[Tango-L] Teaching couples vs Solo Teachers

[Nussbaum, Martin]

 The advantages of the professional teaching couple are so obvious, not just
for the sake of visually seeing the correct technique, but hearing the
explanations and impressions from both partners as to what is transmitted,
what is felt,  that I wonder why this question was posed in this manner.
The only possible disadvantage I can think of is expense: other things such
as reputation being equal(admittedly they rarely are)it costs more to hire a
famous teaching couple than a solo instructor.  Most of the better teaching
couples have been together for some time,  which has helped them create
their unique artistry.  So, the real decision comes down to the premium you
are willing to pay for the couple,  which is a function of the size and/or
discretionary cash of your tango community. 

"Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 17:20:34 -0500
From: "Lois Donnay" <donnay at donnay.net>
Subject: [Tango-L] Teachers - couples versus singles?

Do you prefer that your teachers teach with a partner or alone, using the
students to demonstrate moves? Why? What are the advantages or
disadvantages?

Lois Donnay
Minneapolis, MN "





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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 17:49:10 -0500
From: "Ron Weigel" <tango.society at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] Teachers - couples versus singles?
To: "Lois Donnay" <donnay at donnay.net>
Cc: tango-l at mit.edu
Message-ID:
	<cff24c340609191549o6163028ag102b36db654a6cf8 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 9/19/06, Lois Donnay <donnay at donnay.net> wrote:
> Do you prefer that your teachers teach with a partner or alone, using 
> the students to demonstrate moves? Why? What are the advantages or 
> disadvantages?
>
> Lois Donnay
> Minneapolis, MN

Teaching with a partner is definitely preferable, for several reasons.
The couple has been teaching together and is familiar with the material.
Both the leader's and follower's parts can be demonstrated by a couple that
has worked together.

It is quite annoying when an instructor teaches alone and pulls a person out
of the group to demonstate with and the person cannot adequately demonstrate
what is being taught. There is no way the leader's part can be demonstrated
by a person in the class who is unfamiliar with what is beging taught, so
the person who is pulled from the class is inevitably a follower. Thus,
followers are often cheated out of a having a good model for what they are
being taught.

This problem is less serious if, for example, a visiting instructor works
with a local instructor as an assistant. In such cases it is even possible
for a woman visiting instructor to demonstrate the follower's part to the
class. The teaching partnership may be ad hoc, but at least the partners
usually have the requisite skills.

Ron


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End of Tango-L Digest, Vol 6, Issue 18
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