Help Support the Beginner Dancer in Your Life
Plenty of us have been dancing since we were teeny-tiny tappers and trinas, but walking into a dance class as an older beginner can be seriously intimidating. Luckily, one silver lining of the pandemic is that it’s easier than ever to try out a two-step without even stepping into the studio—virtual classes seem to be everywhere we click nowadays.
Is one of your friends, siblings, parents, or grandparents interested in starting to dance, but totally unsure about where to begin? As the resident dancer in their lives, there are plenty of ways for you to encourage them. Here are just a few of the ways to support the newest dancer in your life.
Roll Out the Recommendations
The pandemic has opened up a whole new world of dance classes that you can stream right into your living room. By now, you’re probably a seasoned Zoom dance pro. So start by asking your aspiring dancer what their goals are. Are they looking to just become more active? Study a specific genre of dance? Find a new creative outlet? Take that info and help them narrow down what kinds of virtual classes they might enjoy. Then, recommend some studios you know and love.
Be sure to give your friend or relative an impression of what to expect from their virtual class. Don’t forget to offer Zoom-specific tips, like where to place their camera, or how to rearrange their furniture to provide enough space for class. And if they’re nervous (or don’t want the pressure of being on camera for their first few classes), let them know it’s okay to leave their camera off until they’re ready to try class with it on. After all, if Hugh Jackman can do it, so can they
Join Their Journey
Maybe you’d also like to broaden your dance horizons, or your friend is looking for an accountability partner. Try taking a beginner level class with your friend in a style you’re unfamiliar with. Plenty of studios offer workshops for beginning dancers in a variety of styles, like Broadway Dance Center’s Absolute Beginner Workshop seriesAbsolute Beginner Workshop series, which offers a series in every genre from ballet to street jazz.
Another option is to find a dance class video on YouTube, like Kathryn Morgan’s at-home class series, and take it at the same time over a Zoom call by sharing your screen. That way, you can pause the video if you need to answer a question from your friend. (And try your best to remain calm when they ask you, for the fifth time, what “plié” means.)
Cheer Them Through Challenges
Most importantly, be there to support your friend or relative in their new dance journey. You know that there can be bumps along the road, but you also know that nothing compares to the feeling of nailing a hard combo, or accomplishing your next dance goal. The newest dancer in your life has all those milestones to look forward to along the way. Don’t let them get discouraged when it’s difficult —and help them celebrate their accomplishments, big or small.
