s fun aspect, it is more rigorous than Social and geared towards those who want to dedicate more time to improving their dancing. Additionally, SDS classes only teach the 8 international style dances (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive), while Social teaches two Nightclub dances, Salsa and Hustle, as well as the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Cha Cha, and Rumba.
Of course this program is also simply a progressive social dance class for students to learn dances and steps. We aim to provide a fun atmosphere for students to take a break from the rigorous academic life, or just life in general.
CLASS TIMES AND FEES
The first SDS class for the semester starts on the third week of each semester. The first class for Spring 2012 starts February 2nd. (Last class is April 26th. 12 classes, last day of academic instruction is April 27th and RRR week April 30 – May 4) Every class will be held in Wheeler Hall (in the area immediate to the main entrance) from 7:30pm to 9:00pm on Thursdays, for a total of 12 weeks (the whole semester, no class during RRR week and no class during Spring break on March 29). There is no application or registration process, so simply show up to class on time. Partners are not required but bring your friends to make each class more fun. We cannot guarantee students a partner from the program.
The fees are as follows:
Drop-in: $10 per class. If you decide to enroll in a package listed below, this drop-in fee will count towards the package price once.
Introduction Package: $85 Includes all 12 group classes, handouts, e-mail updates and class summaries + 1 complementary individual 30 min lesson
Basic Package: $150 Includes all 12 group classes, handouts, e-mail updates and class summaries + 5 complementary individual 30 min lessons
Full Package: $205 Includes all 12 group classes, handouts, e-mail updates and class summaries + 10 complementary individual 30 min lessons (These complementary individual lessons can be taken during next semester if they are not completed during current semester)
INDIVIDUAL LESSONS
Additional 60 min individual or couple lessons are $40 per individual and $50 per couple, and are not included in the packages above. These can be requested from our Social DanceSport coordinator (Kathleen, sds@ucbd.org) who will be present at all group classes.
Individual lessons are especially useful for those who wish to join the team or simply want to learn more. All individual lessons are taught by advanced dancers from the team who are very experienced and will significantly help students improve their dancing. The regular time for taking individual lessons will be 6pm to 7:30pm on Tuesdays at Wheeler Hall (same area). With individual attention, instructors can address the finer points of technique and steps tailored specifically to the student’s needs, resulting in dramatic improvement. Note that if a student is taking these individual lessons with a partner who also purchased one of the packages, they will have all the lessons from both packages. Therefore, if both signed up for the Basic Package both can to take lessons almost weekly, and if both signed up for the Full Package both can take lessons once or twice a week. Students may choose to take more than 1 lesson per day. However, we do not recommend taking more than 2 per day (one full hour). Lesson dates and times can be arranged by by speaking to our Social DanceSport coordinator.
JOINING THE TEAM
Team members have access to DanceSport classes with professional instructors at reduced costs, office hours, subsidized competitions, and studio quality practice space. They improve much faster than students in our SDS or social programs due to the faster pace and the availability of coaches and practice space. For those who are interested in joining the team but are currently ineligible, it is advisable that they take the SDS program in the fall semester so that they can join the rookie class in the spring semester. Those interested in joining the team should talk to the SDS coordinator in advance so that he or she may get advice about practicing and receive extra information about joining the team. Please note that enrolling in this program does not guarantee a place on the team next semester, nor a partner. Therefore it is recommended that students come with a partner, particularly for a follower who wishes to join the team. Furthermore, please be aware that although classes are taught at the same pace as the rookies, it may seem more rigorous because there is no extra practice space or time guaranteed. Therefore individual lessons (link to individual lessons section) will be particularly beneficial and will greatly improve chances of joining the team for those who wish to. Furthermore, it is imperative that students spend extensive time practicing on their own and with their partner. Instructors can give advice during individual lessons, but in order to join the team it is essential that students find time to practice outside of regular class time as the class itself will progress at a demanding pace.
Questions? Email our SDS Coordinator, Kathleen, at sds@ucbd.org.
We hope to see you all in class soon!
