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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 12 March 2009 18:11 |
My wife and I have taken beginning, intermediate and advanced level WCS lessons from other instructors before meeting Jim. By all accounts, we thought we were pretty good. A few years ago, we were introduced to Jim and decided to take a few group lessons. Jim took us all the way back to the foundations of the dance and helped us unlearn most of bad habits we had considered good WCS dance basics. He helped us establish our center, our connection and good lead/follow techniques that have taken us beyond any level we thought we would ever achieve. Three years later, we still go through the basics as a part of each lesson. We now realize that the basics are foundational to everything else related to the dance. Techniques learned from Jim’s classes have carried over into our other dances as well. There are a lot of great WCS dancers in the Seattle area and I feel like I can dance with the best of them. Anytime we travel to other places (cruises, etc.), we get a constant flow of people stopping by to tell us what beautiful dancers we are. I would definitely recommend Jim to any of my dancing friends who want to improve their West Coast Swing experience.
-- Doug Carey |
If you are a male with absolutely no west coast swing background, Jim Minty is an an excellent choice for an instructor. I was a raw beginner, and he gave me sound basics which moved me through the learning process building skills and self confidence. Jim was able to break west coast swing down into an enjoyable learning experience without intimidation. He used my interests and related them to what he was teaching, making it easy to understand.
-- David Berg |
In group lessons, Jim's ability to give instruction on the basic techniques for the foundation of west coast swing are excellent. Using those basics, he moves the group into fun and challenging patterns. In private lessons, Jim has quickly analyzed my strengths and weaknesses, and has given me instruction that has made significant improvements in my dance.
-- Linda Berg |
The things I liked about your workshop was that it was small and we all got lots of personal attention from you and Katie. I would have liked to take your beginning workshop too - but the time just did not work. I am trying to integrate the skills learned in the workshop into my dancing. What I really began to understand from the workshops was the whole concept of the prep before leading a turn. Suddenly I am aware of how many follows have "floppy arms" and so there is the lesson about holding a certain amount of tone in your arms so that your intent is transfered to your own body and that of your partner.
-- Abel Hewitt |
I came to the class having a passing knowledge of the steps of the basic patterns. Your class helped me begin to grasp the "connectedness" of WCS. I have a foundation to build on and a solid goal to work toward. I'm not just practicing steps and patterns anymore.
-- Kaylee |
Jim, Katie
I really appreciate that you let us into the combined class, especially me as a newbie with a bad leg!
As I said to Kaylee many times on the way out,
'How really good you two were. That you emphasize the fundamentals in a way that makes sense, and your thoughtful combinations gave us
an understanding of how the dance should feel. Inspiration!
And your intro to musicality was excellent! I avoid dances just because I didn't have a clue about how to 'hit' the music that I could hear. It would drive me nuts, so I didn't want inflict that on any follow. But now I have some combinations to work with!
-- Dave |
You taught me in following to always push myself off and use my own abilities to get down the slot with style, grace and an inter strength of my own but still listening to my partners directions as a leader. And a lot about connection !
You are a patient ,caring teacher that is truly interested in your students concerns.
-- Sue Carson |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 September 2009 00:48 |
