The conversation around dance syllabus can vary from an emphasis of its importance to its irrelevance in a single breathe. So what is dance syllabus and how can we use it as a tool in developing our dancing.
First thing to understand is what is the dance syllabus. It is nothing more than a list of steps developed for each dance. This list typically begins with the most simple and fundamental patterns and progresses to more difficult and complicated patterns. There are an abundance of syllabus collections available, from individual dance schools that spent time creating their own syllabus for each dance, to formal dance organizations and societies that found it helpful have all its students speaking the same dance language.
Syllabus has many purposes, for a student that is involved in competition, it can help create a standard at which you compete. There are levels referred to as Bronze, Silver and Gold, each level progressively more difficult. When you compete, you declare a level, now there is an understanding and agreement for both the student and the judges as to the difficulty level the student is currently participating in .
Another useful purpose for the syllabus is evident in the learning process. A well thought out syllabus list not only gives you variety in patterns for your dancing, but also helps you develop the skills you need for your progress. If you follow a syllabus carefully you might notice that each step is developing a particular skill or technique that you will need in the coming steps. This is why jumping around in a syllabus list can be difficult, you may not have yet developed an underlying skill for a more complicated action. Understanding that the syllabus is simply trying to breakdown your dancing skill needs in a digestible way is very important. If you use syllabus with these benefits in mind you will find your dancing progress enhanced.
If you think of syllabus as nothing more than a list of patterns telling you where to put your feet, well that is all you will get. Students often find themselves able to list or even demonstrate a particular step yet are surprised to be unable to execute it with a partner. The step patterns are only one aspect of the dancing, and if you develop only the one aspect, you will find the dancing very difficult. If you understand the helpful role syllabus can play in developing a well rounded dancer, then we are on our way to much greater pleasure on the dance floor. 
Lawrence is a teacher at Dance Station. If you would like to take lessons with Lawrence or any of our teachers call 505-989-9788 to schedule.
