As part of our Tuesday’s Tips & Technique column we will be featuring a tip from all of the teachers at Dance Station. Look for tip and technique ideas from all of your favorite teachers!
Lead technique at first seems to be about being strong and forceful and making the follower execute the desired result. Is this ever a mistake! Leaders and followers have to perform much the same job in their dancing: Moving from their centers of gravity and holding tone so both arms and body are communicating the same direction.
A leader never forces a follower to do things, but instead requests by moving his body in a clear and decisive way. It is then up to the follower to create her movement while holding her own tone and integrity.
Dancing is a conversation. Sometimes there are misunderstandings that have to be resolved by moving through to the next action, when the leader can pause and ask himself what he can do to offer a clearer request. Inevitably the answer is to ensure that the leader (and follower) are active through their core muscles and moving themselves clearly from foot to foot. We must remember that a leader is listening and responding to the follower much the same way the follower listens for the lead. This mutual attentiveness is what will create a great lead.
April Evans is an instructor at Dance Station. If you are interested in taking a lesson with April, please call us at (505) 989-9788.
