Weekend Tango Workshops
Today's Date: 03 Sep 2010
The weekly classes are complemented by weekend workshops with visiting professional teachers, run by the ETS. To see the list of teachers that visited Edinburgh since 1998 see: Archive of past workshops.
Many of the teachers are regular visitors every year, so if you missed a workshop, just be patient!
Booking and partners
We need to balance the numbers of followers and leaders in workshops and classes, so that nobody has to sit out. It is the best practice to book with the partner - this way you will know who you're going to dance with and you will definitely be able to take the workshop/class, as long as you book before all the places are filled. If you can't find a partner you can book on your own but make sure to book early. You will be able to take class as long as we'll be able to balance it. You may be adviced that you're on the waiting list if the booking for the class is unbalanced. Once you've booked expect to receive a confirmation of your booking within a week - if you haven't, please submit your booking again or send us an e-mail - on rare occasions the bookings do not come through.
Choosing your level
Please remember that your level does not depend on how long ago you've started to dance, but on how intensely you practice and on your personal abilities. You may dance for three years and be on the improver level, you may dance for ten years and be on intermediate level.
Bear in mind some teachers require you to know the basics of their particular style for intermediate and advanced levels. As a general rule, if you don't know a teacher, it is always worth going to the improver class to get used to their style and technique. We do not have exams or tests to determine which level you should take. If you're not sure about your level please ask Jenny, Ricardo, Jessie, Monica, or whoever your regular teacher is - if you go to a class that is too difficult you are likely not to benefit from it and it may be problematic for people that will dance with you in the class and for the teachers.
Even if you are an experienced dancer, the more basic level workshops will remind you of basic technical tips and help correct bad habits, and refresh the fundamental style, technique and terminology used by the teachers.
Improver
At least one term of classes, practicas and social dancing. You can navigate the dance floor and execute a range of walking, ochos and turns confidently. You may still require to learn steps by doing step-by-step with the teacher. You still need to improve your technique and repertoire and concentrate on dancing to the music and on the connection with your partner. These classes are also suitable for more advanced dancers.
Intermediate
At least 2 years experience of weekly classes, practicas and dancing or 1 year of classes and workshops and intensive practice (dancing 4-5 days a week). You move confidently on the dance floor, avoiding collisions with other dancers, without disrupting the dance flow. You are familiar with all the basic tango steps (walking, ochos, turns, barridas, boleos, sacadas, ganchos) and are starting to improvise your dance, concentrating on musicality and connection with your partner. You can understand steps by watching and then working them out with your partner, requiring only the finer details to be explained by the teacher.
Advanced
At least 3-4 years of intensive classes, workshops, practice and private classes. You should be fully aware of dance etiquette and rules of the dance floor. You should be fluent and comfortable with all tango steps, and are concerned with developing your dancing through improvisation, musicality and connection with your partner, allowing the teachers to explore the possibilities of these relationships. Often the level will be higher, and you should make sure that you are going to have someone of your own level to do the class with. Generally we ask that people book in couples for these workshops.
Group Private Class
Most weekends with visiting teachers,two of the teaching sessions can be booked as a group private class. This enables you to take a class with friends in order to learn in a more intimate atmosphere, with lots of personal attention, but at a lower cost than personal private classes. Other benefits include the teachers working with the group, so that you can learn from watching and analysing each other. Groups can be from 2-10 people, dividing the fixed cost between the participants. Classes will programmed in the usual venue and times arranged for the whole workshop. Private group classes must be booked and a deposit paid before the classes are advertised to the public, normally 2 months before the workshop.
