Dance! Eclectic Information

Dance! Eclectic teaches participatory, partnered, social dance: * Several styles of swing, waltz, blues, latin and other dances -- classes, workshops, private lessons -- for adults, teens, children 10 and up. * History and ethnology of American popular music and dance in culture -- K-12 classes/workshops, higher education, continuing education for practicing teachers. As co-owners Linda Townsend West and David West ARE the company. Their philosophy, approach to dance and learning, their personalities and individual and collective expertise make the company what it is and determines the experience students have in learning dance. Linda -- primary instructor, planning, networking, outreach A former classroom teacher with expertise in teaching to individual learning styles, her ability to relate to people of all ages, put them at ease and draw them out, gives her classes and private lessons warmth, humor, and a sense of ease. Her extensive and diverse background in all things dance gives her a deep well from which to draw, helping each student begin from where s/he is in the moment and advance to the next step. David -- acoustic/technology expert, project manager, co-instructor His expertise ensures their classes have the highest quality sound and technological teaching tools available to enhance students' learning. His physics background, and training and experience in modern dance, tango, west coast swing and waltz make him a knowledgeable partner and co-instructor. Together, their interest is in starting beginning students out well -- easing them onto the dance floor in a way that is comfortable for them, and giving them a solid foundation in basic movement, rhythms, styling and partnering, with plenty of permission and encouragement to be creative, improvise and play. "Dancing with a partner is a private conversation held in a public place. It's possible to 'talk' about anything you wish if you both know the language."