[nabs-l] taking dance classes

Mon Mar 6 21:21:42 UTC 2017

Hi Ahbee,
That's wonderful that you want to continue dancing! I also did various types of dance growing up, including clogging for many years! Now I am a competitive ballroom dancer, and I am happy to try to help in any way I can.
Usually when starting a new class with a new instructor, I introduce myself to them right before the class begins, explain that I am blind, and ask them to please be as verbal as possible when teaching, since I will not be able to see what they are doing. Like Miso said, I can usually then follow along pretty well and try to do the steps based on the instructor's explanations, asking for clarification when I need it, or asking the other students or friends around me if I'm doing it correctly. Depending on the class-size, if you are able to have a few moments with the teacher, you can certainly still ask to feel their body position, foot position, etc., or ask them to help shape your arms, head, etc. in the proper directions. Then, if I still have questions by the end of the class, I usually try to approach the teacher and ask for any additional clarifications to help solidify what was learned. The nice thing about ballroom is you are working with a partner much of the time, so often you can work together to figure out what you should be doing. Remember that everyone else will be learning alongside you, so it's OK to ask questions. Even though they can probably see the instructor, they might still have the same question as you do. The important thing is to try not to get frustrated if you're not understanding the step right away, which is easier said than done, but to keep trying and remember it's supposed to be fun! :-)
I'd be happy to talk anything dance with you further, so please feel free to email me off list at katelynmacmusic at gmail.com any time.
Also, feel free to join the Performing Arts Division Listserv, as I know we have other dancers on there as well. You can do so by visiting  http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/perform-talk_nfbnet or sending an email with "Subscribe" in the subject line to perform-talk-request at nfbnet.org
I hope this is helpful, and again please feel to reach out with any other questions.
Happy dancing!

~Katelyn MacIntyre
www.katelynmac.com
www.facebook.com/KatelynMacMusic
@KatelynMacMusic
Vice President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division

> On Mar 6, 2017, at 9:34 AM, Miso Kwak via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Ahbee, I do not have much expertise in dancing but I have learned
> folk dancing in elementary school, did marching band, and swing
> dancing in college.
> In marching band and swing dancing, I would listen to the instruction
> and perform it as I understood them. I then asked my friends to tell
> me if I was doing it right or if I could correct any move. Since it
> was a large group setting in both situations with only a few
> instructors, it was impossible to get one-on-one attention at all
> times. However, I had some friends who were also in the class that
> wanted to help me. Occasionally I asked instructors for one-on-one
> help, and they were happy to help me.
> 
> Hope you can fit dancing into your schedule.
> 
> Happy dancing!
> --Miso
> 
>> On 3/6/17, Elizabeth Mohnke via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hello Ahbee,
>> 
>> I think it is great that you want to expand on your dance skills by taking
>> more dance classes provided that you can fit them into your schedule.
>> However, it is possible you might have better luck receiving answers to your
>> questions by posting them to the sports and recreation division email list.
>> 
>> 
>> You can find the sports and recreation email list by going to www.nfbnet.org
>> and clicking on the join or drop email list link. This brings up a list of
>> all of the NFBNet email lists. Simply click on the link for the sports and
>> recreation link to sign up for this email list.
>> 
>> However, if you do not want to sign up for this email list simply to ask one
>> question, perhaps you could simply contact the President of the sports and
>> recreation division.  Perhaps she might be able to answer your questions or
>> put you in touch with someone who can answer your questions. Her contact
>> information is as follows:
>> 
>> Jessica Beecham
>> Program Director
>> WE Fit Wellness
>> 1837 S. Nevada Ave
>> PMB 243
>> CO Springs, CO 80905
>> W           866-543-6808
>> C            615-497-0435
>> Jessica at wefitwellness.com
>> www.wefitwellness.com
>> 
>> Hopefully these resources can help you find the answers to your questions on
>> the best way to take dance classes as a blind person.
>> 
>> Good luck,
>> Elizabeth
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ahbee Orton via
>> NABS-L
>> Sent: Monday, March 06, 2017 8:05 AM
>> To: Lizzy via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Ahbee Orton <ahbeeorton at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: [nabs-l] taking dance classes
>> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> I had a question about dancing. I took tap, ballet, and clogging when I was
>> in elementary school. I can't remember all that my helper used to do for me,
>> but I do know that she would come and let me feel of her body positions and
>> guide my body in the right directions by showing me how to do the moves. How
>> would you suggest I learn dancing now that I'm a high schooler? The school I
>> attend  have different levels of dancing classes. I'm not sure I could do
>> those classes with my busy schedule for next year, but you never know. Even
>> if I took a dance class at a different place, how should people teach me to
>> do ballroom dancing or ballet, tap, clogging, jazz, lyrical, or whatever? I
>> very much enjoy dancing but I'm not sure how to tell others to help me.
>> Tahnks so much!
>> 
>> Warmly,
>> Ahbee
>> 
>> “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is
>> not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not
>> easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil
>> but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always
>> hopes, always perseveres.”
>> ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
>> envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is
>> not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
>> Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always
>> protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
>> ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬
>> ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Mi So Kwak
> University of California, Los Angeles | 2017
> Psychology B.A. | Education Studies Minor | Disability Studies Minor
> (909) 660-1897
> 
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